The City Tour bus in Cordoba

While staying in the City of Cordoba in Argentina, I had the chance to do the City tour on a Vintage bus from London.

The tour takes you to most points of interest in the Capital, and has two stops. At the equivalent of 10 bucks in pesos it is worth taking it.

Prost from the Oktoberfest at Villa Gral Belgrano, Cordoba

Had the chance to travel to Cordoba province in Argentina and go to the picturesque town of Villa General Belgarno, located two hours away from the Capital.

This year they celebrated their 53rd Oktoberfest. Needles to say that the town is German colony in Cordoba, where you can find the best strudel, sausage and beer in Argentina.

The event lasts 10 days and is packed full of German goodies. I personally eat the best sausage and sauerkraut outside of Germany I ever had.

There were many locals in their typical German dresses and delegations from all the mayor ethnic groups in Argentina, and it goes without saying that you can drink all the beer that your wallet can handle.

Holy Week in Cordoba - La Manzana Jesuitica

La Manzana Jesuita in Cordoba Capital is actually a World Heritage site located downtown Cordoba. It contains an University, a school and a Church-Monastery.

You will not miss it, since its smack downtown Cordoba and as its name says its is a whole block of Colonial architecture. Cordoba was inserted into the Paraguay Jesuit province which comprised a series of churches schools and farms that belonged to the Jesuit order in South America.

The site makes for excellent colonial architectural shots, and is one of the few authentic colonial sites left in Argentina.

The trip to Chile: El Mercado central de Santiago

Right around the "Puente de Cal y Canto" subway station you´ll find the Mercado Central de Santiago, which operates as a fish market as well as tourist attraction with souvenir shops and Sea food restaurants.

the structure itself was probangland along with dozens of others found all over cities with Ports.

Inside you can indulge in buying over sized sea food and fish, that abound in the southern pacific, or eat it at the many small restos that are into every space available.

Or just take great shots of the fresh fish displayed for sale.

I reccomend: Icecream in Buenos Aires - Tufic Palermo Soho

Before the summer ends, here´s another Palermo favourite. Tufic is located at the intersection of Guatemala and Armenia street in Palermo soho. It markets itself as a "Espacio de sabores" which vaguely translates to an area of flavours, kinda....The quality quantity is good and they have some original flavours worth trying like "Frutos del Bosque con Nutella"

An aereal guided tour of Buenos Aires

Here is a great video of Buenos Aires filmed with a Drone, if you want detailed info on the sites refer to a post from another blog I recommend.
http://mavieenargentine.eklablog.com/buenos-aires-en-3-min-a119645478

See the video Here Buenos Aires desde el Aire

The Lighthouse at Jose Ignacio

José ignacio is a very exclusive resort town located 20 minutes away from Punta del Este. If you are able to stay here it means you are pretty wealthy, or maybe you will just visit like myself.
Its lighthouse is more interesting than the one in Punta, cuz its located right smack on the beach, and besides that and the beach itself, there isn´t much else to see.
















nevertheless it has some very nice panoramas and a picturesque fishermen's cove. An ideal place to meditate and relax

The Copper pot man in San Telmo

Here´s a tip for you, if you visit the San Telmo fair, on Plaza Dorrego, in Buenos Aires. Among the many tables found there, you will see the old man that sells copper ware, basically anything made of copper, but specially pans and pots which he makes himself. There isn’t much science in a copper pot, but these are well made and very cheap. Like normally a medium size copper pot will set u back around 120 to 150 bucks. Here you can get a brand new one for $40. I actually used one to make marmalade and was very satisfied with its performance, so I got a second one.

The Abasto Market of Buenos Aires

Tha Old wholesale Fruit market of the city of Buenos Aires that operated from 1893 until 1984  was always known as the “Mercado de Abasto” , now a modern shopping centre since 1999 (like the ones you might find from Shanghay  to La Paz).

Llocated in the Balvanera Neighbourhood also known as “Once” .You might run across it if you visit the area where Carlos Gardel lived most of his life earning him the nickname of “ El morocho del Abasto”.

Bosques de Palermo, a piece of Versailles

The "Bosques de Palermo" are a series of parks composed by Planetario Galileo Galilei, Jardín Botánico,Lago de Regatas, and el Rosedal. A kind of Central Park in Buenos Aires, but with a french accent, actually most of the garden were created by Charles thays, that also had rearranged the Versailles garden in Paris.

Its a pretty big area where you´ll find very nice french sculptures of animals and a variety of trees with beautiful leaves and flowers. Its one of those places to go running, walking or to read a book away from the hustle of the city.

From the Past - Colonial churches in Mexico City

Some photos from a report bout churches in Mexico City. See the pdf here

Best Parrillas in Buenos Aires - La Posada de 1820 - Bank district

Even though 1820 is not just a Parrilla but a Restaurant, I´ll include it as a bonus.
Located at the intersection of Tucuman and San Martin streets in BA, its really close to most of the downtown attractions that you will probably visit. It has a very good menu and very cheap daily Menus.
I recommend it as an option when you go to Galerías Pacifico, instead of eating at the food court

Best Parrillas in Buenos Aires -Desnivel - San Telmo

Desnivel which means unleveled, probably referring to the fact that they joined to houses to make the restaurant and they are at different floor levels, is located at Defensa 855, right smack at the heart of San Telmo which in the past decade became a tourist hangout. Along with many colleagues I'm averse to crowds which always don't allow for good shots, so if you want to eat here while takings nice pics in San Telmo, do not go on the weekend.

















This is a classical Argentine parrilla where you order by the plate, the meat is excellent and they have a pretty good menu. I do recommend the milanesas as well. The portions are big and prices are cheap considering its location. A full meal for 3 people set us back 33 bucks.

Best Parrillas in Buenos Aires - Siga la Vaca - Puerto Madero

Hey , going to B.A and not indulging in good beef is like going to Rome and not visiting "La Fontana di Trevi". Definitely Argentina has the best beef in the world, That´s in a cost benefit point of view. You can probably buy a plate of Kobe beef in NY or Tokyo and pay the equivalent of a down payment on a car, but if you have that kind of money do not read this.
Buenos Aires is full of good places to eat meat, that's why I´m only reviewing 5. You can ask any one on the street and they will refer you to a decent resto where you can eat for a  reasonable price and be satisfied.
Today I will recommend a cheap one located at one of the city´s tourist traps. I´m talking about Puerto madreo where you´ll find all types of expensive food joints that offer very good quality food, but are not so great on prices.

Siga la vaca is located at A. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1714 and is all you can eat, including drinks and dessert for a very moderate price (generally 15 to 20 bucks per person, depending on the day of the week). The service is also good, but be advised that if you go at the peak of lunch hour you might have to wait to get in. It has a great salad bar and the grill boasts a good variety of meat cuts. To drink you can choose from Wine,beer or pop served in 1L pitchers.

La Casa Minima

When you visit San Telmo, make sure you pass by the Pasaje San Lorenzo, on number 380, you´ll see whats considered the smallest lot in Buenos Aires. called "Casa Minima" or "Casa del Liberto", it is said to have belonged to an emancipated slave, that made his abode in a small lot that was vacant.

Praça da República

The Praça da República is located smack downtown Sao Paulo and has a Metro station (subway) located on, and named after it. During the business week, it can be a spooky experience to visit, but on Sundays you will find that the city and the park itself wind down to a more human pace.

On its premises you will find an assorted variety of kiosks that sell all types of souvenirs like fancy rocks and beautiful birds carved in stone. Also some really nice paintings sold by the very people that created them.

Considering the high cost of living in Sao Paulo, the prices are not that bad, and you can buy very descent paintings for under 50 bucks.

Colonia del Sacramento

 
Colonia del Sacramento is located roughly 200 clicks southwest of Montevideo, by the River Plate facing Buenos Aires, and also closer to it than Montevideo. Being one of the oldest towns in Uruguay, I was surprised by the small size of the original Portuguese settlement, since according to the tordecillas treaty, signed by Portugal and Spain, this town was founded by the Portuguese and later handed over to the Spanish.

The cobblestone streets are adorned by stategically placed old cars like this 48´Studebaker champion coupe, that reminds me of a composition I made in grade school that was titled " the Little red Broom Broom car.
Be advised that this is probably the most photographed car in the town, Ive seen it even in a bill board in Buenos Aires.
See the PDF

Calle Lanin, Barracas

La Calle Lanin is a two block strech of colourfull houses whose fronts have been painted and decorated with mosaics ,the murals there, were created in the year 2001 by local artist Marino Santa Maria ,who  lives on number 33. Its worth going if you have mobility, but the area in general is quite rundown, and gets spooky after dark.



San Luis Province a well kept secret

Had the chance to visit the city of San Luis located in the province with the same name. I must say that it was a welcome change from the cement jungle that´s Buenos Aires. Nice folk and fair wether along with simple but charming hills.

From the Past, Costa D'Amalfi

Some photos from a stop at Costa D'Amalfi, on my way to Sicily, Italy.

See the PDF