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Shopping

As a world-class city, Buenos Aires has it all, and these days mostly at downright bargain prices. Your best bet for one-stop shopping is in Microcento, along the bustling pedestrian Calle Florida and the intersecting Calle Lavalle. Both are lined with all manner of restaurants and shops selling fancy clothes, shoes, luggage, handbags, jewelry, and leatherwear as much as half-off or more (depending on the type and quality of item) what you'd pay in the United States. One of the highlights of Calle Florida is Galerías Pacífico (www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar), a grandiose, historic building that's been converted into an elegant four-story mall complete with ceiling frescos (you can even take a guided tour to admire the architecture).

If there's one thing Buenos Aires is known for producing, it's leather, and you'll see quality workmanship and designs here that you simply don't find easily – or at all – in the United States. Prices are even better the further out you go in the Palermo neighborhood – and in the leather district (www.centrodelcuero.com.ar), where dozens of shops line a few blocks of Calle Murillo (in the 500s and 600s); we especially love the jackets, shoes, and handbags at Sentir Argentino (Murillo 677; +54 (11) 4854-0048; www.slmcueros.com.ar).

Recoleta, not surprisingly, given its well-heeled residents, is where to find the likes of Armani and Cartier, as well as local designers like Jessica Trosman, whose Trosman boutique (Patio Bullrich, Avenida del Libertador 750; www.trosman.com) has a second branch in Palermo Viejo (Calle Armenia 1998), where locals with more fashion sense than pesos shop, particularly along Avenida Santa Fe near Avenida Coronel Díaz and Avenida Córdoba between Palestina and Armenia. For menswear, check out Calle Gurruchaga.

For antiques, San Telmo is your best central bet; there are shops scattered throughout the neighborhood, but you might find some especially good deals at the historic covered Mercado San Telmo (calles Estados Unidos, Defensa, Carlos Calvo, and Bolivar).

One more product to look out for is the increasing number of fine local wines like Malbecs and Syrahs. One particularly well-stocked chain is Winery in Microcentro (Avenido Corriento 300; www.winery.com.ar), where prices for local vino run from 10 to 260 pesos. Another popular wine chain is Ligier (Avenida Santa Fe 800; www.ligier.com.ar).