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).
Just recently opened, Cocina Sunae - a ‘puerta cerrada’ closed door restaurant, opens its doors only on Friday and Saturday evenings to guests looking for spicy and authentic southeast asian food. The chef uses her Asian roots and New York restaurant experience to bring an amazing experience and happiness to any foodie. To put it simple, its great food in a beautiful house with really cool people. Check out the web site at:
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:
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.
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!”
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” 
