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 Teatro Colon
The Teatro Colon needs little introduction to those familiar with the opera. As one of the
world's premier opera houses, it has hosted the likes of Maria Callas, Toscanini,
Stravinsky, and Caruso. Tickets are hard to come by, as many of the theater's 3,500 seats
are held by season ticketholders. A guided tour lets the visitor glimpse the inner
workings of this eminent center of opera.
Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is the city center (the city, in fact, was literally built around it),
some of Argentina's most important historical events took place here. Surrounding it is
the Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo (town hall). Today the
Plaza probably owes most of its fame to the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, the women who
still show up in the square seeking information on the deseparecidos, their loved ones who
vanished during the DirtyWar.
The Recoleta
This area is the most fashionable place in Buenos Aires to dine; it is adjacent to the
Cementario de la Recoleta, Eva Peron's final resting place. Along with Evita's
much-visited grave, there is Our Lady of the Pilar Church, the Cultural Center, and the
Palais de Glace, a major gallery. You can walk along the Pilar, which brims with a wide
variety of restaurants and venues featuring live music every night.
San Telmo
San Telmo is widely hailed as the most picturesque part  of
Buenos Aires. Cobblestone streets and colonial buildings set the atmosphere for an array
of shops and boutiques, tango parlors and cafes.
La Boca
Perhaps the most colorful area in Buenos Aires is La Boca (the Mouth), which sits along
the port. Here an assortment of brightly painted low houses made of wood and metal burst
upon the eyes in a scene that could almost be from some- where in Scandinavia. The main
street here is Caminito, which has an artisans and painters fair, open air tango shows,
and typical Italian cantinas.
The Parque Lezama
This is one of the city's most attractive parks--enormous magnolias, palms, and cedar elms
grace the winding paths among the hills, and a smoothly-flowing river cuts through the
park center. At the Museo Historico Nacional, Argentina's turbulent history is reviewed,
from the 16th century to the present. It features a collection of paintings by Candido
Lopez, a primitive stylist and one of Argentina's most important artists. The Catedral
Russo Ortodoxo, with its soaring and majestic onion domes, is one of the city's many fine
architectural ornaments. Curiously enough, it is still owned by Russia.
Palermo
Palermo is area of woods and lakes, on large park composed of many small ones. Among
the attracts are a pleasant rose garden filled with sculptures, polo fields, and the
Japanese Garden.
Tigre
Situated on the Parana River Delta, Tigre is a natural playground consisting of 350 rivers
and streams and an ecological reserve. You can partake in water sports and fishing, or
check out crafts at the Fruit Dock. There are also two museums here, the Navy Museum and
the Sarmiento.
Estancias
A great excursion from the city is a visit to one of the many Estancias, or Argentine
ranches. Here you can get a sense of the traditional life of the gauchos. Many Estancias
offer accom- modations, traditional food, live folk music and dancing, and exhibitions of
gaucho horseback skills.
 Shopping
When it comes to shopping, Buenos Aires can be one of the most charming places anywhere.
From its grand boulevards to the winding streets of Arroyo, the city offers an endless
variety of boutiques, galleries, and antique shops. The Sunday Flea Market in San Telmo
provides excellent, leisurely people-watching and shopping, and there is a very good
Sunday Antiques Fair at the Plaza Dorego.
Copyright (c) 1998 interKnowledge Corp. All rights reserved.
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