Just about everywhere in Buenos Aires you see kids out with their parents at tango shows, fancy restaurants, museums, art galleries, etc. BA is truly kid-friendly with beautiful parks in every nook of the city but also how Argentines embrace family life and incorporating their children in every activity is really something special…

Recently, I had an amazing couple with their two children of 11 and 14. I set them up with private tango lessons and a excellent intimate tango show. They also toured with me on an Art gallery tour on the hunt for abstract landscape contemporary art…. and they found exactly what they were looking for. We also hit up the best leather jacket tailor and went on a historic city tour.
Here’s what Roger Arar had to say from New York City:  


“We are back in NYC and wondering if Argentina was just a dream — it was such a wonderful visit for us! We so enjoyed meeting you and spending some time together.  You were immensely helpful in helping us get to know such a big city.  We hope to see you again soon — whether here in NYC or on our next visit south!”

BAlocal Personal Shopper Tours are a big hit in Buenos Aires. For BAlocal I handpick the shops for you as you just shop away. I also suggested Dorothy stay at MiraVidaSoho, a very brand new boutique hotel nestled in Palermo Soho (the chic boutique area), so she would get special attention and really enjoy the experience of first class service in an intimate setting.

Here’s what Dorothy Brentari from Cupertino, CA said:

“Hi Christina,I had a WONDERFUL time in BA..  I hope I can make the trip down sometime again soon. I loved staying at James’ place, the chef there is exceptional- and I enjoyed the wine tasting too!  I’ve attached a few of the tango photos… for your enjoyment. The suede pants fit great.. as does the brown leather jacket with the additional length in the sleeves…Can’t wait to use my new red purse! d”

BAlocal has great and excellent reviews!  Check it out:

Randy from California said:

“Hi Christina,  Just wanted let you know what a GREAT TIME we had with you as our guide in Buenos Aires.  I can’t believe we got to do and see so much in one day.  We especially loved seeing the Tango dancers.  If you ever need a referral, please feel free to have your future clients contact me at rankrum@charter.net.  Thanks for a great day!  Randy & Gemma Krumland, Paso Robles, California, USA” 

Jeff Stanley from New Jersey said:

“Your service did a good job and we were pleased with it.  You might follow up with Lily at MG Hunting for future business.  If you want, you can also use me as a reference.  Jeff” 

Joan Tucker from Los Angeles said:

“I know your traveling, but I did want to thank you for all the info you shared.  Your choices were totally right on.  We LOVED the feria de mataderos most of all.  It was great and not one Porteño that I mentioned it to have ever been.  I was so sorry we weren’t hungry, the food looked amazing.  We did manage to down a crepe spread w/ dulce de leche.  It was crazy good.  Joan” 

More than 300 films in 12 days will be presented in Buenos Aires strongest film festival yet.  The line up is incredible this year and I can’t wait to see the selection of international independent films such as: Juego de escena by Eduardo Coutinho, La rabia by Albertina Carri, El pais del diablo by Andres Di Tella and Cordero de Dios b Lucia Cedron.

If you’re looking for a great time and someone to show you around contact us at info@balocal.com.

Check out the entire program for the week at: BAFICI: Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independente

In the height of the busiest season of the year, I was blessed to have an amazing group visit me from Chicago, IL.    Sometimes you just get caught up in the rat race of the big city, which could very well happen in Buenos Aires but I was able to paint a different picture for this group.  

Day 1 - We took a bike ride out to Ecological Reserve, which is missed by most tourists, we were able to get out of the city and enjoy the Rio de La Plata (widest delta in the world) and the nature of Argentina while still in the city.  Then we finished the day with a fabulous lunch at my friend’s restaurant serving up the best tapas around. 

Day 2 - I set them up on a trip to Colonia, Uruguay, just an hour boat ride over. 

Day 3 - After dining on the best Paella in town, we wandered around the streets of Recoleta, mesmorized by the cemetery and the opulent mansions.   

Day 4 - They ventured outside the city to a little town called Adrogue and had a private barbeque (asado) cooking class with all the wine you could drink.  Barry words were… “I would have never changed this experience for anything.” 

Day 5 - I took them on a little history lesson walking through Plaza de Mayo and down to San Telmo’s antique flea market.

Day 6 - A great way to finish the 6-day tour, we visited three different artists’ ateliers learning about their inspiration… this was perfect for these art collectors.

Barry from Chicago said:”Just a note to again tell you how much we enjoyed our time together with you in Buenos Aires at year-end. You really did help make our visit very special and “clearly went “above and beyond” for us. In departing BA, both Jan and I felt like we were leaving a dear friend behind.” 

Today I spent the day roaming Recoleta for new posh boutiques.  On top of visiting the Recoleta Cemetery and finding the top designer boutiques, I stumbled upon 3 beautiful Argentine kids escaping the city’s heat in a historical water fountain.  

I recently went to the Sabor a Tango show for the local Argentines… Compared to other authentic tango shows, this one was upbeat, the tango dancers were amazing, the singers sung impeccably, the food was delicious and there was a special segment of Folklore dancing that I’d never seen before which was the icing on the cake.  

Right now, they have a special promotion thru Dec. 30, 2007 - $30USD to see the tango show with a glass of champagne.  If you want to check out the show with dinner and all you can drink wine for $80USD. I can set up the reservation for you just email me at info@balocal.com and I’ll set up the reservation.

Art Collectors Gold Mine or should I say Silver Mine! I recently found a store in Buenos Aires that sells authentic pieces dating back from the 16th century of colonial artifacts from South America. From religious paintings to pure silver alters, this gallery is loaded with priceless artifacts found no where else in the world. Every piece also has an authenticity card with a description of its story behind the work of art.

One Sunday after, I stumbled upon an outrangeous Hip Hop Dance Competition. These kids were putting the moves on in the middle of my favorite park in Buenos Aires, Parque Lezama. Hip Hop music isn’t the biggest scene here but when it’s on, IT’S ON! Check it out!

Wicked Buenos Aires magazine launched their new issue this week and did it with a bang at one of Buenos Aires hippest galleries, Appetite.  And on exhibit for this event was ENANOS DE JARDIN by Laura Spivak.  The event was hot, hot, hot and so were the fantastic burritos complements of one of the sponsors, California Burrito Company aka CBC.