Recommend January 2012 - (Page 86)

Venezuela argentina Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina’s lively, cosmopolitan capital, has a well-deserved reputation for offering some of the best of everything in South America: best hotels, best nightlife, best shopping, best restaurants. Capital pleasures also include exploring the Belle Epoque buildings around the ﬂowering Plaza de Mayo, touring the plush and gilded interiors of Teatro Colon and attending an opera performance in season (March through November), strolling through the open-air art fair along boldly colorful El Caminito—a pedestrian street in the La Boca neighborhood, and wandering about La Recoleta cemetery where hundreds of ornate mausoleums note the passing of the rich and famous. Make time for the museums, particularly the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), displaying one of the most impressive collections of Latin American art anywhere. And if you’re going to be in town on a weekend, then be sure to join the local families picnicking in Palermo Park. Meanwhile on Sunday, snare a ringside seat on Plaza Dorrego when the weekly San Telmo Antiques Fair is in full swing and tango dances perform on every corner. San Telmo, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, is looked on as tango “headquarters,” and you’ll ﬁnd a bevy of milongas (tango clubs, many giving lessons). Tango shows come in all shapes and sizes: traditional Argentine tango at El Viejo Almacen, to the show palace elegance of tango at Esquina Carlos Gardel, to the Hollywood-style tango show at Senor Tango. Dining out in B.A. can be another tough decision, but you can’t go wrong with a parrilla (grill) where what’s on the menu is serious meat with a good red Argentine wine. Cabana Las Lilas is widely considered the best, but there are dozens of choices in all price ranges. Ditto considering where to stay. On the high-end, the Alvear Palace Hotel is the grande dame, while the new rage is boutique hotels in the trendy Palermo Viejo neighborhood such as Mine Hotel Boutique. Facts • Best time to go: Ideal is fall (March-May) and spring (September-November). The most beautiful months are October and November when the jacaranda trees are ‘abloom • Fun Fact: While Argentina’s steaks are world-famous, beef is a domestic staple: domestic consumption per capita in 2010 was 126 lbs. (surpassed worldwide only by neighboring Uruguay) • getting there: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta to Buenos Aires • entry documents: Valid passport, valid for six months after entry. U.S. visitors pay reciprocity tax of $140 on arrival for a multiple-entry tourist visa, valid for 10 years; Canadians do not have a fee • currency: Argentine peso • must-try local Food: Empanadas, baked meat-ﬁlled turnovers, best made with light dough • Best Buys: guyana Brazil Leather accessories, woolen goods, silver work (from jewelry, to gaucho belt buckles, to antique silverwares) • inFormation please: Argentina Government Tourist Ofﬁce— turismo.gov.ar Brasilia The Cathedral of Brasilia was designed by Oscar Neimeyer. Brazil’s inland, futuristic capital, Brasilia, was carved out of nowhere in the 1950s—a stark, modernist and purpose-built city, and the only one in the world built in the 20th century that achieved UNESCO World Heritage site status. For an overview of this planned urban wonder, take the elevator to the top of the TV Tower, then consider a useful Brasilia City Tour aboard a double decker, hop-on-hop-off tourist bus that hits the high spots along the Eixo Monumental. The top attraction is the Metropolitan Cathedral, architect Oscar Niemeyer’s masterpiece. This subterranean church is awash in light, while above ground the cathedral resembles a crown of thorns. Also commanding are the National Congress building, the presidential Palacio do Planalto with its changing of the guard, and Palacio do Justica, all grouped around the Plaza of the Three Powers—a vast expanse of pure white stone. The Palacio do Itamaraty (Foreign Ministry) is one of the most impressive buildings of all, with a series of arches towering over a reﬂecting pool and ﬂoating gardens. Niemeyer is also responsible for the National Museum, a hemisphere-shaped design with a grand ramp leading to its gaping entrance. City planners left room for lots of leisure and green spaces, such as the Parque da Cidade, with jogging and cycling paths. Outside the city limits, visit the Parque Nacional de Brasilia, which has natural swimming pools and is home to a number of endangered animals. Along with 11 other Brazilian cities, Brasilia is gearing up for the World Cup futebol (soccer) matches in 2014, when indeed you’re going to need advance reservations for hotels. Most of the international chain picks—the newest is Sonesta Brasilia—are located in what is called the Setor Hoteleiro. Of course, in a capital accustomed to hosting international visitors, restaurants feature cuisines from around the world. However, everyone loves a great steak, among the best is served at Corrientes 348. recommend.com D66 january 2012 http://www.turismo.gov.ar http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012