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.

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” 

This past week I took a group to a little town called Adrogue outside the city limits for a South American cooking class.  We learned quite a bit about cooking, slicing, dicing… you know what I mean.  The food was excellent and the experience was incredible.  A few days later I sent another client to the empanada class and she absolutely loved it.  

Caitlin from California said: ”I had a wonderful time! It was definitely the highlight of my trip. I can’t thank you enough for helping me set it up and it is something I will never forget! Thanks again.”

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.” 

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.

A quick getaway from their everyday lives and a rest from 3 children left with their grandparents, David and Deb took advantage of time to do things they wouldn’t regularly do back home.  I booked them a massage everyday from simple soothing to therapeutic massages.  I also partnered them up with an amazing and fun tennis instructor, Nico.  And they dined every time somewhere different although they fell in love with their first meal and made it their last here…  a great beginning and a fabulous finish.  

David said from Rhode Island: “Please know that our trip was GREATLY enhanced by having you as our guide!!!!! Excited to connect you with other travelers….our relationship has only just begun!”

This Miami raised yet Cuban born adventurers were all about the local Argentine cuisine.  We stopped in my local and favorite parrilla stand (grill barbeque) in San Telmo and ate Choripan and Vacio sandwiches with ice cold beer.   Mary said…

You where so great we all enjoyed your tour it was exactly what we wanted.You will be highly recommended. Joel can’t stop talking about you to our friends here that referred us to Marcelo and he to you. How lovely you were and informative. Let us know if you are ever coming down to visit Miami we will show you around.   

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.