Spending Your Valentine's Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the Splendour of the Seas

Men always have high expectations placed on them for Valentine's Day treats. Women will say, "It's about the sentiment and feeling special." A box of candy, a dozen roses and a nice dinner sometime shows the gratitude expected. But, if you're going with us on the Splendour of the Seas, this Valentine's Day, everything is set to go! The city of Buenos Aires is full of diversity, artisanship and little shops to remember your loved one and the time spent together.

On February 14, 2008, the ship will sail up the Rio de la Plata and dock at 8:00 am in Buenos Aires (BA), Argentina after two days at sea. For the two days before we hit port, there will be plenty of time to relax, go to the spa to get a treatment or lay in the sun to make yourself feel what you're going to experience in the city - reformed and regenerated for the better.

The capital of Argentina, has a rich European multicultural blend with a flavor of South America. The 'porteños', 'the port people' or 'people of the city', are alive and full of room for personal beauty, music, art, theater and romance. This time of year, the weather will be summer tropical and you might see some rain.

Buenos Aires, itself, is split into 47 neighborhoods, 'barrios', each with its own personality. The Italian, Spanish, French and German cultural influences will stand out in the boulevards, parks and architecture within each. The romantic tango can be seen all over the city in the streets, plazas, restaurants, cafes and bars. If you are lucky, maybe you will get a private lesson of your own during a demonstration!

Plaza de Mayo is the attraction for politics in Buenos Aires. This public space is the location for many celebrations, protests, and forms of political strife. One side of the plaza stands the Casa Rosada famous for the balcony scene in 'Evita'. On the other side is the Catedral Metropolitana built on the site of the original colonial church. You will see uniformed guards watching over the tomb of General Jose de San Martin.

La Boca (the mouth) referenced by it's location on port, can be recognized by the bright colors of the houses. Once produced out of necessity, the paint colors are now done more for tradition. As you drive into La Boca, you will make way to Calle Caminito. The Caminito is the main street and will be full of artists, tango dancers, street cafes, Italian taverns and souvenirs. The locals are very well versed in the tourist trade and aiming for your enjoyment of the atmosphere.

Another tourist attraction is Recoleta. Considered the most exclusive and nicest part of town it features boutiques, restaurants and architecture that rivals Paris. If you want to see the European fashions before they hit the United States, this is the place to be. The reason most come to venture into Recoleta is the cemetery world famous for its architecture and inhabitants. I heard that near the end of the day, the cats that reside within the cemeteries front gates come out for feeding time.

If above wouldn't suit that atmosphere you are looking, there are 44 other neighborhoods to explore and find what you might be looking. As we return to the ship and set sail, I'm sure there might be some more Valentine's Day opportunities.

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