This is by far the best way to experience Buenos Aires. You will have the undivided attention of our best, most knowledgeable, fun and engaging fully bilingual guides.
They know the city in-and-out with its stories, history, legends, habits, quirks, curiosities, its neighbourhoods, its people, restaurants, circuits... the whole nine yards!
These tours can actually span over several hours (or even days if you so wish), and can be tailored to your own taste, interests and choice of activities (i.e. British Buenos Aires, French Buenos Aires, Jewish Buenos Aires, etc.).
We usually walk with small private parties (1 to 6 people) but we also often handle special introductory (or thematic) Buenos Aires walks for very large groups (80-120 people) splitting these in small gropus amongst several guides.
We have guides who are native speakers of the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Russian.
Most tourists visiting Buenos Aires with a tight schedule (like those who only have a day or two in BuenosAires) can have a pretty full and unforgettable experience of the city, its key places landmarks, habits, etc. through a good, one-day (9:30 am to 5 pm hour) tour (plus -of course- a Tango show (7pm) to top it off.
If you enjoy:
Having a dedicated exclusive guide
Walking at your own pace
Longer, more detailed walks
More time and freedom to ask (and have all your questions answered)
...then this option is for you: the savvy traveller who wants strong, close-up, deeper travel experiences.
Tailored tours can also be made up of YOUR OWN choice of activities (see example below for ideas).
Tour Outline (abbreviated): (click on pictures to toggle size) Dear Mark O'Polo,
Buenos Aires is a very amazing city, and it is our mission to help you discover its (very many) wonders.
We can offer very different experiences of BA, and our website just shows a few options (founded in 1537, our city houses 14 million people and it is full of wonderful sites & stories and an absolutely unique lifestyle most visitors seldom discover).
These are two possible itineraries you would enjoy and maximize your experience in this wondrous city (I think you should do both):
--------
Sunday Dec 20: (Please note that the world famous San Telmo market happens on Sundays, so this is the only day in your visit you have this
opportunity: please see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3Q2tTR8e4&feature=related
We would do our full "Historical and Picturesque" (Downtown - Plaza de Mayo - San Telmo - La Boca) Buenos Aires Walk:
Downtown + Monserrat:
oldest neighbourhood + Cabildo (old City Hall) + BA's Cathedral and San Martin's Mausoleum (here we explain how Argentina became a nation) + National Bank + Government House (its history and architecture explained) + Monument to Manuel Belgrano (where the gallows used to be) + Ministry Buildings (shrapnel still attests to recent coups -explained) + The Obelisk (and the Walk of the Mothers of the dissapeared) + Bolivar St.: Manzana de las Luces ("Enlightment Square" -first center of wisdom and foundational site of our schooling system) + Oldest Shop, Oldest Church and Oldest house still preserved in the city + Defensa St. and Saint Domingo Convent (here we explain the early British presence in 1806 and 1807) + Viceroy Linier's House + Chile St (old city limit) & Minimal House + Massive Immigration and changes in the Architecture of BA + Entering picturesque San Telmo neighbourhood + Evita & the School of Engineering + Carlos Calvo Market + Plaza Dorrego Park + Belen Church & Martina Cespedes' cute story + Ezeiza's Little Convent + Nobleza Piccardo's Modern Art Museum (& Aristotle Onassis?!) + Cacciattore's Urban Highway + Lezama Park + National History Museum + Pedro de Mendoza's Statue + Russian Church + James Brittain's "invention" to La Boca + wonderful picturesque "La Boca" neighbourhood ...and much more
This option is an extended morning walk (10am to 1:30 pm) and has a cost of US per person (minimum 2 persons) and also has to be booked in advance, as we need to allocate an exclusive guide (who is willing to work on Sunday). We usually end up in colorful "La Boca", where you can enjoy an inexpensive typical Argentine meal (not included) while you watch Tango being danced in the street. Along the walk we will fill you in on other things to do Sunday afternoon at your leisure.
--------
Monday Dec 21: Because it is a regular weekday, we can show you the real, vibrating Buenos Aires in its full splendor:
We would do our full "Retiro - Recoleta - Palermo" walk:
Elegant Plaza San Martin (initial bastion, bullfight ring and slave market), Paz Palace (amazing belle-epoque mansion in BA) + San Martin's Monument (here we explain how Argenina was born) + Kavanagh Building (architecture in BA explained) + Santísimo Sacramento Church (unusual and amazing church, explained) + British Clock Tower (here we explain past & present unsuspected presence of England in Argentina) + Railroad Terminal Stations + Barrio Norte Neighbourhood (here we explain the strong influence of the French and Italian in Argentina) + Mihanovich & Strugamou Buildings + Arroyo Street and its Art Galleries + Elegant Alvear St. & Palaces (here we explain the impact of catholicism, judaism and immigration in Argentina ) + Nuestra Senora del Pilar Church + Recoleta Neighbourhood.
Here we stop for lunch (not included) at some great Argentine restaurant we can help you choose (there's tons) at the Recoleta neighborhood.
After lunch we can continue as follows:
The amazing Recoleta Cemetery (explained with monuments and stories, including all about Evita Peron --she is buried here) + BA Exhibition Center + Palais de Glace (we explain the coming of age of Tango) + BA Design Center + Floralis Monument + ATC Buildings (here we explain the military rule and the 30,000 people that dissapeared) + General San Martin's House + Palermo Chico Neighbourhood (here we explain the economy of Argentina and the Bank crash of 2001 and its impact in todays local economy) + Errasuriz Palace (Decorative Arts Museum) + Argentine Automobile Club & Antique Cars Museum + National Library + Barrio Loma Mitre + National Gallery of Art + Peynot's Grand Monument (France's present to Argentina for its centennial celebration).
This option is an all day walk (10am to 4:30pm) has a cost of US per person (minimum 2 persons) and also has to be booked in advance with a 50% deposit, as we need to allocate an exclusive, all-day guide.
As this walk ends early (by Buenos Aires standards), you have plenty of time to do other visits and shopping (stores close 8pm).
Alternatively, we could include the highlights of the afternoon walk in the morning one and end this one at 1:30pm, allowing you for more time here on your own. This alternative (10am to 1:30pm) would cost you US p/p.
--------
We strive to provide a healthy, fun (often hilarious), and illuminating way to see a side of the city that most visitors never discover. Our approach is to synthesize the knowledge gained by a lifetime in Buenos Aires into dynamic walking tours that focus not only on mainstream historical events, but on individual narratives. Our clients learn about real people and through their stories are able to gain a deeper appreciation of Argentine culture and history. Our English-speaking guides offer historical gossip, political insight, and personal travel suggestions that larger companies cannot supply.
These prices are based on top-quality, government licensed guides, fully bilingual (with outstandingly good English), fun, engaging and extremely
knowledgeable: If these prices are too high, we can supply you with other (still excellent) guides whose rates are lower.
Please tell us if this is what you wanted and if this is OK with you.
If it is we will send you detailed instructions on how to place your reservation right away (it is extremely easy), as those days our schedule is filling up fast.
We look forward to show you our amazing city!
Carlos, Willie, Martin, Hannah, Pavel and all the BA-Walking-Tours crew
