An excellent way to get orientated, especially for little
legs, is a city bus tour. This elegant city features grand
buildings and wide boulevards, with Plaza de Mayo at
its historic heart. Stroll around voguish Puerto Madero
– transformed from old docklands – savouring an ice
cream and admiring the yachts. Around Buenos Aires’
tree-lined streets and numerous parks, kids will adore
spotting professional dog walkers being pulled by troupes
of assorted four-legged friends! Every visitor should seek
out Evita’s grave at the magnificent Recoleta Cemetery
and spot other celebrities’ final resting places amongst the
grand, whimsical tombs. Arguably the city’s best museum
is MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinamericano de Buenos
Aires) with its contemporary, bright galleries. Afterwards,
dress up for a delectable afternoon tea at the splendid Belle
Époque Alvear Palace Hotel.
La Boca barrio is famous both for its photogenic,
colourful houses and for being home to Boca Juniors
football team. Even if not attending a match, a tour
of La Bombonera stadium is essential for soccer fans.
Argentinians are as passionate about football as they are
about tango: don a glitzy outfit to tango at a
milongas
(dance
hall), Confiteria Ideal being an elegant example. If you
don’t want to strut your stuff, there are also choreographed
professional dance shows.
Whilst Buenos Aires beguiles adults, kids will
enjoy getting familiar with local wildlife in the zoo or
deliberating over favourite ice cream flavours. Shopping
in fashionable, leafy Palermo Viejo will please everyone,
with its Neo-classical villas, stylish restaurants and a good
size kids’ park. A relaxing way to start or end Argentinean
adventures is at the southern resort of Mar del Plata, which
boasts beaches for family fun and a large, noisy colony of
sea lions around the busy port.
Breathtaking Iguazu Falls
These waterfalls will take your breath away. Located on
the border between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls
consist of a staggering 250 waterfalls thundering down
the cliffs into the fast-flowing river far, far below. Known
as
Cataratas
, these are one of the world’s biggest, most
dramatic sets of waterfalls, enhanced by their national
park, jungle setting. Whilst it can get busy, the Falls are
incredibly photogenic and stunning – the setting feels like
The Lost World. Hop aboard a little train to the most
dramatic waterfall, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s
Throat), and prepare to get wet from the spray. Critters
abound along the scenic jungle trails, and you might
spot monkeys, toucans, butterflies and coatis (similar
to racoons). You can even visit the Falls’ Brazilian side
and take an exhilarating boat ride if your children are
slightly older and able to swim. The sleepily charming
town of Puerto Iguazu has an interesting riverbank walk
