Buenos Aires - the Paris of S.America

When most people think about travelling to a place filled with the arts and great shopping, they often first think of travelling to Paris. However, if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path and a truly unique experience, you may want to consider heading to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is here that you can find some fantastic dance and opera performances and absorb some of the finest art in the world. Buenos Aires is a popular tourist destination for many people year after year but because it’s not usually the first location to jump into people’s minds, you can enjoy all the sights without as many crowds and noise as some of the more mainstream locations around the world.

For your first taste of Buenos Aires culture, Teatro Colon should be your first stop. This theater hosts mainly operas but they also hold symphony concerts in the building as well. Even if you’re not much for classical music, the building is amazing so it’s worthwhile to take a tour of it while you are in town. Reserve in advance for a guided tour and on the tour you will not only see the amazing architecture of the structure but you will also be given the opportunity to see the different areas backstage including wardrobe and makeup. Ask which times are the best to go as it’s most interesting when designers and performers are around so you can see them in action!

Tango dancing is huge in Buenos Aires and whether you want to cha-cha-cha yourself or simply watch others dance in their beautiful costumes, you can do it at Complejo Tango. The theater holds tango lessons, which are a lot of fun, especially for couples or you can simply enjoy a meal and watch the performers a few feet away glide across the stage. The instructors are friendly and classes are available for groups, individuals or couples. If you’re more interested in looking at art instead of being a part of it, you can visit Musea Nacional de Bellas Artes. This museum is toted as one of the best in the world and here you can find big name artists as well as works from the lesser known. Although the pieces are truly astounding, the best thing about this museum might be that it’s free to enter!

And once you’ve had your fill of the arts and want to spend some time shopping in some of Argentina’s finest areas, Buenos Aires is the place to do it! Start your day at Plaza Dorrego, the city’s main center. Here not only will you find all sorts of funky little treasures but there are also many street performers that will provide the perfect atmosphere for a day of shopping! Calle Florida is another wonderful shopping experience in the city. Not only is there a ton of fascinating architecture to check out while you’re in the area but you can also walk along the mile-long stretch of strip mall to find anything that you could need. And for a more local-feel shopping experience, you will want to stop by San Telmo Antique Market. Here there are also street performers and buskers that will tickle your senses while you barter with the local vendors selling their unique goods.