Tour schedules
2010: November 14 - 21
2011: November 13 - 20
Sunday
Early morning arrival at Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport; group welcome by GBT tour director
Transfer in private chauffeured minivan to five-star hotel in the Recoleta area of Buenos Aires; check-in/breakfast
Free time to freshen-up
On to the world-famous San Telmo Fair, a traditional Sunday street market offering some of the finest - and less expensive - antiques anywhere. San Telmo is one of the city's oldest barrios, with cobblestone streets, boutiques, 19th-century buildings and some of the best antique shopping in the country. The area around the fair is lined with typical bars and cafes where you may stop for a quick lunch after browsing the colorful stands.
We regroup at Plaza Dorrego, Santelmo's main square, before returning to the hotel.
Early group dinner in a world-class steak house, to be introduced to the Argentine beef, considered the best in the world.
Free time after dinner. Tomorrow our week's full schedule will begin...
Monday
After breakfast, guided city-bus tour of Buenos Aires
Back to the hotel; lunch at your leisure in La Recoleta area. One of Buenos Aires' most elegant districts, La Recoleta it is famous for its mansions, parks, stately embassies and the most sophisticated shopping in the city. Here, you can visit La Recoleta Cemetery, where some of the city's wealthiest and best-known citizens, including Eva Perón, are buried.
In the afternoon you will attend your first tango lesson in the studio of our dancer/teacher. An internationally acclaimed performer, she and her assistants will teach you to dance tango in the true Porteño style.
After class, free time until dinner
Dinner in La Boca, the working-class neighborhood where tango was born. The restaurant we selected is an insiders' best kept secret, with tons of character and high marks for food and ambience; it's also a 'shrine' to local soccer team Boca Juniors, a true Porteño passion.
Tuesday
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a stroll at pedestrian Calle Florida, the city's core. Here, you will feel the pulse of this vibrant city and marvel at the sophistication of its main shopping center, Galeria Pacifico.
Lunch in a café favored by locals. Cafés play an important role in the city's life - it is where people meet to have lunch and discuss soccer and politics, favorite subjects of conversation for the Argentines.
On to your tango class
Free time after class
Dinner at your leisure
Wednesday
Free morning to explore Buenos Aires on your own
We re-assemble in the hotel after lunch to go to your tango class.
Free time after class
Group dinner in Puerto Madero, the newly remodeled and fashionable part of town bordering the Rio de la Plata, the city's main river. A lively destination for locals and tourists alike, this long stretch of first-class restaurants and bars is always bustling with people.
Wednesday nights are traditional tango nights in Buenos Aires - a city that never sleeps. After dinner you will visit one of the city's favorite milongas to practice your steps with local aficionados. Dance is what makes this city so vibrant. Or would it be its Italian roots? Perhaps both...
Thursday
Morning visit to the Malba - the Latin American contemporary art museum -or the Evita Museum, where the life of Argentina's most beloved first-lady - Eva Perón - is told in historic details and many photographs.
Lunch in the museum area of Buenos Aires, in a mansion once belonging to an aristocratic local family, a place far removed from the tourist route.
Afternoon tango class
Group dinner and wine tasting in Las Canitas area, in a restaurant selected for its authentic Porteño charm and large wine cellar. You will savor Argentine dishes and matching wines from the Mendoza region. Until recently only known to international wine experts, the Mendonza wines are rapidly becoming world best sellers.
After dinner, stroll the lively Las Canitas area, a young and hip bar scene favored by the local crowd.
Friday
Morning free time. You may choose to go shopping in the upscale boutiques of La Recoleta, to discover Argentina's famous leather goods and wool clothes. Or you may visit another important shopping district favored by locals; we will give you directions and addresses. Any way you go, in Buenos Aires your money will stretch a long way, due to a very favorable dollar/peso exchange rate.
Back to the hotel and on to your last tango class
Free time after class
Dinner at your leisure
After dinner, dance in a milonga house specially chosen by your tango teacher for your 'graduation' night.
Saturday
Today we will explore one of Buenos Aires' most traditional neighborhoods, Palermo Viejo, the city's largest district and its most trendy destination. This charming area is an artists' enclave filled with boutiques, sophisticated hotels, cozy tea houses, fine restaurants and art galleries, and we love it for its modern beat.
In season, you will attend a horse race or a polo match, both Buenos Aires' traditions. The Argentines are great equestrians considered the most skilled polo players in the world, and their polo matches attract fans from all over the world.
Back to the hotel, to change for your farewell group dinner, followed by an authentic tango show selected by your tango teacher.
Sunday
Last day of tour; check-out the hotel by noon; you may leave your luggage at the Concierge of the hotel until late afternoon, departure time.
Free time until late afternoon
Back to the hotel by 6:00 PM; transfer to Ezeiza airport for departures. A tour director will be with the group until all tour members board, to help with the collection of the VAT refund, which is due to non-residents of Argentina when leaving the country.
Farewell and end of tour
Next tour:
November 15 - 22, 2009
