Cerrito 618 (between Tucuman and Toscanini), City Center

[Note from Alan: Just wanted to update this post to reflect the change in the expected re-opening date for the Colon Theatre - now due for 25th May 2010 - as I know a lot of people read this post and I don't want to mislead people due to outdated material]

(Original post written October 25th 2006)

Earlier this week I finally took the opportunity to take in a performance at the Teatro Colon (Colon Theater) which many say is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Buenos Aires, as one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

I was prompted to get along to the Colon by the fact that it is closing for reconstruction work at the end of October 2006, with plans to reopen on May 25, 2010, on the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution, when Argentina split from the Spanish to become an independent nation.

A long wait until the re-opening, and that’s IF the works are actually completed in time. Knowing Argentina, I would be extremely suprised if things go according to plan!

[Further edit: I was right here! The works have indeed been delayed for 2 years, as the original reopening date was supposed to be 25th May 2008. Who knows if they will even make it for 2010! ]

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See the sights of Buenos Aires’ historical city center…

Just a quick note to let everyone know that, now we’re officially in Spring, I am once again offering private, guided, walking tours of Buenos Aires City Center. These sightseeing tours cover the main attractions in the historical center of the city, such as Plaza de Mayo, Avenida de Mayo, Plaza Congreso, the Casa Rosada, the Cathedral, Cafe Tortoni, and a whole lot more.

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TOUR BOOKING DETAILS.

Hope to see you soon!

Every Day Should Be A Holiday?

When the ridiculously-named Courtney Taylor-Taylor sang (as lead singer of the Dandy Warhols) that every day should be a holiday, he probably didn’t realize that his wish could so easily be fulfilled.

Simply come to Argentina, where every day really is a holiday. Of sorts.

OK, so I’m exaggerating somewhat, but there are so many national holidays and assorted celebratory days here, that it’s not far from the truth. In Argentina, it seems, every dog has his day, or feriado. From conventional days like Love Day (Dia del Amor, 14th November) and National Tango Day (Dia Nacional del Tango, 11th December), to wild and wacky ones like Train Tracks day (Dia del Riel, 18th July) and Day of the Noodle Maker (Dia del Obrero Fideero, 22nd May), they’re all here.

Hell, I’ve even heard that there is a National Day of the Mullet in the works. [Note: I was talking to myself at the time]

Yes, it’s “National Flag of Argentina Day”

ARGENTINE PIGEONS ARE FIERCELY PATRIOTIC

Still, today is a real holiday, and the streets are deadly quiet, as per most national holidays here. We all have the day off for Dia de la Bandera (National Flag Day, in Argentina), which is officially on the 20th June, but always gets put on the third Monday of June, so that we get to enjoy a long weekend. Read on to learn a little more about the Argentine National Flag.

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Buenos Aires City History Tour: Plaza de Mayo, Avenida de Mayo, Plaza Congreso

As I am currently offering private guided walking tours around Buenos Aires, I decided to try and come up with some innovative ideas to promote my services. All the feedback I get is that I am a very good tour guide, which is all well and good, but no use if not many people find out about my tours!

The first idea that came to mind was to post up here some edited-down versions of the walking tours I offer, along with some pictures, directions and maps, to firstly prove that I know what I am talking about, and secondly to give you a brief idea of what my tours cover. If you want to book a guided walking tour like the one shown below, please go here: Buenos Aires Tours OR If you want to book another one of our tours or trips, go here: Buenos Aires Private Tours for more information.

There is also the added benefit that anybody thinking about doing some DIY walking tours during their visit to Buenos Aires can print and use my suggested routes, completely free!

The first tour route is what I call the ‘Buenos Aires City History Tour‘ - covering the historical heart of the city and many of it’s most important buildings, in addition to a lot of fantastic architecture, and some great cafes. It starts in Plaza de Mayo, home to the executive arm of the Argentine government (the Casa Rosada), ends in Plaza Congreso outside the legislative arm (the Congress building) and walks down Avenida de Mayo in between, the ‘grand boulevard’ of Buenos Aires that connects these two most important of Buenos Aires structures.

So, if this sounds like the kind of tour you’ll be looking for during your visit to Buenos Aires, then either print out this blog post to do a self-guided walking tour, or contact me to book this as a private guided walking tour - something that I can assure you will be far more enjoyable and hassle-free than struggling round the busy city center with an upside down map clasped in your hands!
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[12th - 25th March 2007]

Sorry for missing a week folks. Without wanting to go into the details, it’s been a crazy and stressful time. Anyway, on with the show we go, with my picks from the Buenos Aires blogosphere from the last two weeks, and I’m going to to try and keep my usually meandering descriptions quite brief this time round…

My favorite Buenos Aires blog posts from the past 2 weeks

• Tango Cherie made an interesting post on the subject of tango ‘taxi dancers’
• Nathan from Trip Trap notices some funny goings on in the Buenos Aires section of Craigslist
• Robert’s map of Recoleta Cemetery is ready, and it looks beautiful
  

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