Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Buenos Aires Encounter

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Just returned from 6 nights in Buenos Aires and found this book to be extremely valuable. It fit into my side pocket and had the various areas of the city described in the different sections of this book. A great map for each area with recommended sights, restaurants, etc. clearly noted. A description of each restaurant listed was a lifesaver. Had no problem finding great places to eat and drink and wonderful sights to see. Much more useful that a larger travel book.

Lonely Planet's "Buenos Aires Encounter" is a travel guide with a difference!

Rather than focusing on names and sight-seeing destinations; churches and museums; or restaurants and hotel, "Buenos Aires Encounter" describes a potential South American vacation in Argentina from an experiential point of view. Of course, your mileage may vary but this traveler believes that Lonely Planet has done a commendable job at putting together a primer on a top 10 to 15 listing of the most fun things to do in Buenos Aires. The guide, of course, then proceeds to tell you where to go, what to look for and how to ask for the right things to put together the Argentinian experience that best suits your particular style of vacationing.

In this most European of South American cities, "Buenos Aires Encounter" suggests there are lots of experiences screaming for your attention:

Learn to Tango, dance the tango, watch the tango or learn about tango;
Look for Evita Peron's grave at the Recoleta Cemetery;
Take in a raucous soccer match;
Max out your cholesterol count with the astonishingly decadent meat dishes;
Try the ubiquitous mate tea and bargain for a souvenir gourd
Succumb to the allure of an afternoon coffee and cake;
Discover the joy of contemporary Latin American art;
Take in Plaza de Mayo and discover that Argentinians protest at the drop of a sombrero;
Mull over a fine Mendoza Malbec; or
Simply indulge in people watching in the almost innumerable beautiful parks!

All of my friends (and most certainly my wife) will tell you that I eat WAY too much meat. "Buenos Aires Encounter" had certainly primed my palate for the Argentina beef experience:

"It's not just about the bife de lomo (tenderloin) in Argentina, beause here as much of the animal is used as possible. A parrilllada (mixed grill) is the litmus test to see if you really are a carnivore. Besides cuts of beef, it almost invariably includes delicacies such as chinchulines (intestines), morcilla (blood sausages) and chorizo (sausage), all washed down with a good glass of Malbec. Brilliant."

Lonely Planet's "Buenos Aires Encounter" focus is clearly on eclecticism and passion:

"Buenos Aires is Latin America's capital of cool. Bars, hotels, clubs and restaurants offer the sensory experience of a sophisticated European capital city, but here they're all served with a vibrant South American spin."

Put this guide into your suitcase together with a more traditional guide in the usual format and you're set for a wonderful holiday experience.

Paul Weiss

This little book with map proved to be most helpful for entertaining myself in BA. The information presented proved accurate and nicely arranged by neighborhood. I recommend it as a convenient carry-along miniguide.

I actually bought this for my brother and sister-in-law. I am familiar with Buenos Aires and they are visitign for the first time. I found the book to be true to the Lonely-Planet style and quality (which I like), and especially compact (they'll be able to walk around with the book in their back pocket). While I don't agree with some of the things they point out (for example, they say to avoid "Lavalle" at all costs, and I totally disagree), I think this book will certainly give the Bs.As. newb what they need to have a great vacation there.

We bought this book along with Frommer's Buenos Aires before our trip to Argentina. This book was a total waste of money! It was just awful! The information it offered was thin and useless. It included very few hotels, and was choc full of the authors political biases and views. We wanted a guide book, not a political treatise. Frommer's was far superior! Frommers gave very good travel information and much more extensive hotel and restaurant reviews. Save your money on this one. I wish I had.

We only had one night in Buenos Aires, so we carefully chose a nice restaurant and made sure to order our steaks "a punto", which according to this book means medium rare, only to have them arrive well done (the book got it wrong). Embarassing.