Andrea | Las Travel Blogueras

Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires

July 9, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Places

This is the ultimate post, straight from a favorite local (thanks Candela!), with the best things to do in Buenos Aires. Forget TripAdvisor.com and all the other publications on your Chrome bookmarks! Candela has sent me this super awesome list a while back, and I treasure it dearly…and it’s only meant to be shared with close friends (wink, wink).

Brunch:

Though we Argentineans are new to the brunch thing and the bottomless mimosas, we are BIG on delicious pastries, breads and all sorts of sweet stuff that’s horrible to your cintura but delicious to Instagram. Try Oui Oui, on Nicaragua 6068 (more details here). On the menu: filled croissants, fresh baguettes, vichyssoise and pain au chocolat, “which is all spelled out on chalkboards amid a colourful environment of dried flowers and rosewood tables.”

Eat Meat:

If you are already thinking of a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, I’m really hoping you are a meat eater. You know, the kind that watches Chopped, on Food Network, and gets offended when an amazing piece of steak is overcooked. Warning – Argentineans like their meat WELL DONE, so if you like your dinners to almost mooh, make sure you mention it to the waiter right away. Where to eat? Candela recommends Parrilla La Cabrera (more details, right here). Try the traditional Ojo de Bife, Bife de Chorizo, empanadas and the incredible volcán de chocolate.

“Anda a ver tango en Bar Sur”

Bar Sur is located in the historical district of San Telmo, and offers evening shows from 8p to 2am…every single night for the last 45 years! Get in the mood and check them out on YouTube by clicking here. It’s one of those things that will give you goose bumps and you will leave wanting to take tango classes immediately.

Wednesday Night: Dancing at Terrazas del Este

Not many places can claim “la fiesta asegurada,” but this local favorite, in Punta Carrasco, has all the creds for it! Music covers pretty much every decade, and the views onto the river might be worth the crazy drink prices.

Try the Best Ice Cream

In Galerías Pacífico, downtown, check out La Abuela Goye. An all-time favorite? The chocolate ice cream with dulce de leche and almonds.

Visit One of the Top 25 Bars of the World

Located in Palermo, 878 Bar has no name, only its signature number on their front door. In fact, if you blink, you miss it. And though the The Time Out Insiders’ Guide to Buenos Aires said of the venue: “Ring the bell at the discreet, unmarked door of this thoroughly good bar, and you’ll be shown into a slick, low-lit space…,” UK’s The Observer puts it best by starting with: “let us take you to a secret bar we know.”

Brother Jimmy’s Opens 3rd South Florida Location at Dolphin Mall

June 28, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Places

Brother Jimmy’s has celebrated over 20 years of legendary North Carolina, slow-smoking BBQ. In Miami, the restaurants are operated by University of Miami Hurricanes alumni and former teammates turned NFL superstars: Jon Vilma, Jon Beason and D.J. Williams. The guys made a strong entrance two years ago when they opened their Mary Brickell Village location, which was quickly followed by the second one in South Miami. This weekend, join in the festivities as Brother Jimmy’s Miami launches its 3rd location at Dolphin Mall: 11401 NW 12th ST, Miami.

And yes, they even have a mechanical bull.

brother jimmy's 2.jpg

We had the chance to dine at Brother Jimmy’s last Friday and we left with very happy tummies. The place is fun and casual, and the staff was extremely nice and attentive. There’s cool stuff to look at all around, and we were very intrigued by the rounds of beer pong going on at the back of the restaurant. And though we decided to err on the side of caution by NOT ordering the gigantic signature drink, SWAMP WATER, we really enjoyed looking at the table next to us drinking the concoction from a dozen or so of multicolored straws. (Maybe next time if Amanda dares come along, we can take a stab at that, AND ride the mechanical bull, too).

So, what did we eat?

APPETIZERS: Hush Puppies and Frickles
The hush puppies were delicious even though I struggled with the fact that butter did indeed make them yummier and silky in your mouth. I ordered the frickles (fried pickles), too, and really liked them. The slices of pickles are battered in a mix of beer and mustard, and then deep fried. The acidity of the pickle plays very nice against the heaviness and richness of the fried batter. Plus, frickles are one of those things you will never make at home, so totally worth ordering them when eating out!

ENTREES: Pulled Pork Platter and Marble Brisket Platter
Though the pork was delicious, salty and seasoned perfectly, we both loved the brisket. After 12 hours in the smoker, you could easily cut it with your fork, and it melted in your mouth. We tried it with BJ’s original BBQ sauce, and we wished we had enough to take home to eat for the next week! Great sides to order: brussel sprouts (perfectly crispy, not oily at all), and the avocado and tomato salad.

DESSERT: Guava Cheesecake with Whipped Cream
We loved the tribute to Miami through the use of local favorite: guava. All desserts are made by Fireman Derrick, and delivered to the restaurant daily. The cheesecake was smooth and sweet enough to complement the massive amounts of meat we ate!

During opening weekend, guests are invited all day Saturday, June 28th, for lunch and dinner, as well as children’s line dance lessons, mechanical bull rides and a live performance by Spam All-Stars.

For more information, check out Brother Jimmy’s.

Top 10 Things to Do in Miami

June 24, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Places

Make the most out of a quick escapade south or a business trip that runs over the weekend. Impress family and friends back home, and show off your Latino colors in just ten quick pit stops.

VAMOS!

1. Zumba with Beto Perez
Si eres una zumbera empedernida, or just trying to get motivated to sweat to some good beats, B2 Studio Boutique, just in Brickell, now offers classes with Zumba founder himself, Beto Perez. After learning the million dollar moves from the Wii and instructors in New York, Chicago and Miami, and seeing him perform on TV at anything from infomercials to award shows, I was a little bit nervous to do a class with the actual, real, carne y hueso Beto. The space is spacious and full of light, and usually with a live band performing everything you like to sing to. Beto improvises and gives direction to the musicians, and, I must not lie, shaking my butt to a live beat is pretty awesome. All in, I burned 650 calories, which got me ready to unlimited mimosas and a 2-hour nap that was more than well-deserved. Insider’s tip? Put some make-up on and let your hair lose! It’s supposed to be fun and sexy, and you spend 60 minutes looking at yourself in the mirror! (Thanks to Malu, Zumba Inspirator pictured below, for dragging me along into this awesome Zumba adventure, right in my backyard! Let’s do more.)

2. Drink Cuban Coffee
Un cafecito is not only traditional for Miami, but almost mandatory. Like no other place in the country, you can walk and order café cubano through little walk-thru windows at most restaurants. All Cuban coffee is strong and loaded with sugar, but delicious. Pair it up with a pastelito de guava and you are set to go onto the next adventure. Places to try: Tinta y Cafe, Versailles, Sergio’s and La Carreta.

Bonus read:

3. Feast on Chinese on Calle 8
Only known for locals, it’s small and hidden away in the plethora of Latin options at Little Havanna. Mr. Yum is delicious Asian cuisine at very affordable prices. Go for the pad thai, or the Ño Roll – the latter being a tribute to the coño expression (which is used for anything and everything).

4. Watch A Mean Game of Dominoes
Take a stroll down Domino Park or Maximo Gomez Park (if you are yelping it!) and find yourself in Little Havana watching some strategic moves by the abuelas y abuelos. But beware! These guys are talkers, so go in only if you are ready for some amazing stories of old Cuba and the making of Miami (yes please!).

5. Check Out a Game of Jai alai, the fastest sport in the world
Jai alai has been coined the “fastest sport in the world” because of the speed that the ball reaches (up to 188 mph for the world record). It is one of those things you only want to do once, and then talk about it or take cool pictures for Facebook of it. Dania Jai alai is about 34 minutes from Miami, and admission is free!

6. Feel like a Rey at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on the Biscayne Bay is a European-style palace turned wonderland for the tourists. Built by industrialist James Deering in the early 20th century. If you are tired (or sunburned) from the beach, take a stroll down memory lane and see how the “modern” lived back then. It’s packed full of European antiques, and it’s a popular destination amongst wedding parties looking for sandless glamour.

7. Mingle amongst the Beautiful and Bold
Lincoln Road is the popular and almost iconic outdoor mall on South Beach. Here, the rich and enhanced elbow with the teenagers shopping at Forever 21 and H&M, while kids beeline it to Dylan’s Candy Bar. There’s something and someone for everyone to watch. The beautiful: celebrities, models and firm and tan bodies. The bold: the bikinis and Big Foot boots, the fish net shorts, and the extremely old guys with extremely young girlfriends and wives!

8. Relive Cult Movies and TV Series
According to Time Out magazine – The nightlife of Miami Beach has appeared in the likes of 1964 Bond outing ‘Goldfinger’, and its gangsta-rapping features in Brian De Palma’s remake of ‘Scarface’. A hair-raising scene from ‘There’s Something About Mary’ is played out at the Cardozo hotel, and there’s a big starring role for the Carlyle Hotel as a gay club on the flamboyant South Beach in ‘The Birdcage’.

9. Bike and Roll Miami Segway Tours
Check out the sunset tour segway tour around South Pointe, in Miami Beach. Here you will find some of the amazing real estate, sandy beaches, high-end restaurants and tons of Art Deco architecture. This is a great idea for a romantic date, and if you are into cool photography with your smartphone.

10. Get your Art on at Wynwood
My favorite spot is the Wynwood Walls. You know some walls are cool when they get their own website (here). The Wynwood Walls was conceived by the renowned community revitalizer and placemaker, the late Tony Goldman in 2009. He was looking for something big to transform the warehouse district of Wynwood, and he arrived at a simple idea: “Wynwood’s large stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would be my giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place.” Starting with the 25th–26th Street complex of six separate buildings, his goal was to create a center where people could gravitate to and explore, and to develop the area’s pedestrian potential.

Where to Eat in Williamsburg

June 23, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Places

I lived in New York for over 5 years, and I think I went to Williamsburg exactly once. But when besties Candela and Jon moved out of Manhattan to an amazing luxury high rise overlooking the river, with their invitation included pool, spa and Argentinean restaurants at walking distance, I signed up for the adventure – I went to Brooklyn.

I only spent a few days in and around Williamsburg, and I am sure I am missing a few key hidden places only locals might know. However, the following are some of my favorite places to recommend when someone asks me where to eat in Williamsburg.

Coffee Shops
Let’s start with the coffee shops – there are more than plenty, which I really liked. Most of them were empty, with a few people hunched over laptops typing away their dreams. Lavazza coffee was the brand of choice, and all kind of baked goodies where in abundance, from coffee and empanadas, to coffee and sugar free, vegan coconut merengue. I fell in love with Toby’s Estate Cafe, Sweetleaf and Blue Bottle Coffee. And yes, get ready for amazing leaves, hearts and other fun doodles coming to life in your cappuccino…they got it down to a science and it’s always fun to try to guess what they might draw in next. (As a side note, I had a great time with all the Argentinean girls celebrating my birthday! Thank you!)

Zenkichi
On 6th street Zenkichi is a romantic hideaway and must-see experience if you are in the area. Hey, it might even be worth the trip from the city. Bamboo shades are pulled over each table to seclude each couple in its personal hideaway booth, yet a buzzer is cleverly provided at the corner of the table to call for service when needed. Each dish from the sampling menu was beautifully crafted and presented, and though the combinations of flavors might be a little bit weird for some, everything was indeed delicious. We fell in love with the jellied grapefruit dessert (made with agar agar), which was tart and perfectly sweet, and the perfect ending for an amazing evening.

El Almacen
This was my first Williamsburg restaurant and as it is Argentinean, I was immediately in love with it. El Almacen is cozy and trendy, and they have a full bar. It is a great place to on a date, unwind with friends after a long week, or catch up with visiting family members looking for a low key destination with great food and atmosphere. Order Malbec wine to go with the Parrillada, but don’t forget the melted provolone cheese at the beginning as an appetizer. Don’t worry – all Argentineans are skinny, so the food must be all diet!

Five Leaves
On Bedford street, Five Leaves is the place of choice for weekend brunching. But beware, the wait is long. We tried a little bit of everything, but our top favorites were the truffle fries, the bruleed grapefruit (with pickled ginger and fresh mint), the coconut chia pudding and the ricotta pancakes. You will see on Yelp that vegetarians and vegans go nuts for Five Leaves, and they are correct! Though everything was a little bit heavy, you can definitely eat around meat and dairy without making too much fuzz or spend hours scrutinizing the menu!

What to Pack for New York in the Summer

June 13, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Tips & Trucos

As avid viajeras we always struggle to pack. Let’s face it, we are Latinas! Even our day purse carries hairspray, perfume, and our full make-up bag!

If you travel a lot for work, or you are like me this July, about to face a summer wedding under the Brooklyn Bridge, this article is for you – what to pack for New York in the summer.

Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. The rule goes something like…every carry-on should have five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two pairs of shoes and one swimsuit. The thought is nice, but a swimsuit for NYC? And only two pairs of shoes? I will give it my very best shot.
Flats. I know you are in love with your wedges, but trust me, the city is humid, sticky, and the New Yorkers won’t cut you any slack because you are a few inches above the ground. Pack a good pair of flats that can you carry in your purse, and then switch over for heels when you get to the main event. Flip flops are a nice thought, but if you are not used to walking, you will regret them. Plus, you don’t want a perfect pedicure to fight the grime of the B train.
An umbrella. It RAINS. Yes, in caps. It rains- cats, dogs, and everything in between. Every day. Sometimes every hour. And when it rains, what happens? The cabs disappear and people get ruder on the street going down the subway. If you are staying at a hotel, they might run out of umbrellas (it happened to me). And if you are staying with a friend, she knows better than to lend it out to someone who didn’t think she needed one on the first place.
Something black, and something shiny. You don’t know where the night might take you, and the worse thing you can do is skip on something that could be super fun because you are an outfit too short or you don’t know what to wear. A black tank top and a necklace statement over boyfriend jeans will do the trick, no matter how fancy the club or divy the burger joint.
Portable cellphone charger. You will be out and about, taking pictures, checking in and out of bars, restaurants, museums and parks through Foursquare, Facebook and Instagram…and mabye even some Tindering? New York is the city that never sleeps, but your phone has a very limited battery!

Best Beer Bars in South Beach

June 1, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Places

Photos courtesy of The Abbey Brewing Company.

Drink like a local and feel on vacation 24/7 with this amazing list of best beer bars in South Beach. Whether you are in the mood for family, people watching, divey or upscale, there’s something for you just around the corner.

Best Family Beer Bar: Yardhouse
1681 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida
Yardhouse is amongst one of our favorite restaurant chains. A recent arrival to the Lincoln Road strip, Yardhouse boasts great outdoor sitting with minimal wait, even during busy weekend evenings. The food is also pretty right on, making it a great all-in one destination for families, couples and larger groups. They even offer a gluten free menu and vegan and vegetarian options! But back to beer, Yardhouse is known for offering an incredible selection of beers across the country, inclusive of the Black Board Series, IPAs and double IPAs. Beer and food has a pretty reasonable price, too.
Average Beer Price: $6 to $8
Favorite Beer: Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
When to Go: Anytime

Best Brewery: The Abbey Brewing Company
1115 16th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Abby is the only brewery on South Beach! They offer their own delicious beer plus a great selection of many other breweries. This is by far everyone’s favorite dive bar on the beach. Ask for Aaron, who is an awesome bartender, and make sure you say hi to Ray, who is the brewer and owner and is always around for a quick chat. Maybe even ask for one of his recipes!
Average Beer Price: $7 to $10
Favorite Beer: Brother Dan’s Double
When to Go: Sundays – they have free hot dogs

Best Upscale Beer Bar: The Room
100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida
Go the Room for the cosmopolitan, New Yorkie feeeling. Sitting is very limited, but worth the try. They have a limited amount of draft beers, but a huge selection of bottles from across the world. The Room was voted Best Beer Bar in 2010, by Miami New Times.
Average Beer Price: $8 to $11
Favorite Beer: Delirium
When to Go: The Room is not open during the day! Go late night around 11p, right before it gets too crowded from the spillover from the South Beach clubs.

Best Cheap Bar: Rio Station (formerly known as Zeke’s)
625 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida
A few years ago, we mourned the closing of Zeke’s, a hole-in-the-wall hidden away in the hustle and bustle of Lincoln Road glam. Rio Station was born out of Zeke’s former real estate, in an attempt to appeal to a broader crowd with table service and even food. Rio Station offers 200 beers from around the world, plus 5-10 draft beers. But make sure you go inside to check them out, the waiters might not know what’s on tap that day.
Average Beer Price: Everything is $5!
Favorite Beer: Dale’s Pale Ale
Time to go: Daytime/Early evening

Latino Travel: 10 Things that Only Happen to Latinos

May 6, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Tips & Trucos

If you are Latino, you are very familiar with the Latino travel…which really means a bunch of you and 15 of your close cousins running from one place to the other with a horrible number of bags and carry-ons on shoulders, waists, and hands.

f you like Buzzfeed.com lists and a hilarious point of view for all things Latino and travel, this post is for you.

1. Everyone in your party responds to “OYE,” “GUEY,” or “OYE GUEY”

PHOTO FROM ZAZZLE.COM

2. Travel parties are multi-generational, which means abuelita is three gates behind and Junior already needs a diaper change.

http://memesyweas.bligoo.cl/

3. It’s okay to congregate in the middle of the seats as you are boarding – at least 4 of you will negotiate a change of seats to be as close together as possible. Because that’s the whole point of travel, right? Juntos Y revueltos.

4. At least 2 of you won’t speak Spanish, and three of you won’t speak English – that’s why Latinos just have to speak with their hands. It’s a very useful skill for movies, during airport announcements and overall family life – we also speak very loudly.

5. You are the most likely passengers to board with empanadas, tamales, tacos, burritos, pastelitos or all of the above. There’s always a good reason to eat, especially if we are in familia.

6. You text immediately after you get to the airport (“Just got to the airport!”), at the gate (“Just got to the gate!”), on the plane (“Just got on the plane!”), and when you land (“Oye. We just landed.”). To at least 12 close family members – but not necessarily the ones traveling with you.

7. One checked baggage is all sourvenirs, artesanias, and regalitos for the familia.

8. You know you are going to spend 80% of the trip looking for sourvenirs, artesanias and regalitos for the familia.

9. Comfortable travel gear includes wedges, sneakers with wedges, extra skinny jeans, push up bra, and a dozen bangles. But you have to change the minute you land, para estar presentable.

Hey, she has sweat pants!

10. You don’t understand why Tabasco sauce can’t come in 3 oz containers…

What to Wear in Latin America Travel

April 18, 2014 by Andrea Filed Under: Andrea, English, Tips & Trucos

Any Latin American travel is famous for long hours on planes, airports or a combination of both. Plus, the preoccupation for safety and security, speaking the language, knowing the culture and trying not to look like the crazy gringo guys from the National Lampoon’s Vacation. Yes, those guys.

I consider myself a veteran in anything related to crazy hours on planes, trains and automobiles. I studied in Indiana but went to Buenos Aires at least twice a year – with stops in Chicago, Miami, Bolivia and Uruguay…all on the same trip in order to save on airfare. Traveling comfortable and light were just two of the mandatories at the time of scoring a successful trip south of the border. And now, I can comfortably share with you, WHAT TO WEAR IN LATIN AMERICAN TRAVEL.

Wear Anything with Pockets. Things like your paper boarding passes, small cash, and receipts could be easily put away on the go if you have sufficient pockets, so you can easily focus on your passport and wallet . Put away at least $40 in cash spread out around all of your pockets- just in case your wallet goes missing or stolen.

Paige Denim cropped jeans
matchesfashion.com

J Brand skinny pants
stylebop.com

Sanctuary cropped pants
lordandtaylor.com

Wear Stretchy Fabric Chances are you will be sitting for a while – on the actual plane or at the terminal waiting for it. As stylish as your super skinny jeans are, they will get very old come hour number 4 ,when you are stuck on the window seat, dying to go to the restroom, and the old guy next to you does not wake up. Yup. The last thing you do is a narrow waistband pushing extra hard on your bladder.

Wear Flats. I used to be a fan of sneakers for long travel, but I have changed my mind in the past years. Ballet flats are not only cuter and fun, but also easy to put on and off at security and more forgiving when your feet get swollen mid air.

Travel Flats featuring ballet shoes

A great tote bag. Amanda has the biggest, reddest tote bag I have seen in a while and it’s the most useful thing around. She packs laptop, Iphone, tons of chargers, snacks, notebooks, makeup, and even a water bottle. Make sure yours has a secure compartment for your passport and wallet, but other than that, the bigger the better – specially if you are checking your bag and you might need an extra set of clothes or your toothbrush handy at all times!

Wear Tons of Jewelry. It goes off at security, and who wants a chunky bracelet or a statement necklace getting caught all over the place. Plus, your #1 goal as you arrive to your selected country is to blend in, not stand out! Keep it simple. You’ll be much happier in the long run (or long flight!).

Pretend Wedges are Comfortable Footwear. They are better than regular heels, sure. But if your first plane gets delayed and you have only 30 minutes to go across the Dallas airport, wedges are not going to make you walk on air. If you are hooked on wedges, as you should because they are super cute, pack them in your carry on and then put them on as you are leaving the airport. We will keep your secret!

Bring your Most Expensive Watch. What for? You are on vacation – enjoy it. Wear something casual that doesn’t call too much attention and does the #1 thing a watch should do – tell the time.

For more information, we really liked this sites and blogs for you:

Where do you travel to the most?