Holiday Hotspot: Buenos Aires Argentina

Buenos Aires Argentina 

A dizzying mix of Europe and Latin America, colonial and contemporary, laid-back and fast-paced, Buenos Aires has a buzz all its own. Weekenders come to the restored Puerto Madero to stroll across the Santiago Calatrava–designed Puente de la Mujer Bridge and dine at upscale restaurants. Nearby the avant garde Hotel Madero run by Sofitel and designed by Philippe Starck is the place to be seen!

Expect a great mix of attentive service with cutting edge design. Rooms feature flat-screen satellite TVs and scenic port city views, while other hotel amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and gym. It's convenient location, just 20 minutes from the Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport and 40 minutes from Ezeiza International Airport, make it a traveler favourite. 

Hotel Madero Buenos Aires Argentina 

Buenos Aires is a city where attention to detail counts. You'll notice it while watching beautiful people strutting through Recoleta and along the streets of neo-classical architecture in the downtown area. Algodon Mansion is a great example of this detail. Inside the landmark building, expect discreet luxury rather than glitz. A simple door to the outside world leads into a restored mansion with 10 luxury suites, 24-hour butler service and a menu that goes beyond all expectations. The focus is on Argentine French fusion cuisine with all wines including their own Malbec from their own wine estate in Mendoza.Algodon is the first and only Relais & Châteaux hotel & restaurant in Buenos Aires, www.relaischateaux.com.

Closed-door restaurants are also popular with menus changing weekly or even daily depending on the whims of the chef. Leading the way is "I-Latina" which sources fresh flavours and aromas of the Colombian Caribbean for its five-course degustation menu nightly. Located in a beautiful old mansion with art deco stained glass in Almagro this family run affair focus on seasonal ingredients perfectly pairing flavourful dishes with first-class Argentinean wine. The result is something more intimate and social than a regular eatery. www.ilatinabuenosaires.com Argentina's capital is synonymous with tango with various options in San Telmo. If you want to see a glamorous show with good food head for La Ventana www.laventanaweb.com A great way to get acquainted with this magnetic city is to take a bus or walking tour highlighting the major neighbourhoods and attractions.

Among the points of interest you must see are Main Square Plaza deBuenos Aires Argentina  Mayo surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Presidential Headquarters Office), the Cabildo (Colonial Town Hall) and the Cathedral. On the Avenida 9 de Julio, near the Obelisco, is the enormous Teatro Colón, one of the world's grandest opera houses. Built in the era of Puccini, between 1890 and 1908, it occupies an entire city block. Museo Nacional De Bellas Artes, the National Fine Arts Museum, is perhaps the premier institution of its type in South America. The palace has a noteworthy glass cupola that softly lights the vast lobby and expect regular temporary exhibitions of national and international modern art. Air France operate a daily service from Paris to Buenos Aires via Dublin with numerous airlines providing onward connections to Salta.

Nuevo Mundo an Irish based travel agent specialising in South America.provide a personal service and organise every element of your trip including all internal flights. The experience includes private airport transfers in each destination, airport assistance and guides who can accompany you to your check-in to ensure you get on board your flight with the minimum of hassle. 

Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster in Northern Ireland. Find out more here.