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 Activities
and excursions are a great way to practice your Spanish outside
of class while getting to know the culture around you. BridgeArgentina
offers complimentary activities including staff and student
happy hours and the Cine Club, where you can get together
with classmates to watch an Argentinean movie. Another popular
option (available for a small additional charge) is tango
lessons with a professional instructor.
To help you explore the fascinating city of Buenos Aires
while continuing to practice your Spanish, the school also
arranges two guided afternoon excursions per week. Excursions
are included in the cost of all programs; however, students
are expected to pay for their own public transportation costs
and entrance fees (if applicable). Some of the excursions
we offer are described below. We invite you to participate
in as many as possible to truly make the most of your time
in Argentina!
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Recoleta
One of the most popular excursions among our students is a trip to the neighborhood known as a "slice of Paris" in Buenos Aires. Recoleta is a beautiful place to explore on foot and while there you'll be given a guided tour of one of the city's most visited cultural quarters, including many famous French-style buildings, large parks, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. |
| Another spectacular sight in this neighborhood is the Recoleta Cemetery, one of the oldest in Argentina. A true "who's who" of Argentinean history, the cemetery permits you to stroll among the impressive tombs of national heroes, former presidents, and the world-famous Eva Peron, better known as Evita. |
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Rosedal
If you enjoy being outdoors, this excursion is for you. Rosedal is Buenos Aires' most famous and most visited park. You'll take a leisurely stroll through the vast expanse of greenery and appreciate the park's lovely bridges, piers, ponds, sculptures, and abundant vegetation. This is a great place to escape the noise of the city and relax! |
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San Telmo
One of Buenos Aires' most traditional neighborhoods, San Telmo was home to many aristocratic families until the yellow fever epidemic of 1871. After the epidemic, many of the area's beautiful homes were taken over by squatters and became tenement houses. It wasn't until 1970 that these houses began to be remodeled and considered valuable pieces of architecture. |
| In addition to a walking tour of this neighborhood, you will enjoy visiting the local antique shops and the San Telmo Market, where both expensive and inexpensive antiques can be found, as well as artwork and crafts made by local street artists. |
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La Boca
On this afternoon excursion, students tour the first port of Buenos Aires—the famous La Boca. This neighborhood was built by poor immigrants who worked at low-paying jobs in the meat salting houses, lumber yards, and stores of Buenos Aires. Due to the poverty of the area, these immigrants had to resort to painting their homes with assorted colors of leftover paint. |
| These colorful houses characterize the neighborhood of La Boca, and are a big part of why it is now one of the city's most visited neighborhoods. La Boca is also distinguished by its role as the home of the country's most popular soccer team, the Boca Juniors, and its stadium La Bombonera. |
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Plaza de Mayo
This trip takes students to a part of Buenos Aires that has long been at the center of Argentina's political history. The excursion begins with a walk around the Plaza de Mayo, a beautiful square that since 1810 has been the scene of important national political events.
After touring the square, you'll visit the famous buildings surrounding the plaza. The first stop is the Casa Rosada (Pink House), which has been the home of the national government for almost two centuries. |
| The excursion continues to the Metropolitan Cathedral, a National Historical Monument. While touring the cathedral, you will also visit the mausoleum of Argentine liberator, General Sarmiento. The final stop is at the beautiful Cabildo, a building that was at the epicenter of the May Revolution marking the beginning of the country's liberation. |
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Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón is one of the world's finest opera houses. Tiered like a wedding cake, the gilt and red velvet auditorium has unsurpassed acoustics. Pavorotti has said that the Colón has only one flaw: the acoustics are so good every mistake can be heard! You will be more than impressed by the beauty of this hall, and you will be surprised as the tour allows you to discover the places the public doesn't normally see! |
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MALBA
(Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires)
The Museum of Latin American Art is noteworthy for a variety of reasons. It was designed by a group of young architects from Córdoba that won an international contest sponsored by the museum's founder and sole donor, Argentine businessman Eduardo Constantini. In addition to art works, itinerant exhibits and photographic, film, and video works, the museum has an auditorium where non-commercial films are shown and where literary series, courses, conferences and seminars are given. |
| The MALBA also has a bar and restaurant as well as a shop with art books, decorative objects and jewelry. Nearby is the Paseo Alcorta Shopping Center for those who want to do a little shopping after visiting the museum. |
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Planetario (Planetarium)
For those of you interested in astronomy, this excursion is right up your alley. Visit the Planetario de Buenos Aires accompanied by a teacher and learn all about the skies of the Southern Hemisphere—all while practicing your Spanish! |
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El Estadio de River (River Plate Stadium)
Are you a River fan? Then don't miss this excursion to this famous soccer team's stadium on the northern edge of Buenos Aires. The venue, also called "El Monumental," was home to the 1978 World Cup opening and final games. On this excursion, you will be given a guided tour of the stadium, learning about its history and about the team. |
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Manzana de las Luces
Constructed by the Jesuits in the early 1800s, La Manzana de las Luces was designed as an intellectual "center of light," or enclave of enlightenment. It also served as the colonial headquarters for the vast territory controlled by the Jesuits in Argentina and Paraguay. The city's first medical school was established in this area, as was its first public library. Another building of note is the oldest church in Buenos Aires, San Ignacio. |
| On this excursion, you will tour parts of the neighborhood's historic tunnels, still undergoing excavation, which connected the area to the Cabildo (old town hall) and the port. You can also speculate as to the original purpose of these tunnels—no one is sure whether they were designed for military defense or for smuggling. |
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Jardín Japonés (Japanese Garden)
A tranquil escape from the bustling metropolis, our excursion to the Jardín Japonés takes you to one of the largest Japanese gardens in the world. Meander across wooden bridges spanning streams and ponds, view artistically cultivated plant life, feed colorful fish, and enjoy a cup of tea—all without leaving the city. |
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