Hostel Colonial Buenos Aires

MUSEUS DE ARTE EM BUENOS AIRES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:23:00 +0000

A cidade conta com infinidade de museus e centros de exposição dedicados ao arte. Hostel Colonial te sugere quatro lugares imperdíveis para expandir teu espírito criativo.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA): localizado na Avenida del Libertador 1473, Recoleta, é o museu mais tradicional da Argentina. Aquí se concentra o mais destacado da história do arte argentino, desde 1800 até o século XX, incluindo um salão pre-colombino e outro de arte contemporáneo. Ademais, conta com um invejável patrimônio internacional que inclui obras de destacados como: Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Kandinsky, Klee, Miró, Modigliani, Monet, Pollock, Rembrandt, Renoir, Toulouse Lautrec e Van Gogh, entre outros. Mais informação no seu web site.

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano (MALBA): localizado na Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Recoleta, este museu da década dos 90, atrai cada vez mais visitantes. Suas virtudes: um ambiente único e uma ótima coleção de arte latinoamericano do século XX: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Alfredo Siqueiros, Emilio Petorutti, Xul Solar, Antonio Berni, Cándido Portinari, Roberto Matta, Fernando Botero,entre muitos outros. Mais informação no seu web site.

Museo de Arte Moderno (MAMbA): localizado na Avenida San Juan 350, bairro de San Telmo, este museu criado em 1956 é o lugar para os amantes da vanguarda. As exposições e instalações mais provocantes podem se encontrar neste espaço. Produções do arte argentino contemporáneo das décadas do 1940, 1950 e 1960, e obras do campo internacional que chegan até hoje. Más informação no seu web site

Fundación Proa: localizada no bairro La Boca, na Avenida Pedro de Mendoza 1929, esta fundação criada em 1996 em uma velha casa reciclada, oferece demonstrações orientadas ao arte contemporáneo e popular. Atualmente, há uma completa demostração sobre a vanguarda futurista italiana e seus vínculos com artistas argentinos como Emilio Petorutti. Mais informação no seu web site.

Para una versión en español, haga clic aquí.

BEYOND PUERTO MADERO (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:31:00 +0000

Puerto Madero is one of the undisputable destinations of Buenos Aires. People enjoy the traditional walk by its docks, a dinner in any of its restaurants or the chance to grab a beer with some friends in its pubs. A walk through the parks, a picture along the old port cranes or in the famous Women’s Bridge is also a Madero classic. Nothing new we could tell about this place. But there’s something we must warn you, something you might be missing: what’s “beyond” Puerto Madero.

Puerto Madero is accessible from Downtown, four streets that will take you to the Alicia Moreau de Justo Ave., the main street. Crossing the docks, you’ll get to the area called East Madero. Lots of restaurants and offices, a contemporary art museum and the boutique hotel “Faena” are its highlights. Behind this line, towards the river, it’s the other side of Madero, called the Costanera Sur (South Riverside Path).

Once a privileged walk for the Porteños, the Costanera Sur has regained importance as it’s been renew by the growth of Puerto Madero towards the River Plate. The Boulevard de los Italianos, the Calabria Ave., Hernán Giralt St. and Achával Rodríguez St. are the paths, surrounded by parks that frame the area. The kings of those streets are the most famous street food stalls, the “chiringuitos” that sell great Argentine meat and the superb “choripán”.

Beyond Puerto Madero you’ll find the Nereidas Font, one of the most important sculptures of Buenos Aires, made by Lola Mora. An amphitheater that every weekend presents music and theater shows, a long concrete walk, the old city beach with its large streetlamps that lighten the grass lands that are occasionally covered by the river, and the City’s Natural Reserve. Beyond Puerto Madero there’s much to know, don’t you miss it!

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

ORDERING A “PICADA” (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:24:00 +0000

The perfect company for a gathering with friends in Argentina is the “picada”. It’s a food formed by many different elements that offers a variety of flavors and ingredients. Similar to Spanish tapas, Italian bruschetti or Mexican tacos and quesadillas, the Argentine picada is the best option to accompany a drinking session, usually involving beer or wine.

Among its traditional offer you can find: every kind of cold meats (generally traditional and Parma ham and salamis), cheeses (we prefer the solid varieties as the local “Mar del Plata cheese”), olives (stuffed and pitted), peanuts and all kind of chips. It usually comes with different types of bread and may include any other ingredient that can be presented in a reasonable quantity.

The main idea of the picada is to present food that doesn’t need a knife, a fork or a spoon to be eaten. Things you can grab with one hand (that’s why napkins are also needed!) while you hold your drink with the other. The presentation of a picada is done in many different small containers, some large containers with small divisions and wooden boards.

The picada is a ritual that you share with your friends in pubs, at dusk or at night. It’s also the most common invitation if you visit a friend house and a necessary option before eating the Argentine barbecue, the asado. There are simple versions, almost minimal, with salami and cheese; and more refined ones prepared by caterers in gourmet versions. The thing is that you Porteño experience will not be complete until you have order a good picada.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

NOVO MAPA INTERACTIVO DE BUENOS AIRES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:10:00 +0000

O Governo da Cidade de Buenos Aires recentemente pôs à disposição um novo Mapa Interactivo da cidade. O Mapa, que está na fase de teste, é uma ferramenta ideal para se localizar rapidamente na cidade e obter informação relevante e precisa sobre destinos turísticos, edificios públicos e percursos possíveis, permitindo além disso sembrar dos seus lugares favoritos.

O mapa funciona de um jeito simples, similar ao Google Maps, pode se procurar uma direção ou lugar específico num buscador localizado na parte superior esquerda da tela ou pelo método de aproximação a áreas pontuais. No ponto máximo de aproximação, podem se acessar opções de alto detalhe como imágens de cada casa ou edifício e informação acerca do transporte público da área, entre outras.

Dentro da informação geral, o pessoal pode ver a localização de bancos, delegacias, bombeiros, hospitais, percursos turísticos, cinemas, gastronomia e inclusive fotos históricas da área. A seção “Cómo Chegar” permite encontrar percursos a pé, de transporte público ou de carro para ir de um ponto a outro (ou a vários) na cidade. Outra opção, na parte superior direita, dentro do mapa, permite enviar a uma direção de e-mail a vista atual do mapa, guardar o link ou imprimí-lo.

A ideia do Governo é ter o Mapa completamente funcional, logo do período de teste, no meio do ano 2010. Mais adiante, projeta-se a opção de pô-lo à disposição em outros idiomas (atualmente só está disponível em espanhol).
Ir ao Mapa Interactivo.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

HOLY WEEK AND PESAJ IN BUENOS AIRES (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:37:00 +0000

These days, the city is commemorating the Christian Holy Week and the Pesaj (Jewish Easter). The Tourism Organization of Buenos Aires prepared for the occasion a series of activities which include guided visits to the churches and temples of our city, a Via Crucis, live music shows and allegoric exhibitions. These activities are developed in the Religious Tourism program that promotes the Ministry of Culture.

This program points to the strengthening of the city religious circuits and prioritizes the revaluation of the religious architecture in an annual calendar that includes different celebrations, festivities and pilgrimages. The Religious Tourism is an activity that moves millions of people around the world and its cultural heritage is one of the main riches of Buenos Aires. The cultural diversity and the different communities reflect in several cults that mold the Porteño identity, add activities and attractive in each creed.

During this week, two of the city’s major religions celebrate their Easter. The Christians commemorating the Holy Week, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The Jewish community, with its festivity that shows their spirit of freedom and birth of their people, the passage from slavery in Egypt to the miraculous salvation and liberation, physical as well as spiritual.

A full list of activities can be found in the Buenos Aires City Government website (available only in Spanish).

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CALENDAR 2010 (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:19:00 +0000

If you’re thinking of coming to Buenos Aires, it’s essential for you to know the public holiday calendar to organize your trip. With the objective of promoting tourism, Argentina often moves some holidays to their closest Monday or Friday, creating the so called “Long weekends”. There are few exceptions: Labor Day (May 1st), Revolution Day (May 25th), Independence Day (July 9th), Christmas (December 25th) and New Year (December 31st and January 1st). The rest are adapted to have longer breaks.

On holidays, the amount of people in the city declines. Especially, Downtown where most of the offices are located. ¿Where do porteños go? Many chose to stay at home with their families or to go out to parks of coffees (depending on the season). Those who had the time to plan a trip, traditionally move to the Atlantic Coast, seaside resorts located 300-400km south of Buenos Aires. Some of the most popular are San Bernardo, Villa Gessell, Pinamar y Mar del Plata.

This year we have had only two holidays (New Year on January 1st and Memory Day on March 24th) and there’s another one coming (Easter, from April 1st to April 4th). Hostel Colonial gives you the full public holiday, so you can plan your trip in the best way.

April 1st: Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday).
April 2nd: Holy Friday (Good Friday) and Malvinas Veteran and Fallen Day.
April 3rd: Holy Saturday.
April 4th: Easter.
May 1st: Labor Day.
May 25th: Revolution Day and First Argentine Government. This year we also commemorate our Bicentennial.
June 21st: Death of General Manuel Belgrano (originally on June 20th).
July 9th: Independence Day.
August 16th: Death of General José de San Martín (originally on August 17th).
October 11th: Encounter of Two Cultures –former Race Day- (originally on October 12th).
December 8th: Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
December 25th: Christmas.
December 31st: New Years Eve.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

CASAS ESTADUALES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Se o pessoal está visitando Buenos Aires e pensa viajar para outros destinos do país, o melhor jeito de obter informação precisa e boas dicas são as Casas Estaduales (Casas de Provincia, segundo a denominação regional argentina). As mesmas são representações (cuasi embaixadas) de cada região da Argentina, em Buenos Aires. São atendidas por gente de cada estado que poderá orientá-lo da melhor forma ao respeito das rotas turísticas, alojamento, gastronomia, etc. Hostel Colonial compartilha as direções delas na cidade.Casa da Província de Buenos Aires
Av. Callao 237 – (54 11) 4371 7046 / 47

Casa da Província de Catamarca
Av. Córdoba 2080 – (54 11) 4374 6891

Casa da Província del Chaco
Av. Callao 333 4º – (54 11) 4372 0961

Casa da Província de Chubut
Sarmiento 1172 – (54 11) 4382 2009

Casa da Província de Córdoba
Av. Callao 332 – (54 11) 4371 1668

Casa da Província de Corrientes
San Martín 333 4º – (54 11) 4394 7390

Casa da Província de Entre Ríos
Suipacha 844 – (54 11) 4328 5985

Casa da Província de FormosaHipólito Yrigoyen 1429 – (54 11) 4381 7048

Casa da Província de Jujuy
Av. Santa Fe 967 – (54 11) 4393 1295

Casa da Província de La PampaSuipacha 346 – (54 11) 4326 0511

Casa da Província de La Rioja
Av. Callao 745 – (54 11) 4813 3417

Casa da Província de Mendoza
Av. Callao 445 – (54 11) 4371 0835

Casa da Província de Misiones
Av. Santa Fe 989 – (54 11) 4317 3700

Casa da Província de Neuquén
Maipú 48 – (54 11) 4343 2324

Casa da Província de Río Negro
Tucumán 1916 – (54 11) 4371 7078

Casa da Província de Salta
Av. Roque Sáenz Peña 933 – (54 11) 4326 2456

Casa da Província de San Juan
Sarmiento 1251 – (54 11) 4382 9241

Casa da Província de San Luis
Azcuénaga 1087 – (54 11) 4822 3641

Casa da Província de Santa Cruz
25 de Mayo 277 1º – (54 11) 4343 8478

Casa da Província de Santa Fe
25 de Mayo 168 / 178 – (54 11) 4342 0408

Casa da Província de Santiago del Estero
Florida 274 1º – (54 11) 4326 9418

Casa da Província de Tierra del Fuego
Sarmiento 745 – (54 11) 4322 7524

Casa da Província de Tucumán
Suipacha 140 – (54 11) 4322 0010

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

CRAFT AND IMPORTED BEER (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:27:00 +0000

Buenos Aires has many great bars to drink beer. Even for those demanding drinkers who prefer to try some good local craft beer or to delight with some of the great brands produced around the world. Usually, beer pubs combine craft and imported beers, but there are some exceptions specialized in one special branch. Hostel Colonial suggest you some fine bars to go out and drink with your friends.

Antares: in Palermo, on 1447 Armenia St., this bar distributes the most famous Argentine craft beer (which has the same name of the bar). They offer tasting of mini pints and a very recommendable Stout beer.

Donde: also in Palermo, on 5801 Gorriti St., this pub and restaurant has a complete international beer list and four craft options amongst which stand, according to specialist, its Belgian Ale. Untertürkheim: in San Telmo, on 899 Humberto Primo St., this German pub and restaurant has generous dishes and great beer. Traditional German brands and some craft beer they produce right there.

Gibraltar: another good choice in San Telmo, on 895 Perú Av., for ten years this British-like pub has been offering craft and imported beers. Their clients prefer the Gambrinus beer. Its menu consists of international food. You can also find great whiskeys.

Cruzat: a peaceful place near Downtown, on 1617 Sarmiento St., 1st Floor. Inside the La Plaza Theater Complex. They have the largest beer list in the city, almost 100 bottled and many more coming straight from the barrel.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

OTOÑO EN BUENOS AIRES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:57:00 +0000

El otoño –que comenzó este domingo- siempre se anuncia con semanas lluviosas y temperaturas a la baja. Las hojas marchitas de los plátanos forman una segunda calle que va crujiendo a nuestro paso y los días se acortan invocando esa melancolía tanguera que sabe invadir Buenos Aires de tanto en tanto. Algún día de calor perdido nos recuerda que el verano estuvo hace poco y podemos dejar por un momento el abrigo. Ni mucho frío ni mucho calor, el otoño es una época especial para disfrutar en nuestra ciudad. Hostel Colonial te sugiere tres programas para disfrutar la estación porteña.

Los cafés de Buenos Aires: siempre son un buen refugio cuando empieza a caer la tarde y el viento frío del Río de la Plata sopla. También son una opción ideal para esas lluvias repentinas que paralizan la ciudad. Los café porteños son calentitos, acogedores. En especial los de la Avenida Corrientes (pensamos en El Gato Negro, La Giralda, La Paz y otros tantos). Una mesa cerca de la ventana para perder la mirada entre la gente que se apura por llegar a su casa y una taza de café caliente para aferrar con las dos manos y olvidar el frío.

Un paseo por los Bosques de Palermo: al igual que cualquier área verde, nos recuerda cómo el cambio de estación modifica la naturaleza. Volvemos a pisar hojas muertas, los árboles se cubren apenas con lo que les queda de marchito y una pareja resiste el frío abrazándose en un banco. El puente blanco sobre el lago del Rosedal nos transporta a un paisaje campestre y el agua que corre por debajo, fresca, calma, se agita solo con esas hojas que siguen cayendo.

Un poco de jazz: no sólo de tango vive el porteño. El jazz argentino tiene más de 80 años de tradición y grandes músicos. El otoño es una gran estación para disfrutarlo, porque convoca a la intimidad de un ambiente cerrado. Pensamos en Thelonious (Salguero esquina Guemes, Palermo) o Notorious (Callao 966, Congreso), algo de luz baja, un trío de piano, contrabajo y batería con sabor de latin jazz, algo de buen bourbon para acompañar y nuestro pié intentando seguir el ritmo frenético de la banda. Autumn leaves, un standard infaltable para la ocasión.

BETTER STAYING IN DOWNTOWN (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

hostel-colonial — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:41:00 +0000

When you’re a tourist and you’re visiting a city for the first time, where to stay is the greatest dilemma. Every person who has visited the place will have its say; every hostel web site will extol its location. But those virtues might not be the most cherished by tourism. In Buenos Aires, the three most frequent areas to stay are: Downtown (the first and most traditional), San Telmo and Palermo. Hostel Colonial -located in Downtown- gives you three good reasons (the proximity to sightsees, transportation and security) to choose the area.

The proximity to sightsees: the first thing a traveler seeks, the reason why tourism exists, is to visit and get to know the most particular and traditional of each city. Hardly, somebody would visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, or skips the Empire State in NYC. In Buenos Aires, the logic indicates you must see the Obelisco, visit Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada, the Congress and Puerto Madero. All this places that open tourist guides, are located on Downtown Buenos Aires or just 10 blocks away from it. Here is Hostel Colonial too.

Transportation: probably the second thing that facilitates to get to know and move round the city is transportation. Those who have traveled a lot thank the presence of a subway and a good coverage of the urban transportation. As Downtown is the financial, historic and cultural center of our city, all the transportation departs or arrives here. In a simple way, you can reach any destination. This is something you won’t find in remote neighborhoods as San Telmo and Palermo, where walking to the transportation is inevitable.

Security: it’s perhaps the most important factor for many travelers. Being Downtown the most traditional tourist area, where banks and financial entities have their headquarters, is the most secured zone in Buenos Aires. In fact, the first police station of our city is just around the corner of Hostel Colonial, and the Police Headquarters are just 15 block away.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.