BAlocal Tour Reviews

February was an extremely successful month!  I had some really great tours and amazing clients.  Check out what they’ve said:  

Ian from South Africa: “A couple of things just want to say “THANK YOU” for the wonderful time we had in B A with you a really memorable time…..”

Rhonda from New York, NY:  ”Thanks for everyhting. Frank and I so enjoyed your company. You truly made our vacation special and memorable.”  

Mark from Dallas, TX: “Mike and I really appreciate your help. You did a great job for us. Everything was first class and we we had a great time. Let us know if we can do anything to help you.”  

Chris from San Diego, CA: “thanks again for everything- Your in laws are wonderful people- really had a great time meeting you and your family, and my experience in Argentina was wonderful- I especially fell in love with Patagonia- beautiful place.” mike-texas.jpg

South American Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires

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.”

Argentina’s Inspiration, Art, Nature, Tapas, Asado and just having a good time!

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.” 

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A Day in Recoleta

Today I spent the day roaming Recoleta for new posh boutiques.  On top of visiting the Recoleta Cemetery and finding the top designer boutiques, I stumbled upon 3 beautiful Argentine kids escaping the city’s heat in a historical water fountain.  

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Authentic Tango Show at a Great Price!

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.

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South American Colonial Art

Art Collectors Gold Mine or should I say Silver Mine! I recently found a store in Buenos Aires that sells authentic pieces dating back from the 16th century of colonial artifacts from South America. From religious paintings to pure silver alters, this gallery is loaded with priceless artifacts found no where else in the world. Every piece also has an authenticity card with a description of its story behind the work of art.

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Massages, tennis and more massages…

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!”

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Choripan Heaven!

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.   

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Hip Hop Dancing in Argentina!

One Sunday after, I stumbled upon an outrangeous Hip Hop Dance Competition. These kids were putting the moves on in the middle of my favorite park in Buenos Aires, Parque Lezama. Hip Hop music isn’t the biggest scene here but when it’s on, IT’S ON! Check it out!

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Hip Urban Art Exhibit and New Magazine Launch!

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. wicked-event.jpg