BUENOS AIRES ARTISTIC INTIMACY

We bring you a close encounter experience to enter into the porteña artistic life and discover the intimacy of a couple of trendy ateliers in Buenos Aires.

If you are a collector of experiences interested in art and curious about how the artistic mind works, this is the perfect one for you.

Argentina has always been an important beaux arts country with world famous artists like Marta Minujín, Xul Solar and Antonio Berni. In the recent years, art has gained even more relevance -specially in Buenos Aires- thanks to special events such as ArteBA and the Art Week every April, the refurbishment of classic museums and the development of new ones, and the growing interest of young people in street and urban art.

Specifically, the neighborhoods of Palermo, Villa Crespo and Chacarita, have become the center of Argentine contemporary art, pushed by the setup of several art galleries.

Walking through these lovely quarters with cobbled stoned passages, small low houses and green vegetation, we appreciate bright murals and vibrant street art made by fashionably controversial local street artists.

Around these blocks, we visit a two or three workshops of artists with different styles, to meet the people behind the talent. With a coffee cup or glass of wine in between, we get to chat and know these artists in their creative temples and learn all about their sources of inspiration, tools and techniques. We are able to see their work up close, feel its textures, and listen to the creators explain their point of views and concepts.

An enjoyable informal meeting with these art passionates gives us a chance to know them personally, have an idea of their creative processes and what they think and expect of the cultural and artistic scene in Argentina.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 3 hs
  • Regular excursion operates Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 pm.
  • Meeting point to be confirmed closer to the operation date.
  • Includes exclusive access to 2 or 3 artists’ ateliers plus a relaxed walk around the neighborhood, beverage and a snack.
  • Minimum age to participate 12 years. Toddlers up to 2 years old are invited along with their parents.
  • Private departures are available on request.

Buenos Aires Tango Festival 2018

Two weeks of concerts, shows, lessons and milongas at the most passionate dance festival in Buenos Aires. Feel the tango spirit of Argentina!

The growth, reach and significance of tango goes beyond our country’s limits and has conquered such a magnitude that in December 2009 the genre was declared as one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Photo courtesy of Festivales BA

From august 9th to 22nd, as every year, Tango BA comprises a passion that captivates followers all around the world. Year after year, the festival has managed to establish as a celebration of this rioplatense genre that reaffirms the city’s compromise with the historic and cultural heritage.

Throughout selected places and for two weeks, tango will be exposed in concerts, exhibitions, dancing lessons and milongas, shows and -of course- the most expected and talented dancing duels. Dancers from everywhere compete in the traditional salon category and the stage category for a chance to appear in the finals and be crown as the Tango World Cup Champions of the year. A unique and thrilling show, without a doubt!

Photo courtesy of Festivales BA

Whether you are willing to watch, listen or dance, this is an special occasion to visit Buenos Aires and be a part of an international encounter that celebrates culture, encourages creativity and freedom of expression, and that gathers emerging artists, tango historical referents and a multitude of tango lovers and dancing amateurs.

Tango BA combines the tradition, renewal and diversity of a music genre that identifies a city that is proudly tanguera. To find out more details about this year’s Tango Festival and arrange your visit to Buenos Aires for next August, contact your Kallpa Executive.

Photo courtesy of Festivales BA

Gaucho Culture & Lifestyle in Areco

Get to know the Argentinean countryside traditions: gauchos, asado and estancia culture.

Lucky for the porteños, the vast plains of the Pampas, gaucho culture and tradition are alive and so close by. Only an hour drive from Buenos Aires city we arrive in San Antonio de Areco town, far away from everything and surrounded by wild countryside landscape, home to the Tradition Festival in November.

San Antonio de Areco church

Founded in 1730, San Antonio de Areco has been home for centuries to the traditions and rituals inspired by the gauchos, but the town really started to embrace its fame after 1926, following the publication of the famous novel Don Segundo Sombra by the local writer Ricardo Güiraldes, which follows the meeting between a gaucho and an orphan in the Blanqueada, a typical pulperia (bar) in the town.

Wandering through the colonial streets of Areco, time seems to have stopped. Over the centuries, the town has preserved its heritage and identity, becoming one of the most visited historic places in the province of Buenos Aires.

We invite you to a full day of gaucho lifestyle, tradition, asado, craftwork and estancia culture. A day trip from Buenos Aires to Areco to see the real national heritage; an opportunity to learn about one of the emblems of the Argentine identity and the rural life.    

Early in the morning, we leave from your hotel and exit Buenos Aires towards the Route 8 to reach our final destination. Soon after leaving the city landscape behind we start seeing the Pampas scenery.

An hour or so later, we arrive in San Antonio de Areco where we meet our guide, who will guide us through the charming streets of the historical center and show us the local church and the famous pulperías.

A visit to the Silversmith Draghi Museum, the First workshop and museum of Draghi’s silverware, where we may observe the process of making a genuine piece of silverwork; and also to the Ricardo Güiraldes Museum where gaucho life is celebrated and preserved with a collection of traditional gaucho gear: mates, handicraft decorated knives, ponchos, and all manner of elaborate saddlery and bridlery.

After the tour around Areco and its surroundings, at noon we arrive at an exclusive and historical estancia where we will be greeted with empanadas and a delicious Argentine asado. We will walk around the estancia with the guide, hearing stories about this historic working ranch.

At the estancia we will meet gauchos and participate in different rural activities such as horseback riding and carriage rides. Also we will enjoy a traditional folkloric music dancing performance and an impressive gaucho skills demonstration.

In the afternoon, after a full day in touch with the countryside and the gaucho culture, we get back on the bus and to Buenos Aires.

When visiting our city, we recommend getting to know a bit of our country history and traditions. This is the perfect experience to do so!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operates year round upon reservation.
  • Full day tour from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
  • Personalized tour for 2-4 people or private bigger groups.

Includes:

  • Door-to-door transfers to and from Buenos Aires hotel.
  • Bilingual local guide.
  • Guided visit to the historical town, museums and handicrafts.
  • Reception with empanadas, drinks and asado for lunch.
  • Horseback riding or carriage at the Estancia.
  • Demonstration of gaucho skills and traditional folkloric music performance.
  • Open swimming pool in the summer.

 

 

Train to the Clouds and beyond

The most amazing tourist train in the world that takes you to the clouds, at 4200 meters high. A classic and a must when visiting Salta!

Much has been told about the famous Tren a las Nubes, but not many know the story of its name. Although one may think that it was given due to the magnificent ascending tour, according to Luis Borelli, an Argentinean journalist and writer, the name was given after a steam cloud that was captured on film by two cameraman that traveled on board in the 60s, before the train was a tourist attraction.

The story goes that while stopping at La Polvorilla viaduct, the train discharged steam which remained under the wheels floating in the air as a cloud just for a moment, because of the low temperatures of the region. Hence: the train to the clouds, a very graphic image kept for posterity that would make anyone wonder about the veracity of its name.

It doesn’t matter if the name comes from steam or from the clouds themselves that seem to be closer and closer as the train goes up in the sky. Since 1972 it has been running, taking tourists from all over the world.

Today the train provides comfortable seats, broad windows to enjoy the landscape along the way, and conditioned temperature. There are restrooms, speakers and screens on board.

There are two options to choose from when planning your excursion:

BUS + TRAIN + BUS: This option includes a bus trip from the city of Salta, going across the National Route 51 and passing by the towns of Campo Quijano and Gobernador Solá up to El Alfarcito. At this stop, you will be provided with a rural breakfast with local fresh products, all handmade by the local communities from the area. Then, the bus trip will continue along the Quebrada de las Cuevas and the Muñano plain towards San Antonio de los Cobres.

At this town, you will be taken to the train station where you will finally go on board the Train to the Clouds that will take you on an hour ride to the La Polvorilla viaduct, an imposing work of engineering from the last century, at 4200 masl.

After 30 minutes, the train returns to San Antonio de los Cobres where you will take the bus back to Salta. On the way, a last stop will be done at Santa Rosa de Tastil where you may visit the historic museum and handicrafts fair to meet and support the local artisans.

ONLY TRAIN: For those who prefer a shorter tour, you may go straight to the San Antonio de los Cobres station and take the Train to the Clouds for the one hour ride (22 km) to the La Polvorilla viaduct and back. This option does not include San Antonio de los Cobres in/out transfers.

No matter which option you choose, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance. Below you will find the train´s operation days for 2018:

If you would like to ride the Train to the Clouds, please contact your Kallpa Executive and ask for available dates.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Passengers must show their passport and printed ticket voucher.
  • It is advisable to bring warm clothes, to have a light dinner and good rest the night before to make the most of this fantastic experience in Salta.

BUS + TRAIN + BUS:

  • The bus service leaves at 7:05 hs from Salta city bus terminal and arrives at 12 hs to San Antonio de los Cobres station to board the train. The bus back to Salta leaves San Antonio at 16:15 hs.
  • Transfers from/to Salta city terminal are not included.

ONLY TRAIN:

  • Passengers should be at San Antonio de los Cobres station at 11:45 hs or before. The train leaves at 12 hs.
  • Transfers from/to Salta city are not included.
  • Distance from Salta to San Antonio is 160 km. Approx. 3 hs car ride.
  • Train ride total distance: 44 km.