Spalding University from Kentucky, USA, brought 60 creative writing grad students to Buenos Aires for inspiration and fun!  BAlocal’s lead guide, Chance Miller, took them on the Paris of South America walking tour that included uncovering the stories of Recoleta Cemetery, a stroll down Avenida de Alvear for eclectic architectural finds (10 different palaces) and monuments as well as beautifully and strategically landscape park.  He gave details to history and culture vividly painting a picture of how life was in Buenos Aires when it was considered the wealthest country (1870-1930) to today.

For the beginning of the week long events, the group started an opening cocktail dinner at Sette Bacco, Buenos Aires’ exclusive Italian restaurant located in the heart of Recoleta.  The food was delicious and the group had an amazing time getting to know each other for their upcoming events.  As described by Katy Yokom, Spalding’s coordinator, “dinner was spectacular!  A smashing success!”Chance Miller, man-about-town, and Elizabeth Gleeson, artist & art connoisseur, hit up local sightseeing spots with two stops at major museums from the fine arts to contemporary work from local Argentine artists.   They finished up the tour at an artist house chatting about art while nibbling on cheese and sipping Argentina’s finest wine.

The BUZZ is Buenos Aires is breeding a good stock of avant garde artists and everyone wants a piece!  Elizabeth Gleeson, BAlocal’s new art gallery tour guide and one of BAs newest artists, takes visitors to top and off-the-beaten-path galleries exposing you to the world of contemporary art.   Well connected in Buenos Aires’ thriving art scene, Liz helps you find your very own precious artwork on her private gallery tour, whether it’s underground graffiti or traditional landscapes. She is also the ‘artistic eye’ voice on Urbana 89.5’s BAlive show every Thursday at 9pm.

This past weekend, I had a wonderful getaway at the Roble Estancia Inside the Pampas. The owners Jaime and Totty made us feel right at home with one of the best asados I’ve had in Argentina, fresh baked cakes and bread, horseback riding and walks throughout the land and an absolutely breathtaking sunset. This was no tourist attraction, this was my friends and I at a real-working ranch out in the middle of nature, yet only an hour and half away from Buenos Aires. The only sounds we heard were cows mooing, firewood crackling, horse hooves trotting, parakeets chirping and our own intimate conversations. Its just what I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  I highly recommend a trip out to Estancia El Roble!

In April, BAlocal took a NYTimes journalist on tour to discover an up-and-coming neighborhood, untouched by tourists yet is the talk of the locals.  That neighborhood would be Barracas - bordering San Telmo and La Boca, its packed with tons of history and is going through an enormous gentrification process.  We scouted out historical sights, new chic restaurants, B&Bs, shows, old factories turned into lofts and a huge bohemian art scene painted all over the streets and hard-to-find galleries.   Unfortunately, the editor cut out anything about BAlocal guiding the tour so I thought I’d mention the article.  Here you go, June 7, 2009 - In Buenos Aires, A New Revival:

Here’s BAlocal client infront of one a Barracas home-turned-atelier.
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We have recently moved to a new location and was not able to keep our telephone number.  Our new phone number is 5411 4554 1877.  We look forward to hearing from you soon for your BAlocal Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina! Christina can be contacted on her cell phone at 15 4870 5506 (local) and 54911 4870 5506 (international).

BAlocal received an awesome review this past December: 

Best tour guide ever!! Thanks again for a great tour yesterday, and more importantly entertaining us with a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Your knowledge of the city was impressive, but I think your energy was the highlight for Johnny and I. We will be sure to pass along your infomration to any friends / co-workers interested in a quality Buenos Aires adventure! Robert 

After their tour, they caught some great footage of a celebration at the Obelisco of La Boca football team winning a major championship: 

  

 

Two different couples, two different experiences. Both uncovering the local scene with food, art, mate and just seeing the city from a local’s point of view.

“Hi Christina! Thanks again for yesterday. Mayu and I had a great day with you and Daniel. I made the comment to Mayu that touring the town with you felt like being shown around by “my cousin from BA” - very fun, very comfortable We are still on the move, so I wanted to drop you a quick note to say that today’s itinerary and the “bonus” suggestions below are a real hit so far. We haven’t made it everywhere yet, so some stops will shift to Friday’s schedule when we return from the falls. I’ll email again after we cross everything of our list! Take care…Michael”           

   


“First I have to say that Matt and I really enjoyed our tour with you. You were so informative and we really felt that we got so much more out of the neighborhood tours with you than we could have ever done on our own, so thank you! Don Carlos’ restaurant was by far the best meal we have had here. It truly is a diamond in the rough! Thank you for sharing this with us and the mate! All the best, Christina”            

In the new Lonely Planet Buenos Aires 2008 city guide on page 222, author, Sandra Bao, lists BAlocal as the very first listing under Organized Tours for its custom-made tours and itineraries.  Check out it here:   

Christina Wiseman came to Buenos Aires to study Spanish and ended up falling in love with her roommate.