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!
Jaime and Totty also took us to a local horse race where we practically stood on the track cheering on the jockeys. We rubbed elbows with the local gauchos and shared choripan, wine, pastries and steak sandwiches amongst ourselves at the local barbeque stand. In the evening, we went into the local town of Mercedes. We had a great meal and stopped by a local corner bar (La Esquina).
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:
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:
Streetwise Maps teamed up with BAlocal to create the new Buenos Aires Map series. Going from hide away neighborhoods, untouched by tourists, and to the glorified must-sees of the city, Streetwise Maps executives were able to complete the new Buenos Aires map on a specially customized tour just for their project.
Here’s what Andrika Brown had to say:
“We had a delightful time with you last week. We enjoyed your tour and commentary as I would have walked right by some of the places we saw without knowing their story. Its the story that adds life. We especially enjoyed your insights on how this city works in real life. Its one thing to visit, its another thing altogether if you are a resident.Thanks Christina. The tour was terrific, lunch was absolutely perfect and your company was greatly enjoyed. I hope we see you again. “
Here they are with Carlos, restaurant owner, finishing up an amazing lunch of wine, steak, empanadas, antipastas, chorizo and desserts to die for at a BAlocal secret hangout.
In Time Out Buenos Aires magazine’s Sep. 2008 issue BAlocal received a highly recommended review on city tours that connect visitors to local hangouts and shopping as they learn about the cultural and historical side of Buenos Aires.
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” 
