BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 9

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Palermo, which is so big it has numerous sub-areas known as Palermo Hollywood, SOHO, Chico and Viejo.

Palermo is where the cool people dine, drink and design.

The eclectic portions of Palermo have lots of cutting edge fashion boutiques, low key outdoor cafes and high energy bars and nightclubs.

Because of its international popularity, Palermo has more menus in English and more service workers versed in “Ingles” than other parts of the central city.

There also are large, peaceful urban parks and four restaurants on every corner.

A great gastronomic day in Palermo includes breakfasting al fresco in the interior courtyard of Home (a small boutique hotel that has a well-ramped entrance and features barrier-free guest rooms), lunching and dining late night at La Baita (dreamy décor and flawless homemade pasta.)

TOMORROW: Buenos Aires’ urban core – from La Boca to Barrio Norte to Belgrano

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS -- PART 8

BUENOS AIRES BARRIER-FREE BARGAINS

By Steve Wright

Avenida de Mayo stretches west from Casa Rosada to the second most important government building, the Congreso – modeled after the domed U.S. Congress.

Plaza Congreso, the best public green space in all of BA, is the location of Hotel Ibis.

Ibis serves wheelers with low rates, multiple accessible rooms, two spacious elevators and an efficient lobby café.

Mayo’s leafy blocks are populated by European-influenced Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau confections such as the Gallic-styled, statue-topped La Prensa building, the towering Dante’s Inferno-inspired Palacio Barolo.

Fabled Café Tortoni is 150 years old, fully accessible and drenched in enough atmosphere and history to justify its pricey coffees, pastries and sandwiches.

Back on the streets, you will note that BA’s sidewalks have the good (a 21st century initiative to install lots of curbcuts in a city that never had them), the bad (the economic crisis has resulted in lots of broken concrete and loose pavers – but none too burdensome to traverse) and the ugly (Portenos let their dogs poop everywhere. With so much beauty to look up at, you will neglect to look down and will roll through a pooch plop – it happens to everybody).

TOMORROW: Palermo