DAY ONE: Friday

Arrive at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires this morning. After clearing immigration, collecting your luggage and passing through customs, meet your driver for your private transfer to the Palermo Viejo neighborhood.

Drive along the Ezeiza Highway into the city entering by the 9th of July Boulevard, the widest avenue in the world, with 12 lanes lined with jacaranda and kapok trees. In the middle stands the famed Obelisk, a landmark in the center of the city commemorating the 400th anniversary of its foundation. You will pass by the magnificent Colon Opera House and drive past the elegant Recoleta district, the Palermo Gardens with beautiful centenary trees and statuary, and continue on to the trendy neighborhood of Palermo Viejo where your hotel is located, surrounded by young designer shops, sidewalk cafés and hip restaurants with diverse cuisine.

Once a suburb lying north of downtown, in the last decade Palermo Viejo has become the trendy enclave of Buenos Aires, while retaining its friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Its rows of two and three-story early 20th century houses, many with Italianate rococo façades, are being renovated, one by one, by young entrepreneurs. Boutiques that sell handmade shoes, designer home accessories or one-of-a-kind evening dresses elbow for space beside new restaurants, clubs and bars. The neighborhood boundaries have expanded -- there is a Palermo Soho and a Palermo Hollywood, the latter, a district of thriving film and television production companies. Although Palermo Viejo is in the midst of a transformation, it is still a working-class neighborhood, where fruit markets, schools and social clubs provide a solid contrast to the trendy shops. It’s a terrific place to stroll tree-lined, cobbled streets and enjoy the lively ambience.

Opened in February, 2008, your boutique hotel combines aesthetics, the avant-garde, and technology with warm personal attention. Public areas feature a fireplace and comfortable furniture as well as a giant LCD TV, library, relaxing music and soft lighting.

Lunch is at leisure. We will suggest a nice French bistro or a fantastic brunch/lunch spot with relaxed atmosphere, magazines and sitting areas and good food.

Return to your hotel at 2:30pm, where you will meet your guide for a private tour of the highlights of Buenos Aires. Begin with a visit the main square, Plaza de Mayo, with its outstanding buildings: the neo-classical cathedral, the colonial Cabildo, the old town hall, and the Presidential Palace known as the “Casa Rosada.” You will drive along Avenida de Mayo viewing its art-nouveau and deco buildings, charming cafés and the Congress House.

Head south to La Boca quarter, at the mouth of the Riachuelo River, where Italian immigrants settled at the turn of the 20th century. Here you’ll find a lively atmosphere, picturesque multicolored tin houses, Caminito Street with artists exhibiting their works and the Boca Juniors Soccer Stadium, where you will visit the museum and playing field.

Next, visit San Telmo, the old part of the city, with its bohemian atmosphere, narrow sidewalks, cobblestone streets, one story flat-roofed colonial houses, and windows with wrought iron railings. Browse through the Plaza Dorrego and Defensa Street, with antique shops on either side. You may have an opportunity to visit the workshop of a master silversmith, a deep-rooted craft in Argentina.

Continue to Puerto Madero, the old harbor of Buenos Aires, which has become the city’s newest neighborhood, with thriving real estate development alongside the docklands. Renovated brick warehouses, marinas and yacht clubs, and a string of fashionable restaurants are new fixtures along the waterfront.

Visit the elegant residential Barrio Norte and Recoleta quarter dotted with French architecture, the Recoleta Cemetery with its amazing mausoleums and statuary, and the colonial Pilar Church, continuing with a tour around the Palermo residential neighborhood, with its quiet curvy streets, wonderful parks and gardens, monuments, lovely townhouses and city mansions.

Dinner will be on your own this evening. We will suggest some the trendy restaurants in within walking distance from your hotel.

DAY TWO: Saturday

Following breakfast at your hotel this morning is at leisure. You may wish to return to a part of the city that caught your eye yesterday.

This afternoon, meet your guide at the hotel and set out together to see a thrilling soccer game. Feel the passion of the crowd from the point of view of an insider, and enjoy some of the best soccer in the world.

For sports lovers, there’s nothing like experiencing an afternoon in Buenos Aires watching a soccer match in one of the famous stadiums: River Plate and Boca Juniors. Take part in this unforgettable occasion, watching how the enthusiastic crowds cheer their teams and celebrate as much as they curse their opponent and sing offensive songs to their adversaries.

On a guided tour (in small groups), you will be accompanied to the best seating area of the stadium. An expert guide will give you a short introduction to the sport; the rules, the teams and their history, the long-standing rivalries, and interesting anecdotes that are part of the porteño folklore.

After the game, transfer back to the hotel by private car.

For dinner this evening, we will suggest a number of restaurants in Buenos Aires that will offer a glimpse into the city’s sophisticated ambience.

DAY THREE: Sunday

Begin with breakfast at your hotel this morning, after which the day is yours to explore BA on your own.

This morning, we suggest a visit to the San Telmo flea market at Plaza Dorrego which is only open on Sundays. Known for its bohemian charm, quaint and funky San Telmo is the neighborhood of arts, antiques, tango and timelessness. On Sundays the market comes to life. Centered around the Antiques Fair in Plaza Dorrego, and stretching down the cobblestone Calle Defensa, artisans, musicians, street performers, and elderly antiques vendors come from near and far to share their treasures and their talents with the public.

Start at the antiques market, which overflows in the Plaza Dorrego with everything from jewelry and dresses to army helmets and tango records. Exploring the market is like looking through a window into Argentina’s past. If you don't find what you're looking for in the Plaza, stroll down Defensa where there are dozens of well-established and stylish antique stores.

Later you may wish to attend another soccer match or visit a popular sports-bar to watch a soccer match with the locals.

For dinner this evening, we suggest one of the excellent restaurants in the Recoleta neighborhood.

DAY FOUR: Monday

Following Breakfast at the hotel, you will be met and transferred by private car to Ezeiza International Airport for your return flight.

 DETAIL PAGE

*Price is subject to change due to date and time of year of booking as well as to currency fluctuation. The price is only an estimate at this time and an accurate costing will be provided when itineraries are chosen and submitted. Prices are based on double/twin occupancy.

*Trip is a weekend only trip

Inclusions:

• Accommodation: 3 nights
• Airport transfers
• All transfers within the city by private car
• Privately guided half-day city tour
• Soccer match with guide in a Small Group
• Days 2 – 4: Breakfast

Exclusions:

• International Airfare
• Visa (payable on arrival in Buenos Aires)
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Items of a Personal Nature
• Gratuities

Please Note:

• We recommend that our clients consult their General Practitioner or Travel Clinic for advice on necessary vaccinations or medicines depending on the region to which they are traveling.
• All guests are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for all personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation, and curtailment.
• Self-drive passengers renting a car are required to carry a valid international driver's license.