Carlos Melia Blog

www.carlosmeliablog.com • www.carlosmelia.com

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This BLOG has moved to a new address. Please click here to be redirected or try http://www.carlosmeliablog.com
You may also visit our CM Official Site at http://www.carlosmelia.com

Filed under: CM Boutique Gay Travel

WARNING !! US Travelers • Airport Entry Fee Argentina

Airport Entry Fee
December 11, 2009

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars.  The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport.  Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity.  Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the U.S. for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444.  For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 4300 Avenida Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires; telephone+54-11-5777-4354; after hours emergency telephone +54-11-5777-4873; ACS unit fax +54-11-5777-4293; e-mail BuenosAires-ACS@state.gov; web page http://argentina.usembassy.gov.

Americans living or traveling in Argentina are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Argentina.  Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, , ,

Cachi • Salta • Argentina ( DEC 2009)

Cachi, Salta, Argentina

Cachi • Salta • Argentina • by CM

Photo Album of my last trip to Cachi in the province of Salta, Argetina. Hope you all enjoy it. Cheers. CM

Cachi

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=878799&l=7bf78fae47&id=1346696484

Filed under: Argentina, Cachi, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Salta, , ,

Northern Boutique Route • ARGENTINA

Complying with my motto at CM Boutique Gay TravelBEEN THERE DONE THAT, I am heading off tomorrow DEC 03rd, from Buenos Aires on a 15 Days / 14 Nights experience NORTHERN Boutique Route of Argentina. This route includes the following amazing destinations Mendoza • Tucuman • Cafayate • Cachi • Salta • Purmamarca and Jujuy.

This Northern Boutique Route is sponsored and courtesy of the following boutique Hotels and Tours, which I will review as a gay traveler, testing and rating their services and products based on my own experiences.

> Mendoza ( DEC 03rd. to 08th. )
( Hotels ) Park Hyatt MendozaCasa MARGOTCAVAS Wine LodgeEl Aguamiel.
( Tours ) Full Day Wineries • Full Day Rafitng Tour • Full Day Horseback Ridding along the Andes.
( Restaurants ) Azafran • Bisto M • Ocho Cepas • El 23 Gran Bar • Las Negras Deck.

> Tucuman • Cafayate ( DEC 09th. to 11th. )
( Hotels ) Missia Pepa Boutique HotelEstancia Las CarrerasWINE Resort Viñas de Cafayate.
( Tours ) City Tour Tucuman • Tafi del Valle • Quilmes • Quebrada de Cafayate.

> Salta • Cachi • Purmamarca ( DEC 11th. to 18th. )
( Hotels ) Ayres de Salta HotelDesign SuitesEl Cortijo Hotel BoutiqueEl LagarRefugio de CoquenaHouse of Jasmines.
( Tours ) City Tour Salta • Cachi • Purmamarca • Quebrada de Humahuaca.

All the information, images ad live videos on this itinerary, hotel and tour reviews will be available, published and shared on my website at CM Boutique Gay Travel, this blog and my Carlos Melia Facebook Page. Feel free to follow this and send your questions, requests and comments.

Hope you enjoy it and all this information will help you planning you future holidays at this destinations. Especial thanks to my Travel Experts a each of this destinations, whom you will be able to meet at my site.

Cheers, Carlos Melia • CM

Filed under: 27187630, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Cachi, Cafayate, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Hotels with Attitude, Jujuy, Purmamarca, Salta, Tucuman, , , , , , , , , , ,

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK • ELEINI TONY • Tel Aviv, Israel

Hi Carlos,
Thanks for  your E-mail…I must  say that we had a great vacation, we enjoyed it very much .
The tours we arranged us were very nice , the hotels were great, just the issue that they were far from
The center we had to use taxis a lot. However , thanks a lot for your help.
Tony

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Customer Feedback, , , , , , , , ,

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK • CHRIS RANDOLF • TEXAS,US

Carlos is a FANTASTIC Travel Agent…
He listens to your needs and plans your trip so that you experience only the best the country has to offer…Not the same tourist sites most agents send you to but where the locals hang out… That’s my kind of Travel Agent!
Chris

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Customer Feedback, , , , ,

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK • FRED & BEVERLY • New York, US

Hi Carlos
We are back in the New York and we had a fantastic time on our trip to your beautiful country.The Transfer went perfect and he was very professional.Your instructions for the bus tickets were very accurate and we had a very good time in San Antonio de Areco.We really appreciate all your help, and will recommend you to our friends.
THANKS
Fred & Beverly

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Customer Feedback, , , , , ,

Gay Marriage coming to ARGENTINA ?

Gay Marriage Argentina

As some of you may have heard, Argentina is closer than ever before to becoming the first Latin American country to rule in favour of Gay and Lesbian Marriages (we currently only have State-specific Civil Unions in several Argentine provinces).

A special legislative commission will conclude a round of hearings to determine if the proposed law is submitted to Congressional vote. There is a large number of undecided congressmen who – we know for a fac t- have been monitoring online polls to get a feel of the general population’s support for Gay Marriage.

EXPRESS YOUR VOICE NOW. !!! Regardless where in the face of the world you live. This is a fight we all must takeover together worldwide. Which is why I’d like to ask for your help, by simply clicking in the attached link ( http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1191578 ) and scrolling down the page to the poll. Just click on “” (which means you support Gay Marriage). A pop-up window will appear where you’ll be asked to enter some random digits to confirm your vote, and that’ll be it. We’d also be tremendously grateful if you could forward this request to your contact lists (and, of course, posting this news and links on blogs and gay-friendly websites would be also of great help).

So far the Argentinean citizens have shown a positive feedback favoring a 51% towards Gay Marriage. This shows a huge step forward, for other countries all over America to follow.

Thanks in advance for your support, and let’s hope sometime soon we can all be remembering the days of fighting for our rights as something of the faraway past!

( This post was shared by Diego Mathe – Buenos Aires, Argentina )

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, Gay Rights, Press Clipping, , , , , , ,

El Querandi Tango Show and Diner

El Querandi Tango

What differentiates El Querandi from other tango shows and diner in the city, is that this is an amazing Restaurant with a great tango show. The house is located in the neighborhood of San Telmo. The stage is strategically located so you will always get a top view of the show, regardless where you are seated.

> DESCRIPTION
Since 1867 this big old house has been established in the historic center of the City. In 1920 it was founded as a bar and then, in 1992 restored; it is now considered by the Museum of the City of Buenos Aires as a “Living Evidence of the Civic Memory” and as a “Place of Tourist Interest” by the National Tourist Secretary.

Its capacity for two hundred people, seated in individual tables, combined with its wreathed columns, boisserie and deep shaped wood, creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

The tango is, undoubtedly the most authentic Argentinean artistic expression. It is a genuine creation born in the late 19th century from the bottom of our people’s heart. Lewd, ruffian, and pretentious dance, with some rhythms from candombe (drum-based musical form), and with milonga (popular music of the pampas and the Rio de la Plata) voices, which was originated in the cabarets bordellos, bawdyhousen and brothels.

It became known worldwide in the early 20th. century and was played in different ways: some times with artistic quality, other in a exaggerated way, by worldwide famous artists such as Rodolfo Valentino, Charles Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy…
However, none of them could capture the true essence of the Argentinean tango.

El Querandi, with its show “ Our Tango “ tries to pay tribute to the popular feeling that originated this artistic expression which is a stamp of our identity worldwide.

> COST
SHOW + DINER – USD 87 x PERSON
SHOW – USD 50 x PERSON
VIP SHOW + DINER 

- USD 150 x PERSON

01. All prices are final and subject to modifications.
02. Diner includes: Starter + Main Dish + Dessert + 01 Bottle of Wine every 02 people. Water + Coffee or Tea.
03. Diner (08.30PM) / Show (aprox. 10PM)

Filed under: CM Boutique Gay Travel

Gay Day Tour Buenos Aires (3hs.)

The best way to get to know this amazing city in only 3 hours. You may not get to see all areas deep into detail, but it will give you a general idea on which neighborhoods are your favorite and a general perspective on the pace and identity of the city. During the length of your tour, take advantage of the knowledge of our gay guides and strain their brains out for tips on cool and trendy restaurants, bars and hot spots in the city. I would strongly suggest to do this tour on the first or second day of arrival, to better understand, enjoy and take advantage of Buenos Aires. This tour can either be done on Private Transportation w/driver or using Public Transportation.

>> FYI. !!! For those interested we also provide this same tour in New York City.

> DESCRIPTION
The best way to get to know this amazing city in only 3 hours. You may not get to see all areas deep into detail, but it will give you a general idea on which neighborhoods are your favorite and a general perspective on the pace and identity of the city. During the length of your tour, take advantage of the knowledge of our gay guides and strain their brains out for tips on cool and trendy restaurants, bars and hot spots in the city. I would strongly suggest to do this tour on the first or second day of arrival, to better understand, enjoy and take advantage of Buenos Aires. This tour can either be done on Private Transportation w/driver or using Public Transportation.

The tour will take you following the pace of the history and development of the city. La Boca, San Telmo, Plaza de Mayo, Downtown, Retiro, Recoleta and Cemetery, Palermo, Palermo SOHO, Palermo Parks and Belgrano.

The tour can be customized to your choice or needs and any point. So if you feel like staying longer in a particular area, or would like to do any particular activity, like shopping for leather…, please let us know in advance to include it in our itinerary.

Pick ups and Drop offs are at you hotel, unless you prefer a different location. The time and schedule is also customize to your needs, but in order to avoid rush hours we suggest (during the summer) 10AM or 04PM pick ups, and (during the winter) 11AM or 3PM pick ups.

* Full Private tours include bilingual gay guide + private car w/driver.
* Semi Private tours include bilingual gay guide. We will move around the city using public transportation (bus, taxi and subway). In this case transportation expenses are on your own.

For us at CM, the best way to get to know the city of Buenos Aires. A short but complete introduction to the city and its happening, visiting the main tourist attractions and neighborhoods.

> COST
Fares below are subject to last minute modifications and seasons.

PRIVATE Service with Transportation
x 01 PERSON – USD 150
x 02 PEOPLE
 – USD 150
EXTRA PERSON – USD 50 x person.

PRIVATE Service without Transportation
x 01 PERSON – USD 75
x 02 PEOPLE
 – USD 75
EXTRA PERSON – USD 39 x person.

1).  Prices subject to modifications. Local TAX is not included.
2). 03 Hours Tour including Bilingual Guide and transportation services according to your tour choice.
3). TIPS, Drinks and other expenses are not included.
4).  If you choose to take the Public Transportation option, you are responsible for all transportation expenses of the Tour Guide.

Filed under: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Carlos Melia, CM Boutique Gay Travel, New York City, , , ,


Welcome Carlos Melia Blog. I am Carlos Melia, Independent gay travel agent specialized into Argentina, New York City and Uruguay.

CM Boutique Gay Travel is my own business, which I started seven years ago, after over fifteen years working in the travel/hospitality business .

At CM Boutique Gay Travel website/blog you will find general info, tips and cool stuff on gay travel worldwide. ( Hotel reviews, Apartments, Tours and Concierge Services.).

My firm commitment to you, and main purpose of my company is • Been There, Done That. All travel services and products to be offered and featured, have previously been experienced and approved personally by me or one of my customers.

Hope you enjoy this trip and look forward hearing your feedback and comments. CM

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