Tango in Buenos Aires is available once a year, on the last week of November (springtime in Argentina).
2010 Dates
November 21 - 28
Sunday
Early morning arrival at Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport; welcome greetings by GBT tour director
Transfer in private mini van 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 in the world. San Telmo is an area of well-known bars and cafes, you may choose to have lunch in one of them after browsing the colorful shops.
We regroup at Plaza Dorrego, Santelmo's main square, to return to hotel
Early group dinner in a world-class steak house. Argentine beef is considered the best in the world, and this is its highest temple.
Free time after dinner. You will no doubt be tired from your flight, and tomorrow our week's full schedule begins…
Monday
After breakfast, guided bus tour of Buenos Aires.
Lunch in La Recoleta area. One of Buenos Aires' most elegant districts, La Recoleta it is full of mansions, parks, stately embassies and upscale shopping. You cannot miss its famous cemetery, the resting place of Evita Peron - among other Argentine luminaries - an impressive site by itself.
At 4:30 PM you will have your first tango lesson, in your teacher's San Telmo studio. An internationally acclaimed dancer known for her true Porteño tango style, she and her assistants will teach you not only to dance but to live tango. San Telmo is home to tango life in Buenos Aires, and once there you will see why...
After class, free time until dinner
Dinner in La Boca, the working class neighborhood associated with the birth of tango, with its most important interpreter, Carlos Gardel, and with famous Caminito street. The restaurant we selected is an insiders' best kept secret - tons of character, plus high marks for food and ambience.
Tuesday
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a stroll at important Calle Florida, the nervous center of Buenos Aires. You will feel the business pulse of this vibrant city and marvel at the world-class sophistication of its main shopping center, Galeria Pacifico.
Lunch in a café favored by locals. Cafés play an important role in this city's life - it is where people meet to have lunch and discuss soccer and politics, both favorite topics of Argentines' lives and conversations.
On to your second tango class.
After class, back to the hotel to get ready for dinner in Puerto Madero, the remodeled and fashionable part of modern Buenos Aires and a favorite destination for both locals and tourists alike. Bordering the Rio de la Plata, the main river, this is a long stretch of elegant restaurants and bars, a very lively and international scene you cannot miss.
Wednesday
Free morning to explore Buenos Aires on your own
We re-assemble in the hotel at 2 PM to go to your tango class. By now you will be feeling more confident in your dancing steps.
Free time after class.\
Dinner at your leisure
Wednesdays nights are traditional tango nights in Buenos Aires - a city that never sleeps - and tonight you will visit one of the city's favorite milongas, to dance with local tango aficionados. Dance is what makes this city so vibrant. Or would it be its Italian roots? Perhaps both...
Thursday
Morning visit to the Malba or the Evita Museum, depending on availability
Lunch in the museum area of Buenos Aires, in a restaurant housed in a mansion once belonging to an aristocratic local family, a place far removed from the tourists' usual route
On to the Santelmo neighborhood for a tango class; by now you will be feeling like a true tango dancer.
Group dinner with Aregentine wines tasting in the Las Canitas area, in a restaurant selected for its European charm and large wine cellar. You will savor Argentine dishes with matching wines from the Mendoza region; until recently only known to international wine experts, Mendonza wines are rapidly becoming best sellers.
After dinner, stroll the lively Las Canitas area, a young and hip bar scene.
Friday
Morning free time. You may choose to go shopping in the upscale boutiques of La Recoleta area, to discover Argentina's famous leather goods or wool clothes - in Buenos Aires, your money will stretch a long way, there are bargains everywhere. Or you may choose to explore another important shopping district, this one favored by locals (we will give you directions and addresses for that).
Back to the hotel by 3:30 PM for your last tango class.
Free time after class
Dinner at your leisure.
After dinner, dance at a specail milonga house, selected by your tango teacher for your 'graduation' night. You will by now feel confident enough to practice your newly-learnt steps with tango aficionados who are very patient with begginers...
Saturday
Today we will explore one of Buenos Aires' most traditional neighborhoods - trendy Palermo Viejo - the city's new 'hot' destination. Palermo is an artists' enclave filled with chic boutiques and hotels, cozy tea houses, restaurants and art galleries; we love it for its old world charm. Its a see-and-be-seen scene, and one of the best attractions in Buenos Aires.
Depending on the season, you will attend a horse race or a polo match, both Buenos Aires' traditions. The Argentines are great equestrians, the most skilled polo players in the world, and its polo matches attract fans from all over the world.
Back to the hotel, to change for your farewell group dinner, followed by a professional tango show selected by your tango teacher. This is Buenos Aires most authentic tango performance, according to her, and something you will never forget.
Sunday
Check out by noon; you may leave your luggage at the Concierge until late afternoon, departure time.
Free time until late afternoon
Back at the hotel by 6:00 PM for mini van transfer to airport. A tour director will be with you to help you collect your VAT refund (the refund you are entitled to as a non-resident of Argentina) before you board your plane.
Farewell and end of tour
Next tour:
November 15 - 22, 2009
