Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires – A Global, Open Hearted Metroplis

Mar Del Plata

Buenos Aires, on the banks of the Río de la Plate is a global, open hearted metropolis, a place where tango, literature, good food, shopping, music, films, theatre, football, and nightlife converge. A concoction of European-style appeal and Latin feeling, the Queen of the Río de la Plate has everything to offer the tourist. You can learn how to tango, which, developed by immigrants over a century ago, is the purest expression of the melancholy felt by these people as they lived in the shadow of the ships that had brought them from Europe. You can also enjoy the amazing culture on offer in its museums, excellent theatre, public parks, exhibition centers, and historical neighbourhoods. Like most capital cities the shopping experience is a must, booming local fashions and designs mingle with antiques or avant-garde objects, period of fashionable furniture, handicrafts and works by creative young artists. Though meat based dishes are the soul of Argentine cuisine, many others are influenced by Spanish, Italian, Jewish, Oriental and other ethnic groups. Buenos Aires, a Latin city after all, where the pleasure of enjoying a good meal and musical show can be as unforgettable as attending a football match, a sport so close to Argentine hearts that could be considered one of the fine arts.

Pto Madero, Buenos Aires

- Accommodation. With more than 450 hotels providing 52,000 beds, you are spoilt for choice. From B&B and hostels to world-renowned international hotels.

- Taxis. There are over 32,000. All trips are metered and passengers can see the fare on a clock. Starting rate: $1.44 and every 200 meters will cost an additional $0.18.

- The bus. (called “colectivo”) is a fast and economic way of getting about. There are more than 100 lines servicing the city. There is a $0.80 minimum fee.

- Shopping area: Floride St., Santa Fe Avenueand the neighourhood of Belgrano, Recoleta, Palermo Viejo and Palermo Hollywood. The city has 9 shopping malls.

- Gourmet areas: Puerto Madero, Recoleta, Las Cañitas, and Palermo, Viejo. In Buenos Aires, dinner is served between 8:30/9pm until well past midnight.

- Wether traditional, trendy or cyber coffee bars, locals treat “cafés” as a home. Tortoni, on Mayo Av; La Ideal, on Suipacha St., and La Biela, in Recoleta are amongst the most traditional one.

- There are approximately 193 theatres and 143 movie theatres. Many of them along Corrientes Avenue.

- The Colón Theatre has proven to be the stage for outstanding opera and classical music stars ever since 1908.

- There are many different kinds of museums, the remarkable ones: the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA), Museum of Latin American Art. (MALBA) and the Isaac Frenández Blanzo Museum of Spanish and Latin American Art.

- The Borges, San Martín and Rojas Cultural Centres are the most important when it comes to promoting national and international art trends.

- On weekends and Bank holidays, craftsmen display their wares in parks and squares, one of the best ones: San Pedro Telmo Fair (Sundays Only), where you can buy antiques and also see tango dancers.

- A must is Caminito St., in the colourful heart of La Boca district, where La Bombonera football stadium stands out. Don’t miss the Mayo Av. And the Historical Area, nor the Alvear Av., running through the upmarket Recoleta area.- Guided City Tours. No charge, on foot and called off during bad weather conditions. Free bus tours. For further information, call 4114-5791, Mondays to Fridays 9am to 6pm.- Enjoy a football match, a horse race or a polo game. Also, treat yourself and dance tango, listen jazz or see a musical show.Colon Threatre, Buenos Aires

Source: Consulate General of Argentina in Hong Kong

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