Escape the city

With the jacarandas flowering and the temperatures rising, it finally feels as if spring has sprung in the city, albeit 2 months too late! With summer just around the corner and the heat already becoming unbearable for the faint-hearted amongst us, here are some ideas for a quick get away from the city, a chance to experience some tranquility, breathe some fresh air and experience some slightly cooler temperatures away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Colonia, Uruguay

A mere hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires, Colonia is charming for a day trip from the city. Not only is it an ideal opportunity to renew your visa and pick up some dollars, a day in Colonia offers stressed out city dwellers a perfect opportunity to chill out and do, well, nothing. Colonia is a small town and it’s pretty and peaceful. One can walk along the cobbled stone streets, rent a golf car and ride around or spend the afternoon having a long lunch at one of the town’s restaurants. All seeming too much? The quaint Plaza Mayor is the perfect spot to people watch or laze around reading that novel you never got round to reading in the city. A day is the perfect amount of time to spend wandering around Colonia so book your ferry back that evening and enjoy the tranquil ride back across the river…

Tigre

Tigre is small town, an hour’s train ride north of the city centre. Easily accessible and perfect for a summer’s day, Tigre offers visitors a spot of tranquility in a beautiful setting next to the river. Tigre is situated on the river delta meaning that there are ample opportunities to spend the day on the water. Many visitors opt for a boat ride to one of the many islands; a perfect afternoon can be spent exploring and walking round the island and enjoying a meal. For the more adventurous amongst us, renting a kayak allows for some real exploration and a waters-eye view of the lush scenery. For the thrill-seekers Tigre also has a small amusement park! So, hop on a train and enjoy a relaxed day chilling out by the river!

An Estancia

An enjoyable and unique weekend get away from Buenos Aires is to go and stay at an Estancia. Learn how to play polo and ride horses with instruction from real gauchos. Have a classic Argentinean asado cooked for you and gorge on all the fresh meat and get some proper rest & relaxation chilling out in el campo. An ideal opportunity to get away from it all, a stay on an estancia is a real treat and an experience you are bound to remember for years. The estancias tend to be a couple of hours away from the city so keep a weekend free for the experience

Peru Beach

A 30 minute train ride from Retiro brings you to Acassuso, a peaceful suburb with a handful of great restaurants and a pleasant river-side setting. Acassuso is also home to Peru Beach, a restaurant/water sport centre/outside space. Situated in front of the river, Peru Beach is perfect for lazing an afternoon away. Grab some lunch and then sit out front on the grass with some mate, or a cerveza and watch the kitesurfers and windsurfers do their thing! The weekends are most busy, however this only contributes to the wonderful atmosphere!