Lose yourself among the faded elegance of the old neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, take steps to find a dance hall to try the tango, then indulge in pampas-fed steaks and a glass of Malbec. Welcome to Argentina. 

A wander along the dusty streets of the Argentinian capital and it is no surprise to learn it is often called the Paris of South America. With French-style palaces, architecture soaked in ice-cream colours and long, wide boulevards, not to mention the food and the wine, there is much to indulge in. One of the largest cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires is as captivating and seductive as its sultry tango.

  • Start your day with cafe con leche, then head to neo-classical National Museum of Decorative Arts. There's a French feel to the mansion, built in the early 20th century, which is full of tapestries and European furniture, as well as paintings by El Greco and Manet and a collection of Oriental porcelain.

  • If you want to see the main sights, make your way to Plaza de Mayo to look at the facades of the pink-walled Government House, Casa Rosada, as well as the cathedral and old town hall. Surrounded by beautiful turn of the century art nouveau architecture it is a feast for the eyes.

  • Soak up city street life on Caminito in La Boca barrio. Thronged with tango dancers and artists, it was once a local hangout but these days there are plenty of tourists too, though it still feels authentic.

  • Remember María Eva Duarte de Perón, better known at Evita, at the Recoleta Cemetery. Among the stray cats and thousands of mausoleums you will also find also the exclusive final resting place of many Argentinian presidents, generals and poets.

  • Go shopping at Palermo Soho for indie labels, designer brands and artisan made souvenirs. Then stop at one of the many outdoor cafes, dotted among the trees, to recharge your batteries. Remember, prices are affordable, thanks to the devaluation of the Argentinian peso. Take plenty of US dollars, which are accepted in bars, restaurants and shops across the city.

  • Locals don't eat until late so go for a drink at Milion in a converted mansion in Recoleta. There's a grand, sweeping marble staircase and a busy crowd all evening. Then have dinner at a traditional parrilla or steakhouse if you love big slabs of juicy red meat with thick-cut chips. Don Julio in Palermo is highly recommended. With walls lined with wine bottles and light fittings made from wagon wheels this couldn't be more authentic.

  • Spend the night at The Cocker, an art nouveau townhouse with wrought iron flourishes and its own rambling roof garden and tango studio in the bohemian San Telmo district. There are only five rooms, each imaginatively styled.