SOUTH AMERICAN DEPARTURES

TRAVEL

The Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires has recently been restored to operatic magnificence, and the theatre's season begins in April. PSA (Passage to South America, 0171-602 9889) can arrange private tours of the theatre, or book tickets for performances. Other options include trips to a working estancia (ranch), polo instruction and temporary membership of the city's Hurlingham Club. Reaching Buenos Aires on the longest non-stop British Airways flight costs pounds 635 through PSA.

Fares to Argentina and Chile are around the pounds 600 mark because of sheer distance. Instead of flying direct to Buenos Aires or Santiago, the Cuban national airline offers stop-overs in Havana. If you travel out on Cubana before the end of March, a routing from Stansted to Buenos Aires and back from Santiago costs pounds 643 (including tax) with Journey Latin America. It includes stops in the Cuban capital each way. You make your own way from Argentina to Chile.

A double Latin event takes place tonight at the Brixton Recreation Centre in south London. "O Carnaval" is a celebration of Brazilian Carnival, and features the London School of Samba. Simultaneously, the Latin America Bureau (0171-278 2829) launches its In Focus series of guides to the continent. New South American titles on Argentina, Brazil and Colombia join existing books on Bolivia and Venezuela; each is priced at pounds 5.99. The evening begins at 9.30pm, and admission is pounds 6.

Several Latin American enterprises are among the 400 exhibitors at Destinations '96, the travel event at Olympia in London. The show opens 10am-6pm today and tomorrow, and costs pounds 6.