Classic City Tour
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Seat in bus service
 

Duration: 3 hours
Frequency: Daily. year-round

  Hal f day sightseeing of Buenos Aires, a cosmopolitan city that shows the influence of the numerous herds of immigrants that formed it. 

The tour starts at the historic Plaza de Mayo Square, scenery of resonant politic manifestations. The Piramide de Mayo (Pyramid of May), that rises in the center of the square, was the first National Monument, inaugurated in 1811. It is surrounded by the Government House, best known as the “Pink House”, which is the seat of the Executive Branch; the Cabildo (the old City  Hal l), which dates  back to 1754, and still keeps its colonial characteristics in spite of the several changes suffered; and the Cathedral. The Avenida De Mayo starts in this square, an interesting set of buildings of varied styles that reflect the diversity of its inhabitants. Through this avenue, you reach the Congress Palace, seat of the Legislative Branch, and a sumptuous building in Eclectic style with strong Neoclassic influences, situated in front of  Plaza del Congreso (Congress Square), where the Monument of the Two Congresses with its allegory of Liberty is placed.

Wide avenues and green areas appear constantly trying to slow down the rhythm of this vertiginous city. A sample of this is the 9 de Julio Avenue, with its eight lanes divided by small green squares with old leafy trees and enriched by sculptures and fountains. In the middle of this avenue, in the Plaza de la Republica, the Obelisk arises as a symbol of the city. Nearby, you will see the majestic Colon Theater, whose perfect acoustic made it one of the best Opera Houses in the world.

Southwards, we reach the picturesque and colorful port neighborhood of La Boca with its famous alley, “Caminito”, whose architectonic characteristics and customs reflect the influence of the European citizens  that came to this shores in the last years of the 19th century, specially Genoese sailors that influenced not only the architecture with its typical multicolored tin houses still inhabited nowadays, but also the cuisine of the typical “cantinas”.

The visit continues towards San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, inhabited till the last years of the 19th century by aristocratic families that then moved to the neighborhoods located in the northern areas due to a devastating yellow fever epidemic. Most of these houses turned into “conventillos”, each one shared by many poor families. San Telmo keeps most of its architectonic patrimony untouched: its colonial houses, its cobbled streets. Every Sunday an antique fair is held in the Plaza Dorrego. The area has also a lively night-life as there are many tango houses, restaurants and pubs.

The visit then goes on towards the modern Puerto Madero neighborhood, with its former port warehouses, now turned into offices, flats, entertaining facilities and top-notch restaurants looking onto the Rio de la Plata. You will reach Retiro neighborhood, whose history and tradition makes contrast with its glassed skyscrapers and the active New Port, center of distribution of the  national  production, where worldwide known cruise lines dock each year during January and February.

You will continue northwards to visit the residential Palermo neighborhood with its elegant residences framed by wide green areas; passing by the Rosedal, the Botanic Garden, the Zoo, the Planetarium, and the Hippodrome.

Finally you will reach Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where some of the best restaurants, cafés, night clubs and boutiques are placed. The Recoleta Cemetery surprises the visitor with its location, its varied architectural resources and the personalities that are buried there, such as Eva Perón.
Return to the hotel.

            

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Phone: 866.993.0033 or 919.782.1664 Fax: 919.782.1665
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