Buenos Aires Cultural Encounter

Discover the real Buenos Aires through this in-depth exploration of the rich and vibrant culture of the city through its art galleries,  museums, tango, varied architecture and its street life.

Day 1- Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires, reception at the airport. We will hand out a guide which points out the most important museums of the city and the exhibitions taking place during your stay. Transfer to the hotel. 

In the afternoon, city tour The Fine Arts in Time, starting in La Recoleta, one of the most elegant and sophisticated districts. Here we will visit ‘Nuestra Señora del Pilar’ church, Recoleta Cultural Center known for giving impulse to the fine arts in their most contemporary expressions, and the cemetery, well known world wide due to its rich architecture and because it is the place where the high society’s and political celebrities remains dwell. A brief visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts, which offers an important collection of paintings belonging both to Argentinean and European artists. The visit will continue to the Palais de Glace. This circular shaped place used to be an ice skating rink, and is currently the National Expositions Place, where different temporary exhibitions are held. We continue towards Palermo neighbourhood, characterized by its elegant mansions surrounded by green areas. We will drive through Parque 3 de febrero (February 3rd Park), the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) and the Facultad de Derecho (Law School).

At night, tango dinner show at Esquina Carlos Gardel. This theme restaurant is located at the exact same place where another restaurant once existed: ‘El Chanta Cuatro’. That was the place where Carlos Gardel used to meet his friends. We will enjoy the sensual magnetism of tango represented by the best tango dancers, singers and musicians of Buenos Aires. Return to the hotel.

Day 2- Buenos Aires
Breakfast. In the morning, city tour, starting at the Colón Theatre, considered one of the best acoustic room for lyrics in the world. We will make a guided visit to the theatre (1.5hs). It first opened in 1908, with Verdi’s Aída opera. All the scenery, costumes and shoes are made in the theatre’s own workshop; it is also the headquarter of both he permanent Ballet of the Colón Theatre and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Buenos Aires. The visit continues towards Avenida 9 de Julio upto the intersection with Corrientes Avenue, where the Obelisk stands. We will continue towards the picturesque district of La Boca, where the famous Caminito street is located. There, many artists exhibit their works, whose themes are related to the influence of European immigrants (mainly Italians), who touched land on this port at the end of the XIX century. They gave the area its special features. One of the most renown Argentine artists was Benito Quinquela Martín, who lived in La Boca, and painted pictures about this particular neighbourhood and the port. His atelier is nowadays the Museum named after him. Lunch at ‘Patagonia Sur’ in La Boca. Then we will continue with a walking tour of Montserrat and San Telmo, visiting the most important square of the country, Plaza de Mayo (May Square). Where the most outstanding government buildings settled down back in 1580, when the country was founded. Some of these are the Pink House, the Cabildo (old town City Hall), the Metropolitan Cathedral. Later on we will arrive to San Telmo’s neighbourhood, one of the oldest ones of the city. This neighbourhood keeps its architectonic heritage untouched, like the colonial houses and cobbled streets.

Day 3- Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Enjoy a full day visit to Estancia El Ombú de Areco, a traditional ranch in the province of Buenos Aires. Departure from the hotel to San Antonio de Areco, 110 km (68 miles) away from the city. Arrival at San Antonio de Areco, one of the oldest and most representative towns of the Argentinean countryside. We will visit Osvaldo Gasparini''''s atelier and his historic house. Mr. Gasparini lived in San Antonio de Areco and painted about the life of gauchos in Argentina. Nowadays, his son Miguel Angel has followed in his father’s footsteps, and he receives visitors at this house.

We will also visit a silversmith''''s workshop, and we will have the chance to appreciate how the craftsman works the pieces related to farm motifs. In El Ombú de Areco you will enjoy an exquisite traditional ''''asado criollo'''' (Argentine barbecue) having the rest of the afternoon at leisure, being able to spend it either at the swimming pool, enjoying a drive on sulky or a stroll around the place. Return to the hotel.

Day 4- Buenos Aires
Breakfast. In the morning, we will take a Literary Tour, a fascinating itinerary where we will see the very interesting trail of Argentinean Literature. Throughout the tour we will visit places related to the greatest Argentine writer’s life and work, Jorge Luis Borges. Then we continue to the pedestrian street Florida, the beautiful San Martín Square and the Borges Cultural Center, where many manuscripts as well as personal objects which belonged to the writer, are being exhibited. We will go through Palermo Viejo and have lunch at ‘La Baita’ in Palermo Soho. Then we will switch onto the Museums Tour: visiting two museums that the passenger may choose out of the different possibilities the city offers and according to the museums schedule opening hours. We suggest visiting the Decorative Art Museum and the Isaac Fernandez Blanco Latin-American Art Museum which offers the most important colonial Southamerican silverware collection in Latin America. Another alternative could be wine tasting, which is the perfect way to be introduced to the charms of the national wines and their spirit. Return to the hotel.

Day 5- Buenos Aires
Breakfast. We will visit the MALBA - Buenos Aires Latin-American Art Museum, the only museum inaugurated in Argentina in this century. This modern building hosts permanently the Constantini Collection, which reflects the development of Latin-American paintings and sculptures throughout its 222 pieces of XX century art. After the visit we will enjoy tea at the museum’s coffee shop. Transfer to Ezeiza International Airport to board the return flight.