If you are ready to break away from the feverish and slightly polluted life in Buenos Aires, treat yourself to a cruise and overnight stay in Colonia del Este in Uruguay.
It's easy and inexpensive. Just contact Buquebus or a good travel agency and you are on your way. The boat leaves early in the morning from the terminal down near Puerto Madero. For about 3 hours, you can relax on the sunny open deck and breathe some fresh air. You are met at the port and transported to your chosen hotel. There is time for a little lunch before you are picked up for the included tour in the countryside, with a stop at an unforgettable little museum put together by the owner of a jam and preserve factory.
Of course you can't resist buying some souvenirs after the free sampling. There are many local parillas on the main street, and if you are lucky, some local music. Just the tranquility of the town will lull you to sleep. In the morning, there is another included historical walking tour of the old city settled hundreds of years ago by Portuguese traders. All in all, it’s a wonderful break from the hectic pace of the big city
Quick Tips:
We found arranging travel with the ferry company Buquebus to be the most rewarding and the easiest. They have an office on Av. Cordoba near the center.
Best Way To Get Around:
In Colonia, walking is so easy and enjoyable, but taxis are available to take you further out into the countryside.