A Weekend to Slow Down
Contributed By: Candela Campana
This weekend, we set out to do something different. To step away from our routine, leave behind the fast pace of the city, and head into the Buenos Aires countryside in search of silence, calm, tranquillity and, of course, good food.
Just over two hours from downtown Buenos Aires, Estancia Villa María appeared as the kind of pause we didn’t know we needed.
A Country Estate with a Story
But long before becoming a refuge from everyday life, Villa María already had a story to tell. Founded by Vicente Pereda towards the end of the 19th century, it was one of the pioneering establishments in the region’s cattle-ranching landscape on the road to Cañuelas. Years later, in 1919, his son Celedonio Pereda commissioned the renowned architect Alejandro Bustillo to build a summer residence.
And so, the impressive main house was born — a Tudor-style residence that remains the heart of the estancia today, surrounded by an expansive park and shaped by stories, generations and more than a century of tradition.
A Warm Argentine Welcome
Upon arrival, a member of the team welcomed us warmly and, as if that weren’t enough, we were greeted with empanadas and a glass of wine to begin the experience.
Because if there is one thing that cannot be missing from an Argentine estancia, it is a good asado. And if it comes with a long, leisurely after-lunch conversation — the kind that leads to debates, stories and completely forgetting to check the time — even better.
Rooms with Character
After lunch, it was time to discover our room. Each one has its own identity, its own story and its own personality. Waiting for us was Paz, one of the rooms located in the French House, adjoining the Main House.
Across the Grounds on Horseback
Later, after resting for a while and enjoying the winter sunshine, it was time to head out again. We walked over to meet Joaquín, who has lived at the estancia for many years and accompanies guests who wish to explore Villa María’s vast grounds on horseback.
We rode between trees, along quiet trails and through open fields, with that feeling that can be so difficult to find close to the city: being completely disconnected from everything.
The Pleasure of Taking Your Time
And that is just one of the many ways to enjoy the estancia. In summer, the swimming pools become the stars of the afternoon, while the tennis and polo facilities, along with the many spaces designed for relaxation, offer plenty of ways to spend the day.
By the afternoon came one of our favourite moments: tea time. Tea, coffee and a table filled with sweet and savoury treats made our afternoon break last a little longer than expected.
Then came a few games of billiards, a game of chess and conversations that unfolded without any rush. Little by little, the afternoon slipped away, although there, it seemed as though time moved differently.
Evening at Villa María
As night fell, it was time to get ready for dinner. We dressed up a little, but before heading to the main dining room, we made one last stop at the fire pit that had been set up to enjoy a quiet moment gathered around the flames. Finally, we made our way to the main hall, where a three-course dinner awaited us to bring the day to a close.
And so, between good food, long conversations, history, horseback rides and the tranquillity of the countryside, our experience at Estancia Villa María came to an end.
Sometimes, feeling far away doesn’t require travelling thousands of kilometres. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping away from the noise, changing the pace and rediscovering those simple things we so often forget in the middle of our routines.
And perhaps, simply giving ourselves the pause we didn’t know we needed.