Enjoy the city like a real porteño

In Buenos Aires, we would like to tell you about an original tour that combines electric bikes, mate and tango. Sounds good, right?

As always, in Kallpa we look for and offer original and sustainable experiences that focus on culture and local traditions. That’s how we found Martin and Laura, with whom we share the same ideals and passion for traveling.

On a Sunday afternoon, we met at Recoleta Cultural Center. This spot itself is an attraction, given that we find the famous cemetery and that lots of people are strolling across the park and taking a look at the typical craft fair.

We mount the e-bikes and the tour starts. Without effort, we wander through Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods and enjoy the city like a real porteño! As we ride, through intercoms we hear the guide telling us the city’s secrets and local traditions.

First, riding across Recoleta we can see French style palaces. Along Figueroa Alcorta Avenue we pass by the Buenos Aires University’s Law School; a monumental architecture building from the 1940’s. Right next, the famous Floralis Generica, a metal sculpture of a huge flower on the United Nations Park, made by the Argentinian architect Eduardo Catalano.

Following Recoleta, we move towards the Bosques de Palermo – Palermo Woods – and its great green parks. We pass by the Japanese Garden, the Palermo Horse Racetrack, the Argentinian Polo Field and the famous Rosedal. Then, we make a stop at the woods to taste and share some mate and pastries, like many locals do here on the weekends, as a traditional friendly and family ritual.

At last, back on the bikes we ride towards Palermo Soho, a trendy and bohemian area of this neighborhood, to visit one of the main milongas in the city. Milongas are the traditional places where locals attend to dance and listen to tango.

Here, a tango expert joins us. Thanks to his expertise, we learn about this intense and passionate dance history, codes and the milonga dynamics. Finally, a live orchestra entertains us with a dazzling tango performance following an instructor that teaches us some steps to introduce us to this dance.

This is the end of this original, fun and enriching experience, but if you want, you can stay and enjoy the milonga to keep on practising your steps until 4 am.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operation: Sunday at 3:30 pm
  • Duration: 6 hs
  • Languages: Spanish & English
  • Meeting point: Across Recoleta Cultural Center, next to Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church.
  • Ending point: Armenian Center, Palermo
  • Min. 2 pax – Max. 6 pax
  • Min age is 16 and max is 60
  • Highlights: Recoleta – Palermo Horse Track and Argentinian Polo Field – Rosedal and Bosques de Palermo – Palermo Soho – Milonga.
  • Included: Electric bicycle with intercom – Bicycle tour guide – Insurance – Snack (pastries) & Mate – Water – Entrance ticket for the milonga – Tango guide – Live orchestra show – Tango lesson – One soft drink per person.
  • Not included: Roundtrip transfers – Food and extra drinks – Tips.

Lunch with The Enemy in Mendoza

We’ve been recommending this experience in Mendoza for some time now, but it’s so good that we want to give it a refreshed view. Enjoy a culinary proposal now included in the Michelin Voyage guide.

Alejandro Vigil is a wine expert at Aleanna Winery, one of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina. Together with Laura, the youngest daughter of the renowned Ernesto Catena, he indulged himself by introducing his own wine: “El Enemigo”. From its very first impression, the name speaks for itself and plays opposite to the other wineries that want to bind together wine and friendship. However, the name given to this wine, has conquered the market due to its antagonism: “The Enemy”.

Maybe that’s not the picture we have in mind about what happens behind closed doors at Aleanna Winery, but that’s how Alejandro Vigil is. He understands his work that way because he is as passionate for the grapevines, the bottles and the beautifully designed labels as for his own restaurant: Casa Vigil (formerly called El Enemigo), where his guests can savour exquisite local cuisine and its emblem wine.

Located in Chachingo, Maipú, only half an hour away from the city of Mendoza, Casa Vigil was recently included in the prestigious French guide Michelin Voyage, which stands out the best touristic and gastronomic places to visit outside France. The guide has remarked not only the well thought dishes that you will find on its menu to pair its wines, but also praised the place itself for its originality and exhibited local art. “An attractive and atypical place”, the Michelin Voyage calls.

This is not the only international mention to Casa Vigil. In 2017, the Great Wine Capitals network awarded it as the best cellar restaurant in Argentina, and Decanter magazine called it one of the best restaurants in Mendoza.

With so many good reviews, surely you´re curious and eager to see and taste for yourself what all this is about. This is definitely an experience that you can’t miss on your visit to Mendoza.

When in town, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Casa Vigil, where you´ll meet Alejandro and his wife Maria. You´ll visit the cellar where El Enemigo and El Gran Enemigo are made, and also be welcomed into the Vigil´s family home, where they´ll share anecdotes, stories and tell you about their passion for wine.

The visit includes and exquisite asado (barbecue) with gourmet salads and grilled vegetables. Of course, you won´t leave without tasting some of the house´s internationally prized wines, joined by one of the best wine experts in the world: Alejandro himself will guide you through a “Great Enemy” wine tasting experience.  

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Lunch with “El Enemigo” menu: Barbecue with gourmet salads and grilled vegetables along with the seven labels of “El Enemigo”.
  • Min. 2 pax required
  • Tour to the cellar is subject to availability.
  • Included: Round-trip transportation to and from the winery – “Gran Enemigo” wine tasting experience – 4 step lunch with wines included.
  • Not included: Tips – Accommodation – Extra wine tastings – Guide.
  • 7 step dinner service is also available. Contact your Kallpa Executive for pricing.

RIDING INTO THE DUNES

Only 10 km away from Cafayate, Estancia Chimpa rests in the middle of the Calchaqui Valley, waiting for you to enjoy a day in the northern countryside.

This fascinating estate is at your disposal for spending the night but today we will tell you about one of the many activities it has to offer.

The Nanni family, passionate for the valley, its mountains, grapevines and horses, made of this 7600 hectares plot a beautiful relaxing place to rest and spend the day.

The estate´s main house stands out for its architecture and style; with two wings that define its structure: the South Wing, antique and original from the XXth century; and the West Wing refurbished between 2004 and 2006. In the summertime, a big exterior pool at the back to enjoy the landscape provided by the immensity of the surrounding mountains.  

The adventure of the day at Estancia Chimpa involves a one hour and a half horseback riding in the surroundings of this dreamy estate. Authentic creole gauchos who know the area as the palm of their hands, will lead the ride. Starting at the horse’s corral, you’ll be riding through the green vineyards where the Nanni family grow cabernet, torrontés and malbec grapes, among others.

Soon after, the scenery changes dramatically into a dazzling mass of white sand: behold the Cafayate dunes, a sandy area that enlightens the panorama drawing the visitors attention because of the curious figures formed on the surface by the wind.

This wonderful ride is available year round. During the winter, the ride takes place between 10:30 and 14 hs, trying to make up the most of the sun and avoid the coldest hours. In the summer, the best is to go out at dusk or dawn. Also, night rides are a classic at Chimpa; a wonderful experience with a different perspective of this natural environment, amazing starry sky view, a cozy bonfire and the nocturnal noises of this unique place.

For those who like the countryside and riding horses, while visiting Cafayate this is the estate to stop by. For more information, contact your Kallpa Tour executive.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • 1.30 hs excursion. Minimum 2 pax per riding.
  • 24 hs advanced booking required.
  • It is advisable to bring sunblock, comfortable clothes, sunglasses and a cap.
  • Conditions: Min age 3 years old / Max age: 60­-65, depending on physical conditions. Traveller max weight/height permitted 100kg / 2 mts.

 

A WINE TRIP THROUGH ARGENTINA WITHOUT MOVING

Without leaving Buenos Aires, go on a gourmet journey that will enhance your palate and take you through the most important Argentinian wine regions.

It can’t be denied that Argentina is one of the most renowned wine countries in the world and that Buenos Aires, with its faded European touch and Latin passion, is the greatest city to enjoy the best gastronomy and wine that this country has to offer.

Today we want to share with you a Premium wine tasting, to try the best of the best and delight yourself with regional gourmet tapas, specially made for the occasion.

In the heart of Palermo Soho, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, home of many bars, restaurants and top designer stores, we find the prestigious Freud & Fahler; a legend of avant-garde gastronomy. Here we´re invited by Diego, Pol and Jorge to experience this VIP tasting.

They are the warming hosts and front men of this business venture. Wine enthusiasts and foodies themselves, each of them play a fundamental role: Diego is the multilingual sommelier in charge; Pol has been Freud & Fahler´s owner and head chef from 20 years now, innovating in gastronomy since its early days; and Jorge is the spokesperson responsible for spreading the word about this exciting touristic experience.

The tasting takes you on a 1500 miles journey, going over Argentina from north to south across the most important wine regions in the country: Mendoza and its classic and historic vineyards, Salta with its high altitude grapevines and the exotic and southernmost Patagonia, as one of the youngest wine producing regions.

Throughout five specially selected premium wines you will discover the particularities, refined details and differences between the varieties of wines of these whereabouts. Not to be missed: Malbec, Torrontés, Pinot Noir, among others.

The experience is completed with a perfect food match: regional gourmet tapas, specially created by the in house chef Pol Lykan. Each bite was thought to emphasize each wine´s unique taste and characteristic profile. Paired in heaven!

In Buenos Aires, you can enjoy this 5 course wine tasting from Tuesday to Saturday at 6 pm. Make sure to contact your Kallpa Tour executive to book in advance.