Falling in Love with the Argentine Tango

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Sensual and seductive, enigmatic and enchanting, the Argentine tango boasts an international reputation as the dance of love and remains a premier attraction for travelers journeying to South America.

Its history stems from the immigrants of the River Plate—the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. It is here, in the lower-class slums of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, where tango found its origins almost 140 years ago among the African and European newcomers. It wasn’t always as sophisticated as it is today, but its back-alley beginnings eventually spread to the middle class suburbs, and, inevitably, caught on all over the world.

The Argentine tango of today has been passed down through the generations to create a beautiful dance that is certainly worthy of its place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Yet while the intangibility of tango is something that will never go away, Ker & Downey has the unique ability to turn this intangible art form into a tangible reality, allowing travelers to fall in love with the Argentine tango through presentation, practice, and personal contact.

The first, and easiest, way to fall in love with tango is to see a presentation of it. Indeed, the tango shows of Buenos Aires are some of the most coveted tickets in town, and Ker & Downey has access to them all. Some venues have the best atmosphere, others the finest music or costumes, but one thing remains the same: the theatrical presentation of tango is a delightful, multi-sensory experience that brings audiences near and far up close to tango in its most dazzling form.

Another way Ker & Downey encourages clients to fall in love with the Argentine tango is through practice via private tango classes. There aren’t any tourists in Ker & Downey’s favorite dance studios—just some of the finest tango instructors in the country and a few enthusiastic locals arriving for their weekly technique class. A private tango class promises attentive, one-on-one instruction that ensures travelers leave inspired by the movement of the dance and ready to bring their newfound talent home… a priceless souvenir to keep with them for years to come.

The final and most authentic way to fall in love with tango is through personal contact at a local milonga. These tango dance halls play host to a stunning display of culture whereby bus drivers, bankers, executives, and hairdressers alike come together to dance tango into the morning hours. You won’t find any tourists here, and hotel concierges are unlikely to recommend them. But with Ker & Downey, travelers can witness firsthand the passion, emotion, and tradition that come with experiencing a milonga, all with a private guide. Here, the emphasis is on musicality, improvisation, and following the appropriate tango etiquette (or códigos) of the salons, whether it’s utilizing the silent cabeceo head nod to confirm their next dance partner during the cortina or remaining silent during each multi-song tanda as they lead their partner around the intricacies of the dance floor.

No matter the venue, tango is an unforgettable experience that is worth falling in love with, over and over again.

Contact your Ker & Downey luxury travel consultant today to learn how to incorporate an Argentine tango show, tango class, and/or local milonga into your next luxury South American adventure.

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