Casa de Cultura and Palacio de Gobierno
by admin on nov.20, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
The Palacio de Gobierno is a white neoclassical building situated in Plaza de Majo, erected in 1902 and enlarged in 1912.
Today the Palace is the new City Hall and houses the working office of the mayor of Buenos Aires.
The adjoining Casa de Cultura is a sumptuous granite building with bronze ornamentation and a number of lanterns protruding along its facade.
It is located in Avenida de Mayo and formerly housed the offices of La Prensa, a national newspaper. Atop the Casa de Cultura is a statue representing freedom of the press, many times suppressed in Argentina.
The most notable room is the Salón Dorado, a French neoclassical masterpiece of gilded columns, painted ceilings, an ornate parquet floor, and a performance stage.
The Casa de Cultura is maybe the finest and most elegant building in Buenos Aires, nowadays the headquarters of the city’s Office of Culture.
Do not miss to visit the Palacio de Gobierno and the Casa de Cultura during your holiday in Buenos Aires!
Caminito Street Museum
by admin on nov.17, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
Caminito Street is a short street in La Boca, district of Buenos Aires.
The area covered by Caminito Street was once the route of a small stream that flowed into the Riachuelo River. After it dried up, railway tracks were installed and remained until 1954, when the railway closed.
It was then that Caminito Street assumed its distinctive traits, as we see it today: Argentine artist Benito Quinquela Martin applied pastel colours on the walls facing the abandoned street, and had the wooden-plak stage replaced with a theatre house.
The bright pastel hues of green, yellow, pink and orange gives the street a unique look, that conquered many Italian people, earliest settlers of the area. Take a stroll in Caminito Street, and stop to see couples dancing Samba along the street, it has a strong local flavour and… it is free!
Gay Pride Parade in Buenos Aires
by admin on nov.08, 2010, under Events in Buenos Aires, Tourist Attractions
The Gay Pride Parade in Buenos Aires is held every year the first or second Saturday of November at 18, starting from Plaza de Mayo, progressing to Plaza Congresso and ending at Avenida de Mayo. It is one of the major events in Buenos Aires.
Participants recall the first ever gay assembly, formed in 1969 in the city. Nowadays the parade represents an occasion for gay people, transvestites, drag queens and bisexuals to show themselves to the community, taking courage from their difference and defend their rights.
Sometimes this event in Buenos Aires turns into a political act, in support of civil unions and against the prejudices at work, with gay people demanding equal rights to heterosexuals.
However, the Gay Pride Parade in Buenos Aires is also a party, and like every party music and dance have a central role. People relish themselves to the rhythm of samba and other music genres, in a general spirit of fun.
In sum, the Gay Pride Parade is a multifaceted entertaining festival, that can be enjoyed also by heterosexual who are simply curious.
Book an apartment in Buenos Aires and assist to this sparkling event!
Día de la Tradición – Events in Buenos Aires
by admin on ott.29, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Events in Buenos Aires
The 2010 calendar of events in Buenos Aires is, as usual, exceptionally rich of festivals. Among them, we recommend the Día de la Tradición, from the 30th October to the 10th November, at its 71st edition.
As all the years, in Sant’Antonio de Areco different activities are performed by gauchos, who proudly celebrate in their traditional customs this long-established festivity.
Horse-riding and open air games are the major activities. Folk music concerts along with traditional dances also enliven the nights during the Día de la Tradición, that locals and tourists enjoy together.
In fact, the Día de la Tradición is one of the best way to come in close contact with the navites and to learn about their culture.
This great event in Buenos Aires wouldn’t be complete without photographic shows and lectures on local customs, which are regularly organized and that provide visitors with very interesting information about gauchos culture.
Don’t miss it!
Buenos Aires Zoo
by admin on ott.06, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
The Buenos Aires Zoo, located in the Palermo district, spans an area of 45 acres and hosts about 2500 animals. It was inaugurated in 1888 by mayor Antonio Crespo, who decided to separate the zoo from Parque Tres de Febrero that formerly included that area.
A variety of mammals, birds and reptiles inhabit the zoo. Walking around you may come across nutria, peacock, rabbits and monkeys wondering freely about the zoo.
At the Farm of the zoo are the familiar ponies, goats, sheeps, donkeys, horses, rabbits, cows and turkeys, while at the
you may see penguins, catfishes and piranhas.
There are also lions, tigers, jaguars and pumas, and a number of camels, giraffes, bisons, hippos, elephants, pumas, polar beas.
In sum, if you are fond of animals, you certainly won’t be disappointed by touring the zoo!
For further information and prices have a look at the website: http://www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar/
Buenos Aires – Café Tortoni
by admin on set.16, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
If you want to enjoy some free time in Buenos Aires in a very famous bar, then you can definitely go to Café Tortoni, a landmark in the city. Founded in 1858, the café was originally frequented by an élite of painters, writers, journalists and musicians who gave prestige to the café.
It is situated in the famous central Avenida de Mayo, in the same building that also hosts the Academia Nacional del Tango. In the Café Tortoni you can try the local delicacies and cakes, prepared according to the old traditional recipes, as well as have an aperitif with your friends trying the delightful “picadas”.
Besides the coffe bar, the Café Tortoni also features a permanent art exhibition with drawings, sculptures and paintings spanning many years of history.
Visit the official website at the following address: http://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/html/tortoni.html
Buenos Aires – Teatro Colόn
by admin on set.02, 2010, under Events in Buenos Aires
The Teatro Colόn, erected in 1908 in Buenos Aires, is rated among the best five opera houses in the world.
The building covers an area of 8200 square metres, bordered by 9 de Julio Avenue, Libertad Street (where the main entrance is), Arturo Toscanini Street and Tucúman Street. It has a seating capacity of over 2400 people plus standing room for 1000.
Construction works began in 1889 under the direction of Francesco Tamburini, who designed it in a distinctive Italian style, but following his death and a number of unforeseen events and financial problems, the theatre was only completed 19 years later, with some changes decided by Belgian architect Julio Dormal.
The Teatro Colόn officially opend on 25th May, when the worldwide famous opera Aida by Italian composer Verdi was performed, confirming the absolute success of the theatre.
Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Carlo Bergonzi are just some of the many famous Italian stars who have appeared on the stage of the Teatro Colόn over the years, while among the greatest composers Arturo Toscanini stands out.
After some years of refurbishment, started in 2006, the theatre reopened this year last May, with a gala concert and 3D animations, during which La bohème by Puccini and the Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky were played.
You may have a look at the official website (Spanish only) for further information about the history, the bill, the school, and much more.
Buenos Aires – Palermo District
by admin on ago.31, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
Palermo is the largest district, or barrio, of Buenos Aires. It is situated in the northeastern part of the city and is characterized by many elegant villas and suggestive boulevards lined with trees.
It can be subdivided into different neighborhoods:
Alto Palermo, at the very core, has a high number of shops clustering around Santa Fe Avenue. The Alto Palermo shopping centre is the most famous of the area.
Palermo Viejo is the oldest zone, with many symbols of the older Spanish architectural style. It is mainly a residential area.
Palermo Soho is the most modern neighborhood, featuring several restaurants and bars especially frequented by the young and the tourists.
Palermo Hollywood is actually a part of Palermo Viejo, famous for the nightlife.
Palermo Chico, a very rich area with luxurious apartment houses owned by the famous and wealthy. There are two museums in this area: the National Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Latin American Art.
Las Cañitas, upmarket area where also is the Campo Argentino de Polo.
In sum, Palermo is a splendid example of the multifaceted and enjoyable nature of Buenos Aires, absolutely not be missed.
Buenos Aires travel guide
by admin on giu.29, 2010, under Buenos Aires Guide, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips
Travelling in Buenos Aires offers the opportunity to visit so many different and interesting places that you never get bored of this city. Follow our Buenos Aires travel guide.
In the district of La Boca you may take a walk on the football pitch where once Diego Armando Maradona played. La Bombonera is in fact one of the most renowned stadium of the world, home of the popular football club Boca Juniors, and it also hosts a museum.
If you are keen on nature, then you will certainly enjoy a day in the Botanical Garden and in the Ecological Reserve of Puerto Madero (link), little gems that boast marvellous large green areas.
The Buenos Aires travel guide also includes the experience of dancing tango at the National Tango Academy in Buenos Aires. Take lessons from the expert native teachers, and learn this enchanting dance, but pay attention not to become addicted!
Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the greatest theatre in the world, the opera house Teatro Colón. You don’t have to be a fan of opera to enjoy an opera or ballet perfomance. They are simply stunning.
If you want to put into practise the tips of this travel guide , book an apartment in Buenos Aires, and get it started!
