SWF in BA-help!!
 

At the last minute, my BF was unable to join me in Buenos Aires until Saturday. The trip was already pre-paid for by my employer, so I went ahead and came anyways. So here I am, by myself at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, having no clue what to do with myself for the next two days. We are attending the Boca juniors vs river plate soccer game sunday, but other than that have no plans! Any suggestions on what a single white young female can do on her own is appreciated. I hear it's kind of a dangerous town, so I'm a little worried about that. Any advice is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Amber - I'm sure the concierge at the Four Seasons can give you good suggestions.

One of Buenos Aires most upscale shopping centers, called Patio Bullrich, is about two blocks from your hotel (down Posadas). Similarly, one block from your hotel is Avenue Alvear, with probably the most upscale shops of almost any street in the city.

The Four Seasons, not surprisingly, is in one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, so using normal caution for any big city (eg Paris, New York or Barcelona), I don't think you have anything to worry about in that area.

About six blocks west (actually, n.w.) on Posadas or Alvear will bring you to the Recoleta Cemetery, one of the city's best known tourist attractions, where Eva Peron, among many other notables, is buried.

As another option, the hotel should be able to arrange a guided tour of the city for you, or arrange for a guide to walk with you in this area (which, again, is definitely upscale).

Just use the normal street smarts that should be used in any large city, and have a great time!

I am not sure who told you that Buenos Aires is a dangerous town but it is hardly dangerous. Not to say that there is not crime but it is safer than most US or European cities. As the previous post indicated you are so close to so many things to see and do that you should be able to fill your days without any effort. Book a half day city tour, go shopping, walk to Cafe Biela and have a coffee and pastry. There are also a movie theater at Patio Bullrich so if nothing else take in a movie :D. But don't sit in the hotel get out and enjoy the city.

sam

Definitely do not stay in your room.
1. ask the hotel to get you a half day orientation tour of the city. You get to see the layout of the city.
2. try a tour of Teatro Colon (about 10 blocks from your hotel)
3. During the day, BAires is very very safe. At night, I would take the usual safety measures that you would in any big city. It is overal very safe.
4. ask directions to calle Florida, pedestrian street with a mish mash of coffee shops, stores, Galerias Pacifico mall and a slice of Argentina life.
5. ask the hotel to make a reservation and call a cab to take you at night to cafe Tortoni for a tango show. ask them to order the cab to pick you up at night.
6. take a cab to Puerto Madero and walk around. stop anywhere for a great lunch.
7. Four Seasons has a really nice spa.
8. Walk to the Palace Alvear and enjoy a drink in the lobby cafe/bar. amazing architecture.
9. I echo the cementary visit. take pictures.
10. walk the Avenida Santa Fe which is very close to your hotel.
11. Even at midnight in Recoleta area, you see old (70's-80's) couples and single women walking alone in the streets and they don't seem to be very concerned.

enjoy.

Lots of great restaurants around. BA has a very nice theater district, although most of the plays, of course, are in Spanish.

BA is not dangerous at all. You do have to watch out for pick pockets in crowded places. Also, if you take a purse out, make sure you watch it all the time, so it doesn't disappear like it did for one of the Bush daughters.

Thank you all so much for all of your fast replies!! It is much appreciated! On my way out to do some shopping! Thanks again :)

One correction to another of the posts, but the Colon is still closed so not possible to tour. Here is the link to the city tourism web site that has some good walking tours
www.bue.gov.ar or better yet maybe get in touch with Alex and go to his wine store for a tasting :)
suerte
SAM

Some great advice above... hope you have some time after your trip is over to come back and tell us how things went.... :D ^

And BTW.... Im a little curious to know who it was that told you that Buenos Aires was "dangerous".... :eek:

Most likely the boyfriend warning of the dangers of the Argentine MALE:D

Who is Alex and where is his wine store? I'd love to go!! Tomorrow is our last day here and it is supposed to rain all day! I wanted to go to Tigre but I don't think that would be too fun in the rain :( Instead, might go to Florida street and soho for some shopping, and meet some friends for lunch (any suggestions?) I ended up having a fabulous time so far! Went to Recoleta cemetary and church, the market right outside of there, boca juniors vs river plate futbol game (CRAZINESS), dinner at la cabrerra, clubbing at crobar and asia de cuba, tango show and dinner at tango rojo at the Faena hotel, and a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay (soo beautiful!!).

Any suggestions on what to do for my last (rainy) day?? MALBA museum maybe? I'd also love to find some great deals on leather and wine as well. Anything else I should pick up that I can't get in the states?

Muchos gracias

amber

Alex is Gaucho100K (and incidentally, me, but they were referring to Gaucho100K :D). I don't remember his website right now, but take a look at this post: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=851568

Here is the web site http://www.terroir.com.ar/e_home_.htm
As for lunch if you want a traditional old style place where the food is great try El Trapiche Paraguay 5599 in Palermo near the shops in Palermo SoHo.

Glad to hear you had such a good visit...

Sam

The Malba Museum is an excellent choice.... ^ ^ ^