The Palacio Barolo and all things Tango. Feb 2020.

 Palacio Barolo & Tango.  29th February 2020.

I had read about the Palacio Barolo in my Buenos Aires guide book. The office building, once Argentina’s tallest building was constructed between 1919 and 1923. It’s a mixture of styles, Art Nuevo, Gothic and Art Deco and is inspired around Dante’s ‘ Divine Comedy’.

I had booked the tour on line and it was scheduled for 11.00. the information provided advised that you arrive 15 minutes early to collect your tickets.

The tour was busy and the 11.00 slot was a sell out. It did not however not start on time as some people who had booked just turned up and didn’t have the tickets. Eventually we got going and using the lifts and stairs we ascended the 22 floors. 

Each floor has unique decoration and ornamentation. Some of the floors are very plain. On the top is a light house. We climbed up a narrow, spiral staircase and into the lighthouse. Although we were at the top of the building it was so hot in the glass dome that it felt more like we were in the bowels of Hell!

It was a fascinating building and interesting experience.

We were got our bearings and were gained confidence abouth walking around Buenos Aires now so walked down to an area that sold Tango Shoes. I had a wedding to attend in April and wanted to get some new shoes for the occasion. the problem was there were so many to choose from.

The Café Tortoni was close and we wanted to go to it, but sadly it was closed.

We did cross the magnificent Av 9 de Julio many times. The more I saw of Buenos Aires the more I loved it.

I had booked a Tango show for the evening. But we decided that we did not want a dinner & show combo as we wanted to eat at one of the many fabulous restaurants. There was a massive variety of Tango shows to choose from and I eventually chose the Aljibe show- not with dinner- ticket. This was pre paid months ago. We were show to our seats and given a steak dinner with wine before the show started. I explained that that was not what I booked, but that caused confusion. The organisers seemed to think we were on a cruise ship tour. Strangely the venue was sold out with people who were doing back to back cruises on the Celebrity Eclipse. 

The Tango show was outstanding. The meal not bad, the wine OK after the first glass!! But it was a really good evening and the perfect end to an Argentine inspired day.