Had a lovely day learning how to play polo and relaxing at a ranch for the day in Buenos Aires. Worried it would be too hard as had only ever ridden once before, but was amazing! Really chilled day, nice and patient teacher, and amaaaaazing barbecue! Best thing i did in BA I reckon. (Also loved the Malba art gallery, and the beautiful rose gardens in Palermo. Best meal (apart from estancia bbq) was at Don Julio in Palermo.

www.guapapolo.com.ar
+54 9 11 5111 8214
Google map: bit.ly/xZpvw8

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Starting the new year like no other, I spent this new year's eve in Buenos Aires. Expecting a casual night on my terrace with a barbeque, this turned into an unforgettable party experience.
After doing the ritual midnight celebration, we then ate dinner and drank fernet (a herbal Italian spirit which has been adopted by Argentines) until around 3am. At this point we decided to head to the planetarium which lies in the Bosques de Palero (the Palermo forest). Here there was an enormous crowd of all ages, dancing with their fernet by the beautifully lit planetarium. I was unsure as to why everybody had sunglasses at the ready. When it got to around 7am it hit me, the blinding sun rose from above the trees and the crowd went wild! Slowly the crowds headed towards shade as the night turned into a hot summer's day, and at 9am we went home on the bus with the commuters. During this journey we narrowly avoided being struck by a flying bin which had been loaded with dynamite, but explosions aside it was an amazing experience and a brilliant start to 2012.

www.planetario.gov.ar/
Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta- Palermo - Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4771-9393
Google map: bit.ly/wAQCsd

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Hostel opened few months ago near from Plaza Serrano (place with a lot of bars, restaurants and clubs really great at night!) well located! nice house,rooms are clean, cool and relaxing atmosphere, great music. We even made a barbecue on the terrace.
You'll appreciate the contrast between the crazy Buenos Aires and this haven.

www.playhostel.com
Guatemala 4636, 1425 Palermo, Capital Federal, Argentina
+54 11 6091 9051
Google map: bit.ly/zurvvM

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Vamos Spanish Academy is a language and cultural school based in Buenos Aires. It is an absolute hidden gem, the staff are fantastic and very helpful. We took a Yerba Mate workshop, a cultural workshop and they organised a tango class for us. They arranged bike tours too but the weather did not permit - something for next time.

www.vamospanish.com
Coronel Díaz 1736, Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 53520001
Google map: bit.ly/o8idJu

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The best steak I had in Buenos Aires. A cool, cosy little restaurant in Microcentro. Have the dada steak and go for one of their house cocktails!

San Martin 947, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Google map: bit.ly/pJKHFT

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A great way to explore parts of the city tourists don't normally see. A really fun tour, in the form of a photography based treasure hunt around the streets of Buenos Aires.

www.foto-ruta.com
+54 11 6030 8881

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A great way to get your bearings in specific areas. We did the La Boca and Puerto Madero route. Great fun afternoon out.

www.labicicletanaranja.com.ar/english/index_english.html
+(54) 11 4362 1104

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This unmissable show is nothing like I have ever experienced before and had never heard of, until our hostel told us we would be mad to miss it.
La Bomba takes place every Monday night (who cares if there’s work the next day) and is a popular, often sold out, percussion frenzy at Ciudad Cultural Konex, an old open air converted oil factory, and costs the equivalent of about £5.
It is essentially two hours of madness where a group of 17 quick handed musicians take to the stage, and over the course of the two hours their drumming gets louder and faster. As you would imagine, this consequently affects the audience who are taken along for the ride in the form of hypnotic drum beats. It is all improvised, yet conducted through different hand signals, and you cannot help but be mesmerised by the sheer talent and co ordination.
Let me stress, La Bomba is not for the feint hearted. As the drumming gets louder and faster, the crowd reacts a little crazier. If there was ever a more poignant moment for the expression “if you can’t beat them, join them”, this was it. We found ourselves caught up in the excitement, jumping around, all inhibitions lost. By the time it was over, flip flops had been lost, and bodies were sweat drenched; all in the name of drumming! At 10pm the crowds started to disperse and it was off to work the next day. Only in Buenos Aires!

Ciudad Cultural Konex, Sarmiento 3131, Abasto
+54 4864- 3200
labombadetiempo.blogspot.com/

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Just got back from 6 months in South America and the single most valuable item in my rucksack was a tupperware box. I saved so much money by cooking enough food the night before to last for lunch or supper the next day. It also meant I could go further off the beaten track by not worrying whether I would be able to buy lunch as I would have a healthy portion of pasta in my rucksack. It was also really good for transporting sachets of salt, pepper, herbs, tea bags etc from hostel to hostel.
It certainly isn't the most exciting thing but having a tupperware box made massive difference.

All over the world!

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Studying Spanish at academia has been one of the highlights of my trip through Argentina and Chile. After four weeks I ran out of time, so I had to move on, but the place was so cool! The staff made you feel at home and I met many other travellers in gap-year situations similar to mine. I am still in contact with my two teachers who have been excellent professionals and very helpful in planning my trip.

www.academiabuenosaires.com
Calle Hipólito Yrigoyen 571, piso 4, CP 1086, +54 11 4345 5954
Google map: bit.ly/r1FJ3P

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Saturday and Sunday near the Recoleta cemetery about 100 stands set up and create an open air market of artisan goods. Silver, leather, clothing, pottery, art- nice quality for better pricing than the stores they sell to.

Google map: bit.ly/qfjlRw
www.feriaplazafrancia.com/

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A very informative site for everything that is Buenos Aires. Events, culture, things to do are updated regularly through out each week. Also good for reserving activities and tours easily that good value.

landingPadBA.com

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Nice quaint little cafe in Palermo that has quality cakes, muffins and coffee. An excellent choice for sitting outside and enjoying some sun.

www.casamua.com/
Soler 4202, esquina Julían Álvarez, Palermo, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4862-7561
Google map: bit.ly/r3113S

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This is a beautiful, intimate restaurant. The food was fantastic, the service excellent and the ambiance just so San Telmo.

Estados Unidos 302
Google map: bit.ly/ihOd0d

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A lovely little french cafe in Palermo (there are two close to each other). Great brunch, cakes, tea and coffee.

www.ouioui.com.ar
Nicaragua 6068
+54 11 4778-9614
Google map: bit.ly/lxy9PG

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A really fun way to learn Spanish quickly in Buenos Aires. Sessions are two hours and the lessons are really interactive. For anyone who wants to learn the basics of Spanish quickly I would recommend this course.

www.expanish.com
+54 11 5252 3040
Tte Gral Peron 700, Microcentro
Google map: bit.ly/moY0T4

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A secret bar in the heart of Palermo. Cross a cool east London bar with a great Buenos Aires house party (roof terrace included), great cocktails and a cool atmosphere - and you have Ferona.

Paraguay y Juan B Justo

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A lovely little corner cafe in San Telmo that serves everything from traditional Argentine food such as steak empanadas and medialunas for breakfast to sandwiches, chips and great coffee. In the evenings it has a buzzing atmosphere and local musicians come and play.

Chile 502, y Bolívar
+54(0)11 4300 7340
Google map: bit.ly/kDFq4V

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Notorious is an intimate music venue that captures the heart and passion of Buenos Aires. This treasure is tucked in the back of a CD shop in the Recoleta district of the city. We went to hear a jazz trio one night and were knocked out by the experience. The musicians were hot; the music was original; the food (it's also a restaurant) was fantastic and the service was both friendly and efficient. What more could you want? We were so impressed that before we left we booked to hear another group two nights later. If you like to listen to music (jazz, blues, tango, latin) played with passion, Notorious is the place.

Av. Callao 966, Recoleta, Buenos Aires
+541148158473
www.notorious.com.ar
Google map: bit.ly/kOHgHe

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Tesorito is an oasis in a busy city. It only has two guest rooms, so you need to book in advance. Besides their own room, guests have the use of a living room, dining room and leafy patio, all painted in bright colors and decorated with exquisite taste by the hostess. Breakfast is absolutely delicious and served with freshly squeezed orange juice every day. Tired of TV? Turn on the stereo, there is a large variety of CDs. The young host (fluent in four languages) and young hostess are both discreet and welcoming. The location is great, a block away from Santa Fe Street, where you will find a subway station and the 152 bus than crosses the city. Santa Fe is also a great shopping street, and boasts a bookstore that has been rated the second most amazing bookstore in the world. Only problem is the lack of good restaurants nearby. But, no worry, for only $5.00, you can take a taxi to Palermo Viejo, where good restaurants abound, and where an evening stroll is wonderful.

Ecuador 1250, 1425 Buenos Aires, Capital Federal, Argentina
+54 11 5778 1039
www.tesorito.com.ar/
Google map: bit.ly/mpg6I1

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