Argentina

Independent Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America

Program No. 23842RJ
Experience Buenos Aires like a local through the perfect combination of expert-led experiences and independent explorations!

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At a Glance

Go beyond the European appearance of Buenos Aires to discover why this city is often referred to as the “Paris of South America!” Spend your mornings learning about the region’s history and customs through lectures or field trips with local experts, then enjoy free afternoons for independent learning in the city’s thriving arts culture, where there’s always something new in museums, galleries, musical venues and public spaces. Wander its streets and admire the French, Spanish and Italian architectural influences while learning about modern Argentina’s politics and social issues as you share meals with local people. Venture outside the city to get a taste of the unique culture of the countryside and learn how customs there differ from those in the heart of Buenos Aires. Of course, no visit to Argentina would be complete without learning about the tango — enjoy a lesson and a private performance of this iconic dance!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 miles and 3 hours per day with periods of standing, many times in crowded areas. Getting on and off public transportation/motorcoach. Terrain includes cobblestones and some stairs.
Independent City Discoveries
Independent City Discoveries
Learn with a Group Leader and enjoy educational programming while also getting substantial independent time to explore on your own. Most Independent City Discoveries include lectures, self-guided excursions and passes for public transit and museums.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore independently with detailed advice from local scholars, resident experts and personalized leaders.
  • Immerse yourself in the world of tango through a lecture, lesson and private performance.
  • Get a firsthand look at Gaucho culture on a journey to the Argentine countryside to a family ranch, and enjoy a BBQ and music.

General Notes

Independent City Discoveries Learn with a Group Leader and enjoy educational programming while also getting independent time to explore on your own. Most Independent City Discoveries include lectures, self-guided excursions and passes for public transit and museums.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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10 days
9 nights
12 meals
7 B 2 L 3 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Activity note: Overnight flight.

DAY
2
Arrival Buenos Aires, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Buenos Aires
D
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Walking 5 blocks to a near by restaurant. Transfer from Airport to Hotel is 20 miles, 1 hour by coach.

Morning: Arrival to Buenos Aires Airport. Meet and Greet and transfer to the Hotel for participants who have purchased the international air segment to Road Scholar. They will have the room ready for check in at arrival to the hotel. Get some rest before the official start of the program with the orientation meeting

Afternoon: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. Participants will be provided with a pre-loaded travel card for use on public transportation and the Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Afterwards, the Group Leader will give an introduction to the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires along with a lesson in survival Spanish.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in walking distance from the hotel.

Evening: At leisure

DAY
3
Buenos Aires and its Neighborhoods. Historic Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
B
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving approximately 3.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile at a time and standing up to 1 hour at a time. Sidewalks, paved roads, some uneven terrain. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle at the hotel before getting into the bus.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: This morning a local expert will present a lecture about the impact of immigration on the different neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. The influence can be seen through the architecture, restaurants and people of the area. Continue our learning experience as we explore the neighborhoods of San Telmo, La Boca and Plaza Mayo with a local expert.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Free time. This would be a good opportunity to spend some time further exploring the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.

Dinner: On your own to explore local cuisine.

DAY
4
The History of Tango. Try some steps!
Buenos Aires
B,D
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Opportunity to try tango dance steps. Some stairs at local Tango Place.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Our resident Tango expert will give a lecture about the lesser known origins of Tango and how it became the typical dance of Buenos Aires. Afterwards try your hand at a few steps during a tango class.

Dinner: At a Local Tradicional Milonga ( a place where locals dance tango) we will enjoy a 3-course dinner with wine, non alcoholic drinks and coffee or tea while watching a tango performance.

Evening: During dinner enjoy an exciting tango performance from a talented group of dancers.

DAY
5
Contemporary Buenos Aires, Europe in South America?
Buenos Aires
B
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation, driving approximately 1 hour total. Walking up to 2 miles, total, at a time and standing up to 1 hour at a time. Sidewalks, paved roads, some uneven terrain. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle at the hotel before getting into the bus.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: This morning is dedicated to the "Belle epoque" in Buenos Aires. We will walk the street of Recoleta, we will visit the cemetery that is one of the most famous open museum in the continent and we will end at the Colon Teather where will have a guided visit of the Colon Theater; Buenos Aires' historic Opera House. We will learn about the history and architecture of this world renowned cultural treasure.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most or visiting the Museums such as MALBA, with the biggest modern Latin American collection or Fernandez Blanco with Colonial time silver art. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: On your own to explore local cuisine.

DAY
6
La Pampa:The inland, Gauchos, Traditions and home made asado
Buenos Aires
B,L
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; total driving approximately three hours with one stop for restroom, Walking short distances and standing; unpaved ground at the ranch. Hat, sunblock, and mosquito repellent strongly recommended. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle at the hotel and at the ranch

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: We will depart by motorcoach to experience the famous La Pampa, land of the gauchos, or Argentine cowboys. We’ll spend the day at an local family ranch, to learn the culture of thee gauchos, watch their horse-riding skills, listen to their songs strummed on the guitar, and learn the tradition of yerba mate, a local tea drunk out of a special, gourd-shaped cup. Also we will visit a typical country side small town of the flat lands.

Lunch: At the estancia, we will enjoy a typical Argentine asado—barbecue of meats and poultry, with side salads and garnishes. Water, soft drinks, wine included.

Afternoon: We will arrive back to Buenos Aires in the late afternoon.

Dinner: On your own to explore local cuisine.

DAY
7
Lecture on daily life and Lunch with locals
Buenos Aires
B,L
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Walking to a restaurant walking distance from the hotel.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: Our local expert will give a lecture on the politics and economy of Argentina and the how these effect daily Argentine life.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, enjoy a 3-course meal with locals of Buenos Aires. Through conversation, we will get to exchange stories, and learn more about day-to-day life in the city and Argentina.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions

DAY
8
A day of Independent Exploration. Farewell Dinner
Buenos Aires
B,D
Intersur Recoleta

Activity note: Free time to explore. Farewell dinner walking distance from the hotel.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: Free time. Spend your final day in Buenos Aires exploring independently according to your interests. The Group Leader will be on hand to offer suggestions and assistance.

Lunch: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Afternoon: Continue your free time or spend some time resting and packing before the farewell dinner.

Dinner: Our farewell dinner will be at a restaurant in walking distance from the hotel. We will enjoy a three-course dinner with wine. Water, coffee and tea will also be available as well as other beverages for purchase.

DAY
9
Program Concludes
In Flight
B

Activity note: Check out at 11 AM. Transfer to the Airport ( 20 miles from downtown)

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.

Morning: Check out time is at 11:00 AM. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

DAY
10
Arrival to North America
In Flight





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