Buenos Aires Review

 The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas.  A Buenos Aires review.

As I told you last week, if you haven't been to Buenos Aires you haven't seen Europe in South America.  My first time in Buenos Aires was in December, 2012 where we spent our Christmas Holidays, I absolutely and instantly fell in love with the city.  It has everything a savvy travel looks for when traveling.  Stunning Architecture, wide boulevards and avenues, small and charming if not breath taking little neighborhoods inside the very walkable city, where all streets are pretty much connected.  We would walk for hours without needing a taxi except for the times we would opt for  safety and decided to grab a cab.  Think of a walkable New York city.  We stayed at a boutique Hotel called Casa Sur precisely a block away from the famous and exclusive Avenida Alvear.  Casa Sur is a small boutique hotel with excellent service and rooms so comfortable and cozy that totally eliminate the chances of you missing home.  The room walls are upholstered in gray linen fabric displaying black and white photographs and mahogany lacquered furniture.  It gives you the feel of a sumptuous art-deco era.  On our first day we walked on Avenida Alvear where chic shops are embedded in breath taking Neo Classical mansions.  One thing that caught my eyes was how each building would display the name of the Architect responsible for its creation.  The feeling of being in Europe instead of Latin America is blatant.  Look below by yourself at just a few of the amazing architecture you can find at Buenos Aires.

A building in the Botanical Garden.

Avenida Alvear

When people think of Buenos Aires, Argentina the first thought that comes to their minds is Tango.  And it should!  Not until I saw my first Tango show did I realized everybody should see one in their lifetime.  I'm not kidding!  We decided to go to one of the best tango shows in town.  It was our first impression and we did not want to ruin it.  Not that I know if this is possible with such a climactic show dance.  And so we went to Tango Rojo at the Hotel Faena located in Puerto Madeiro, one of the newest and chices neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.  The show offers the option of pre-fixed menu which is very good and tasty.  The show is electrifying! 

Casa del Congreso

La Recoleta neighborhood

At the chic and artistic neighborhood of Palermo is easy to find a lot of restaurants mingling with small local designers boutiques.  I loved sitting at one of the outdoor restaurants on one of the many cobblestone streets.  The center of Palermo fashionable neighborhood is summed up to a number of streets from Armenia to Thames and from Honduras to Paraguay.  Don't you worry these are just street names.   

But there is one restaurant that I particularly love in La Recoleta neighborhood.  Fervor located at the corner of Posadas and Callao where we try to go every time we are in Buenos Aires.  My mouth still waters when I remember the tenderness and juicy of the grilled seafood platter we paired with a local Sauvignon Blanc. 

Even the flowers sold on the streets are just beautiful.

Inside La Catedral.  That is our little one.  cushi cushi

La Recoleta Cemetery

I want a door like this, I want a door like this!

Me, myself and I and I want a building like this too.

Beautiful window display in La Recoleta neighborhood.

Park Hyatt Hotel.

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I was there: Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you haven't been to Buenos Aires yet, you haven't seen Europe in South America.  We spent this past Christmas in Buenos Aires and we loved it so much that we're here again with family and friends with us.  We are going to spend a week between Buenos Aires and Mendoza, Argentina's wine region.  I've been meaning to make a decent post about our previous trip to Buenos Aires but have been caught up with other posts.  For now here are a few pictures from our last visit here that will speak for themselves.
image by me

Copacabana Palace Hotel review

I suggested by hybby Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro for our first visit to the City.   I wanted to see firsthand the recent renovations this Orient Express landmark went through under the responsibility of French Architect Michel-Jouannet.  After purchasing our plane tickets three weeks in advance (transaction done in Portuguese) it turned out we didn't really buy any tickets so we had to drive 6 hours to get to Rio.  We thought it was going to be a pain but the drive was actually pretty beautiful and it ended up being faster than I thought.  
There are still some renovations going on in some areas of the Hotel but, the main areas are finished.  The lobby was expanded, including the steps and this sitting area below was added.  Everything looks as it's been there forever.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back to Rio.

It's funny how we take airplanes, drive for long hours and go through all the hassles that comes with traveling and then we love to stay in and order room service.  This photo above illustrates how Copacabana Hotel doesn't stay short of exquisite when it comes to food.  We were only two and a half people and the half doesn't even eat!  We promised ourselves that the next time we go there we'll bring plastic containers with us to either not spend one extra dime on food for the rest of our stay or to take the leftover to homeless people on the streets. 

The Hotel's restaurant, Cipriani

The stunning swimming pool area transported me to the glamorous days of the 20's

One of my favorite experiences was when we went to visit Corcovado to see the big Jesus, as my son calls him.  The experience is pretty impressive and special. 

Pao de Azucar is that huge mountain that you see in many photos and it's also the place where many famous Rio de Janeiro pictures were taken.

We drove all along the beach coast and my favorite beach was a very quiet beach, yes you read that right, named Sao Conrado along Av. Neimeyer.  This picture above was taken there.

A Buenos Aires Review
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Fasano Boa Vista Hotel: A review of The ultimate country estate

 A spectacular shot of Fasano Boa Vista Hotel lit at night.

Most of the people think of beaches, sun, pretty women wearing sexy bikinis when they think of vacationing in Brazil.  In other words Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.  Little do they know what they're missing when they choose the beach over the countryside.  Two weekends ago we spent a weekend at FasanoBoa Vista, a country estate at merely one hour and 15 minutes outside of Sao Paulo and my amazement can’t be put into words but, I'll try.  It's without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've been in.  The stunning architecture, which perfectly blends with its site, was accomplished by the very renowned Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld.  It covers 100 acres of secured and preserved forest with 15 lakes, groves and gardens, 18-hole golf courses, a polo field, stables, tennis and soccer courts and a kids activity center.  The hotel also offers real estate inside the property and a lot of wealthy proprietors owned second or third "French-looking" homes there.  You can see the families relaxing among adults while their babas (nanies) spend time at the kids club where there is usually a lot of fun happening.   There were instances that while we were biking around its beautiful century-old trees-lined-uphill-boulevards I thought I was in Provence.
And if you don’t believe me then believe Hermes.  Yes, "In 2012, Boa Vista hosted the Hermès Cup, in association with the centenary French saddlery, marking the first time the organization has given its approval to an equestrian event outside of France." Fasano Website

 The entrance to the reception of the Hotel is just beautiful.  Couldn't help to take a picture.

 The veranda was one of my favorite spaces of this place.

The infinity swimming pool.

 Love this place for breakfast in the mornings. Below, how it looks.

 The decor has a very Scandinavian influence. 

 

 One of the restaurants. 

 The decor is minimal but so cozy you feel home as soon as you walk in the rooms.

 The view from the room.  All of the rooms have a beautiful view out to the country side.

 My hubby biking with our little one.

 Our little one at the stables.

The Hotel has a huge and great selection of design books.

 Adorable ponies.

The swimming pool restaurant. Below, two of the beautiful homes.

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Quick check in and Thank you

After a long and fantastic weekend, reality is coming quickly to meet me and bother me in my comfort zone.  This morning we´ll have an interview at Lucas´s future school and hopefully (cross fingers) everything will go smoothly so he can start school soon.  Kids like it when there is a routine that gives them a sense of security and safety.  We are still in a hotel while we make arrangements for a few security issues in the apartment (all windows and the balcony needs safety netting) are taken care of before we move in.  We won´t be able to have our stuff for the next two months because there is a security number we need to get and the whole process is very long and bureaucratic.  So, I´m afraid things won’t be as easy as in the US but, we´ll take whatever is thrown at us.  Of course that´s a saying...
I wanted to thank all my fantastic Facebook friends and my lovely bloggers friends for your beautiful wishes for my birthday this weekend.  It means a lot to receive all your beautiful thoughts and kind words.  Have a great week!
photo above of Enseada Beach in Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil by  me.