The next morning when we enter, sleepy-eyed, into the breakfast room of the Reino del Plata, we encounter what will soon become a pattern: Bert, breakfast finished, smiling, and adventure-ready! After our own good breakfast and much needed coffee, we meet two of our other Adventure Life Tour members, Amanda and Jennine. At 8:30 am our guide, Pablo, arrives with a van to take us on our Adventure Life City Tour of Buenos Aires. Pablo is a wealth of local knowledge and first takes us to the awe inspiring stainless steel flower ("Floralis Generica") in the municipal park, next to the law school ("Facultad de Derechio"). The huge petals of this statue open automatically every morning and close every evening. From here we drive through the Palermo District, where we see the large and architecturally impressive embassy buildings, and then to the famous Recoleta Cemetery. We walk among the old mausoleums as Pablo explains the burial customs and some of the politics of BA along with a brief story of former President Juan Peron and his wife Eva. Eva, or "Evita", was a very controversial person: she was loved by many of the poor and hated by many of the wealthy at the time of her death in 1952. Her body was secretly removed and buried in Italy under a false name until years later when she was finally brought back and interred in Recoleta. Pablo also discussed the brief history of the "Disappeared", from 1976-1983 when the Military Junta ruled, and of events leading to the Falklands War with England in 1983, when the Junta was displaced from power. (We had earlier viewed the tall "English Tower" given to BA as a gift from England. After the Falklands War it was renamed the "Monumental Tower", however, for obvious reasons!) Driving on to the La Boca District with its colorfully painted corrugated tin houses, we learn that it is here that the original Italian and German immigrants settled. Today, the streets are alive with musicians, street entertainers, and tango dancers in a very festive atmosphere. The city's earliest shipping took place in La Boca's port in the mid 1800's, until the harbor became too shallow for the increasing size of ships. The surrounding area has many poor and homeless people; while safe during the day, it is not recommended for walking at night. Then we travel back to the Plaza de Mayo where Pablo shows us where the mothers' of the "disappeared" children still march every Thursday afternoon in silent protest to the government. At tour's end he points us in the direction of the San Telmo district, and we wander along its open air "flea market" for the rest of the afternoon. Kathy and Bert see many interesting things, but they are not ready to buy yet. That will come later. By now pretty tired, off we go for refreshments at Cafe Tortoni, which has been in service for over 150 years. Back at the hotel, a quick late afternoon siesta leaves us ready for Pablo's pick-up at 8:30 pm, and we're on our way to the famous Esquina Carlos Gardel Restaurant for a steak dinner and Tango show. A film during dinner depicts the history of the Tango, and is followed by a live Tango show. We are home by midnight for another good night's sleep.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.