Argentines are famous for their love of mate, however if you find yourself yearning for the familiar caffeinated buzz of a double espresso, there’s plenty of good coffee to be found in the capital.

Looking for a more environmentally friendly way to wash your clothes? Nic Pollock says The Laundry Company, set up by expat Phillipe Christodoulou, offers a greener alternative to the typical porteño laundrette.

In Buenos Aires, running away to join the circus is no longer necessary. Megan Cassidy joins a beginner’s trapeze course at La Arena, a prestigious Argentine circus company teaching circus-skills to all on a casual hobby basis.

Flamenco dancing might not be the first thing you’d expect to find in Buenos Aires, but shouldn’t be the last either. Hannah Flint explores Tiempo de Gitanos, a tiny restaurant in Palermo Hollywood that goes beyond your average “dinner with a show” concept.

Allendria Brunjes takes a peek inside one of Argentina’s most famous Arab dance schools to find out why people from all over the world are coming to Buenos Aires to master their belly dancing techniques.

Having never played polo in his life, Lillo Montalto Monella heads to Puesto Viejo Estancia in search of a beginners’ polo experience that lives up to romantic tourist expectations whilst remaining authentically Argentine.

The hectic rhythm of Buenos Aires can be enough to throw anyone off balance. Paige Nichols tried to find respite from the late nights and loud traffic at newly-opened BA Life Centre.

If 2012 is the year you promised to explore your creative side but haven’t yet got around to doing it, Argentina has many artistic workshops on offer to those who do a little digging. Blanka Hay explores possibility of printmaking in Buenos Aires.

The concept-based martial art of Wing Chung, has its roots in buddhist and taoist philosophies promising benefits beyond the purely physical. Laura Mowat checks out a beginners class in Buenos Aires’ SDS Institute.

At Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, everything above ground might be precisely as you’d expect, but beneath the tracks lie a few surprises. Natasha Sá Osório enters the glaring, underground world of Argentina’s answer to Las Vegas.