News hits, travel clips, and interviews from across the media spectrum.
Usually, I’m the one asking the questions, but sometimes, people want to hear what I have to say.
• CNN Travel: Considering leaving the US for good? Here’s what to think about before you move abroad
Podcast Appearance
Quest Express longform interview about Argentina, societal changes and
https://podtail.com/podcast/the-quest-express/meet-american-expat-ande-wanderer-former-journalis
Reuters: Heat Wave Buenos Aires
A widely decimated clip around Latin America on a day of record-breaking heat. I give advice for keeping cool and talk about the need to cover up so that I don’t get skin cancer.
But since this time I have learned a valuable life hack that means I am no longer afraid of the sun.
Foreigners with odd accents make good TV.
Times Radio U.K.
My U.K. radio debut came on Times Radio during Argentina’s raw reaction to Maradona’s death — my clips describing the scene were played throughout the Breakfast Show.
There were five clips of mine used throughout the morning. Here’s a clip from X:
https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1331870171351420933?s=20
On-Camera/Voice-over Experience:
• On-Camera presenter of 22 videos for Geobeats.com
–(http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/alldestinations/ande-wanderer)
– On-camera presenter about tourist attractions in Argentina
– Prepared voice-overs for use in post-production
-Segments done in one take
• Personally requested for Casting for TV show, House Hunters International by Leopard Films, NYC——(http://www.andewanderer.com/multimedia/HHIba.html)
• Wrote script and did the voice-over for On the Road Travel. Podcast, “Top Five Things to Do in Buenos Aires”
Digital Nomad Blog, Freedom is Everything
How Ande Wanderer Left the US and Never Looked Back
South American Living
‘Expat’ Interview South American Living
Online Video Interviews
Worked with Samhoud Media, a Dutch media company behind the youth video platform IntoConnection asked me to come up with a couple of ideas of interesting Argentina topics and subsequently appear on the videos as an interviewee via Skype.
Lose Weight And Get Energetic With Argentina’s #1 Drink
The first video we did was on Argentina’s most beloved morning beverage, mate tea.
In the pre-interview I had shared with them how I lost weight when I moved to Argentina, perhaps in part due to trading in my coffee cup for a mate gourd.
At this point, I had lived in Argentina long enough that my chubbier incarnation was ancient history, so I didn’t realize how much they wanted to focus on the weight loss aspect.
But it’s true — it’s proven to help people lose weight and it’s full of nutrients, antioxidants and ‘modifies cells in the obese state’ one study concluded.
I read through every single study published by medical journals while working on my comprehensive Wander Argentina article about yerba mate, and can guarantee it is one of the world’s healthiest vices.
‘Puertas Cerradas’: Closed Door Restaurants of Buenos Aires
Puertas Cerradas are underground restaurants hosted in private homes or gardens. After Argentina’s turn-of-the-century economic crisis, restaurants struggled to survive.
To garner income, both professional and amateur chefs took advantage of Argentina’s relative lawlessness to host unregulated dining experiences in secret locations.
Although they operate without health inspections, permits or liquor licenses and obviously only take cash, they are sought out by in-the-know visitors to Buenos Aires.
Argentinian Sex Hotels Are As Popular As Football
Many foreigners who come to Argentina are intrigued by its telos or sex hotels, rented in two or three hour periods.
They are popular with young people who live with their parents, cheaters and even married couples looking to spice up things up.
Not surprisingly due to the topic, this chaste interview was one of Intoconnection’s most popular videos.
Video Host
Geobeats, was featured as the Daily Mail’s ‘Website of the Week’ in 2009. These videos were eventually syndicated to MSN Travel and MSN.com videos.
The Evita Museum, Buenos Aires
A video I hosted on the Evita Museum in honor of Juan Domingo Perón’s first wife, who embraced the working class and ushered in the women’s right to vote in 1947 (!). Better late, than never!
The Theater Scene in Buenos Aires
A video about the lively theater scene in Buenos Aires featuring an interview with actor and director, José María Muscari.
Street Food in Buenos Aires
Join me as I head to the Costanera Sur on a Sunday to pig out on Argentine street food. Featured are choripán (sausage sandwich), and torta de ricota (ricotta cheesecake) and pasta frola (jam tart).
Street Food in Buenos Aires – A Sunday Tradition
It’s Sunday in Buenos Aires — time to hit the streets for some classic local flavor.
One of the best spots is the Costanera, the riverside promenade located just behind the Ecological Reserve. It’s a longtime favorite for street food, and the star of the show is the choripán — a grilled sausage sandwich whose name comes from chorizo (sausage) and pan (bread).
Most people top it with chimichurri, a tangy, spicy sauce made from oil, garlic, oregano, vinegar, and hot pepper. It packs a punch and adds serious flavor. You can also find hamburgers and other grilled meats like pork and beef sandwiches — just don’t expect fries.
Another Sunday highlight? Homemade cakes. You’ll often find artisanal vendors selling traditional treats, many with Italian roots.
Here are a few local favorites:
- Tarta de ricotta – A creamy ricotta cheesecake with a shortbread-style crust.
- Pasta frola – A jam tart made with quince paste or berry preserves, laced with lattice crust on top.
Let’s try the ricotta one first…
Mmm, you can really tell it’s homemade.
I’m Ande Wanderer, showing you Buenos Aires.
MALBA Museum, Buenos Aires -Argentina Travel Guide
A video featuring the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA), which contains one of South America’s premiere collections of 20th century art.
Penguin Watching in Patagonia
This video at Punta Tombo penguin reserve was the producer Ginger’s favorite. We were super rushed as we drove from Puerto Madryn and shot this video and had to immediately return. Ginger kindly lent me her camera so that I could shoot another video before heading back along the unpaved road to Madryn.
metadata:
Punta Tombo – Meet the World’s Largest Colony of Magellanic Penguins
Punta Tombo, located in Argentine Patagonia, is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. These remarkable birds return to this protected coastal area each year between April and September.
Magellanic penguins are monogamous, and both parents take turns caring for the egg and raising the chick. Eggs are laid in early October, and hatch about 40 days later.
Visitors can walk among the penguins on designated paths—just don’t touch them.
They’re surprisingly unbothered by human presence.
I love taking photos, and it’s rare to get this close to wildlife in their natural habitat. Watching them go about their day—preening, waddling, even taking a bath—is unforgettable.
To visit, you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour group.
Presented by Ande Wanderer
Filmed in Patagonia, Argentina
Travel Patagonia, Argentina: Punta Loma Sea Lion Reserve
The amazing Punta Loma Sea Lion Reserve in Chubut, Argentina allows visitors to observe a huge colony of sea lions from 100 meters above.
Punta Tombo – Meet the World’s Largest Colony of Magellanic Penguins
Punta Tombo, located in Argentine Patagonia, is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. These remarkable birds return to this protected coastal area each year between April and September.
Magellanic penguins are monogamous, and both parents take turns caring for the egg and raising the chick. Eggs are laid in early October, and hatch about 40 days later.
Visitors can walk among the penguins on designated paths—just don’t touch them. They’re surprisingly unbothered by human presence.
I love taking photos, and it’s rare to get this close to wildlife in their natural habitat. Watching them go about their day—preening, waddling, even taking a bath—is unforgettable.
To visit, you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour group.
Presented by Ande Wanderer
Filmed in Patagonia, Argentina
Patagonia Travel: Welsh Tea Time in Gaiman
In this video we stop in the Patagonia town of Gaiman, Chubut. The Welsh came here to escape oppression of the British and their culture is still alive and well here. Cymru am byth!
Teahouse in Gaiman. ➡ Read about the Welsh of Chubút
Whale Watching in Patagonia, Argentina
An amazing (and chilly) shoot we did watching whales in Patagonia, arranged with the help of my darling friend Sanda, who was then a whale watching guide in Puerto Piramides, Peninsula Valdes, Chubút.
The video has been is no longer online but you can read my article on Whale Watching on Wander Argentina.
Scuba diving in Patagonia
When most people think of Patagonia, they imagine tall peaks, wild animals and glaciers, not scuba diving.
My old pal ‘Pablo the pajaro,’ who is a professional diver, introduced me to Francisco, who lives and dives in Puerto Madryn to talk about scuba diving here.
Script:
Argentina Travel Guide – Scuba Diving in Patagonia
When you think of Patagonia, you probably imagine mountains, glaciers, and exotic animals. What you probably don’t picture is scuba diving — especially in water that’s only 15°C (that’s really cold!).
But if you take the right precautions, it’s an unforgettable experience.
To learn more, I met up with Francisco, one of the top diving instructors in Puerto Madryn.
“When I was around 20, I came here to study marine biology. But you rarely had the chance to actually get in the water and be close to the animals.
Working like this, I’ve seen it all — I’ve been close to whales. They’re such beautiful, friendly animals.”
Diving in cold water like this is a serious challenge — but also a thrill for experienced divers looking to level up. Unlike warm-water dives in places like the Caribbean or Red Sea, Patagonia offers something unique.
“You’ll see sea grass, starfish, salmon that come in close to shore — and best of all, marine mammals. We have sea lions, southern right whales, killer whales (orcas), and dusky dolphins.”
If you’re not a certified diver, no worries. Puerto Madryn offers Discovery Scuba Diving — an introductory experience for beginners.
“You just put the suit on, hop on the boat, and we’ll go over a few basics — how to equalize your ears, how to breathe underwater. Then, holding onto a rope with me or another instructor, you’ll safely descend and enjoy your first dive.”
Francisco really makes diving in freezing water sound like braving the cold water is worth it.
I’m Ande Wanderer, showing you Patagonia.
Buenos Aires: Top Local Phrases
A video highlighting the top local phrases in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Buenos Aires Travel Tips – Top 10 Local Phrases You Need to Know
Learn the essential Spanish phrases for navigating Buenos Aires like a local. In Argentina, the official language is Spanish—known here as Castellano. While the accent and vocabulary differ from other parts of Latin America, these 10 quick and useful expressions will help you get by in everyday situations:
- Hola – Hello
- Gracias / De nada – Thank you / You’re welcome
- Por favor / Lo siento – Please / I’m sorry
- Buenas tardes / Buenas noches – Good afternoon / Good night
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
- Señor / Señorita – Mr. / Miss
- ¿Se habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
- Baño – Bathroom
- ¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?
- Sí / No – Yes / No
Presented by Ande Wanderer
Originally produced for GeoBeats Sciencehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/HUmePv3TQIg
Buenos Aires Travel, Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero. Buenos Aires’ newest neighborhood features the Puenta de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) and all the streets are named after notable women in Argentina’s history. I conduct a brief interview with a passer-by named Federico.
Travel Argentina- Milhouse Hostel in Buenos Aires
A shoot we did highlighting Milhouse hostel, one of the largest and most popular hostels in Buenos Aires known for its raucous party scene and ‘Millhouse Marriages.’
Travel Argentina – Hostels in Buenos Aires
Milhouse Hostel is located just a few blocks from Avenida 9 de Julio, right in the heart of Buenos Aires.
“My name is Manni. I’m the junior manager here — I help take care of everything at the hostel.”
To enter the dormitories, guests use a fingerprint scanner for security.
Milhouse has 36 rooms — 15 are private, and the rest are shared dorms for 4, 6, or 8 people. Despite the range of amenities, pricing is simple: one rate for dorms, another for private rooms.
Each room is named after a famous Argentine — from Eva Perón to Mercedes Sosa.
“Hi, I’m Amir Masumi from Los Angeles. The layout is great, it’s clean, they’ve got lots of events — and the lobby’s always lively.”
Security is a priority at Milhouse: all guests wear ID wristbands, and the vibe is social from the moment you check in.
“Milhouse isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a place to connect,” says staff.
There are plenty of free and low-cost activities — from walking tours and tango lessons to group outings. But the most popular draw?
“Definitely the parties,” says Cristian from Norway. “Every night it’s packed downstairs — you meet people from all over the world.”
The hostel is almost always fully booked, so reservations are essential.
“Last year, we even held a reunion party in London,” says Manni. “One guest came up to me and said, ‘Hey, did you know we met at Milhouse?’ I loved that.”
I’m Ande Wanderer, showing you Buenos Aires.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLxcV6rEAOQ
Patagonia, Argentina Travel – Driving and Sightseeing in Patagonia
Here I am driving in Patagonia. It worked out well, because my friend Ginger, who produced these videos, is a New York kid and doesn’t drive a standard. I happily served as the driver as well as the on-camera host on this Patagonia trip while she served the yerba mate on the road.
I learned to drive on a standard, and prefer them for the kind of terrain you encounter in Patagonia.
Patagonia, Argentina Travel – Driving and Sightseeing in Patagonia
GeoBeats Science – YouTube
A great option for getting around Patagonia — especially if you’re an independent traveler — is to rent a car.
In Patagonia, it’s the law to always drive with your headlights on. It’s also required to wear a seatbelt, though many people ignore that one. You shouldn’t — nearly all roads in Argentina are two-lane highways, and passing is very common.
There’s nothing like a mate while you’re on the road.
Travelers often underestimate distances in Patagonia — it even happened to us today. Keep in mind that many roads here are unpaved, so your trip might take twice as long as expected.
Traveling in Patagonia has always carried risks, and the legend of Difunta Correa proves it.
Difunta Correa was a young woman who followed her soldier husband into the desert, carrying her baby in her arms. After days without water, she died of thirst. But when her body was found, her baby was still alive, suckling at her lifeless breast. Because the baby survived, Argentines consider it a miracle. They visit her shrines and leave her the one thing she lacked at the end of her life: water.
You can find shrines to Difunta Correa all along Patagonia’s desolate roadways.
Another popular travel option in Argentina is the long-distance luxury bus. These aren’t second-class at all — many are air-conditioned, and as you can see, the seats are comfortable enough for a proper siesta.
I’m Ande Wanderer, showing you Patagonia.
There is more information about driving and renting a car in Argentina on Wander Argentina.
Travel Buenos Aires, Top Attractions
A video featuring some of the top attractions in Buenos Aires, including the Plaza de Mayo, Mataderos, Recoleta, La Boca and San Telmo.
At 1:11 you see Ascho, who I’ve dubbed the ‘Godfather of Plaza Dorrego’. If you want to see what a character he is, read my interview with Ascho.
Learn about Argentine Wine Varieties
Another quick and dirty video we did with our friendly neighbors at Rincón de Quesos, a wine shop in San Telmo, Buenos Aires.
Travel Argentina – Argentine Wines in Buenos Aires
GeoBeats Science
YouTube
Argentine wines have been generating buzz on the international market. Vineyards in Mendoza and other regions offer ideal temperatures, climate, and soil conditions to produce world-class wines.
The most famous vineyards are located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, where the dry climate and rich soil help create exceptional reds.
Argentina has one of the best wine industries in the world, with different soil qualities—Mendoza being a standout region. It’s one of the provinces that produces the best wines, and so does San Juan. That’s why we offer wines from both San Juan and Mendoza, especially Malbecs.
In recent years, with major investments and the gradual opening of Argentina’s economy, wine production standards have risen to compete with the world’s best.
For example, we have Catena Zapata, one of the most recognized Malbec producers. Their wines are excellent and quite affordable compared to others of similar quality.
If you’re in Buenos Aires, a wine tasting is a great way to sample Argentina’s star varietal—Malbec—along with many others from across the country.
The Legendary Bauen Hotel
A video on the Bauen Hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. This iconic hotel has a back story most porteños know — it was overtaken by the workers in 2003 and has been self-managed ever since.
Its cafe and lobby serve as gathering place for workers’ rights groups and other leftists political factions.
I never featured the hotel on Wander Argentina, as we found it outdated and a bit musty, but it is a worthwhile spot for those interested in labor rights who want to be in the thick of the action.
They also occasionally good parties in the basement.
While we were filming here, we were told Argentine rocker, Charlie Garcia (think Argentina’s answer to Frank Zappa) was holed up doing drugs and hiding from the press in one of the rooms.
Buenos Aires, Places to Stay, Art Deco Hotel
A video we did on the Art Deco Hotel, which is near the Obelisco in downtown Buenos Aires. This one has an obvious goof — check out my fake typing!