Finally we can spread the word about one of the most important aspects of our culture! fileteado! What is ‘fileteado’? Fileteado, the graffiti made in Argentina! The word fileteado comes from Latin prefix “filo“, which means “thread”.

Thus, fileteado is an “ornamental thread” which with its shapes and colors revolutionized early 20th century Buenos Aires, when Italian immigrants who worked for carriages shops introduced new lines and shades in vehicle decoration. It emerged together with tango music and became a symbol of Argentine identity,

Like every other expresion of art, the history of Fileteado is covered with legends and is certainly uncertain. The stories are so often repeated that they almost become true.

Either the traveler who is visiting Buenos Aires, or the locals, can track such a legacy in the streets of the city. That’s the idea behind the Fileteado Porteño Tour which took the Abasto as the emblematic neighborhood of this art and Tango

Recently the Fileteado Porteño was declared Intangible World Heritage by Unesco, the same recognition received by Tango in 2009.

It is amazing walking on the streets of the Abasto neighborhood being able to see the houses with their walls painted in a similar way as you see with the graffiti and Street art at Palermo and Villa Crespo. 700 Jean Jaures Street you can find what can be called the best expression of the Fileteado visible to all.. A contest was organized by the House Museum of Carlos Gardel and the owners of six houses restored their facades with decorations of the Fileteado Technique.

After the walking the tour ends with a brief lesson about the Fileteado Techniques at the Conventillo Cultural Abasto. With the guidance of an expert we had the opportunity to paint our own fileteado and share the experience with other travelers  who came to Buenos Aires with the idea of living Buenos Aires like a porteño.

If you are visiting Buenos Aires and you want to get to know our culture away from the crowded tours or traditional experiences we recommend the Fileteado Porteño Tour. Your travelers will love it as much as we love our culture.

A day in the countryside only 65 km far from Puerto Madryn on the south coast of the Golfo Nuevo, El Pedral awaits your visit. This country hotel located at Punta Ninfas is an authentic oasis immersed in the Patagonian steppe, a natural reserve of penguins, birds, sea lions and elephant seals. Countryside and Penguins perfect mix can be found here.

Something characteristic of the region is the landscape of pure steppe that keeps us apart from the farm. This inhospitable scenery offers shelter to many native species, such as elegant crested tinamous, smaller rheas and guanacos. We are be able to watch them from comfortable vehicles especially fitted to enjoy the trip in full.

We arrive to the house of El Pedral. Is an original Patagonian farmhouse that also works as a museum.. This farmhouse has a history of its own and a particular design that turns out especially attractive.

El Pedral has been built at the beginning of 20th century. Its materials and furniture have been brought on ships from Europe, which disembarked on the coasts of the proper farm. It has been inaugurated in 1923 and still keeps the aesthetics and style of those times in its cozy rooms. Ancient portraits and pictures take us to the past, evoking a glorious époque of adventurous entrepreneurs, indisputable pioneers of the development of the Península Valdés.

There are several activities included with the day in the countryside. The most amazing one is the penguin colony. Every year in September, a growing colony of friendly Magellanic penguins settles only meters from the house. A guide tour among its nests enables us to know much more about these curious animals. It is interesting that El Pedral keeps a control and cleaning program along its coasts, together with collaborating with the foundation GPS, Global Penguin Society, which monitors the Magellanic penguins’ colony of Punta Ninfas.

Some other sea fauna such as lions and elephant seals can be watched. The coast bordering Punta Ninfas is chosen by these marine mammals, like the farm neighbors, the penguins, which feel allured by the stone beaches and food obtained at a near distance.

For lunch we were delighted with a lamb roasted on a spit. Early in the morning and while we were visiting the natural reserve, Humberto, the ‘chief roaster’, with the aid of his assistants cooked a typical and unforgettable Patagonian lamb roasted on a spit. His secret to cook it, which he never shared with us, is a delicacy that delighted us after the excursion.

Another attraction is the Punta Ninfas lighthouse which is located only ten minutes away from the farm, on the high cliffs, south of the mouth of Golfo Nuevo. It is a valuable reference for sailors coming into the gulf, together with being a faithful watcher for the first whales arriving at the gulf every year, during the cold May days. The landscape from the lighthouse at Punta Ninfas overlooking the cliffs will make you feel a privileged witness of a distinct magical and incredible scenery.

Finally, we return to Puerto Madryn after having rested for awhile and having spent an extraordinary day, ideal for those travelers in love with nature. This region offers a safe and true contact with nature which will become a great memoir..

FACT SHEET

The rate includes:

Transfers to the farmhouse and back to the city.
Visit to Punta Ninfas lighthouse.
Excursion to visit the Magellanic penguins’ colony.
Bilingual guide/naturalist (English/Spanish).
Pool access.
Lunch.