It takes $60-80 to tango in Argentina

by Iva Skoch on

Argentina is seeing a comeback of tango, according to the International Herald Tribune. The so-called tango economy is growing 25 percent a year, which experts attribute to the jump in tourism to Argentina after a deep economic slowdown in 2002. Because the peso currency plummeted, travel to Argentina suddenly became cheap.

When tourists visit Buenos Aires, they want to see tango. That is the “it” thing to do. The easiest way to do this is by booking a diner table at one of the dinner theaters, such as Esquina Carlos Gardel, and eat steak while watching tango. Most such shows go for $60-80, making the tango business a $450 million a year industry. Industry of primarily observers and dinner-eaters, not dancers, that is.

I guess you’ll have to bring all that passion back to the hotel room if they won’t let you butcher the dance on the floor.

BA 747 narrowly escapes a mid-air collision

by Martha Edwards on

I’m constantly extolling the virtues of flying, telling my fearful friends how safe it is — much more so than driving, suntanning, crossing the street, etc. So I always cringe a bit when I hear stories about plane crashes or near crashes. Like this one: A British Airways 747, bound for Johannesburg, narrowly missed crashing into a Argentinian747 in the airspace over Marseilles, France, much to the horror of those looking on.

The incident happened in late September, but has only been revealed now. Witnesses claim that the whole thing has been hushed up. It’s thought that French air traffic control is to blame, but further investigation will hopefully determine the cause for sure.

Luckily, it all ended ok, but other close calls might not be so lucky. Hopefully whoever is at fault has learned their lesson.

See also:

Why not fly in style? Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380 has full size beds! Check it out:

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One for the Road: The Practical Nomad

by Kelly Amabile on

Ed Hasbrouck is a seasoned world traveler and expert on international airfares and travel technology. His Practical Nomad website and blog are loaded with resources about passports and the latest on RFID chips, making changes to airline flights or tickets, and important facts about travel insurance. He learned the business during his 15 years working full-time as a travel agent. But Hasbrouck eventually became quite dissatisfied with the limitations of his job — specifically, the lack of resources available for do-it-yourself travelers.

So, back in 1997, he took what he knew and created a guide for independent travelers — Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World. The just released fourth edition of this valuable guide is an expanded version of the previous three, with advice on choosing destinations and tips on travel documents, entry requirements and luggage restrictions.

Hasbrouck truly is an authority when it comes to practical travel matters. And he has a resume of travel experience that backs up his book of advice. He’s currently on his third round-the-world journey, traveling with his partner, Ruth. According to a recent post on her blog, the couple is in Argentina right now, with another seven months on the road before they return. I’m sure they’ll gather more travel tips to include in future editions of the guide!

One for the Road: Frommer’s Expands Guides for South America

by Kelly Amabile on

As travel to South America continues to grow in popularity, so do the guidebooks! Earlier this year Frommer’s released new versions of guides that were formerly combined in one book. Frommer’s Argentina and Frommer’s Chile & Easter Island are two first edition guidebooks, that were previously packaged together.

Both books are organized by regions, and include a practical planning section and a collection of suggested itineraries. Several must-do experiences recommended by the team of authors: try the tango (of course!), raft into Iguazu Falls (just 90 minutes from Buenos Aires), snowboard in the Andes, trek along Chile’s “Southern Highway” and fly to isolated Easter Island. There’s loads more included in these two new releases, so be sure to check them out if these popular destinations are possibilities for your future travel plans.