I Need Help In Organizing My Friends' Stay

[Girino]

Later this month two female friends of mine, both 31 y.o., will be visiting for 12 days - Jan 21st to Feb 3rd. They are not interested in history and museums, more about fashion, popular culture and shows. They keep asking me to go to the beach to relax and suntan but I think they are convinced we are in the Caribbeans - du-uh!

I am struggling to arrange a program which is not too packed (they are not hikers) and also fun, and I have a few spots to cover - some websites are not working or are not updated so I don't have dates/times for certain events.

1) POLO - One of them loves horses, competed for many years, and wants to see a polo match. I can't seem to find a set calendar of the upcoming matches, a training session would be okay, as well - I guess.
2) TANGO - Where should I take them to watch tango? We are based in San Isidro so anything North would be perfect. I heard raving reviews of Mora Godoy and her show at Usina del Arte, but their calendars for 2015 are empty (meh-eh!). I also read about a milonga called La glorieta in Belgrano, near the train station (perfect location for us), but I don't understand how milongas are organized and how they differ. I think they'd rather watch a few professional/advanced dancers than a bunch of people dancing on their own. I think maybe this show Tango Bistro at Centro Cultural Borges could be a good fit - what do you think? I believe they'd rather enjoy something scenographic rather than the real deal.
3) Where to eat around Casa Rosada? I remember somebody suggested a popular place near Avenida de Mayo, but I can't find that post.
4) If we'd rent a car for a day, where in the surrounding would you go for a daily trip? I have in mind San Antonio de Areco, but it is not enough to fill a day. Also, any car rental to recommend in Zona Norte?
5) Estancias - I don't think my friends will appreciate the simple gaucho lifestyle, and would rather enjoy an estancia-spa where to spend a lot of money to enjoy themselves. I talked them about estancias, and I saw that the most expensive ones are affordable for a dia de campo (€30/40) and expensive if you spend the night (€150). I have narrowed down my search to http://www.estanciamonteviejo.com.ar/, http://www.fincamariacristina.com.ar/, http://www.estanciavillamaria.com/, http://www.labambadeareco.com/. We'd rent a car to get there, anyway. Any suggestion?
6) Tigre - I went there several times, but never to Tres Bocas, which I heard it is the most touristy spot - where could we go for lunch/relax/suntan?
7) Other activities which are fun and entertaining?
8) Are there online agencies offering excursion packages (with prices) for tourists? For example if they were to go to Iguazù, how much would this cost to them? I know only Despegar but has prices for residents of Argentina. I have 3 empty days in my schedule and these could be filled with a tour somewhere: either 3 days at the beach (Mar de las pampas, Carilò) or Iguazù (but I have been there last year and I won't go). I usually arrange these things myself, but there are too many options and I don't want to push anybody - I'd like them to be able to pick for themselves.


For those curious ones, the program is as follows:

• Day 0: Arrival, walking in the Casco Historico of San Isidro and San Isidro bajo
• Day 1: Rosedal, Museo Evita, Bus amarillo (open deck bus touring the city)
• Day 2: sailing at Tigre and lunch somewhere at Tres Bocas - suggestions?
• Day 3: breakfast at Alvear Hotel, Recoleta, Casa Rosada (free tour on weekends), Cabildo, Catedral, Av. de Mayo, Café Tortoni
• Day 4: San Telmo fair, lunch at Café Poesia, Recoleta - Fuerza Bruta (dinner at Sirop & Folie?)
• Day 5: Japanese garden, Sivori museum, TBD
• Day 6: Caminito, La Boca, San Telmo (again!)
• Day 7: Estancia - Dia de Campo
• Day 8: San Antonio de Areco, Maschwitz
• Day 9: Palermo, Galerias Pacifico, Las CaÑitas, tango show at Centro Cultural Borges
• Day 10: ?
• Day 11: ?
• Day 12: ?
• Day 13: Departure

Still to plan: Puerto Madero, the various Palermos in details, the polo match,

Thanks for your help! I feel under pressure because they are coming here to see me but also want to relax and then to come home listing how many places they have been to.

 

[Matt84]

Your friends might enjoy http://www.estanciavillamaria.com/ where they can also practice polo in a very nice setting

I'm sorry but what on Earth is there to see in Maschwitz? I'm curious. is that where they're building Nordelta 2?

Ask MatiasBA about popular culture, he seems a lot more connected to the average Jose than any of us, but may I suggest a Villa tour? If you don't find any suitable villa tours I'll take you on a luxury villa safari of Rodrigo Bueno and 31 on Musicman's helicopter.

 

[mjohnstone]

How about something like this in Tigre? They offer guided tours in Tigre´s Delta in authentic wood strip Canadian canoes. http://selknamcanoas.com.ar/en/index.html

In a previous thread someone mentioned these sailing tours, which include options: Sunset Tours, full moon tours, Tigre Delta, Colonia. http://riodelaplata.wix.com/sailingtours

 

[Matt84]

There was an old Polish guy in these forums who owned a sailboat and offered people to be his crew. Very buena onda, if only I could retrieve his name or contact, or even username... He sailed out of Puerto Norte, or whatever's called that marina right next to Aeroparque.

 

[Girino]

I'm sorry but what on Earth is there to see in Maschwitz? I'm curious. is that where they're building Nordelta 2?

EL MERCADO DE MASCHWITZ: EL NUEVO FENÓMENO DE ZONA NORTE

Never been there, but nlaruccia posted some nice pictures in this thread and it looks like the kind of venue my 2 guests might enjoy.

 

[Girino]

How about something like this in Tigre? They offer guided tours in Tigre´s Delta in authentic wood strip Canadian canoes. http://selknamcanoas...r/en/index.html

In a previous thread someone mentioned these sailing tours, which include options: Sunset Tours, full moon tours, Tigre Delta, Colonia. http://riodelaplata....om/sailingtours

I will note those down for the next guests arriving on February. One of these girls suffer from seasickness so just the day at Tigre that includes taking a lancha colectiva is risky.

 

[rickulivi]

Serafina

I think you have listed mainly touristic activities as opposed to actual stuff that locals would do. So, what are your friends after? If their Spanish is not good, I would eliminate theater going.

If they want to do want upper middle class locals want to do, I would suggest the following:

1. For sure the tourist bus. it's a great way to get a quick overview of the city, so you are right on the money with that choice.

2. Galeria Bullrich and Galeria Pacifico.

3. Have high tea at the Alvear, not breakfast.

3.2 Visit the art gallery at the Hyatt Duhau (not for the art, but for the experience of walking thru a marbled tunnel), walk around the garden, and then go visit the bathroom. Lots of luxury. While they wait for each other, they can contemplate the columns and chanderliers. I assume you will enter thru Alvear.

4. Palermo Soho is full of small stores that are owned by designers. The advantage there is that you might find now what will be available in the States next summer.

5. There is a galleria on Av. Alvear, between Callao and Rodriguez Pena. There is a store called Tres Marias. They actually weave their cloth in front of you. Great conversation and some beautiful things for women.

6. Take them for dinner to Palermo Hollywood. Walk among all the restaurants on Fitz Roy (I believe that's the street).

7. Go for a train ride on the San Martin between Retiro and say, Chacarita. The vendors calling will let you understand the drama of the poor.

Well, these are just a few suggestions from a 65 year old. I watch my very young wife enjoy most of the activities I just described!!!

 

[Mindy]

They keep asking me to go to the beach to relax and suntan but I think they are convinced we are in the Caribbeans - du-uh!

Buenos Aires Playa runs January to March. https://es-la.facebook.com/baplaya

 

[sgibson123]

Manshwitz is maybe 2 hours spent there at max!!! Try pilar if you are in that area as well. Bigger. Nicer. There are riding places out in pilar and tigre. You could also take a boat out of tigre that stops at a campo on the river and then you could sun bath and relax on the water.

Take them for a morning at the leather district if they like fashion. That was fun when I went with my friends.

 

[sgibson123]

There is also the mate museum in tigre as well as the art museum and a naval museum. Lovely eating and walking paths.