FTFNYC-- I agree with Kurt, take the Palermo location. You would be fine in San Telmo also, but if you can choose then the Guemes & Coronel Diaz location seems better.

BTW, regarding San Telmo, its also an interesting place to visit at night - just dont wander too far away from the bars & restaurants that are frequented by tourists and you will be fine.

Kurt Thanks for the immediate reply. It looks like our apartment will definitely be the launchpad for an unforgettable vacation that will surely make us return as soon as possible.

GauchoThanks to you also. With 15,000 posts and a residency in BA, you are for sure The Wise One.

One more question. How do the people in Palermo compare to the people in Recolleta?

And what is the best MAP of BA you can recommend?

Im not sure I understand your question.... do you mean the people that usually live in those areas or what exactly are you asking?

As for maps, there are a couple edited by the Automovil Club Argentino that are very good, but I think they may be a little too road oriented. I suggest you go to one of the Librerias Jenny or El Ateneo (bookstores) and they will have a large and complete selection of maps that are more tourist oriented.

Gaucho--Thanks for the map recommendations and we will go to the bookstores for them. Any online recommendations by chance?

To be honest, my mom has a friend whose daughter lives in BA. She claims alot of "yuppies" are migrating to Recolleta now and that Recolleta is accomodating that new "yuppie" presence with cafes, restaurants, and shops. And to be perfectly honest, I am not a yuppie. But, I do like the convenience of being within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, and shops.

It was my understanding that Palermo (younger and hip) attracts a somewhat younger crowd than what Recolleta is generally composed of (older and wealthy)? But I stand to learn from you if I am wrong...

I got a really good map of BA from Stanfords in London produced by National Geographic and called DestinationMap. It covers the whole of the city centre and has boxed details of La Boca, Belgrano etc, a subway map and street index, it is laminated so will not split at the folds. New York should have a specialist map shop similar to Stanfords that carry the series.

OK, now I get your question. Im sorry, but this daughter of your friend doesnt know what she is talking about. Recoleta is too expensive of a place to live in for it to be full of yuppies.... you need to have old money (or get a corporate apartment) to live there. Besides, I dont think you can just stereotype people so clearly. Recoleta is full of old money, some foreigners, some yuppies, and lots of just normal people (no matter if they have $$$ or not). Palermo - in some areas - would normally be considered more hip, but again this doesnt actually dictate the kind of people you will be around.

If I may give you some advice.... forget about the fact that you do or dont consider yourself a yuppie. You are on vacation, you found a nice apartment.... just hang out where you want.... in Recoleta, and Palermo, and Las Canitas, and La Boca....... remember, you are a guest of my city and you are free to go where you please. Just keep an open mind, smile a lot, use common sense, and you will have the time of your life.

If there's anything else I can do to help you with your trip, please feel free to post here and/or PM me.

Cheers,
Gaucho

This sounds like an excellent option. Just make sure to check the edition and get the latest one.... Buenos Aires has been building subways and other infrastructure like crazy so things have changed quite a bit during the last couple of years.

Hi all,

A mildly insane 20-something stockbroker friend of mine - a master of the grand gesture - has decided that he and I really need to go to Buenos Aires for my birthday. We're leaving next week and will be there for 5 days.

I'm married: my friend is not. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we can go in the evening to drink, dance and meet fabulous babes? I'll be participating strictly in a wingman capacity.

Gaucho--if everybody had such a warm and welcoming heart for their own city as you do for BA, the world would be a better place to travel. It is always refreshing and encouraging to hear people promote people, places, and things independent of socio-economic status--Thanks!

By the way, as a note to everyone reading this forum, you can pay $620 (tax included) for round trip tickets on Aerolineas Argentinas from JFK to EZE to JFK--economy class. 2K for First Class. Just call Zamar Travel--where I bought my tickets at. Ask for Eduardo Quevedo--he's from Buenos Aires. They have offices in Jackson Heights, Queens and BA.

Zamar Travel
Eduardo Quevedo
37-51 75th St.
Jackson Heights, NY. 11372
(718) 779-1270
Fax (718) 898-3151

Buenos Aires Location:
Esmeralda 740
Piso 10, Suite 1001
393-2079
fax 393-2079

EZE is home to various �temples� of adoration to female beauty. Some of these places of worship that I would suggest are the following:

(disclaimer: I�m working on 36 summers so I�m not completely updated on the exact trends for the 20 something crowd � usually these two groups don�t mix at the same places on the same days of the week. Check with your concierge and the folks at the bars for details)

Tequila � Bar & Resto

Located in Costanera Norte, very close to AEP. This place starts around 2100 for dinner, then converts to a Bar/Pub and the night gets really going when the DJ pumps the volume and everybody hits the dance floor. The velvet rope is hard to get by unless you have connections after midnight, so I suggest you get a table at around 2200hs for dinner. That way, you are guaranteed entry plus, many ladies like to go there in small groups for dinner. Best nights are usually Wed, Thu, and maybe Friday.

Asia de Cuba

Located in Puerto Madero, walking distance from the Hilton Buenos Aires. Similar concept to Tequila, although the crowd tends to be older (and less distinguished) on some days of the week.

Pacha

This is a �subsidiary� of the famous temple of the same name in Ibiza. Located in Costanera Norte, its walking distance from Tequila. It may be a plan to do dinner and apr�s-dinner at Tequila and then hit Pacha at around 3 am or so. This place is strictly a club�. So dancing, boozing and chasing women only. No food service here.

I'm sorry if this was asked but with about 15 pages of info, well......

Anyway, I'm in the early stages of my first visit to Argentina. This will be towards the end of the year. I will have about 7-8 nights total. Obviously BA will be the top destination, but for some other, minor reason I'm thinking Mendoza for 2-3 nights or so.

Any reason I should drop it or maybe add a night? I'm not looking for anything particular, I just like to discover new places. Would Mendoza be worth the flight/bus trip and why?

As a secondary question, what would be the prefered way to get there. I do realize that flying would be quick and painless, but the bus seems like a good way to at least get a glimpse of the country. Any thoughts? (Also, the Southrn Wings site is not working for me, is it down, or is it my problem only? - I do get the first page where you have a choice of Spanish or English, but that's it)

Thanks in advance!

Are you into wine...? That would make answering the Mendoza question easier. If not, I suggest you head well North or South of the country.

Speaking of Mendoza, are there any not-to-be-missed wineries? I've heard great things about Catena Zapata but I'd love to hear about others. I'll be there in two weeks - I can't wait!

Some recommendations in Mendoza re. wineries:

- Catena Zapata **
- Cobos **
- Achaval Ferrer **
- Sallentein
- La Rural (Felipe Rutini) **
- Norton
- Bodegas y Viniedos Lopez
- Bodegas Chandon (Moet & Chandon Argentina)
- Enzo Bianchi
- Terrazas de los Andes

(**) my personal favorites, please note that not all of these wineries will be ready for the standard "wine tourism" you may need to pull some strings to get them to give you more than just a standard tour & tasting.

That's the small reason for wanting to visit that region, but wine is not my life. I like good wine and that part is fairly easy to research, but is there anything else that may be of general interest?

Also I did get Southern Wings site to work and it priced a r/t for ~$350??? a little high for my taste.

Would I be better off just purchasing the ticket in BA?

And still somewhat interested in the luxury bus thing. I understand it takes about 12-13 hours. Does the route offer any interesting scenery?