Riobard

I have not, but researched it and decided instead to Über recently, 65 minutes to Lagoa neighbourhood from GUL, R$79. This is 40% of what I paid in my home city for a 30 minute Über airport transfer. Bras to Guarulhos Aeroporto is apparently 35 minutes alone. With 2-3 transfers from the locations you mentioned plus the terminal shuttle circuit I would allow 75 minutes minimum. Squeezing on at some station platforms with baggage can be a struggle, I have read.

The one painting and one photo I posted may look "off" in comparison, but the complex underwent several expansions and renovations throughout the mid-nineteenth century. The royal family dispersed following Independence in 1889 and the main museum, previously located in Centro, was transferred to the palace in 1892.

Devastating ... this in ruins

There is only a smattering of love motels I know of in the southern part of south zone. One in Copacabana, Hotel Vanity, walkable from Cantalago station. Another, Lido Hotel, at the east end of Copacabana closer to Leme beach, walkable from Cardeal Arcoverde station. I think there is one or two in Botafogo and Leblon. In Gloria, the two utilized are Hotel Alameda across from 117 and the pricier Lovetime Hotel a short walk towards Catete.

The subway runs to the airport now, as has been posted on the board previously. There are routes, "CONNECT", directly to and from Bras within certain time frames, connecting automatically between Sapphire (line 12) and Jade (line 13). The inauguration of "AIRPORT EXPRESS", between Luz and Guarulhos has been delayed but should be running consistently this month. It will not stop at stations on the way. It will cost 8 reais as opposed to the usual 4. I am not certain if seniors ride for free on this express run. It will run on a limited fixed schedule, only 4 times each way. At the airport, one must get to a shuttle bus running between the station and terminals.

PS: I don't think it will bankrupt anybody to take a taxi leaving the airport, and then use Über locally while there and to return to the airport.

Über does not have a legal 'blessing' in Colombia, but it thrives in a "grey" area because the authorities can not hassle each driver each time. They avoid confrontation in the airport vehicle queues, particularly for arrival pickup, with licensed taxis, etc. Über does not indicate a particular terminal door. That would just become a target. My understanding is they usually pick you up in the parking lot across from the terminal exit. This has happened to me in other locations. The most complicated and longest walk to the car was in Puerto Vallarta, including an overpass foot bridge to the other side of the highway. You need to use the message function on the app, and possibly google translate. If a driver calls me, I make sure I have learned the relevant phrase "I will text you a message because I am English". Because you need to find their license plate and they need to spot you, I also make sure to wear a clue such as a red baseball cap or turn on a pocket flashlight at night, and message them that info.

I bought, hardcover, David Sedaris' latest short-story collection for an upcoming flight. Well, I made the mistake of reading the first one yesterday, then another, then 'just one more'. So now I have finished it, LOL. Could not delay instant gratification. I think it is his best work ever. Resonates acutely with late middle age. I then downloaded 3 long iBooks novels for the trip instead.

Any recent observations regarding California or Dragão?

According to the Big Mac Index, the price should be about 60% compared to Euro zone, but I would not challenge these hiked profit margins at the next trade union meeting.

I would do it, for sure. But I would complete Montserrat first, as lineups and whether both funicular and cable-car are operational may vary. Once out of the way it may be easier to gauge the remaining sights' time management. I may have misrepresented the transit designation after reading a few reports about it. It is not a special stamp. It is a regular immigration entry stamp that the customs officer can subsequently write "transit" over with a pen. Maybe the officer "conveniently" or innocently neglects this step at times, so I would personally underscore my transit status and demonstrate the brevity of country entry, as well as emphasize (when entering Colombia) being an international as opposed to domestic passenger upon return for the next flight. I am thinking myself of breaking up a flight to Brasil by stopover in Bogota in the future. Just for sightseeing, one or two nights lodgings, and to spare the onerous flight duration otherwise typically endured. But likely two unrelated return flight segments, two independent carriers.

Storage: T1, 1st floor, next to Hertz

My sense is your checked bags will stay with Avianca and transfer through to Brasil, but I suggest you verify with the airline. If you leave the airport, with your carryon carried by you thru Bogota excursion, or stowed at the airport ... obviously verify terminals and stow at the departure terminal for Rio, though likely the same ... I believe you will complete customs form and clear customs but ask for a transit stamp in your passport. Maybe even craft a brief planned excursion itinerary, if grilled. I think without the transit designation you may have to pay, in COP cash or debit/credit, an additional airport tax when you return for your Rio flight. You will need to clear customs to board since you officially entered Colombia. The officers may want to rifle through your carryon items. Then likely another queue for security, etc. Ideally, you will have your Rio leg tickets issued at US check-in but sometimes a long layover will require the boarding pass step at Avianca counter in Bogota. Your available unencumbered time in Bogota is obviously whittled down by the transit requirements and degree of local traffic congestion if peak rush-hour etc.

Tartegogo, I suggest you specify: 1) Is your final destination elsewhere in Colombia or is it International? 2) Is your flight that follows the layover period, whether domestic or international, booked on the same airline (or a codeshare) with one provider, or is it an independently booked flight? I have read that, unlike other countries in the region, your baggage may be sent directly through to the domestic flight to the final Colombian destination. But you clear customs at your initial point of landing. Your baggage must be cleared at customs at point of landing for some connections to Colombian destinations, eg Armenia.

China Garden, Zürichhorn Park

My go-to Rio apto cost for an upcoming trip, not surprisingly, followed the currency trend and is so ridiculous that I booked it for a total period of time that may end up interrupted/vacated for excursion(s) northeast with a scaled-down carry-on. The convenience of keeping it as a base comes at an entirely manageable price.

Hmmmm, what to say, what to say? I can describe but not predict or recommend. I would not tend to look beyond my spidey sense or past experience to importune others to neutralize a gut feeling. Your Zürich goblet appears to be half empty. Sometimes it is easier if you spread out the ownership of a decision rather than fretting alone about a choice. A reasonable coping strategy if you can find others to accept the off-load. Maybe the femme twinks were away at a Sound of Music reenactment retreat and the Roma riff-raff were busy elsewhere figuring out how to sneak in for free to a petty thievery refinement workshop. How do you solve a problem like unpredictability? A trip can be like a snippety-whippit. I myself tend to decision-make based on curiosity as opposed to others' opinions. I cannot guarantee that my positive lodgings and hiring experiences would be replicated for myself, let alone others whose expectations may be more 'ancy'. About a half dozen Paragonya trade met my criteria. If they had not been on the menu, my impressions would be different, n'est-ce pas?

I was there and reviewed it more recently than March ... it was the last week of May. All the luckier for a great hotel rate because not in the weather drabness between late alpine and early summer tourism.

I reserved (Booking.com) a few months ahead, no deposit but contingent on a 24? 48? hr cancellation penalty, and did not pay the bill until check-in ... in CHF, but equivalent to $134.55 USD per night for 5 nights. I thought I might lose a night visiting Basel, because I was not about to endure the inconvenience of packing my one-month baggage to check out for an excursion west, but was able to easily see Basel sights within a DIY day train trip. My overall remarks are contained in a thread here a few months ago, in which you also contributed posts.

Actually, a few months ago LATAM introduced a weekly non-stop: MIA-SSA dep Sunday afternoons, return dep to MIA in the wee hours of Monday morning. LATAM now serves 7 Brasil destinations from Miami.

Based on research, not first-hand experience, here is how I loosely sketch out Recife.

Welcome ... you are implicitly requesting a cohesive synthesis of information. That is a first. I think you will find, therefore, that some members will step up and reiterate answers to the many familiar questions you pose. I anticipate seeing agreement heretofore not witnessed. Claims to penultimate expertise will give way to flexible collaboration, a digital gay ghetto transformed, the likes of which nobody has ever seen.

As mentioned, currency is but one economic indicator. The Brasilian market index has been trending fine over a decade.

Agree ... 3 years ago, at a similar trading low, the real began a one-year rally of about 30% in cost that subsequently held reasonably well for about 15 months. Squirreling away now is a good strategy.