[I]’ve dreamed of experiencing Buenos Aires all my life. I heard it was beautiful and romantic. I heard that the food was incredible, the wine as rich as the culture. I had heard it was the Paris of South America, and you all know how I feel about mon amour Paris. All these things had been whispered to me, and they filled my mind with wanderlust. When I finally visited, I knew everything I had heard was right. I would love to share with you the discoveries that led me to fall in love with this magnificent city…
This list is made possible because of my amazing guides from Mai 10. Mai 10 is a travel agency focused on privileged access and inspiring destinations. Because of Mai 10, the city sparkled like a glass of champagne.
This beautiful boutique perfumery has a few locations around Buenos Aires, featuring a collection both chic and minimalist. I fell in love with a new perfume called Juan Manuel: named after a man they used to call “de Rosas”, which means “for the roses”, it has a smoky scent like you were sitting in a room full of roses by a roaring fire.
Volta Gelato
The gelato game in Buenos Aires is strong. Actually, I’d declare it the gelato capital of the world. Though all the brands are amazing, our favorite was Volta. It’s quite popular and easy to find around the city… and when you do, it’s all about the Dulce de Leche.
Recoleta is the beautiful and most affluent neighborhood of Buenos Aires. A cultural center of the city, it’s here where the well heeled walk the Parisian-esque streets, meet at elegant restaurants and stay in luxury accommodations. It was here where we enjoyed popping in and out of high end shops, taking in the historic architecture and finishing the day with a nice cocktail before retiring back to our palace.
This was hands down the best meal of my life. Argentine chef Francis Mallmann is known for his unique approach to cooking with fire (remember his Faena Asado?!). If you haven’t seen Chef’s Table, you’re missing out on the most beautiful documentary series featuring this unique chef . And in case the unbelievable food at Patagonia Sur was not enough, the restaurant is on the ground floor of Francis Mallmann’s home. The inviting decor makes you feel like you’re dining at the home of an intimate friend… if your friend happens to be one of the best chefs in the world.
Who wouldn’t want to walk around Palermo? This charming, hip neighborhood in Buenos Aires was full of great shopping, restaurants, coffee spots, local designer shops and romantic cobblestone streets.
Located in the Palermo neighborhood, this little tea shop tucked away in an alley has the most beautiful and inspired tea blends by Inés Berton. You can try different teas as you figure out which ones to purchase, wander in and out of the cute little shops in the shared alleyway, or just sit, sip, and enjoy.
Airedelsur, or southern air, is a housewares and jewelry designer. Their specialty is working with singularly talented Latino-American craftsmen as well as local natural resources to produce Argentina-specific products. I loved the silver wares and bought a beautiful woven bracelet as a souvenir of Argentina’s craftsmanship.
Mere walking distance from the Alvear Palace Hotel where we stayed was this Argentine steakhouse. Located in the elegant neighborhood of Recoleta, we loved the warm and cozy decor, the illustrated menu, the amazing dry-aged, grass-fed steaks from Argentina’s Pampas region, and of course—rubbing shoulders with the beautiful locals.
The oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires has cobblestone streets, little cafes, colonial buildings, an amazing food market and some of the best vintage shopping of my life! Next time I’m in Buenos Aires, I want to be there on the day of the Flea Market, which fills this charming area with treasures.
Imagine a 1920s home renovated into a fabulous restaurant, a flower shop, a bookstore, a publishing house, and a perfumery. Now add chef Pablo Massey, who brings to life the best of fresh and seasonal ingredients. This was the most charming moment of the trip: the decor, the mix of inspirations, and the modern flavor of Argentina you get when in this inspired home.
La Recoleta Cemetery is one of the world’s best and most beautiful cemeteries. From Presidents of Argentina, notable families, Nobel Prize winners, royalty, and even the infamous Eva Perón, walking these hallowed passages is one of history as well as a stunning celebration of the beauty and fragility of life past and future. Each mausoleum tells the stories of families, who they were, and the meaningful symbolism they wanted to spend an eternity surrounded by. I found it peaceful, inspiring and unforgettable.
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