The city of Buenos Aires is the big cosmopolitan gateway to South America. Modern, dynamic, bustling with activity, and full of history, this great capital of the Argentinean republic, however, has managed to conserve old traditions and unforgettable small niches. It fascinates the traveller with its ambience, with the very different personalities of each of its barrios or neighbourhoods, with the kindness of its people and its ample offer of cultural events as well as shopping opportunities.

"La Reina del Plata" The Queen of Silver (of the Rio de La Plata) as it is also known, will not cease to surprise the visitor with its contrasts. Here you will find the fondness felt for your local barrio or neighbourhood, the melancholic tango, the never ending discussions over a cup of coffee, side by side with the mirror surface windows of modern buildings and mobile phones. It is also the most elegant city in South America, and the city that best expresses the varied and dissimilar essence of Argentina itself.

It was founded by the Spaniards on no less than two occasions. In 1536 Pedro de Mendoza gave it the name of Santa María del Buen Ayre, using the same name for the fortress he had built to defend it, both in honour of the Sardinian Virgin venerated by sailors. In 1580, Juan de Garay foundet it for the second time.

Some believe that the first foundation took place in la Vuelta de Rocha (La Boca), although others argue that it was in the Parque Lezama (San Telmo), where the river came to at that time (all the way to the present day Avenida Leandro N. Alem. This area has later been regained from the waters.

Thus the city was born, lost in contemplation between the port and the river, wide and muddy, but in the XIXth century it grew, in a European dream of refinement, with wide boulevards, tree shadowed streets, with mansions and public buildings designed by famous architects.

Located on the banks of the Río de La Plata, and surrounded by the splendour of the Argentinean countryside, you will here find a harmonious mix of old buildings like colonial time mansions, with modern skyscrapers and museums, theatres and coffee shops. And its population has grown due to the constant waves of immigrants, mainly of European stock, all which has given it a very interesting cultural framework.

La Reina del Plata, surrounded by the Province of Buenos Aires on one side and the Río de La Plata river on the other, proudly proclaims itself to be the "City that never sleeps". For those that enjoy night life there are restaurants and pastry shops open 24 hours a day. You can even go shopping until midnight in many commercial malls and shops.

Buenos Aires offers a great panoply of attractions: monuments, churches, museums, art galleries and theatres; plazas, parks and gardens with old trees, characteristic barrios or neighbourhoods, big shopping malls, traditional and modern style hotels, restaurants offering local and international cuisine.

It is connected to the rest of the country and the world by large transport network, with hubs like the port which receives cruise ships and ferries, two airports- one international called Ezeiza, located 22 kilometres (18 miles) from El Obelisco, the obelisk that traditionally marks the centre of the city.

There is a also a feeder and domestic lines airport six kilometres (4 miles) from the centre. There are railroad connections, highways, National Routes and a bus terminal for public domestic transport of passengers only a little more than a kilometre away from the city centre.

Its sheer size obliges the traveller to plan well his (or her) visit. Without a good guide, the city may look like a disperse and unconnected place. We therefore suggest to choose different tours according to the time that the traveller has available for his visit.