Chanel Features Buenos Aires

After all the buzz here in Buenos Aires last October about Claudia Schiffer being in town with Karl Lagerfeld to shoot the Spring 2010 Chanel campaign, we've finally seen the results! Well, partial results.... This March's Elle magazine features two new double-page spreads shot here in BA, sans Senora Schiffer - guess those ads are still to come. Supposedly influenced by Argentine gaucho culture, we also see strong hints of Mexican boleros and Spanish matadors.

The ads (at least the ones featured in Elle) were shot in the barrio of San Telmo, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods and home to the popular weekend fair. Specifically, the Chanel shot featuring "El Patio del Arbol" was taken in the picturesque "Pasaje de la Defensa," located at Defensa 1179. Here a 19th century residence now is home to galleries of antique dealers and souvenir stands, lining three ample patios - the "Patio del Tiempo" (Patio of Time), "Patio de los Ezeiza" (Patio of the Ezeiza, after the home's original owners) and, of course, the "Patio del Arbol" (Patio of the Tree).

Argentina Reciprocity Fee to Start December 20th

Breaking News -- We've just confirmed with the US Embassy that, as of December 20th, US citizens will be charged a reciprocity fee upon entering Argentina. The US$131 fee will be charged only on entries via Buenos Aires´s Ezeiza Airport, will be good for multiple entries, and valid for 10 years.

Argentina is not technically calling this a "visa fee" as there is no visa paperwork or application process to go through...though this is the same amount that the US charges Argentines for its visa process.

Australians will be charged US$100 for the 10-year, multiple entry pass, while Canadians receive just a one-time entry for US$70.

Forms of Payment: Travellers may pay by Argentine pesos, US dollars, credit cards, or travellers´cheques. If paying in pesos, the local exchange rate for US$131 will be used.

Please note that, for now, travellers will have NO access to ATMs or currency exchange desks before having to pay their reciprocity fee. Make sure that you have a way to pay!

The fee represents the implementation of a law passed back in 2008, but which had not been put into practice until now. Click here for the Argentine government announcement, released just this week.

Buenos Aires Jazz Festival, December 3-8

The Buenos Aires Jazz Festival opens tomorrow, December 3rd, showcasing more than 150 local and international artists. From big names to new talents, the music fest offers jazz in all its variations - instrumental, vanguardist, Latin American, European, tango jazz, and much more. Clinics, midnight jam sessions, Classic venues such as the Sarmiento Theater are complemented by open-air shows at the Centro Cultural Recoleta and the Buenos Aires Zoo, and speakeasy basement venues like the renowned La Trastienda.

We love the fact that ticket prices remain so accessible, costing between 10 to 40 pesos depending on the show. That's roughly US $3 to $12 to see top musicians perform!

For more information, contact the City of Buenos Aires or give us a ring here at Inspira.

Family Travel Tip, Buenos Aires

We've had the pleasure of arranging travel for various families recently, many with kids between the ages of 2 and 10. One of the parents' first questions is, what to do in a big city like Buenos Aires? Since the question must be foremost on travelling parents' minds, we thought we'd share some of our insider tips. Look for an upcoming "Top 10" list...but in the meantime, check out this video we recently posted on YouTube highlighting one of our fave places...the Museo de los Niños, or Children's Museum, in Buenos Aires. Hands down one of the best children's museums we've seen....

Argentina Among Best in the World

Conde Nast Traveler's "Best in the World" Readers' Choice Awards is out...and Argentina is among the favored.  The Four Seasons Buenos Aires made this year's Top 100 List, coming in at #97.  And, of course, Buenos Aires beat out nearly every city in the Americas, ranking second only to pristine Vancouver.  (Our capital was also voted Latin America's top city for Restaurants.)

When it comes to hotels, Argentina won by a wide berth.  Apparently, the hotel infrastructure is far-and-away tops across South America.  Of the region's Top 15, seven are in Argentina.  Six of the seven are actually in Buenos Aires - the Four Seasons, Alvear Palace, Bobo, Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt, Sofitel, and Home hotels.  The seventh is Mendoza's crown jewel, the centrally located Park Hyatt.

No slouching here!  Argentina continues to add new hotels of all sizes to its accommodation offerings...check out a selection on our home page or feel free to contact us at info@inspiratravel.com for even more info!

The Storming of Santa Rosa

We´ve gone from winter straight into summer here in Buenos Aires, with temperatures suddenly approaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 Farenheit!). It´s the annual preview to the Santa Rosa Storm, a meteorological event that seems to celebrate Santa Rosa´s religious holiday on August 30th. On Sunday, possibly Monday, we'll see southeastern winds pick up, perhaps some furious lightning displays, and a deluge of waters from the heavens above. Really made me wonder about this Saint Rose, who with such a pacific name is still able to command the elements such?

Apparently, Rosa was born in Lima, Peru and has an annual holiday in part because she was the first Catholic saint of the Americas. As a young lady, she fasted, disfigured herself when admired to ward off vanity, and took a vow of virginity - all this against her parents´wishes. Rosa became a champion for the hungry and homeless, supporting them with the sales of her handiwork and tending to them, before becoming a member of the Dominican order at the ripe age of 20, and finally passing away at 31.

Saintly, indeed.... Yet, in addition to this tranquil existence, Rose was known for her "intervals of ecstasy". (Today, this would describe her as any other club-hopping 20-something; at the time, one can only suppose that these intervals were totally "organic.") I can only imagine that her annual storm might be the manifestation of another such ecstatic episode!

In addition to being the patron saint of the Americas, she also represents florists and gardeners...and as August 30th marks the beginning of spring here in Argentina, she certainly has an apt following!

For those of you travelling to Argentina post-Santa Rosa, pack for spring! Temperate climes, sunny days, and the lovely lavender of blooming jacarandas will shortly be visiting beautiful Buenos Aires.

Inspira Insiders Contest: Complete Contest Rules

Yes, yes, we do have to have rules....  They may look like a lot, but we assure you, they're quite straightforward!

Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

1. Enter the Inspira Insiders contest by sending an email with your insider tip on exploring Buenos Aires to insiders@inspiratravel.com.  Your email should also include your full name.  By providing your e-mail address, you grant Inspira Travel (Sponsor) the right to send you commercial messages, unless specified otherwise as indicated on the entry form.  By providing your tip, you also grant Inspira Travel the right to use your tip in its commercial and promotional activities without compensation.  We respect your privacy and will not share your information with any third parties.

2. Entries that are lost, late, misdirected, garbled, or incompletely received, for any reason, including by reason of hardware, software, browser, or network failure, malfunction, congestion, or incompatibility at Sponsor´s servers or elsewhere, will not be eligible. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Web site. 

3. Up to three insider tips will be registered per entrant for the drawing. Contestants who have one registered insider tip at the end of the contest period (on or before September 15, 2009) will have one entry in the prize drawings; contestants providing a total of two insider tips will have two; and so on.  The tips may be provided in one email or in separate emails.  Tips must be provided in either Spanish or English.

In the event of a dispute as to any Submission, the authorized account holder, at time of entry, of the email address used to register for the Contest will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these Official Rules. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.

4.  Contest winners will be chosen, on or after the first day of the following month. The potential winner will be notified by phone or e-mail. If the potential winner cannot be contacted within 14 days of attempted notification, an alternate winner may be chosen. All decisions by the judges are final.

5. The Grand Prize winner will receive two nights at Casa Calma wellness hotel in Buenos Aires, for self and a companion.  Breakfast and hotel taxes are included.  Transportation, additional meals, in-room charges (e.g., minibar, movies), telephone calls, gratuities, incidentals, and all other expenses are not included. Prize elements subject to availability, certain restrictions, and blackout dates. Scheduling must be made through Inspira Travel, and is subject to availability and blackout dates.   Accommodations are on a double-occupancy basis. Travel must be completed within 10 months of notification of the winner. No substitutions for the First Prize will be allowed except by Inspira Travel, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. The retail value of the First Prize is approximately US$600, depending on exact travel dates.  Invitation to the Fernet tasting will be for a set date, to be determined and communicated in advance by the organizers, and will take place in Buenos Aires.  The Boutique Shopping Tour will be booked via Inspira Travel on available dates as noted by the tour organizer.  Prizes are non-transferable.

6. Income and other taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winners. Prizes are not transferable.

7. The contest is open to all participants who are 21 years of age or older as of the date of entry, except for employees of Inspira Travel, participating promotional agencies, providers, and the families of any of the above.

8. Odds of winning depend on the number of correct entries received.

9. All entries become the sole property of Inspira Travel and will not be acknowledged or returned.

10. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use the winners' (and the Grand Prize traveling companion's) names and likenesses for editorial, advertising, and publicity purposes without further compensation (except where prohibited).

11. Contestants, by entering the Inspira Insiders contest, agree to be bound by the above rules and regulations. 

Inspira Insiders Contest - Tips on Tips

Looking for a little more direction on your entry? Here are some "good to know"s that may just give you an edge....  Buena suerte!

• Judges will be looking for entries that are aligned with the Inspira Travel philosophy of engaging travellers with the people and places of the destinations that await them.  Please feel free to check out our website to learn more about us!

• Tips can be on just about anything, and do not need to cost money. The more unique and engaging, the better. Some areas you may want to consider (though this is by no means a complete list) may include:  romantic Buenos Aires, eco-friendly activities, eating out, family-friendly, free, cultural, day trips from Buenos Aires, active, getting around, and shopping.

•  Don’t forget to let us know why you think the place/event/experience you are recommending is so fantastic.  For example, if you think that La Bomba del Tiempo at the Ciudad Cultural Konex is, well, the bomb, let us know why – is it the low price, the multi-cultural crowd, the best drumbeats around, your favorite thing to do on Monday nights, all of the above?  Be specific, incorporate your personal insight, and provide a vivid description.

Inspira Insiders Contest - Prizes!

The team at Inspira Travel is delighted to feature some of our top partners in Buenos Aires, and a menu of prizes intended to soothe, scintillate and even satiate the senses!

• Our Grand Prize winner will receive a two-night stay for self and a companion, including breakfast, at the renowned boutique hotel Casa Calma.  This wellness hotel is Buenos Aires’s first, with each individual room conceived as a mini-spa center, featuring a Jacuzzi, Scottish shower, organic amenities, and more.  Guests love the way that the rooms´ plasma TVs and iPod ports complement the natural surroundings with top technology, and rave about the hotel´s restaurant, featuring the freshest of natural ingredients.

• The First Prize is a Fashion Tour by Buenos Aires Boutique Tours, for winner and a guest.  These customized tours through Palermo or Recoleta are tailored to match the traveller’s style and shopping interests.  Handmade shoes, silverware, jewellery, textiles, leather goods, and more make Buenos Aires a shopping paradise…and the “in the know” retailers featured on these tours bring the best quality, service and design to participants.  Every tour includes coffee, lunch, and a glass of wine as well as an exclusive shopping tote filled with an area map, VIP discount card, and more. 

• Three entrants will each receive a bottle of the new Fernet 1882 , the first fernet made in Argentina (and 100% Cordobes, at that!) and an invitation to our exclusive Fernet tasting.

• 12 contest entrants will receive an exclusive invitation for self and a guest to an private tasting of Fernet 1882 with picada. 

• Four participants will each receive a large jar of the dulce de leche La Salamandra – natural, delicious, and Argentine.

Entries will be reviewed by representatives of Inspira Travel.  Judges´decisions are final. Visit our blog entry on “Contest Rules” for all contest rules and details.