Lirio

D2D is not offered for all countries, Brazil for instances. One must choose between D2D without flights or P2P with restricted benefits. And the discount for flights in D2D without flights is very low compared to the cost of flights. This means that the difference of D2D without flights and P2P is due to the difference in the restrictions. Usually, I have a land trip either before or after the cruise that I do on my own. Because of that I always arrange my flights. I consider that D2D is only suitable for those taking only the cruise.

I prefer close to laundry. No noise at all.

@ Silver Spirit. La Dame wine pairing. We had the house wines, not pairing.

@Silver Spirit. Today was Informal (Formal Optional) what ever it is!

Today we came to Venice by train. Daughter is so happy……It is her first time in Italy. We are doing the basic things. In Milan: Duomo, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Galeria Vittorio Emanuele. Tomorrow is boarding date. Cant wait to be at the Spirit.

I know them all! I will make some comments soon.

@jpalbny I swear that I tried to travel with only a carry-on, but I failed. First of all, my daughter has an endless list of requests from Brazil….So the carry-on is all hers… Second, I was very impressed with the long discussion about dress code, I brought several flip flops to match the colors of the clothes…… Third, I was very concerned about the chair hogs, I brought more books, more sunglasses and more socks……. I will try harder next time.....

Our vacation started this way: We were on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo and from there to Milan last Friday. The flight from Rio to Sao Paulo was cancelled. We were transferred to a flight from Rio to Porto, Porto to Lisbon, Lisbon to Milan later in the same day. The flight from Porto to Rio had a 3-hour delay and it wouldn’t be possible to get the connection to Milan. So, we were transferred to a flight Rio to Lisbon and then to Milan, the next day. Got back home. Finally, everything went smoothly and on Sunday we arride here. Daughter came from NZ (27-hour flight from Auckland to Dubai to Milan) without any problem and enjoyed her day without us in a walking tour. Tomorrow we are heading to Venice.

Thank you. We are boarding in a week. I will do some research.

Hello from Rio de Janeiro. The main event of Carnaval is the parade. But there a lot of popular get together on the streets follwoing bands so traffic sometimes can be hard. Be carefull with your schedule. Because these popular bands on streets, pick pockets are all around be carefull with yours belongs. In Sambodrome (for the parade) there are some options starting with stadium type (arquibancada), chairs on ground level (frisa) - red in the photo below and camarote which is the most exensive area (covered, private bath, air conditioner, and usually bar with food and drinks). In the picture below camarote is in between arquibancada (upper part, not convered) and chairs in the groun level. I strongly recommend you get a guide or use the SS service. I do not go the the parade anymore, but if I would go, I would contract an agency to get the ticket, to pickup at and bring me back.

My daughter (who lives in NZ) loved the idea of the traim trip! It is now in our list. Maybe sooner than later.

yes, in Rio deJaneiro, at Copacabana beach several years ago (2006).

Has anyone done "Secret Itineraries" tour in Palazzo Ducale in Venice?

I know the feeling. Hello from Rio de Janeiro......

According to the follwing news from CNN, Central is the best of world...... https://edition.cnn.com/travel/worlds-50-best-restaurants-2023/index.html

I wen to Maido and Astrid y Caston last time I was there on 2018. Both very good.

Juma is a great hotel as well, just one block from Villa Amazonia. Should you consider one of those, try also the restaurant of both. All good, but Juma´s a bit better.

No idea. I was in Manaus until yesterday, working. For my pleasure, in the weekend, I stayed at Villa Amazonia (second time, always good) for working days I was at Quality Hotel (business hotel 3 stars).

I know Manaus pretty well but never went to Santarem. What exactly are you looking for?

Thanks God you can only see my typing mistakes, not my speaking. Cooler is also education: I learned a new word....cravat......

To see jaguars in the wide, the option is Pantanal!

And about Brazil?

what a place. Is my list now!!!!

Great photos!

A night at opera followed by a day at woods The theater from inside. Didnt see any mirror @zqtchas maybe I must visit it again. This morning a walk in the Musa - Museum of Amazonia, 25km from city center. This time I managed to go up to the top of the tower (42 meters). In the first attemp, a year ago, I got nervous and didnt make it. Now I am very pround of me!!! Picture from below, above and the trails. Three weeks to Silver Spirit.....