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Day Trip to La Plata
(Photo by mccopa)
La Plata is the capital of Buenos Aires province. It is commonly referred to as the “ciudad de los tilos” (linden city) because its streets and squares are lined with linden trees. Its most common nickname however, is “ciudad de las diagonales” (city of diagonals), because urban planner Pedro Benoit, designed its unique city grid full of diagonal streets with small parks or squares every six blocks. It also has rich architecture including a Le Corbusier building, the Catedral de La Plata, which is the largest church in Argentina, and La Plata University, which includes an observatory and a natural history museum, amongst others.
Some places to visit:
Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata: This famous natural sciences museum has a permanent exhibit that traces the history of life from the inorganic to the organic and concluding with mankind and culture. It showcases over 2,500,000 objects including dinosaur fossils. Open Tue-Sun from 10am-6pm. Tickets 6pesos. Paseo del Bosque S/Nº. La Plata. (54-221) 425-7744 / 9161 / 9638. museo@museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar.
Catedral Metropolitana de La Plata: This stunning New Gothic style church is the largest in Argentina, and has 37 French and German vitraux, impressive carvings and religious icons and an ecclesiastic museum. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm and Sundays from 9am-8pm. calle 14 between 51 and 53. La Plata. museocatedral@speedy.com.ar.
Casa Curutchet: Swiss architect Le Corbusier built this house for Dr. Curutchet between 1949 and 1953. Now a day it is leased to the Colegio de Arquitectos and can be visited from Tuesday- Friday between 10am-2pm. Entry fee: 40 pesos. 53 Street # 320. La Plata. – Buenos Aires – Argentina. casacurutchet@capba.org.ar.
Parque Provincial Pereyra Iraola: This natural reserve on the outskirts of La Plata city once belonged to the aristocratic Pereyra Iraola family. The premises, which spread over 10,000 hectares, have over 100 tree species, and are commonly visited for bird-watching and horseback riding. It is also an architectural landmark as it has a pampa-style estancia from the 1800’s, where the family lived.
República de Los Niños: This Disney-style children’s theme park on the outskirts of La Plata was built in the early fifties for civic learning. The team of architects based the design on stories by Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm brothers and legends by Tennyson and Mallory. The park also includes a doll museum with dolls from all over the world. The theme park can be visited every day from 10am-6pm and costs 10pesos to get in. Camino General Belgrano and 501, M. B. Gonnet, La Plata. 0221-484-1409.
How to get to La Plata:
The best option is to take a long distance bus from Retiro, which takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic and on the bus. Buses leave every twenty minutes from the Retiro bus terminal, and tickets cost 20 pesos for the fast bus and 10 pesos for the slower bus that also stops at Constitucion. The bus service is Terminal Costera linea 195 and the timetable is available here.
Another option, which takes longer, is to take the train from the Constitución Train Station. See timetable here.
There is also an English Tour of La Plata with hotel pick-up and drop-off. More information here.
We Recommend: Graffitimundo Tours
(Photo by dandeluca)
Street art has become increasingly popular in cities worldwide and has resignified art by brining it out of the academic context and into the city for every passer-by to see. Buenos Aires of course, with it’s flourishing artistic and design community, is no exception, and it is common to find stunning visuals painted onto once forgotten walls of the different neighborhoods, which thanks to the intervention of young and cutting edge artists have recovered their appeal.
Aiming to promote the urban art scene in Buenos Aires, Graffitimundo offers off the beaten path tours of the city’s street art. Group tours, Bike tours and Private tours are available for those interested in learning more about these unique murals and the political and social context behind them. For those looking to get involved in the creative process itself they offer a great stencil workshop as well.
More information on Graffitimundo tours, workshops and local street artists here.
Off the Beaten Path: Day trip to La Campiña
(Photo by gotencool)
Set in the Buenos Aires town of San Pedro, La Campiña is a 25 year old orange farm owned by a couple who wished to turn their love for the land into their life. Now a days the farm not only cultivates over 100,000 fruit trees, wheat and soy, it is also open for public visits and special lunches made from La Campiñas own produce.
Visits include a tour of the orange plantation (with the added joy of the orange blossoms perfume in the spring), of the selection process, of a dovecot, jam making area, storage and the restaurant.
La Campiña is open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10AM with the last guided tour starting at 4.45pm. Charters to San Pedro and back are offered by Turismo Billoch and take approximately two hours and a half to get there.
Whilst you are in the area you can also visit the charming town of San Pedro, set on the shores of the Parana River. The town, which is a fruit and fishing paradise and is famous for its ensaimadas, has some excellent views and is also home of an old battle field (La Vuelta de Obligado) and of a museum showcasing renowned artist Fernando Garcia Curtens work.
We Recommend: Isla Martín García
(Photo by Ostrosky Photos)
Between Argentina and Uruguay, in the middle of the Rio de la Plata is a scantly populated island called Martín García, one of Buenos Aires´ natural reserves and historical landmarks.
The island, which was discovered by the expedition of Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516 was initially used as a prison 1765 until 1886 since it was very difficult to escape from due to the turbulent waters around it. Later on it was also used as a political prison and military garrison and some of the country’s most important and controversial political figures such as Marcelo Alvear, Hipolito Yrigoyen, Juan Domingo Peron and Arturo Frondizi served time there.
Now a days the island functions as a tourist destination and ecological reserve with over 800 species of plants, and more than 250 species of birds. Historical sites include a museum, a lighthouse, the prisons and a cemetery amongst others. The island is also famous for its Panettone.
How to get there
There are only two ways to get to the island, one is by a light aircraft which takes approximately 20 minutes from the city, and the other is by the Cacciola boat company in Tigre which offers day trip excursions including snacks and lunch and also overnight excursions with lodging at the only hostel in the Island. Aircraft information here. La Cacciola here.
Day Trip to Tigre
(Photo by escalepade)
At the starting point of the Paraná delta, in the outskirts of the city, is the town of Tigre, set on an island lined by small rivers and streams. This rugged location surrounded by nature offers a variety of attractions including canoeing, kayak and other excursions by boat, trekking, ecotourism, motorboat and commuter boats to take you to different places on the riverside, restaurants, spas, tea-houses, picnic sites, a naval museum, an art museum, a mate museum, a casino, a crafts fair and an amusement park.
How to get there:
By train:
The train is one of the fastest ways to get to Tigre and you have the option of taking the regular train or the “Tren de la Costa” which includes a scenic view and the possibility to stop at different train stations where you can shop for antiques (Borges station) or organic food (San Fernando station on Saturdays.)
Direct train from Retiro Terminal Station - At Retiro station you have to take Mitre line train going to Tigre. Trip duration: 50 minutes.
Tren de la Costa from Retiro Terminal Station
1. Retiro to Tren de la Costa: At Retiro station you have to take the Mitre line train heading to Mitre station. Once you have arrived at Mitre station you have to cross the bridge over Maipu 2600 Ave, which takes you to Maipu station of Tren de la Costa.
2. Maipú station of “Tren de la Costa” to Tigre: At Maipu station of Tren de la Costa you have to take the train going to the Delta. It is a 30-minute long trip in a modern train with a beautiful view of Rio de la Plata and you can get on and off as you please.
Getting to Tigre by bus- Take Line 60 bus which starts its route at Constitucion. Trip duration: 90 minutes.
Getting to Tigre by car- Take Panamericana Highway up to Acceso Norte, then Tigre road on the ‘Autopista del Sol’
For a great lunch on your way to Tigre stop by Tipula, a Spanish inspired gourmet restaurant belonging to Fierro Hotel’s chef, Hernan Gipponi. Vicente Lopez 76, Martinez. 4793-7185.
Off The Beaten Path: Tito Ingenieri’s Bottle House
(Photo by Justin Bugsy Sailor)
Six million bottles are the building blocks of sculptor Tito Ingenieri’s home. The project, which began 21 years ago after a few other impressive feats, such as walking to Peru, and building a theatre out of junk (to name a few), was born from economic need, the desire to have a unique home and the search to transform garbage into something useful. The unique house, set in Quilmes, is also surrounded by Tito’s sculptures and has become a neighborhood emblem. Although it is not officially open to the public, it is the artists desire that the house, on Av. 25 de Mayo and Los Naranjos, be turned into a museum and that the philosophy of building with recycled material expand.
Our 7 Links
(Los Siete by Eduardo Amorim)
We recently got nominated by Jeff from Lengthy Travel Blog (which has some excellent tips for travelers) to participate in the 7 Links projects. The project which is being organized by Tripbase consists in linking 7 of your own posts which meet previously specified criteria and then nominating other bloggers to do the same so that an exchange and circulation of information takes place. We though it was a fun idea and also a great way to revisit some of the tips we have posted in the past.
Our 7 links are:
1-Most Beautiful Post: 10 Things We Love About Buenos Aires
2-Most Popular Post: 10 Things to do in Buenos Aires Off the Beaten Path
3-Most Controversial: Vegetarian Buenos Aires
4-Most Helpful: How to Make a Typical Argentine Asado
5-Most Successful: We Recommend: Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires
6-Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved: Lunfardo: A Slang from the Prisons and Tango
7-Proud of: 5 Best Hotels for Food and Drink
And our nominees are:
Eat like a girl: Wonderful food and travel blog, including special recipies!
The Lost Asian in Buenos Aires : Great reviews of Buenos Aires food and restaurants!
Juanele AR- Art in Buenos Aires: A wonderful art blog and the best art tours in the city!
The Real Argentina: Travel tips, reviews, suggestions and anything else you need to know!
South American Travel News: A useful resource for those of you planning your trip!
We Recommend: Tours by Air and Water
(Photo by Humberto Terenziani)
Helicopter tours: Taking a helicopter to see Buenos Aires from above is a wonderful way to get a scenic view of the city whilst acquiring a sense of its dimensions and distribution. Helitours Buenos Aires offers 20-minute tours through Puerto Madero or La Boca, a 45-minute tour through the city center and its surroundings and a VIP 60 minute tour including outskirts of Buenos Aires such as Tigre and Pilar. Helitours BA are offered every day from Monday to Saturday from 10am-6pm. Contact: 4555-4973, info@helitourba.com.
Balloon tour: Another interesting alternative is to tour the rural area of Buenos Aires in a balloon. These day trips take place in Capilla del Señor (80km away from the city center) and include transport from the hotel and back. Balloon trips offered by TANGOL, are carried out every day and last approximately an hour, overlooking extensive fields and streams. Book your place here.
Sailing tour: Hop on a sailboat in Puerto Madero and set off to see the city from the river. Smile on Sea offers 2 ½ hour trips, extended 4 ½ hour trips, full day trips and night sailing where you get to see the sun set behind the skyscrapers. Contact: info@smileonsea.com.
Tigre Boat Tour: On the starting point of the Paraná delta is the town of Tigre, set on an island lined by small rivers and streams. Many excursions, in kayak, canoes and boats are available to visit different hidden places in this rugged location. We recommend Safari Delta Tours, which offer day trips through the island, stopping at different hotspots that are well worth visiting. Contact Fernando at safaridelta@sion.com, 155 111 0619.
Off the Beaten Path: Museo Casa de Yrurtia
(Canto al Trabajo- Rogelio Yrurtia by puroticorico)
Once the home of sculptor Rogelio Yrurtia, this beautiful colonial house displays his belongings including interesting objects, textiles (which he collected) and ceramics, many from China, Japan, Holland and Java, a collection of Argentine paintings, and many of his own sculptures and sketches of some of the city monuments which he was responsible for. Amongst the monuments you may have seen whilst walking through the city are “Canto al trabajo” on Paseo Colon and Independencia in San Telmo, “Justicia” in the Tribunales Palace, and Monument to Coronel Dorrego on Suipacha and Viamonte amongst others.
Museo Casa de Yrurtia
O Higgins 2390, Belgrano
4781-0385
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 1pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 3pm-7pm. Closed on national holidays.
Off the Beaten Path: Day Trip to San Isidro
(Museo Pueyrredon by Fernando)
Although out of the way from the downtown area, San Isidro is a historical neighborhood founded in 1706, which is well worth visiting. The upscale residential area still conserves many of its colonial constructions and offers shady streets lined with jacarandas to walk thorough and explore.
Start the day early and take the Mitre train from Retiro or Carranza station (close to the hotel). Check that you get on the train going to Mitre, which is where you have to get off. Cross the Maipú Avenue and go into the Tren de la Costa. Take the train to the Barrancas station where a weekend antique fair. A close walk away is the Pueyrredon Historical Museum set in an old homestead where General Pueyrredon and San Martin planned strategies against the Spanish. Whilst in this area of San Isidro you can stop for lunch at La Anita, an old food store with a courtyard which was turned into a restaurant preserving the 100 year old furniture.
Get back on the train and get off at the San Isidro station where you can walk up the beautiful Mitre Park to get to the neo-gothic San Isidro Cathedral. Around the block, set in the Tres Ombues lane is the well worth visiting Beccar Varela museum at Quinta los Ombues, which was built during the vice royal period, and displays the historic heritage of the area.
Only ten blocks away is the stunning Villa O Campo where you can explore the local literary legacy, walk through stunning gardens and end the afternoon by having scones at the Villas teahouse. On your the way there is El Altillo pizzeria a neighborhood classic and El Piove ice cream where the owners have their ice cream maker displayed and it is sometimes possible to get a scoop right from the churners.
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Museums
Pueyrredon Historical Museum
Rivera Indarte 48, Acassuso
4512-3131
info@quintalosombues.com.ar
Adrián Beccar Varela 774, San Isidro
4575-4038
Elortondo 1837, Beccar
4732-4988
Places to eat
La Anita
Vuelta de Obligado 415, Acassuso.
4743-7604.
Av. Libertador 17000, San Isidro
4743-0990
Piove Ice Cream
Av. Libertador 17002, San Isidro
47477856
