We arrived at the airport in Buenos Aires to electronic signs announcing our arrival. Joe and I were a bit sleepy from the overnight flight, so our driver, Hugo, whisked us to the luxurious Four Seasons in La Recoleta neighborhood. Staying at the Four Seasons is a treat in and of itself, but upon check-in we were greeted like kings and led to the Owner's Suite. Yes, that's right. I almost fell over with shock as the extremely attentive staff escorted us to the top floor of the hotel to the nicest place I will ever lay my head. I gazed out my window, which has to be the best view in all of Buenos Aires: straight down the Avenida 9 de Julio to the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, and the Four Seasons La Mansión and pool. Do I ever have to check out? I knew the theme for my Condé Nast Traveler and Lexus trip was "Don't Go Quietly," but this was insane! The owner is from Dubai, so since he wasn't here, we got the room...amazing to say the least. Decorated with an Argentinian gaucho theme, it is rustic elegance at its finest.

Joe and I put on our bathing suits and headed for the infinity pool to lounge. The infinity pool was just renovated in November 2012...I think they were preparing for my arrival! As I was relaxing, I kept pinching myself. Can it really be 90º and sunny right now? Am I really here? I took a cat nap in my lounge chair and when I woke up I was still in that gorgeous place, so it must be real.
















The level of service has been impeccable -- we bought some wine while out today, and a staff member took it up to our room for us. I thought that was nice, but when we returned to the room, they had set up a table with the wine and glasses, a cork screw, small plates and a platter of cheeses. This went above and beyond any service I have ever received.

We met with our fabulous vacation planner, Condé Nast Travel Specialist Maita Barrenechea, along with Rebekah, the General Manager of the Four Seasons, and the Director of Marketing, Gabriel. We talked over drinks at the hotel bar as we planned out the itinerary for the rest of the trip. We had such a good time getting to know everyone! Maita accompanied us to Elena, the restaurant within the Four Seasons, where she had arranged for us to experience a chef's dinner, prepared by chef Juan Gaffuri. We dined like kings on decadent food and wine pairings; I will think about that meal the rest of my life.

The food was amazing to say the least, and the selection of meat was quite impressive. I particularly loved their version of sweetbread, as well as their homemade gelato. I had the chance to talk in length with Maita about the value of hiring a travel specialist like herself. Oh, the interesting stories she has about the people she's met along the way! The first day into my adventure, I realize just exactly how valuable it is to have an insider, like Maita, plan my trip.






















Tomorrow we head to San Antonio de Areco to Chef Paula Melos' home for a cooking class, then onto an authentic estancia, or ranch, called La Bamba, where we'll be enjoying horse back riding and more. I keep pinching myself to make sure this is all real. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be a part if this experience. Good night!