Destinations

From guest blogger Jeanne Parrent, Founder of Boom Voyage.

Chase the winter blahs with a visit to Buenos Aires. Posh hotels, wonderful restaurants, the tango, and it’s one place in the world where your dollar can still go farther. Buenos Aires is home to almost half of Argentina’s people. Visitors often describe the city as reminiscent of Paris with its European-style squares, broad streets and lively cafes. There are excellent shopping and great museums by day, and a very active night scene including the city’s famed tango clubs, where you can watch or dance as you fancy.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Buenos Aries is eat. The city is known for its vibrant restaurant scene with more than 3,500 eateries. World-famous Argentine beef is showcased in parrilladas (open fire cooking) and asadors (steak houses). Along with standard steaks are organ meats and sausages, all set off by the traditional chimichurri sauces. Try Cabana Las Lilas for a wonderful and upscale dining experience, but come hungry! While eating here is not cheap, Argentine wines offer excellent value for the price. When you’ve had enough beef, the city also offers lots of ethnic dining options.

This city almost does not sleep. Dining is late by US standards, and dancing and fun go on in the city’s bars and tango clubs until dawn. An excellent and historic tango show is offered at Esquina Carlos Gardel, named for the popularizer of the national dance. Find your own favorite spot to tango among the many clubs in Palermo Viejo.

Where to stay? There are lots of upscale choices, but the undoubted grande dame of the city is the Alvear Palace Hotel, which has reigned undisputed since the 1930s. She has kept up with the times, though, opening a new 8,000 square foot spa last June. There are also excellent Park Hyatt and Four Seasons properties here.

If you want to take in more than just the city of Buenos Aires, consider a visit to one of the many estanchias (guest ranches) within a few hours of the city for a taste of true gaucho life. If you are a nature lover, the Tigre Delta offers islands, beautiful scenery, bird watching, and trails. Finally, take a ferry ride to Uruguay and the city of Colonia (a day trip) or only three hours travel time, but a world away in relaxation, add a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Carmelo in Uruguay. Here you enjoy unmatched privacy, romantic ambience, and a host of activities including spa, golf, horseback riding and pools while you unwind after your urban adventure in Buenos Aires.

While on a recent dive trip in Roatan, Honduras, we took a full day dive excursion to dive the island’s West End. I found my favorite dives of the week to be among the mazes of sand channels, there was always something special to see just over the next little ridge, including our only turtles of the trip. We had seen several smaller turtles over the course of the day’s dives but most were free swimming. I had previously spotted a turtle resting on the reef that I pointed out to a couple of other divers (an action I now regret). They were very new to diving and in their enthusiasm set the poor turtle to flight. Upon spotting my next turtle, I avoided repeating that mistake and was treated to my favorite experience of the trip. I spent an amazing few minutes hanging just feet from a sea turtle who was at the time quite focused on munching away at a tube sponge. It glanced up once in seeming annoyance at my noisy bubbles but decided I was no threat and went back to lunch. Fearing to be left behind, I reluctantly rejoined my dive group, feeling no guilt for having kept this special moment to myself.

I recently participated in the Dolphin Encounter program at Anthony’s Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras. What an experience! I highly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity.

After a short briefing upon arriving at the lagoon, we waded into the water and met “our” dolphin, Cedena, and her trainer. As she floated in front of us letting us rub her back and stomach we were told about dolphin behavior and physiology. Cedena was sent out to demonstrate various behaviors and would return for her reward of fish (and more rubs from the guests). After posing for some photos we returned to the beach to don our masks and fins and joined the dolphins for a swim. They often stayed just out of range, seeming to tease us for our inability to match their speed and grace. The seemed to enjoy playing, when we pulled up clumps of sea grass they would speed by to take it from our hands and toss it around before getting bored and moving on to something else. There was something very special about being in the dolphin’s element with them and letting them choose how or if they would interact with us. While these were not dolphins in the wild they are still wild creatures at heart and being able to share a bit of their world is something few of us experience. And, something I’ll not soon forget.