From August 13-31^st, the Dance World Championship and the Festival de Tango offer thrilling performances, exhibitions, classes, concerts, films, vintage radio shows, and just about everything else related to that sizzling and sensual dance, the tango – and many of the events are free.

Participating theaters include the 25 de Mayo, the Alvear, the De la Ribera, the Coliseo, the Luna Park, La Trastienda, the Recoleta Cultural Center, the Planetarium, and the Punto de Encuentro on Bartolome Mitre Street. Tickets are free and you can pick up one or two at the Casa de la Cultura on Avenida de Mayo.

Featured concerts and musicians include Rubén Blades and the Leopoldo Federico orchestra, set to play salsa on August 30 in Luna Park, plus Horacio Salgan and the Real Quintet.

Milongas, or ballrooms, all around the city will host couples eager to dance their way to the championship in the Tango Capital of the world. Between August 6-16, qualifying couples who make it through 10 rounds will make their way into the semifinals, to be held August 19-20. The winning round will be held on the 22 at Teatro del Colegio San Jose.

If you are planning a Buenos Aires tour after August, you are sure to find Porteñas and tango houses bustling with pairs of passionate dancers. The Esquina Carlos Gardel is an especially popular tango house located in the barrio of Abasto, where the famous singer Carlos Gardel spent much of his life. During a delicious Argentine dinner, you can watch tango dancers performing the dazzling dance.

Buenos Aires, the city that never sleeps

After breakfast in your Buenos Aires hotel you should head out to explore this huge city.

For a first time visitor, Buenos Aires can be overwhelming, as the city is packed with hundreds of excellent restaurants, dozens of museums, art galleries, and on-going exhibitions.

You should start by making your way to Plaza Mayo, which is where Casa Rosada and the Central Cathedral is located, and was the famous place where Eva Peron spoke to crowds before her death.

From Plaza Mayo you can head up Av. Diagonal Norte to Plaza de la Republic, which is graced by the grand Obelisk. Av. 9 de Julio, the largest avenue in the world, cuts through the heart of Buenos Aires.

By this time, you’re probably thinking about lunch. Nearly every street corner in Buenos Aires has a gourmet restaurant. If you walk up Av. Honduras towards Palermo Hollywood you will find plenty of terrific restaurants. Plaza Serrano, which is at Av. Serrano and Av. Honduras in Palermo, is a nice place to find somewhere to eat.

The trendy Palermo district is split in two by train tracks. The SoHo side is home to Buenos Aires’s young middle class. In Palermo Hollywood are Argentina’s movie and TV studios, as well as a number of smaller cafes and bars. Venturing over the train tracks is definitely recommended.

After lunch spend some time exploring the streets before you head off to the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA)? on Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta. The museum houses an interesting collection of modern as well as pre-Columbian art.

Nearby is the Museo Evita (Av. Lafinur 2988) which is dedicated to the life of Eva Peron, who was immortalized in the movie Evita and was played by Madonna. The film shows what Argentina achieved in the post-war period to tackle poverty, fight inequality, and improve education, as well as the horrible story about what happened to the body of Eva after her death.

A short walk up the street with take you to Plaza Italia which is next to the Buenos Aires Zoo, which is open till late, especially in the summer months. You can spend time meandering the expansive park.

If you are looking to spend the night like a typical porteño, going out late and dancing you should head to Av. Cornel Niceto Vega and Av. Humbolt. Vega Avenue is lined with chic clubs open all night long. Av. Humbolt has a number of restaurants, a cinema, and a British/style pub.

If you happen to wake early after a late night out in the city and it is a Sunday morning, you should make your way to the street market in San Telmo (Av. Defensa) where they sell a range of market goods, food, and what San Telmo is famous for, antiques.

The area of San Telmo is very artsy, with the main plaza in San Telmo having tango and dance shows put on by locals every week. The plaza is also a good place to find something to eat and a small bar to listen to some live jazz.

After exploring the streets around San Telmo, you should make your way over to the residential area of Recoleta.

Recoleta is home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the resting place of the Argentine high society. Some of the graves are more like monuments and it is worth having a look around.

From the cemetery you can walk to the nearby chapel and then down to the Recoleta Design Center which is more like a mall, selling the very latest in fashions from Argentina and the world.

There are some great lunch spots around here, just see what you can find. But for a quick lunch, you can pick up an Argentine empanada, a meat-filled sandwich available on nearly every street corner for only a few pesos.

You can then walk down to the Museo Nacional de Bella Artes (Av. Libertador), the museum of fine arts in Buenos Aires.

No trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without exploring the stuff that runs through the blood of every Argentine – a passion for soccer.

When the Boca Juniors play in La Bombadero stadium, the city stops and everyone’s attention centers on the game. The stadium, located in the district of La Boca, also has a museum that tells the history of the team and its famous Buenos Aires players.

You can then head down the waterfront in La Boca to see the colorful houses that line the streets. La Boca is a typical ‘working class’ area of Buenos Aires and was home to waves of early immigrants to the city, a very interesting place.

Some final places to make sure you visit if you somehow find the time is the new Puerto Madero development, the newest part of the city, which backs onto the banks of the river and the Buenos Aires ecological reserve.

Also you should visit the area around Retiro station, with the grand clock tower ‘Torre de los Ingleses’ which contrary to recent Argentine British relations, was donated by the British government to commemorate the Argentine May Independence revolution and the closeness between the two nations at the start of the 20^th century.

Buenos Aires is a huge city that even residents have not fully explored. 48 hours is not enough to see it all, but you can always try!

Now, many of the estancias near El Calafate offer room, board, and activities like horseback riding and sheep shearing demonstrations, giving visitors a taste of the rugged and beautiful way of life in southern Patagonia.

From El Calafate, the trekker’s town accessible by airport or by bus, there are several estancias within a half or full day trip, and all are worthy of inclusion in your next Argentina El Calafate tour. Keep in mind that the best time to travel to Southern Argentina is October through April.

The views of glaciers, lakes, and mountains around El Calafate are breathtaking.

Estancia Cristina, only accessible by boat or a several day trek, is one of the most isolated estancias in the region, but it is also one of the best. From El Calafate, you catch a boat cruise at Puerto Banderas on Lago Argentino, and head north towards the Upsala Glacier, passing icebergs that glow several shades of blue.

Once you arrive at the 85,000 acre ranch, its beauty astounds. Set on a meadow that glows green in the spring and summer, against the backdrop of the looming Upsala Glacier, the green-and-white trimmed lodge will lure you to book another night on the spot.

The ranch, in operation since 1914, once belonged to an Englishman. Now it offers room, board, a full Patagonian lunch to day trippers, plus guided walks or horseback riding to the Upsala Glacier lookout point. After a day of exploring the ranch, you can return in the boat cruise to Puerto Banderas, or tuck into bed in your rustic cabin.

The Galpón del Glaciar estancia is the closest to El Calafate. Only 12 miles from town, it is a working ranch where traditional sheep shearing methods are practiced. If you arrive by lunchtime, you will be treated to delicious homemade scones, puddings, and baked goods.

You can choose to take a walking tour to the Native American camping grounds, go mountain biking or bird watching along Los Pájaros Lagoon, or watch Kelpis shepherding dogs hard at work at the arreo, the sheep round up before the sheep shearing demonstration.

In the evening, you can end your excursion with a delicious Patagonian lamb barbecue and watch a traditional folk dance. If you choose to spend the night here, you can book a room with a terrific view of the Cordillera de los Andes or the Lago Argentino.

Read about our other recommended El Calafate estancias in our El Calafate Tours.

In May 1810, Argentina’s independence movement began, culminating on the 25^th of May with the government of Rio de Plate (what is now Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia) creating its own government, separate to the one of the Spanish king, yet still loyal to the crown.

The center of celebrations for May Revolution Week will be on Avienda 9 de Julio

As news of this spread, similar home rule governments sprouted up. The Spanish king, weakened by the Napoleonic invasion, was unable to quell colonial ambitions. In the spirit of Enlightenment thought, many Spanish colonies successfully asserted their independence.

Cities around the country are preparing to host free live music concerts, parades, and shows. Tonight in Buenos Aires, a parade will kick-off the celebrations at 8pm. The parade will weave through the center of the city, passing the central obelisk and a concert stage on Avienda 9 de Julio. Other events will start at 8pm throughout the city.

On Saturday at 12pm, the military will celebrate the occasion with the “desfilódromo” parade, marching between the obelisk and Avienda Belgrano. Over

3000 soldiers in their historical Argentine military uniforms will accompany the Argentina Air Force and the cavalry.

Along the grand Avienda 9 de Julio will be stalls and markets for people to taste Argentinian cuisine typical of Buenos Aires as well as other regions.

Each day of festivities will have a musical theme. Rock music starts things off today, Saturday will be Latin music, Sunday will be folk and tango, and Monday will have performances from the National Symphony Orchestra. The festivities culminate on Tuesday, the 25^th, with a performance by the famous Argentinean musician Fito Paez.

The key events fall on the final day, with a range of political and religious events to take place in the Casa Rosada in Plaza Mayor, in the heart of the city. While you’re in the city, check out the great Buenos Aires museums, and make sure to tango. If you’re wondering where to stay in town, we’ve got you covered with a list of Buenos Aires hotels.

Whatever you decide to do, do it in typical Argentine style: stay out late and dance!

Local and international divers launch daily into the sub-aquatic park to explore the several shipwrecks, reefs, and rocky bars where thousands of species of sea flora and fauna flourish.

One of Puerto Madryn's Underwater Residents, Argentina

During this full immersion experience, expect to feast your eyes on sea lions, chitons, spider crabs and tractor bank mussels, sea cucumbers and anemones.

But you don´t have to be a diving expert to take to the waters. In fact, you don´t even need to know how to swim. Scuba diving guppies can take a “baptism,” an hour-long class that gives an introduction to diving gear, diving practices, the layout of the marine park, and a safety briefing, before letting beginners take the plunge.

For beginners, the best place to start exploring is the Punta Cuevas bar, a rocky formation 200 meters offshore that houses an incredible amount of marine life. The gentle, protected waters, roughly 100 meters offshore, allow for terrific visibility. Accompanied by experts, divers go around 10 meters deep. From this depth, you can play with the sea lions, touch the shy sea anemones, and examine the varied types of cocheros mussel, turcos, and crabs.

Once you get more practiced – although don’t expect to become an expert on your first day! – you can aim for the Parque Viejo, which was built around the famous Antarctic pioneer, Ernest Shakleton’s, ships from his Antarctica expedition at the turn of the century. Or there’s the Madryn Chest, a treasure trove of messages left by the Puerto Madryn community that isn’t to be opened until 2100, plus a plastic guestbook for visiting divers to sign.

If you’re still not convinced that scuba diving is for you, Puerto Madryn itself is worth the trip. You can do plenty of whale watching from the beach, especially from Playa El Doradillo, in the summer months. You can take a mountain bike trek around the chalky cliffs, tour the Peninsula Valdes wildlife sanctuary, or go windsurfing along the crystal shores of Golfo Nuevo. The city also boasts all the things you would expect such as great restaurants, chic hotels and local attractions.

Interestingly the city also has a rich Welsh heritage, a legacy of waves of immigration that left Europe in the 19^th century which has left the Welsh language and traditional cream teas a common sight on the streets of this Patagonian city.

The town is easily accessible from Buenos Aires and other Patagonia destinations such as Bariloche. Puerto Madryn is known as the gateway to the Valdez Peninsula, an area rich in aquatic wildlife and natural beauty. You can take boat tours from Madryn or go by bus up the peninsula.

Visitors from the US, Canada and Australia must pay a new fee before they can enjoy the streets of BA

This is a recent announcement and it remains unclear exactly when the fee will be implemented. However according to the announcement from the Argentine authorities, the fee will be officially phased in from 1 January 2010, can be paid in Argentine pesos, USD$ or credit cards.

For the time being, the fee will only be collected in Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza airport, although this is likely to change to cover all entry points in the future.

The precise amount of the fee varies according to nationality, and what Argentines are currently charged to enter each country. The authorities have already pointed out that the fee is liable to change, depending on modifications to entrance requirements by the other nations.

As it currently stands, the fees are:

Citizens of the United States: USD$131

Citizens of Australia: USD$100

Citizens of Canada: USD$70

It is important to note that this fee is not considered a visa, and citizens of these nations are still eligible to enter Argentina using their passport alone. The fee is not currently payable in your home country, and must be made upon arrival to Argentina.

Further information is available in English from the Argentine immigration department website: http://www.migraciones.gov.ar

La Noche de los Museos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

A growing phenomenon, Museum Night is celebrated around the world, with many hundreds of museums taking part and throwing open their doors for an evening of excitement, with a healthy dose of educational fun thrown in for good measure.

And Argentina is one of the leading participants, where La Noche de los Museos, sees virtually all of Buenos Aires’ museums, cultural centers and other art spaces – well over one hundred in total – taking part in this innovative event.

2009 will be the 6^th annual Museum Night, which will be held on November 14. Buenos Aires’ museums will remain open until the small hours of the morning – around 2am, and will be hosting a number of unique special events, aimed at broadening interest in art and culture to a wider and more inclusive audience.

Activities and performances include film & cinema, theatre, music, dance, art displays, talks, workshops & conferences. Participating museums are spread right across the city, in dozens of neighborhoods, as part of the effort to include as many people as possible.

Some of the many institutions taking part include the Centro Cultural Recoleta (Calle Junin 1790), a museum and gallery of local art located near the city’s famous Recoleta cemetery, the Museo de Bellas Artes (Av del Libertador), the national gallery of fine art from Argentina and beyond, and the Planetario de la Ciudad Buenos Aires (Ave Sarmiento/Figueroa Alcorta), the city’s planetarium.

The full list of participating museums is available at: http://www.lanochedelosmuseos.com.ar

The night has been so successful that many other Argentine cities have started to copy the tradition, holding their own Museum Night on the same day. However, by far the most options will be found in the capital, making it a worthwhile stop during your Argentina vacations.

Dancing the Tango. A common sight in Buenos Aires, Argentina. But who invented it?

The characteristic music steeped in nostalgia, lust and betrayal and its corresponding sensually aggressive dance steps were recently given protected status, along with several other nations’ cultural treasures.

The mention of tango usually conjures up images of somewhat frenetic and costumed partners whirling, kicking and lunging across the dance floor in a dramatically passionate embrace. This is known as show tango, and can be witnessed in both countries in a multitude of hotels, restaurants and bars specially catering to the curious visitor.

But the original tango, danced in milongas – traditional tango dance halls – is far less frenzied, waltz-like, and enjoyed by everyday folk both young and old.

Up until very recently both Argentina and Uruguay have vied to be recognized as the birthplace of this sultry dance. Argentineans claimed it emerged from the working class, inner-city slums of Buenos Aires, while Uruguayan nationals swore the dance was invented on their side of the River Plate, in Montevideo, by immigrants.

Whichever the case, it is safe to say that this blend of Spanish, African and central European rhythm and its associated dance evolved within the bordellos and slums of the port neighborhoods in and between Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the mid 19^th century.

As often happens with subculture art, tango was eventually taken up enthusiastically by the middle and upper class in both countries and around the world, and by 1913 the wildly popular dance was found in elegant dance houses, no longer confined to the shadier sides of town.

Carlos Gardel, a classic Tango singer

Around this time folk singer Carlos Gardel recorded his famous first tango song, Mi Noche Triste, and cemented the now common association of tango with feelings of tragic love, as revealed in the lyrics.

Recently, with the possibility of safeguarding the traditions of tango against change or falling into obscurity, the two countries have learned, quite poetically, it takes two to tango. Recognizing their common cause, the nations cast aside their differences in favor of a united bid to UNESCO.

“While it’s good that tango is spreading around the world, alterations invariably begin to creep in. There are certain original elements that need to be preserved,” as Eduardo León Duter, director of culture for Montevideo’s city government, explains. “Obtaining UNESCO status implies a determination by both countries to implement preservation policies, such as training, diffusion and cataloguing.” On their unified front for the bid, “The dominant factor is that tango is something we share.”

Now that the passionate dance has been granted this protected cultural status by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee of Intangible Heritage, both countries are eligible to apply for financial assistance from a special UN fund for safeguarding cultural traditions. It also means both governments will be able to justify using public funds to help promote and preserve one of their most famous exports.

Catch The Tango During Your Argentina Vacations

Travelers to the region have long since been taken by the tango. The pedestrian-only street of Caminito in the multi-colored La Boca district of Buenos Aires is famous for featuring spontaneous tango demonstrations along its stone walkway. Here, visitors can stand back and admire the dancers, pose for a picture with them, and purchase tango-related memorabilia, along with wonderful pieces of art by Boca resident Benito Quinquela Martín who spent years repainting the street’s houses in the vivid colors that they are now known for.

There are also numerous authentic restaurants and bars throughout the city, usually tucked into non-assuming venues that betray the sultry glamour of what goes on inside them.

Bar de Roberto, on the corner of Bulnes and Peron in Almagro is frequented by seasoned aficionados and hosts impromptu gigs by guitarists and singers on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays after midnight.

At out-of-the-way bar/restaurant called Bar El Chino (Telf: +54 11 4911 0215, Beazley 3566, Nueva Pompeya), heavily made-up divas strut their stuff as you dine on delicious Argentine steak.

One of Buenos Aires’ most attractive cafes, the historical Cafe Tortoni (Telf: +54 11 4342 4328, Avenida de Mayo 829, Centro) comes alive with excellent shows of singers and bands on most weekends.

Dabble in wine tasting while you admire tango and other music style gigs at the Club del Vino (Telf: +51 11 4833 0048, Cabrera 4737, Palermo Viejo), where the quintet led by maestro Horacio Salgan also performs on Fridays.

Travelers not content to simply sit back and watch can strap on their dancing shoes and head to one of the many milongas, or tango dance halls, for lessons. Don’t let the dingy exterior of San Telmo’s Centro Cultural Torcuato Tasso (Telf: +51 11 4307 6506, Defensa 1575) deceive you;  – fantastic dancing takes place here almost every night and gigs range from old-style orchestras to Daniel Melingo and his quartet.

If searching for a slightly hipper alternative, La Catedral (Telf: +54 11 15 5325 1630, Sarmiento 4006, Almagro) is ideal for dancers of all levels, and host Omar Viola is a tango maestro.

Finally for those on a tight schedule, consider booking an evening Tango dinner and dance excursion with a good Argentina tours operator.

Whether you’re looking to admire from a distance or personally partake in the experience, almost countless opportunities exist to enjoy tango during your Argentina vacations. And thanks to the joint effort by neighboring countries Argentina and Uruguay, and the subsequent protected status bestowed by UNECO, visitors to the area will be able to find this dance in its most authentic form for many years to come.