by: Sari Freeman
This trip may have truly been one of the greatest of all time – which is not what GOAT stands for, but it left me speechless for so many reasons! You and I know, how complicated it can be to orchestrate a truly superb trip, yet when it is done to perfection, it flows in a very natural and effortless way. Passages of Distinction’s first FAM trip with GOAT (Go On A Trip), our DMC partner in South America, was seamless from start to finish!
The moment we landed at EZE, the international airport in Buenos Aires, via POLARIS, thanks to a friend at Delta, we were rested after the 9 hour flight in the lay flat beds, and ready to go.
Upon arrival, we were immediately met by Eugenia Rosas, the founder and co-owner of GOAT, which is based in Buenos Aires. This luxury DMC curates tailor-made itineraries not only throughout Argentina, but Chile and Uruguay as well – and we were all excited to get a taste of what GOAT could do.
We were whisked off to a stunning authentically rustic estancia where the family owners met us and welcomed us into their home. Upon arrival, they treated us to a breathtaking demonstration of a renowned local horse trainer that I proceeded to call the “horse whisperer”. He entranced us with how softly and delicately he choreographed their dance between trainer and horse. You could see the complete trust, respect, and love they had for one another. They had guitarists serenade us during the show and our Provencal or Tuscan style lunch on the veranda was wonderful. We tasted a perfect selection of wines and they made us an asado on the parillo (a great tradition of a barbeque) and proudly served us an assortment of meats, sausages and empanadas. The sausage was one of the best I have ever tasted!
Then we were off to Buenos Aires where we proceeded to check into the Sofitel – which was a wonderful location and very popular hotel! We set out to the Pony Club, a clubby spot for dinner at the Four Seasons, where we had amazing charcuterie, the ever-present empanadas, and delicious iced cream presented on a lovely tree display!
The next day we continued our tour of Buenos Aires, including the Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo, the cathedral where Pope Francis was bishop for many years, and we saw people were still in mourning as had sadly just passed away.
We also toured the very colorful neighborhood of La Boca where couples danced in the street, San Telmo and to the Recoleta cemetary which is so rich in architecture and stories that you could spend half a day there!
A highlight of the afternoon was spent in San Telmo, where we arrived at a home behind a gate and greeted by a couple who welcomed us in to their Tango studio and hosted a group lesson for us! We had so much fun and will always remember those special moments. That evening, we were delighted to get picked up in a beautifully decorated antique bus, and whisked off to the Faena, where we had dinner and were invited to the best tango show in town: Rojo Tango! Both the dinner and the show were incredible, and we certainly had a greater appreciation for their talents after having taken a class. Truly an exceptional day!
The following morning we would take a plane to the land of wine: Mendoza…stay tuned for my next blog for Mendoza – then Bariloche, and Patagonia!
More About GOAT
I met Eugenia and her co-owner Gabriel, who had both worked at the Alvear Palace. At the time, it was the original luxury palace hotel of Buenos Aires that we represented for many years. Both Eugenia and Gabriel gained experience working for other DMCs. After having a child, with all of her experience, Eugenia decided to start GOAT. Once they grew the business to the point where they could look for representation, they knew just who to reach out to! It has now been two years and we are delighted with the results of our wonderful partnership! Now, after this trip, I anticipate business will grow substantially.
