Agenda July 2011

This Month in Buenos Aires

Ricardo MontanerJuly 15 & 16

One of the Latin artists whose performances are always a hit in Argentina. This time, his show “Montaner at home” reviews the classics and presents his new songs.

Teatro Gran Rex
Corrientes Ave. 857

Ballet

The Sleeping Beauty of the Woods
July 7th 8:30 pm
www.teatrocolon.org.ar info@teatrocolon.org.ar

A new version of the second title of the three classic ballets of Piotr Ilych Tchaikovski ( Пётр Ильич Чайковский ) The magic of Perrault´s immortal story, which also cincludes most of the lovely characters of this tales, is displayed in this fascinating performance.

The Colon Theatre (Opera House), a masterpiece of architecture with superb acoustics, is the setting where the Ballet will be held. An extraordinary opportunity to enjoy in Buenos Aires this month in Buenos Aires.

Colon Theatre 628 Cerrito Street.
Ph:+5411 4378 7100

Pierrick Sorin
Until July 24th

Modern Art Museum of Buenos Aires ( MAMBA )
350 San Juan Ave.

The most emblematic works of this French artist are on display at the Modern Art Museum of Buenos Aires. Pierrick Sorin is a video maker, born in Nantes in 1960, he directs short films and visual devices on which he reflects –habitually with an ironic tone – about the human existence and the artistic activity. Interested in movies, he is usually the only actor of the stories that He creates.

Patria Petrona by Alfredo Rodriguez AriasFundación Proa1919 Pedro de Mendoza Ave.

A tribute to the classic Argentine cooker Doña Petrona ( She is the Julia Child of Argentina: her recipes book has been edited 102 times already ). At the Proa Café, the exhibition evokes the cooker through ten classic real-size cake replicas made of porcelain. This is a project of actor and director Alfredo Rodriguez Arias, with the collaboration of artist Juan Stopani and setting by Palo Ramirez.

LA RURAL Exhibition of Livestock, Agriculture and International Industry
From: July 14th to July 26th
A wide and varied commercial offer that shares the exhibition space with an important livestock exhibition and the Regions and Agri-food Show, area dedicated to the regional products and specialities of Argentina.

This year, among various alternatives, La Rural will present the awards CITA (Innovation in agricultural technology), an award of international significance that recognizes companies committed to research and development contributing to increase productivity and innovation in agribusiness.

Every day from 9 am to 8 pm.
Access from: 2704 Sarmiento Avenue.
Parking: La Rural provides an underground parking in Av. Sarmiento 2704 and Av. Cerviño 4444.

Send us an e mail and we will send the calendar of events, activities and things to do including restaurants, Buenos Aires nightlife, theater, art galleries, music and bars.

Patagonia: Where to find Penguins and Whales

Patagonia
When to go

Argentina is so big that each region has its own climate. This means that there is always somewhere to go, whatever the time of year. Summer is from December to March, Spring from September to November, Autumn from March to May and Winter from June to August.

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Patagonia is from October to April, or between June and September for skiing. If you are interested in fauna watching, you should not miss the largest Magellan Penguin Colony of Patagonia which is located in Punta Tombo.

Punta Tombo: The most important Magellan Penguin Colony in Patagonia.
Almost a million of penguins arrive at this every year in order to breed. The first penguins arrive in September and stay here up to mid March but the best season to see them is after November, once the babies are born.

One of the greatest features of this Reservation is the fact that you can literally walk among the penguins, follow them and learn their habits, see how they feed their babies, the rites of pairing, the fights for the defense of their territories, how they build their nests, and the restless walks they take to and from the sea. In other words, you can closely watch these tender little animals like you never imagined you could...

There is one requisite: even if you are inches away from a penguin, you must never touch or bother it. You must not forget (not even for a moment) that you are inside a fauna reservation, a special place devoted to preserve this species and its natural habitat. Besides, although penguins are harmless and they are not aggressive at all, if they feel threatened they will defend themselves with their strong, sharp beak.

This fauna reservation was created in 1979, by means of a decree of the Chubut Province, with the purpose of protecting one of the sites with the most diverse fauna within Argentina, and the greatest continental Magellan Penguins colony.

General Features
Punta Tombo is surrounded by the typical lonesome and arid landscapes of the Patagonia Plateau. But its emptiness is just an illusion; if you learn to observe in detail, you will discover all the life wealth hidden in its bushes and under the endless looking sky. Of course, there are also lambs (typical Patagonian livestock), as well as guanacos and choiques (ostriches), maras (Patagonian hares), foxes, and martinetas.

Once you start getting closer to the coast, you will be surprised by a hectic fauna activity. This rocky territory hosts a great quantity of sea birds: southern seagulls, skúas, royal and black necked cormorants, Antarctic pigeons and petrels. Also, these coasts are frequently visited by sea lions as well as the southern whales, dolphins and orcas.

Whale-watching season
Península Valdés, Patagonia
From July to December, Southern Right whales can be seen from the coast of the Valdés Peninsula and Puerto Madryn. They migrate to the peninsula every year to mate.

The cities of Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Rawson and the little village of Puerto Pirámides, (this one in the Peninsula de Valdés), are the entrance to the extraordinary world of the Southern Whale and the Commerson's Dolphins. Every year they come to the coast of Patagonia to accomplish their eternal rite of mating.

An excursion of sea fauna watching
The watching is done from Pirámides and there are six companies authorized in the Province for this. They take the necessary care not to produce environmental impact and not to alter the whales' behaviour.
The trip starts going along the coast in both directions and then getting one or two miles into the sea, to get in touch with the whales.

The first stop is generally at La Lobería (sea lion colony) which is perpendicular to Puerto Pirámides and has got 2000 specimens.

The sailing along the coast lets also watch many cormorant colonies. They build their nests against the cliff and there they breed and raise their babies. You can also see other specimens of the coast bird fauna.

Then the ship gets far from the coast, the engine is stopped and for a moment there is plain silence interrupted only by the sounds of penguins, seagulls, gulls and cormorants. It's the moment of waiting… somebody watches a group of birds at the distance. The ship gets closer and suddenly, when the whole group is attentive, something silver and white jumps next to the ship, and the strong sound of a body splashing the sea is heard.

Let us help you plan a perfect trip to the Puerto Madryn area. All the essential info about lodging, transportation, climate and much more will be provided by our experienced travel agents.

Patagonia Argentina

Ski season in Patagonia
June 15 to September 30

When the snow comes, skiing in Argentina becomes irresistible. Argentina´s nine ski resorts operate between June and September, offering a wide range of ski, snowboard and mountain activities.

Chapelco
Behind San Martín de los Andes stands Mount Chapelco, one of the most enchanting in the country to practice ski.

Reaching almost two thousand meters of height, Mount Chapelco is ideal for skiers. It has become famous in the most remote sites on the planet. Visitors from all over the world come along year after year to ski on its trails.

With over twenty trails of diverse degrees of difficulty, Chapelco features a fascinating view of Lake Lácar. The silence of the lenga forests and the imposing presence of the Lanín make this site unique.

It has first-class infrastructure and 140 skiable hectares. Mount Chapelco presents all the variables to practice downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as ski touring. Likewise, snowboarders show off their skills at the half pipe, parallel slalom, big air and fun park inside the snowpark located at the end of the Graeff chairlift, on platform 1,700.

Season: Mid June to mid October, divided into low, intermediate and high.

Activities: Downhill and cross-country ski, ski touring, off-piste, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sleds pulled by Siberian dogs and snowshoeing.

Services: First-class restaurants, lockers, apparel stores and gift shops, photo development, medical assistance at the base of the mountain, pay phones and Internet access at the base and at the 1,600 platform, ski rental, spacious parking lot, information center, daycare, shuttles.

Cerro Catedral
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina

Speaking about San Carlos de Bariloche means speaking about Cerro Catedral, which stands for “Mount Cathedral” in Spanish due to the resemblance of its summits to the towers of a medieval temple. Its majesty is well-known by skiers from all round the world.

Cerro Catedral, lying just 20 kilometers from the City of Bariloche, opens its gates with the first snowfalls for visitors eager to experience the adventure promised by ski and winter sports.

Reaching 1,030 meters above sea level, Mount Catedral seems to have the intention to join the ground and the sky.

A pioneer in South America, today it is the most complete ski resort in the country and it continues updating its facilities in order to offer visitors the most advanced infrastructure.

With options for all ski disciplines, including off-piste, are available, those who practice freestyle and snowboarding will also enjoy an area specially designed with bumps and rails to show off their abilities.

Catedral has been the stage for the most important international competitions and snow festivals for years. The downhill torch parade, a night show that is gaining more and more fans, stands out. Lift updating programs are constant and specially thought to improve the resort’s total lift capacity and quality.Catedral also has a cutting-edge snow-making system which creates real flakes that cover a skiable surface of about 10 hectares.

Visitors just need to come along. In mythical San Carlos de Bariloche, Cerro Catedral has everything to please skiers and their families. Snow is guaranteed.

Season: From June 18 to October 10, divided into high, low and mid season.
Timetable: From 9am to 5pm.
Activities: Alpine, Nordic, randonée and off-piste skiing, snowboarding, sleds, paragliding, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking.

Services: Refuges, first-class restaurants, lockers, garment and souvenir stores, photo development, medical service at the base, public phones and access to the Internet at the base and at the 1,600 station, ski rental, large parking space, information center, kids nursery, ski school, shopping mall, discos, transfers to the mountain, press room, quad vehicles and snow cats.

La Hoya

La Hoya ski resort is part of a landscape made up by forests and lakes very close to the City of Esquel. Its geographic location guarantees excellent snow from early June, which remains intact until mid October.

Reaching 2,050 meters of height, it offers 60 hectares of skiable soil with all kinds of trails prepared for all ski levels and variables. Cross-country and downhill ski, as well as snowboarding, find here the chance to satisfy beginners, advanced, experts and professionals alike.

Over a dozen lifts transport more than 4 thousand skiers an hour to the 24 trails ideal to be enjoyed by the entire family.

For all these reasons, Mount La Hoya has the perfect infrastructure and services for visitors to choose this ski resort as a winter destination.

How to Get There: 13 kilometers away from the City of Esquel, in northwestern Chubut. There are paved routes joining the resort with Bariloche, Trelew, Puerto Madryn, Neuquén or Buenos Aires, which lies 1,850 km from Esquel.

Season: From early June until mid October.
Climate: In the winter, temperatures range between -5º and 10º C.
Activities: Downhill and cross-country ski, ski touring and snowboarding.
Services: Gastronomy, ski and snowboarding school, snow garden, daycare and mini shopping center.

Ideas Turisticas provides all the necessary information about each ski resort in Argentina, so that each winter becomes unforgettable.

See our exclusive Tours to this unique place; click here to enter our Travel Agency, get personalized advice and book your trip through expert consultants.

Patagonia Argentina

Laguna de los Tres: Cerro Fitz Roy

Santa Cruz province is located in the southern part of the country, in Patagonia and it is the second largest in Argentina but with the smallest population per square kilometer. Most of Santa Cruz is dry grassland or semidesert, with high mesetas ( plateaux ) interspersed with protected valleys and covered with large sheep estancias. To the west, the Andes at these latitudes are lower than in the centre and north of Argentina, but still have year-round snow. An immense ice sheet feeds the numerous glaciers.

From the centre to the Atlantic coast in the east, plateaux of descending height dominate the landscape. The Atlantic coastline is a mixture of beaches and cliffs. In Gran Bajo de San Julián, the Laguna del Carbón is 105 meters below sea level, and is the lowest point in the Western and Southern Hemispheres.

Climate in Patagonia

The province's climate is dominated by several different climatic regions. The extreme northeast coast is by far the mildest area, with summer temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 23ºC (70F to 73F) during the day and 8ºC to 10ºC (46F to 50F) at night, and winters ranging from 8ºC to 10ºC (46F to 50F) during the day and 0ºC to 2ºC (32F to 35F) at night. Precipiation is scarce, at about 200 mm, snow is rare, as well as temperatures below -10ºC (14F). The central and southern coast are progressively cooler and wetter. High temperatures in the summer range from 18ºC to 21ºC (64F to 70F) with nights between 7ºC and 9ºC (45F to 48F) and extremely high winds, whereas winters average 4ºC to 7ºC (39F to 45F) during the day, and -3ºC to 0ºC (27F to 32F) at night.

Patagonia Tours

Fitz Roy Massif
If you visit El Calafate in Argentina, you should not miss one of the most impressive peaks in the Andes, Monte Fitz Roy ( 3,406 meters/11,175 ft ). In good weather, Fitz Roy can be seen from El Calafate. ( 136 miles, 219 km south from Fitz Roy mountain ).
Patagonia Wild Trails is the most popular program among passengers seeking for outdoors activities that wish to go one step beyond a moderate trek. No previous technical requirements are necessary. In Fitz Roy area we trek from north to south visiting Fitz Roy massif and Cerro Torre group (probably two of the most beautiful mountains on Earth) and we end hiking up to Paso del Viento to have a good look to the Patagonian Ice Field. With the extra bonus of one day of glacier hike in the Cerro Torre glacier. In Paine National Park we trek the 3 valleys of the famous "W" circuit.

The best base for visiting this part of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is the village El Chalten, 56 miles west, off RN40, above the western end of Lago Viedma. The village, whose name means “blue mountain”, the Amerindian name for Fitz Roy, nestles in a hidden bowl at the foot of the mountain, with its glacier coming down off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The village has expanded rapidly in recent years due to its ever-growing popularity with visiting trekkers and mountain climbers.

Trek to Laguna Los Tres
The trek to Laguna Los Tres allowed us to have the best available view of Mount Fitz Roy. We followed the Fitz Roy Trail up to Rio Blanco, passing Poicenot, the mountaineering camp. Finally, a short but steep trail will take us to Laguna de Los Tres. The turquoise-blue of the Lagoon is a stunning sight and this is of course magnified by the accompanying view of Fitz Roy’s spires and glaciers. The group returned to El Chalten in the afternoon.

Cave Paintings

South of the Perito Moreno town in Santa Cruz province, is the Cueva de las Manos
(Cave of the Hands), a national historical monument and World Heritage Site located in a beautiful canyon 56 km ( 35 miles ) off RN 40 from must north of Bajo Caracoles. Pre-Columbian cave paintings are found all over Santa Cruz, but those at Cueva de las Manos are the finest. The walls here are covered by paintings of hands and animals, principally guanacos ( relatives of the llama ), which are thought to be anything between 3,000 and 10,000 years old. Numerous lakes straddle the Argentine-Chilean border in the region.

Parque Nacional Perito Moreno ( not to be confused with the town of the same name ) is the next major stop, 72 km ( 45 miles ) to the west of RN40. In the distance is Monte San Lorenzo, the highest peak in stana Cruz at 3,706 meters ( 12,150 ft ). Within the park are lakes Belgrano and Burmeister. Near the latter is the Casa de Piedra, a strange rock formation with ancient paintings.

Upsala Glacier

The second major trip from El Calafate is a visit to the Ventisquero Uspala, at the far nothr west end of Lago Argentino. Bats leave every morning from Punta Bandera ( 40 km/25 miles ) west of El Calafate. In early spring, they cannot get near Upsala because of the large field of icebergs, so may visit Spegazzini and Onelli glacier. On the way back, we strongly recommend a stop at Estancia Alice on the road to El Calafate. Asados ( barbecues ) and tea are available here and shearing demonstrations are held in season. You may also see black necked swans and other birds.

It is only a short distance across the Sierra Los Baguales, Argentina, to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, in Chile. From some spots near El Calafate, the Paine Mountians can be seen.

Paine & Fitz Roy are the best two hikes in Patagonia.

For further information about Patagonia and the major attractions in Santa Cruz State ( Argentina ) and Chilean Patagonia, contact us and we will send you update and useful information about these destinations.

Patagonia Travels

Los Glaciares National Park

Travelling 32 miles west of El Calafate ( a town of about 10,000 people ), along the south shore of the Península Magallanes, brings you to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, one of the most spectacular parks in Argentina.

The southern Patagonian icecap, which is about 400 km ( 250 miles ) long, spills over into innumerable glaciers, which end on high cliffs or wend their way down to fjords. Just beyond Peninsula Magallanes, you can cross Brazo Rico in a boat for a guided climb on the World Heritage Site of the glacier of Ventisquero Perito Moreno.

A few kilometres on, the road ends at the pasarelas, a series of walkways and terraces down a steep cliff, which faces the glacier head on. It’s a magnificent sight, especially on a sunny day. Visitors line up along the walkways, cameras at the ready like paparazzi at the Oscar awards ceremony, waiting for a chunk of glacier to calve off into the water with a resounding thunderous crack.

The Perito Moreno glacier advances across the narrow stretch of water in front of it until it cuts off Brazo Rico and Brazo Sur from the rest of Lago Argentino. Pressure slowly builds up behind the glacial wall until, about ever three to four years, the wall collapses dramatically and the cycle begins again.

Mini trekking or Big Ice Trek ?

Mini Trekking

We highly recommend the trekking on the glacier if you want to truly experience the beauty and vastness of the Perito Moreno glacier.

We took two tours to the glacier- mini-trekking and it really covered all the highlights. You get to spend enough time walking on the glacier to enjoy it, and not get exhausted. Your guide will also take you to a vista where you get to see how enormous the glacier is. Mini-trekking was not very exhausting, so as long as you have no disabilities, you will be fine. Bear in mind the requirements: age between 10 and 65 years and fitness (good coordination and balance.

Big Ice Trek is a very demanding trip that will take a walk of 4 hours.The tour begins at the pier "Under the Shadow" from where you cross by boat the Brazo Rico of Lago Argentino. From there you will walk up the side of the glacier where you put the crampons for walking on the glacier. You will enjoy a unique experience watching crevasses, caves, blue lagoons, sinks and other glacial formations.

Big ICE ....

Requirement of the trip: age 18 to 45 years and excellent physical conditions.

If you are less than 45 years old and you can handle a multi-hour hike on flat land normally - you'll be fine! By far the hardest part was climbing uphill along the moraine of the glacier for just north of an hour until we finally put the crampons on and started climbing into the heart of the glacier. Once on the glacier, it's easy. Make no mistake, this is not a stroll though the park, or a photo safari.

For those of you who can't do big Ice, Mini trekking on the glacier is available for a wider age range and fitness levels and it is a fantastic experience. And if you can't do either - or aren’t interested in either, sitting at the rails and watching the glacier calve would be plenty of entertainment for a day!

The Mini Trekking or Big ICE tours can be arranged for smaller groups of travellers who may not want to join a group tour, but would like to be led by our expert guides on an amazing and highly stimulating journey. 

If you would like to speak directly to any of the tour experts for the regions concerned please contact us by our website or send an e mail to us. 

Eduardo Mac Entyre: A young 82 year-old painter.

Today I had a wonderful experience that I would like to share with you.

If you happen to be in Buenos Aires in June, you cannot miss an art exhibition that is being held at Zurbaran art gallery. It is difficult to find a word to describe this exhibiton, may be “wonderful”, “fantastic”, “magnificent". I am speaking about a very well kown Argentinian painter called Eduardo Mac Entyre.

He was born in Buenos Aires on February 20, 1929. In the 50ths, he met Rafael Squirru, who invited him to make an exhibition at Comte, an art gallery that belonged to the art collector, Ignacio Pirovano. from this moment onwards, Squirru became his best friend and analist of his work.

In 1959 Mac Entyre, Miguel Angel Vidal and Pirovano founded a group called “arte generativo” (generative art). Generative means “to create something out of nothing”, to generate, leaving the model, the human image and the objects out.

Beginning with the dot and the line, the artist gives them movement, makes them vibrate, shift, spin round.

He has received many important awards from all over the world and has held exhibitions in usa, Brazil, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Germany and , of course, Argentina.

I invite you to see part of his work. pay attention to a painting called “Remembering Modigliani”, it is the one in black and red and the most expensive one, and do you know why? Because this is Mac entyre’s favourite one, and believe it or not, he does not want to sell it.

This exhibition takes place at Zurbaran Art Gallery in June 2011.

You cannot miss it!!!!!

Ana Lia Cecchino.

Zurbarán Art Gallery: Cerrito 1522 - Recoleta From: Mondays to Fridays: From 11 am to 9 pm; Saturdays: From 10 am to 1 pm.

Agenda June 2011: Copa America in Argentina

The calendar hitting June today signified one thing and one thing only for the most passionate soccer fans on the planet: We’re now exactly one month away from the official start of Copa America Argentina 2011!!
Much like the FIFA World Cup, Copa America takes place every four years and is undeniably one of the most popular sporting events in the world. The Copa América (Spanish and Portuguese for "America Cup"), is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body.

Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez of Manchester City leads Argentina’s 26-man squad declared on Wednesday for next month’s Copa America. Carlos Tevez was included in the list even though he was complaining that he was not included in his country’s 4-2 friendly win against Paraguay last weekend.Four players of coach Sergio Batista’s team are based in Argentina, which is hosting the July 1-24 competition. Lionel Messi, fresh from the stint of Barcelona to Champions League victory, has his sights determined set on winning the event.

And Lionel Messi will be making steps to insure Argentina’s terrible run in the Copa America will change, a competition they have not won since 1993 in Ecuador.

Related articles: The History of Lionel Messi

Fuerza Bruta "Wayna Tour"
This theatre company led by Dirqui James, one of the creators of “De la Guarda”, will make its debut of his new show “Wayna Tour” on Friday June 17th at 8:30 pm, at Luna Park Stadium in June, with tickets from 60 pesos.

17-18 June; Luna Park Stadium: 465 Bouchard Street.
More Info: http://www.fuerzabruta.net/

Gallery Nights

Galleries open their doors for free on the last Friday night of each month.

The original circuit for art lovers around more than 60 art galleries, antique shops, museums and cultural centers, will take place in the neighbourhoods of Retiro, Barrio Norte and Recoleta in Buenos Aires.

As always, there will be live music and free shows, and guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Chandon champagne. Maps will be provided to the public so they can visit their favorite galleries and exhibitions at their own pace.

Last Friday of June; Various locations.
More Info: http://www.artealdiaonline.com/

Salón Internacional del Automóvil - Car Showroom
For 10 days, La Rural is transformed into a huge car showroom. Carmakers from around the world bring their newest models and concepts.

June 17-28; La Rural; Address: 4201 Santa Fe Avenue.
More Info: http://www.elsalondelautomovil.com.ar/

Ciudad Cultural Konex "La Bomba del Tiempo"

Based in a former factory, this complex provids a gritty industrial back frop to a wide array of events, pulling in a young, bohemian crowd. It is the best known for Monday´s La Bomba del Tiempo, an improvisational percussion-bases musical show whose beats keep the crowd moving for hours. Directed by Santiago Vazquez, each show is unique and unpredictable as it depends on the interaction of all those involved in the ritual: the musicians, the director, the public, the venue, the acoustics, the instrument and the weather.

Every Monday night; Centro Cultural Konex: 3131 Sarmiento Street.
More Info: http://www.ciudadculturalkonex.org/

Visit the Palace of Justice in Buenos Aires New Tour!

Visit the Palace of Justice where the film "El Secreto de sus Ojos” was made.

A new tour dedicated for travellers and film fans. It has been organised in Buenos Aires City. Since August 13th, every Friday you can visit the "Palace of Justice", commonly called "Tribunales" (Courts) for free, which carried out the filming of the famous film "El Secreto de sus Ojos" ("The Secret of Their Eyes", directed by Juan Jose Campanella, winning of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Every fan and tourist can walk the halls in which they took out some of the scenes of the filming, while enjoying a unique architectural beauty.The Secret in Their Eyes is a 2009 Argentine crime thriller film, based on Eduardo Sacheri's novel La Pregunta de Sus Ojos (The Question in Their Eyes).

The film stars Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Javier Godino, Guillermo Francella and Pablo Rago. The film is a joint production of Argentine and Spanish companies.

Every Friday at 2:30 pm; Talcahuano 550
More information: tours@ideasturisticas.com

If you have any doubts or if you need any further information about these events or future events that will take place in Buenos Aires or Argentina, please don`t hesitate and send us an e mail.