DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES BUENOS AIRES In association with: ELITE GUIDE TO BUENOS AIRES HIGHLIGHTS OF BUENOS AIRES 3 ONLY ELITE 4 The most exclusive VIP experiences, hand-selected by Elite Traveler CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 5 Buenos Aires’s top concierges share their personal suggestions for the perfect day THE ALVEAR PALACE HOTEL LOBBY WHERE TO ➤ STAY 8 ➤ DINE 14 ➤ BE PAMPERED 17 MARKUS FOR MEN SPA WHAT TO DO ➤ DURING THE DAY 19 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 21 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 23 ➤ SHOPPING 24 ROJO TANGO NEED TO KNOW ➤ MARINAS 28 ➤ PRIVATE JET TERMINALS 29 ➤ EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT 30 ➤ USEFUL INFORMATION 30 SUPERCLASICO MONUMENTAL TRAVELER DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BUENOS AIRES www.elitetraveler.com 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF BUENOS AIRES Don’t miss out on Buenos Aires’ wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences mong the richest cities in the world The city’s ‘café culture’ is also one of its national side is the world’s strongest, Buenos Aduring its early 20th century heyday, defining elements, and is another aspect Aires is home to the highest concentration of Buenos Aires is South America’s second of Buenos Aires’ lifestyle reminiscent of professional football clubs on the planet. largest city and without question one of its that of the French capital. A cultural center Famed as one of the globe’s finest leather most culturally fascinating. Nicknamed brimming with museums, art galleries and producers, Argentina’s capital also has much the ‘Paris of the South’, the city feels more live music, there is also plenty to occupy to offer in terms of shopping. With a wide European than Latin American, with wide daytime and evening, along with a passion for selection of small boutique shops and large, avenues and an eclectic blend of baroque and sport that rivals any on the planet. In addition stylish malls, visitors to the city are certain neoclassical architecture. to rugby and polo, in which Argentina’s not to leave empty handed. LA BOMBONERA TEATRO COLON WATCH BOCA JUNIORS AT LA BOMBONERA TAKE IN A SHOW AT TEATRO COLON Arguably South America’s most iconic football club, Boca Juniors is Testament to Argentina’s position as one of the world’s wealthiest cities steeped in history. Deeply rooted in the working class neighborhood of at the turn of the 20th century, the Teatro Colón (Columbus Theater) La Boca, the club’s rivalry with more affluent fellow porteño outfit River is a magnificent structure widely regarded as one of South America’s Plate makes for one of the most famous derbies in world football. Based most elegant edifices. Completed in 1908 and re-opened in early 2010 at La Bombonera (the Chocolate Box), with its steep stands and electric following a lengthy period of refurbishment, the theater plays host to atmosphere courtesy of legendary fan group La Doce (the Twelfth Man), all manner of concerts, plays and expositions. A must-see during your Boca is the club that gave Diego Maradona his first shot at the big time. A stay in Buenos Aires, ask your concierge for show listings and elite match day visit is unmissable for fans of the sport. ticket information. TANGO Rojo Tango: Martha Salotti 445 Phone: +54 11 5787 1536 Website: www.rojotango.com Tango music and dance first began to gain widespread recognition in working class districts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the middle of the 19th century, with the movement emerging as a fusion between distinct European and African styles with influences from Cuba and elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking Americas. Today, the elegant art form is an integral part of Buenos Aires culture, and there is no better place to witness your first performance than in the Argentine capital. Expert concierges recommend the following tango shows, ideal for those seeking an initiation into a central CUMPARSITA aspect of the River Plate region’s cultural heritage. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BUENOS AIRES www.elitetraveler.com 3 ONLY ELITE Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences IGUAZU FALLS A TRIP TO IGUAZU FALLS IGUAZU NATIONAL PARK The falls were first seen by European eyes Phone: +54 37 5749 1469 in 1541 when Spanish conquistador Álvar Address: Concesionario Area Cataratas del Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was drawn to the Parque Nacional Iguazu, N3370XAJ site by the noise of the gushing water, which Website: www.iguazuargentina.com can be heard from a distance of several Straddling the border between Brazil and kilometers. Guaraní legend dictates that the Argentina is one of the natural world’s true natural wonder was created by a vengeful wonders. No trip to South America, let alone God who had intended to marry a local Argentina, is complete without a visit to the girl named Naipí, who evaded the deity’s marvelous Iguazu Falls. Unlike other famous attentions and fled down the river in a canoe waterfalls, which often have just one drop, with her mortal lover Tarobá. Stricken, the Iguazu is breathtaking in its expanse, with god sliced the river in two in a blind rage, 275 separate drops along a 1.7 mile stretch sending the lovers cascading to certain of the Iguazu River. At 500 feet in width and death and creating the magnificent falls in almost half a mile in length, Devil’s Throat, the process. or La Garganta del Diablo in Spanish, is the largest single cataract in the world and There are national parks affording stands a staggering 270 feet high. spectacular views of the waterfalls on either side of the Argentine-Brazilian The name Iguazu is derived from the border, with the entrance to the Argentine indigenous Guaraní words for “big” and park situated just 11 miles from the town ”water”, and that effectively sums up the of Puerto Iguazu. Once inside the park, impression visitors are left with having visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the spent a day marveling at one of the world’s waterfalls from numerous distinct vantage most impressive natural sites. Platforms points, some of which are served by the located inside the Iguazu National Park ‘Ecological Train of the Forest’; a single- on the Argentine side of the border allow track railway system that ferries visitors In addition to the spectacular waterfalls which undisturbed views of the falls, where you from one point to another. There are also are of course the star attraction, the park is can appreciate the full force of nature as up trails for those that prefer to walk through also a designated wildlife reserve, and several to 400,000 gallons of water a second pour the jungle and take in the flora ecological trails covering several miles of into the river below. and fauna. terrain offer a chance to immerse yourself in nature. The park is home to a diverse and colorful selection of wildlife, with over 450 species of birds, 80 different mammal species and innumerable varieties of insects and reptiles. Aside from being the home of Iguazu Falls, the ‘three borders region’, as the area where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge is known, is also home to the imposing Itaipu Dam. Straddling the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay and jointly administered by the two nations’ governments, the dam is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual generating capacity in the world. Itaipu generates around 90% of the electricity consumed by Paraguay and just under 20% of that used in Brazil and was completed in 1984. See the ‘Where to Stay’ section (page 8) for recommendations on where to stay when IGUAZU FALLS visiting Iguazu. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BUENOS AIRES www.elitetraveler.com 4 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS ARIEL BARRIONUEVO El Obrero Japanese and French fusion. A traditional restaurant with a selection of old-style On the ground floor you’ll find the only Kaiten bar SENIOR EXPERIENCE MANAGER, dishes. Boxing and soccer legends adorn the walls. in Buenos Aires. Vibrant young atmosphere. FAENA HOTEL + UNIVERSE Phone: +54 11 4010 9000 Fervor Other Restaurants Email: [email protected] A beautifully appointed brasserie in the upscale Patagonia Sur Recoleta district, where the grilled seafood Club Del Progresso PLACES TO VISIT is highly recommended. La Vineria Del Progreso San Telmo Casa Cruz An old quarter of Buenos Aires where you will find Osaka flea markets and antique shops. A large street One of the best places for sushi. SIGHTS TO SEE market is held every Sunday. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: Over 12,000 Café des Arts del Malba works and regular exhibitions make this Recoleta Cemetery Museum of Latin American Art Buenos Aires museum a must for art enthusiasts. Take a guided tour and hear intriguing stories about the historic wealthy families, presidents and Museo Evita: A fascinating museum giving an celebrities buried in the cemetery. insight into the life of one of Argentina’s favorite daughters, Eva Perón, who was immortalized in Palermo Alan Parker’s 1996 film. The Soho of Buenos Aires is an excellent shopping area, with a wide selection of local MALBA, Museum of Latin American Arts of clothing and interior designers, along with cool Buenos Aires: Spend an afternoon perusing bars and restaurants. some of the finest artwork Latin America has to offer at this iconic museum. Estancias These are old, luxurious farm houses situated in Fortabat Museum: Browse one of the most the countryside just outside the city (one hour’s prestigious private art collections in the world drive away). Enjoy the country lifestyle, and make at the Fortabat. use of the horse riding, polo and golf facilities. PROA Foundation: Located in La Boca, Traditional cafés in El Tigre PROA Foundation features both modern and Tortoni is one of the oldest and most traditional traditional art exhibitions.