Writers write – it’s what we do and travel writers, well, we get to indulge our passion and see the world. My soul changed on Capri………so did my life…………and now, as a writer, I’m up for a return trip but I need your help to get there.
All you have to do is vote for me at Trazzler. It’s a great website with lots of insight from fellow wanderlusters and solo travelers all over the globe. Now, don’t worry, the articles are just short enough for the attention span of a gnat and they are loaded with passion and inspiration…………I like it or I wouldn’t recommend it……………….so please, go visit Trazzler now and they will ask you to “save”my trip to Capri. I need your vote and will think about you while I am gazing at the Amalfi Coast.
This is the first in a series of Wanderlust Women City Guides. We hope they offer you useful tidbits of information as you plan your solo journey to some of the most interesting places around the world.
Today’s guest writer is Andi Perullo, of “My Beautiful Adventures,”who fell in love with a place, a man and a way of life in Argentina.
I took a solo journey to Buenos Aires on a whim and it began a lifelong love affair with this enchanting city. Buenos Aires has enveloped me, held me, and let me move through her barrios as one of her own. This is the city I will remember and return to over and over again. This is the city I will see through my window when the smell of Malbec or dulce de leche brings me back to her streets.
1. Top 3 Attractions
1. La Recoleta Cemetery: This cemetery is famous because Eva Peron and other important Argentines are buried here, however it is a feast for the eyes due to the incredible architecture and elaborate tombs found throughout. You can easily spend a day getting lost inside it.
The colorful presidential palace in Buenos Aires / Photo: Andrea Perullo
2. La Casa Rosada:You know a city must be special if its offices of the President are pink!
The city's colorful barrio of La Boca / Photo: Andrea Perullo
3. La Boca:This barrio has a notorious reputation for crime, but it should not be missed. If you solo travel there during the day, you will be safe, as there will be lots of tourists to keep you company. It is lined with colorful houses and people dancing tango in the streets.
2. Good Restaurants
1. Sushi Club:Offers the best sushi in the city, with a view of the famous “tango bridge” located in the upscale barrio of Puerto Madero .
2. Te Matare Ramirez:A restaurant dedicated to passion! Every item on the menu is considered to be an aphrodisiac.
3. Crizia: Posh décor, divine food, and there are not too many places in this world where you can feed 4 people each 3 gourmet courses with a bottle of wine and cocktails for less than $100 total.
3. Hotel – great places to stay!
I suggest skipping the hotels and renting an apartment. Luxury apartments can be found in abundance in Buenos Aires and can be rented for 1 day to 3 months depending on your schedule and are super affordable due to the favorable exchange rate. If you would prefer a hotel, my favorite is a boutique hotel found in the bohemian barrio of Palermo Soho. It is the Mine Hotel , so called because the owners wanted their guests to feel like it was theirs.
4. Nightlife
Buenos Aires is a city full of passion.........and tango! / photo: Andrea Perullo
Buenos Aires is truly a city that never sleeps. Do not expect to start dinner before 10PM and most clubs do not even open their doors until 12 or 1AM. The 2 hottest clubs at the moment are Asia de Cuba and Pacha. There is also a great pub, The Kilkenny, that locals love and where you can usually find live music.
5. Shopping
Argentina is known for its quality and inexpensive leather products, whether it be a coat, purse, or shoes. Personally, I find the boots to be the best in the world and I always buy a pair from Mishka, my favorite boutique in the city. The best place to shop is Florida Street, which is about a mile long street with shops on both sides.
6. Safety
Like any big city, there is crime in Buenos Aires. Thankfully, I have been there seven times and have never once encountered any crime. Just make sure to think and act smart and you will be fine.
7. Best Tourist Tip
Most people do not realize that Uruguay is just a quick boat ride away! You can see another country and be back in time for dinner. The boat you take to Uruguay is called the Buque Bus. It is very upscale, though completely affordable, and is an adventure in itself.
* * * * *
Andrea Perullo is a Chinese Medicine Doctor by day, travel addict by night. When she is not treating patients, she is exploring the world or dreaming of the next place to visit. She also writes travel features for MNUITravel Insuranceand blogs at My Beautiful Adventures.
The Maioglio Family must be doing something right to stay in business in the same location in NYC for more than a century. Their Italian restaurant “Barbetta” has been the grande dame of The Big Apple’s Restaurant Row on West 46th Street for decades. Toscanini and Puccini both dined there. In fact, it’s the oldest restaurant in New York City to be owned by its founding family and was the first restaurant in America to be honored byLocali Storici d’Italiawith landmark status. Locali Storici’s mission is to preserve and promote the historical venues, hotels and restaurants which play an important role in Italy’s culture. The honor assures that Barbetta’s interior may never be changed, right down to the 1631 harpsichord which greets you upon entering.
The picturesque courtyard at Barbetta
Barbetta is housed in the 19th century Maioglio-Astor Townhouses, where it has been since its opening in 1906. There is the elegant dining room with soft pink walls and chandeliers for those foul weather or winter days. Yet, how can you resist their lovely courtyard on a perfect spring, summer or even early autumn evening?
I have been there numerous times throughout the years and NYC’s Restaurant Week makes the visit all the more enjoyable. All participating restaurants serve a three-course prix fixe dinner for $35 and Barbetta definitely offers value. I started with“Garganelli in a tomato basil sauce,”and although I forgot to request that it be cooked al dente, the penne-like pasta was cooked to perfection. The menu is supposed to be authentic Piemontese, yet the “Broiled Atlantic Salmon in an herbed sauce with cucumbers”could’ve been from anywhere. The fish was on the salty side for salmon and there didn’t seem to be anything too Italian in its presentation. In fact, I found it a bit disappointing having had such memorable meals in the past.
I went healthy for dessert and selected the pears poached in red wine. That was the highlight of the meal, even though I was quite tempted to also try the bittersweet chocolate mousse which looked yummy. Sadly, the restaurant was not that busy for a summer night in the city. It’s a commentary on these touch economic times but even with reasonable prix fixe menus and discounted offerings, such as Barbetta’s 10% discount off the bill with presentation of a same-day theater ticket, they are obviously struggling as are all city eateries. Fortunately, The Maioglio Family is resilient and will hopefully weather this economic storm to survive “a cent-anni,” to another hundred years.
