Gay Pride 2013 Mendoza, Argentina

Photos from Gay Pride in Mendoza, Argentina from Saturday December 7th., 2013 provided by: Modigliani Art and Design Suites---the best gay accommodations in Mendoza.

 

Parks and Plazas Abound in Buenos Aires

By Roy Heale

One of the beautiful aspects of Buenos Aires is the numerous parks and plazas that allow for outdoor enjoyment and relaxation.

The lush park Barrancas de Belgrano was designed by the famous French-Argentine landscape and park architect Carlos Thays, who designed many open spaces in the city. It spans several city blocks and is overlooked by highrise apartment buildings. The same neighborhood had an ancient eighteenth century Franciscan chapel close to where now stands a City Government building. Currently a memorial plaque marks the place where the chapel was located.

 

Las Barrancas de Belgrano is located on the slopes of the old river banks which, until the early nineteenth century, delineated the River Plate when it was in flood.

With mature trees and grassy slopes, the Plaza has over sixty species of trees and plants including ombúes, palms, magnolias, paradise, lime, oak, honeysuckle, coral trees, banana trees, and more. It also has laneways built with nineteenth century cobblestones, benches for resting, a playground for children, tables for playing board games. Many people meet there for various exercise routines including gymnastics, Tai Chi, and aerobics. Among the sculptures is an exact scale replica of the Statue of Liberty, produced by the same creator of the statue of the same name in New York---Frenchman Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. It also has a large bandshell where neighbors gather to dance the tango, musicians perform, which hosts frequent music recitals on warm summer evenings.

 

For more about the green space options in Buenos Aires visit my application at:
 www.GPSmycity.com or search iTunes for Gpsmycity applications.

From Hetero-Friendly to Gay-Friendly, Axel Hotel Buenos Aires Changes Hands

Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

BeHotel Entrance

By Roy Heale

In a surprise move during the first week of October the Spanish Axel Hotel Group announced the sale of their Buenos Aires property to a group of Argentine investors and henceforth it will be known as the BeHotel. The former owners did not give any reasons for this unexpected move but local travel industry speculators blamed the decrease in LGBT visitors to Argentina during recent years and the national Government's foreign exchange controls. However, the new owners and management assured that LGBT visitors will still be welcomed with a gay-friendly reception at the new BeHotel. No major changes or renovations are planned for the facilities but the food and beverage plus customer services will be upgraded for a more enjoyable stay.

Outdoor Pool and Sun Decks

The Catalan Group, based in Barcelona, commissioned the design and construction of the hotel and it opened as the Axel Hotel in 2007 developing into a major institution of the Buenos Aires LGBT community. BeHotel Buenos Aires is the first establishment of the Argentine investment group, which plans to expand in 2014 with another location in the City of Buenos Aires and other main tourist destinations like Iguazu, Bariloche, or Mendoza.

Indoor Spa

Uniquely designed with the guest rooms located around a large central atrium and a spa on the top floor, the spacious designer suites and rooms with the creative use of glass and mirrors have proved extremely popular. The large heated swimming pool at the rear of the building offers plenty of sundecks on multi-levels for summer outdoor enjoyment. Whilst the top floor spa includes fitness equipment, two jacuzzis, sauna, and a swimming pool with a translucent floor.

Designer Rooms & Suites

HOTEL FACILITIES:
Outdoors:
Terrace, Outdoor pool (seasonal)
Activities:
Sauna, Fitness centre, Solarium, Spa and wellness centre, Hot tub, Turkish/steam bath, Indoor pool (all year)
Food & Beverages:
Restaurant, Bar
Internet:
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking:
No parking available. Other parking garages are close by.
Services:
24-hour front desk, Luggage storage, Room service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Business centre, Laundry, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Tour desk, Shuttle service (surcharge)
General:
Non-smoking rooms, Facilities for disabled guests, Lift/elevator, Safety deposit box, Heating, Design hotel, Air conditioning
Languages Spoken:
Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, Italian, Hebrew, French

Restaurant

The hotel's location in the heart of San Telmo, close to the subway (Subte) and buses (colectivos), is perfect for exploring all of the Buenos Aires tourist attractions. Nearby are the numerous cafes, bars,and restaurants of historic San Telmo and of course Tango shows. The world renowned San Telmo market occurs every Sunday, all year long, and the BeHotel is just a five minute walk to all of the merchants and antique vendors.

Bar

So whether straight or gay, visitors will enjoy any stay for leisure or business at the new BeHotel in the heart of all the excitement for which Buenos Aires is famous.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.behotel.com.ar

Argentina's National Flower Festival Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Floral City Park, Escobar, Argentina

 

 

 

By Roy Heale

Anyone who has wandered the streets of Buenos Aires would probably have noticed the countless flower vendors offering their remarkably fresh blooms at very low prices. This phenomenon is due to the fact that Escobar---the so called Flower Capital of Argentina---is just under a one hour drive from the heart of Buenos Aires facilitating reasonable prices and fresh supply.

Floral Displays

Celebrating spring each year Escobar hosts the National Flower Festival and this year marks the 50^th Anniversary of this fiesta. Starting at the end of September and for the first two weeks of October visitors to the park known as Floral City can enjoy floral displays, lush grounds, and of course Argentine specialty foods including fresh fruits and a variety of meats cooked on a large outdoor Parilla----BBQ.

Fresh Fruit Sundaes

Outdoor Parilla

The last Saturday includes a parade of floral floats in the evening with the reigning Queen of the National Flower Festival presiding over the celebrations.

Visitors travel from all over Argentina to celebrate spring and you might even see gauchos---cowboys---from the Pampas in traditional costumes. Entertainment stages offer local folklore dancers in costume and regional musicians playing Spanish favorite tunes.

Gauchos From The Pampas

There is a nominal admission charge to help offset the Festival costs but an afternoon strolling around the park and enjoying magnificent spring flowers, trees, and shrubs is priceless!

The town of Escobar is easily reached from Buenos Aires by local buses and the journey takes just less than one hour. From the heart of Escobar a short inexpensive taxi ride will take visitors to the park.

So if you happen to visit the city of Buenos Aires at the launch of Spring, then be sure to take some time to stop and smell the roses!

For More Information Visit: www.fiestadelaflor.org.ar

Gay Friendly Vacation Cottage Rentals, Vaqueros, Salta, Argentina

Peaceful Vaqueros, Salta, Argentina

By Roy Heale

Located in the foothills of the Andes at 4000'above sea level, Vaqueros is a small country village at the northern edge of the city of Salta, Argentina. With a resident population of about 4000 persons, here you will see traditional Argentina Gauchos (cowboys) on horseback making their way around the hamlet, enjoy a small town atmosphere and great low prices in restaurants or local shops.

Vaqueros Town Center

Visitors can experience horseback riding on the mountain trails, hiking around the hillsides, or take a guided quadricycle tour. Or you can stroll along the trail of the Artisans, a circuit to appreciate popular local arts and crafts fabricated in wood, leather, clay and wool.

Gay-friendly accommodations are available located just 100 meters from the river and about the same distance from the village center. Luis Pezzini offers traditional Argentine cottages with all amenities from US$50 per night and they sleep up to four adults. With digital TV, WiFi, heating, and comfortable furnishings these living quarters are perfect for a country get-away and yet remain close to the city of Salta.

Comfortable Cottages

There is regular bus service (about every 15 minutes) to the city or a remise ride for about US$5.00 to downtown Salta. Your host is also very knowledgeable on the local area and can help with outdoor activities or tour advice.

Save money and enjoy the low cost of living in Vaqueros while you enjoy the beautiful North West Argentina vacation attractions and the historic city of Salta. Find out why they call this Salta La Linda ---Salta The Beautiful!

For More Information Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/alquila.ensalta 

or email: luisunide@gmail.com

Exclusively Gay Azarenko Boutique Hotel, San Lorenzo, Salta, Argentina

Exclusively Gay Azarenko Boutique Hotel, Salta, Argentina

 

 

By Roy Heale

The charming Villa San Lorenzo is located in the Lerma Valley at the foot of the Eastern Cordillera Andes foothills just on the edge of the city of Salta, Argentina. This leisurely village is a popular vacation destination where visitors can combine outdoor nature activities with city attractions nearby. Villa San Lorenzo offers a natural environment ideal for adventure tourism activities and eco-tourism in the mountain forest. Its landscape, mountains, hills and rivers, are an invitation to enjoy nature, tranquility and the great outdoors. Horseback riding or hiking in the mountains by day can be accompanied by urban gourmet dining and folklore entertainment by night.

Quebrada de San Lorenzo Nature Reserve

Summer siestas in the City of Salta leave the city motionless, suspended in the heat. Escaping to the village of San Lorenzo, with its leafy roads and refreshing shade from the suns rays, is extremely popular. This hamlet is ideal for a stroll about, ride a bike, go on quad excursions, or photographic safaris across the mountain rainforest. Apart from its ravine, the micro-climate combines lush vegetation, fresh air, and clear waters, which entice visitors to return often.

San Lorenzo

Set in the jungle of the Yungas (tropical rainforests on the slopes of the mountains) the scenery is breathtaking, lush green, and tropical. The approximate 5000 local inhabitants doubles during the summer months and the village hums with activities. Now gay and lesbian vacationers can enjoy the luxury, exclusively gay, Azarenko Boutique Hotel while visiting Salta.

Azarenko Boutique Hotel Living Area Main Floor

Already a popular LGBT travel destination, Salta is an historic town in Northwest Argentina and now there is an exclusively gay---hetero friendly---boutique hotel (opened in June 2013) for gay travellers to enjoy. Situated just 8 kms (10 minutes) from downtown Salta Capital, on several acres of beautiful grounds in San Lorenzo, Azarenko Hotel Boutique offers six deluxe themed rooms and suites with breakfast included. Inside the rooms and the main house is non-smoking, but the two large verandas and spacious grounds allow for outdoor smoking areas.

Lovely Verandahs

Gay-owned and operated by partners Ricardo and Enrique, this beautiful mansion offers quiet, secluded privacy on a tree-lined, secluded street in the heart of San Lorenzo and close to the city. After three months of extensive renovations, the hotel opened in June 2013 and the attention to detail is of a very high standard to guarantee guests' satisfaction and luxurious enjoyment. Whether soaking up the rays poolside, enjoying the peace and quiet on a verandah, or relaxing on a comfortable couch in the grand living room, guests are certain to be satisfied here with their choice of accommodations in Salta, Argentina.

The main floor Art Bar is a permanent art gallery where you can enjoy a delicious Torrontes wine, champagne, or a cocktail, with a varied menu available.

Marilyn Monroe Room

The six themed rooms are stylish and large, each comes with a variety of windows for natural light and en-suite bathrooms. Enjoy the Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Aretha Franklin, or Marilyn Monroe rooms and suites from US$150 per night for one or two persons---breakfast included. Each is uniquely furnished and decorated offering a truly unique experience for a vacation, special occasion, weekend getaway, or even a honeymoon suite. The rooms are located on the ground floor and second level of this grand country home.

 

Edith Piaf Room

Rooms:

The hotel has six comfortable single, double, or triple rooms overlooking the magical setting of the landscape with forest and hills almost at your fingertips. Each are decorated with elegance, sophistication, and unique works of art.

Features:

•Room Marilyn Monroe, Master Suite Premium of 47 m2, double Hydro, separate shower.

•Room Edith Piaf, Deluxe Master Suite 42 m2, simple and hydro-shower.

•Room Judy Garland, Junior Suite (PA) of 32 m2, view facing the hill, with bathroom.

•Room Aretha Franklin, Junior Suite (PB) of 30 m2, view facing the hill, with bathroom.

•Room Whitney Houston, Junior Suite (PB) of 28 m2, side view, with hydro simple, built-in shower.

•Room Donna Summer, Junior Suite (PB) of 30 m2, side view, with bath.

 

Whitney Houston Room

 

Facilities & Services:

All rooms equipped with heating, queen / king size.

•Living room.

•Wi-Fi Service.

•Transfer to and from Airport.

•Transfers from / to the city with fixed schedules.

•Parking, fax, NDD and IDD at reception.

 

Sheltered Outdoor Swimming Pool

 

If you are planning a special occasion or simply want to have dinner at home, with a minimum of 24 hours notice your hosts Ricardo and Enrique will plan a special dinner according to your tastes. Or you can plan your own traditional Argentine Asado (BBQ) on the outdoor parilla.

San Lorenzo began as a summer village but now has a full-service infrastructure and tourist facilities consisting of outdoor activities, hiking in the mountains, restaurants, tea houses, boutiques and more.

Castillo de San Lorenzo

With historic and conserved buildings, it is characterized by nineteenth-century mansions, among which stands out the Castillo de San Lorenzo. Its tree-lined streets reach the Quebrada de San Lorenzo Nature Reserve, or you can visit the main church and central plaza. The mountain forest and tranquility make the villa an ideal place for relaxation. The City of Salta is a short, convenient bus ride away or a 10 minute inexpensive taxi ride. Also, many day trips are available to destinations in the Andes where local culture and traditions can be observed. Your hosts at Azarenko Boutique Hotel will be happy to help you with local tours and advice.

Azarenko Boutique Hotel, Salta, Argentina

So now you can plan a very gay stay in Salta, Argentina and enjoy comfortable LGBT hospitality high in the Andes mountains where every day is magical and mystical.

For More Information:
www.azarenkohotel.com

New Buenos Aires Farmers Market in Palermo

Market Entrance

By Roy Heale

The Buenos Aires Feria de Alimentos Saludables (Healthy Food Fair) was held on August 17th and 18th and was a huge success. The sun was shining, the sky was blue,  and it was more like a spring day than a mid-winter weekend. Thousands of locals and tourists alike turned out to sample foods, beverages, spices, cheeses and great food entrees. The fair will take place one weekend per month and more details are available at:
http://www.buenosairesmarket.com