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Buenos Aires

March 8, 2020 – Buenos Aires, Argentina

2020 South America cruise

I had a good sleep last night and have breakfast in the room. I have lots of time to go to the Explorations Cafe for my all-important cappuccino since my shore excursion doesn’t leave until 10:20am. We start with a city tour in a bus, where we learn Buenos Aires aspired to be “the Paris of South America”. Neoclassic architecture obviously influenced by European design is to be found everywhere in the city. One of the widest streets in the world – Plaza de la Republica is a result of civic leaders ploughing whole city blocks just to emulate the wide streets of Paris. The city also has many huge office towers and other amenities found in all modern cities.

We are then dropped off for our Culinary Walking Tour, where we have a second, local guide to describe all the samples of food, wine and beer as we walk to three local restaurants, representing a variety of the Argentinian meat-focused cuisine:

  • La Carita Cafe & Bar
    • Chimichurri – beef sausage on a bun with two sauces
    • Aperative 14% wine – Bermu or Gancia – sweet
  • La Guitarrita
    • Empanadas – beef and banana
    • 2-wine blend, including a muscat – fruity, dry, white
  • Las Cholas
    • Sirloin and skirt steak – probably the best steak I’ve ever eaten!
    • An Italian cheese designed to not run when grilled
    • Malbec – a robust red wine
    • Andes Origen – a light-tasting lager beer
  • Cream Roll Cañitas
    • Gelato-like ice cream treats

My travel buddy took the subway from the dock area to downtown and found the wool shops she was seeking with help from some very kind locals, but the shops are closed since it is Sunday. She then ends up marching in a parade marking International Woman’s Day, which she found very moving. Guardian article