Breaking away...

In the month of March (Marzo), we in Argentina are blessed with two extra long (4 day) weekends!!! This is the perfect opportunity to get out of the city and do some exploring. This time of year is ideal for all types of adventures; from the glaciers in the south to the waterfalls in the north. But if you haven’t come to Argentina for the cold, then this could be an ideal time to see the south. While temperatures are still averaging 15˚C (60˚F) and the sight of the glaciers on those clear blue days are made even more spectacular by the thundering sound of ice breaking off and tumbling into the icy waters below.

El Calafate is typically the base for this type of exploration, situated centrally between many glaciers with its own airport. While flights leave regularly from Buenos Aires through LAN Argentina or Aerolineas Argentinas, they are not always reliable, so don’t plan your trip too tightly or you might be in frantic rescheduling. The town of El Calafate is quaint and has undergone rapid development as a result of the increased interest in the quickly disappearing glaciers. The town is full of souvenir stores but be prepared to pay tourist prices for them!

The main attraction is the Perito Moreno Glacier, situated 85km (53miles) from El Calafate (a magnificent drive). Options of viewing the Glacier range from a lengthy walkway with many picture-perfect vantage points or a boat trip to get you closer to the action. Another breath-taking experience is the Upsala Glacier, reached from El Calafate by boat, with its surrounding old-english estancias. The Upsala Glacier is losing approximately 200m of ice a year, and has been the Greenpeace poster for Global Warming effects.

In the area, the spectacular Fitzroy Mountain can also be visited. These attractions are disbursed over quite a wide area and can be reached only by car or bus. There are a number of companies offering day trip to these sights and for those more daring, there are a number of car rental companies in downtown El Calafate.

All in all, El Calafate offers a clean break from the big smoke, Buenos Aires. Its fresh air, wide open spaces and once in a lifetime view will quench the thirst for an outdoor adventure and can be achieved comfortably over four days. For these upcoming long weekends, consider an escape to the greener pastures of El Calafate.

For those electing to stay in the city, or those looking for a different adventure, stay tuned for what Elebaires has on offer. These alternatives will be announced in the coming weeks and are sure to please.

Lonely Planet: Recognition for a job well done!

Planning for a holiday abroad can be incredibly time consuming and mentally exhausting as endless options for a variety of experiences appear in our google searches. In times like these, we look for those familiar names, those sources of clarity in times of confusion. A source synonymous with travel and adventure, an organization ready to guide you on any journey is none other than the Lonely Planet.

For over thirty years, they have done the leg work for us, often saving us from the disastrous restaurant experience undoubtedly followed by a painful bout of food poisoning; the well-situated hostel that does not consider cockroaches a household pet; and of course how best to spend our time whilst on our individual adventure. For years they have provided us with this support and they haven’t let us down yet. In fact, they have recognized Elebaires as a premier Spanish language institute in Buenos Aires in their most recent edition of the Lonely Planet Guide for South America. A well-earned reflection of the quality of the programs offered at our school. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and would like to recognize the efforts of all our staff and students for making our program unique.

We know how difficult it can be organizing a trip to a foreign country. At Elebaires, we are here to make that a little easier for all of you with our variety of accommodation alternatives and city excursions to make sure you maximize your time in Argentina.

Learn Spanish after classes at Elebaires!

What do we do after classes? ¿Qué hacemos después de clase?
Caminamos por la ciudad, andamos en bicicleta por los barrios más verdes, comemos un poquito y tomamos mate!
Summer time is ideal to live Buenos Aires outdoors, join us!
Weekend trips? Sí! Salimos a Mar del Plata en Enero, disfrutamos el sol, la playa, el día y la noche!!!
Aprendemos español y vivimos una experiencia en Elebaires! Diplomas? Muchas felicidades a todos los estudiantes de Enero!!!
Gracias a todos los estudiantes que compartieron con nosotros tan buenos momentos, visitá nuestro álbum de facebook para ver más!