Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires
Morning:
Arrive in Buenos Aires and meet your Zoni Tour Manager at the hotel for luggage drop-off.
Start your exploration of Buenos Aires with a guided walking tour of the city center. This tour will introduce students to the bustling streets, historic architecture, and vibrant atmosphere of the city.
Visit Avenida 9 de Julio, known as the widest avenue in the world, and visit the obelisk as traffic zips by.
Explore the Metropolitan Cathedral, where you can view the final resting place of General José de San Martín, one of Argentina’s founding fathers. This is the church where Pope Francis served as archbishop for 15 years before leaving for Rome.
Afternoon:
Enjoy a delicious Argentine lunch on your own.
Continue the tour with a stop at the Plaza de Mayo, where so many historical events have taken place. You can see the headscarves that represent the famed Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo who marched to demand the return of their children during the Dirty War period and learn more about what has happened here over the decades.
View the Casa Rosada the stunning pink building that serves as the center Argentina’s government.
Visit Teatro Colón, one of National Geographic's top ten opera houses and explore its grandeur during a guided tour.
Evening:
Enjoy a traditional Argentine welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Return to your hotel to rest after an action-packed day.
Day 2: La Boca and Tango
Morning:
Have breakfast at your hotel to energize yourself for the day.
Head out to the MARCO, or the Museum of Contemporary Art. This relatively new museum provides studios and exhibition space for contemporary artists and has a permanent collection of over 800 pieces.
Continue to one of the most artistic parts of the city, the colorful La Boca neighborhood. Take a guided walking tour and stroll along the vibrant streets, known for their iconic multi-colored houses, street art, and cultural charm. The nearby port is where many immigrants disembarked in Argentina and the neighborhood continues to have a vibrant, multicultural vibe.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch in La Boca at your own expense.
Argentina is perhaps best known for its captivating tango culture. This dance, a fusion of African and European rhythms, is everywhere in Buenos Aires, but it developed here in La Boca. Immerse yourself in the world of tango with a dance lesson and see just how intricate and beautiful it really is.
Take some free time to explore and shop in the area, taking in the sights and sounds of this neighborhood.
Evening:
Eat dinner at a local restaurant with live tango music and dance performances.
Return to your hotel to rest after an exciting day of exploration and dance.
Day 3: Cultural Immersion and Argentine History
Morning:
Breakfast at the hotel
Participate in a traditional Argentine mate-drinking session, a symbol of Argentine culture and hospitality. Learn about the customs and rituals associated with this iconic beverage.
Engage in more cultural exploration by visiting El Monumental, home of the famous River Plate soccer team. You'll enjoy a visit to the museum to learn about the history of this fútbol club and then take a tour of the stadium to experience a bit of what fans and players live through in this place where soccer dreams come true.
Afternoon:
Have lunch on your own at a local restaurant
Head to the Museo Sitio de Memoria ESMA. This museum, dedicated to the memory of the disappeared, tells the story of the Argentine Dirty War. Between 1976 and 1983, Argentina was ruled by a military dictatorship that systematically kidnapped and executed dissenters. Here you will interact with the stories of survivors of the government kidnappings and see objects and artifacts shared by them and the families of those who disappeared. This site is a former secret prison and concentration camp where nearly 5000 people were illegally detained and now serves a reminder to never again let silence win.
Take some time near the museum to debrief and answer questions that might have come up during the tour. Learn about the country's difficult history and remember the importance of facing hard truths and seeking a more inclusive society.
Evening:
Enjoy a group dinner at a local eatery with more time for debriefing as necessary.
Return to your hotel and prepare for the next day.
Day 4: Art and Culture in Buenos Aires
Morning:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Explore the historic Recoleta Cemetery, where you can find the graves of notable figures, from actors to Nobel Prize winners, and perhaps most famously, Eva Perón, former first lady of Argentina whose life inspired the musical Evita.
Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes to appreciate Argentina's fine arts heritage. With over 100 years of history and more than 12,000 pieces, there's something for everyone here.
Take a walk through Plaza Francia and the surrounding park enjoying the fresh air and the monuments scattered around the grounds.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch on your own at a nearby restaurant.
Visit the MALBA (Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires), home to an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. Explore works by renowned Latin American artists and gain insights into the region’s artistic heritage. With works by artists from the Caribbean to South America, you can see the similarities in themes and the unique perspectives of each culture.
Relax and shop for souvenirs at either Alcorta Shopping Mall or Alto Palermo Shopping Mall.
Evening:
Savor authentic Argentine food at a local restaurant.
Attend a cultural performance at one of the city's many theaters taking in the unique beauty of Argentine culture.
Return to your hotel for the night.
Day 5: Tigre Delta Day Trip
Morning:
Start with breakfast at your hotel.
Set out on a day trip to the Tigre Delta, a unique network of islands and waterways. The delta is a peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. Take some time to hike and expore the shops along the shore.
Afternoon:
Stop for lunch at your own expense in the Tigre area, known for its fresh seafood and riverside dining.
Explore the delta by boat, passing picturesque houses and lush vegetation as you drift down the rivers that converge in this place.
Enjoy some free time to explore the delta and take some pictures among the stunning scenery before returning to Buenos Aires.
Evening:
For dinner, experience a traditional Argentine asado, a barbecue feast featuring various cuts of meat, including the famous Argentine steaks served with fresh chimichurri.
Return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6: Departure
Morning:
Have your final Argentine breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Take some time for last-minute shopping at local markets.
Afternoon:
Depart for the airport, where you'll make your way home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your educational and culturally enriching journey through Buenos Aires.
Board your flight and return home remembering everything Argentina's capital has to offer.
