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.

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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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:   

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!”

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”