Buenos Aires

Tango was born here, Evita cried her heart and soul out here and the famed artist Benito Quinquela Martin lived and died here. Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital is the true illustration of Argentines spice for life. The city's flavour is exemplified profoundly through its people, culture, energy and most notably its love for fun and food. Argentines are extremely friendly by nature and will gladly welcome you to their city that they so fiercely take pride in.

With nearly half of the country's entire population calling Buenos Aires home, the city is no doubt lively and pulsating with modern attitudes mixed with days gone by. The melting pot of Buenos Aires has been compared to that of New York. When Europeans sailed overseas in search of the land of the free many chose the temperate Buenos Aires over the Big Apple. For this reason alone, the city has a distinctive European, cosmopolitan feel to it. The diversity of its people highlighted by its art, entertainment and most notably its food is what draws people from around the globe year after year.

Food is as much a part of the city as tango and Teatro Colon. Dining in the city ranges from the cheap and cheerful to full on sophistication. The dining options are as eclectic as its people. Everything from Italian pizzerias to French bistros, Chinese take-aways to vegetarian cafes can be found throughout the city. Yes, you heard it vegetarian restaurants in the meat-eating capital of the world! Of course it is the beef that Argentines are most famous for and Buenos Aires is certainly no exception. Visit any parrilla in the city and get your slab of char grilled beef served up with hefty portions of fried potatoes and green salad. Top off your beef fest with a tasty Argentine wine. Whether you go for traditional Argentine fare or something a little closer to home, you will leave the table with your tummy happily full.

Plaza de Mayo, once the centre of it all, houses the city's most impressive colonial buildings including Cabildo, Catedral Metropoltana and Piramide de Mayo. Although the pulse of the city has moved, Plaza de Mayo remains a must see. It reflects the days of Buenos Aires at its best with a hint of the city's belle époque. Another important district to visit, especially if you are of the art loving variety, is San Telmo, the Bohemian art quarter. Finally, a trip to Buenos Aires would not be complete without visiting the most exuberant neighbourhood of them all, La Boca, a lively Italian community riddled with pizzerias, cafes and art galleries.

Teatro Colon, one of the finest opera houses in the world, 156 museums, 140 parks and many pedestrian shopping streets are also components of Buenos Aires' appeal. In addition, every Sunday you will find a variety of antique fairs and flea markets to wander around in. And of course a visit to Buenos Aires is not complete without witnessing the symbol of its passion, the tango. Many performances can be seen throughout the city free of charge or take a lesson if you're so inclined.

Visit Buenos Aires and experience the passion, the pride and the pulse of Argentina. Some say it has already seen its hey day, others believe it's just heating up, go discover it for yourself.

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