We know that medical tourism is a growing field: After all, we've contemplated a trip to Hungary to get our teeth fixed or a stay in the Netherlands to cure our nail-biting habit. But our next booking is taking us to Buenos Aires, and here's why.

We've just discovered that Argentina's capital is the "psychoanalysis capital of the world," and a two-hour therapy session will set you back only around $18. They've got more qualified psychologists than anywhere and if you head to the district of Palermo, you'll discover there's a good reason why it's nicknamed "Villa Freud."

Locals suggest that it's the country's long history of instability--war, dictatorship and economic collapse are just a few of the problems--that's made them a nation full of shrinks. We're just happy to have an exotic destination lined up for our next mental breakdown.

Related Stories:
· Get Your Head Tested in Buenos Aires [UK Times]
· Hungary For Some New Teeth [Jaunted]
· Cure Your Nail Biting Habit [Jaunted]

[Photo: Esparta]]]> amandak 2008-08-25T10:00:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/17/121021/418

The hot Friday-night table in Argentina's capital isn't an Adria-influenced foamfest or a gourmet burger palace. Instead, those with discerning taste buds are lining up at the city's Armenian cultural center for its weekly fundraising supper--and it's not for Jell-o salads and casserole.]]> egw 2008-07-17T13:05:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/14/9595/97652

While we dawdle around in the US, asking if the airlines would please, maybe, hopefully sorta respect us, passengers in Buenos Aires are letting Aerolineas Argentinas know exactly how they feel. As labor conflicts wear on, delays and cancellations have stranded passengers expressing their feelings by smashing computers and offices while hurling soda cans at weary airline employees.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded at Ministro Pistarini International since Friday when the trouble started. Some news reports blame baggage handlers and pilots for the flight cancellations, though the pilots union says it's members are ready to fly. Passengers suspect that Aerolineas Argentinas is overbooking flights.

It'll take at least another epic summer of delays in the States before we see this kind of rioting at JFK--though it might be the kind of drastic action we need to get our airlines working again. ¡Viva la revolución!

Related Stories:
· Stranded Travelers Riot at Argentine Airport [Gadling]
· Argentine Flight Delays Spark Passenger Violence [Reuters]
· Airport Hell coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-01-14T10:04:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/5/143833/840

Buenos Aires, the capital of the land of tango and macho gauchos, is going gay. Exhibit A in the transformation is the newly opened Axel Hotel, the first specifically-for-gay-customers property to open in the city. And though it offers up a marketing campaign featuring much racier photos than the hotel-provided pic above, the Axel isn't driving the change in attitudes. Instead, says Alexei Barrionuevo in the New York Times, the hotel is the result of a newly open society.

This summer the city hosted a soccer World Cup for gay players, soon after a TV dating show made waves by showing gay men kissing on camera. Five years ago, BA legalized same-sex unions. Before that, Argentina's president declared equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation. And as Buenos Aires warms, gay travelers have started dropping by. Trying to capitalize on the tourism boomlet, of course, is the Axel Hotel.

That said, there's more to see than the hotel. Partiers of any orientation are welcome at Kim y Novak, a grungy bar with nothing but debauchery on its blog. Downtown, Palacio Alsina draws a mixed crowd with its drag queen hostess and go-go dancers. And mega-club Amerika is still the gold standard for those into the gay clubbing scene.

Related Stories:
· Axel Hotels [Official Site]
· In Macho Argentina, a New Beacon [NYT]
· Gay Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2007-12-05T15:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/7/5/233642/4941

Buenos Aires is famous for its nightlife. A few lesser-known hot spots may have been ignored by guidebooks and tourists (lucky for us) but they're a definite must-visit.

El Beso -- This Forties-style nightclub hosts a variety of tango parties, or milongas, ranging from casual, no-partner-needed rounds (where you, o seeker of love, come in) to pros-only dance-offs. Riobamba 416

Beat House -- Jetlag begone! Ease into the Argentinean nightlife with this bar in the northeastern neighborhood of Las Cañitas, where the fun starts at the early bird hour of 9 p.m. Meet someone here and you can take them to the next bar, and the club, and then to breakfast... Báez 211

Soul Cafe -- Look for "young hipsters and cocktail seekers" or just a great Argentine meal at this disco restaurant. Báez 246

Related Stories:
· Embedded Travel Guide to Buenos Aires [Jaunted]
· Buenos Aires Hotel Guide [HotelChatter]

[Photo Credit: Hg2Hedonist]]]> egw 2007-07-05T23:36:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/6/19/104450/969

Embedded Travel Guides: We are searching the world for folks who can take you on a field trip of their "backyard." When we find these folks, we then stealthy embed them into their local travel scene and ask them to be our eyes and ears out in the field.

We are expecting the same sort of grainy video, choppy sentences, and snapshot photos that you are use to seeing from embeds. The rub is, at the end of the day we should be left with a backyard travel guidebook like no other.

Our first embed is Matt Chesterton of Buenos Aires. You might remember this x-Time Out Travel star from HotelChatter's hit series The Thinkers' Guide to Staying in Buenos Aires

I'm finished. In every sense of the word. Hungover, bilious and exhausted; one pair of overpriced sneakers worn out, one liver on the way. It's been great fun. If you've been reading, thank you. If you haven't, you've missed an opportunity to augment your knowledge of, and sympathy for, the human race, so get thyself to the archives, which, if I carry on like this, will surely outlive me.

MORE ]]> MattyC 2007-06-19T12:13:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/6/18/145515/670

Embedded Travel Guides: We are searching the world for folks who can take you on a field trip of their "backyard." When we find these folks, we then stealthy embed them into their local travel scene and ask them to be our eyes and ears out in the field.

We are expecting the same sort of grainy video, choppy sentences, and snapshot photos that you are use to seeing from embeds. The rub is, at the end of the day we should be left with a backyard travel guidebook like no other.

Our first embed is Matt Chesterton of Buenos Aires. You might remember this x-Time Out Travel star from HotelChatter's hit series The Thinkers' Guide to Staying in Buenos Aires

If you've heard anything about Buenos Aires, you've probably heard something about Palermo Viejo. This quiet, mazy, cobblestoned neighbourhood to the north of the centre has been extremely made over since the late 1990s, and is now the city's most fashionable district for dining, shopping, sleeping in style, or just hanging around on street corners looking fly.

MORE ]]> MattyC 2007-06-18T15:58:19-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/