Rio & Buenos Aires - Found on TAM Airlines site

[imrthr]

I was booking my in-country flight today on TAM (a Brazilian Airline) and found the below extract posted on their website. I have never seen a friendlier or similar advertisment by any other airline directed toward our group. I would not expect any major airline of the U.S. or Europe would post such an advertisment on their site. To make it even better, TAM is a partner with American Airlines, thus, you can earn American Airlines miles when you fly with TAM.

 

Everyday I find something new to like about Brazil - - it now even extends to Brazil's second largest airline.

 

http://www.tamairlines.com/gay.cfm

 

 

"Alternative Lifestyles

Brazil is the next great travel frontier for gay travelers"

 

"Rio de Janeiro, known as the 'Wonderful City' in Portuguese, the local language, is also known for being a sexual paradise and a big time party city. Brazilian and foreign gay visitors to Rio know about Farme Gay Beach. It's very international and friendly."

 

"Ipanema's gayest night spot is on the beach block of Rua Teixeira de Melo near Farme Beach. A combination of professionals, intellectuals, actors, fashion victims, gym bunnies, artists, models, fag hags, lesbians, and others keep things eclectic and fun."

 

"For gays searching for something even hotter or more cosmopolitan with many more options, Sao Paulo is the place to be. Sao Paulo is a huge city of 18 million inhabitants with everything to offer. São Paulo is so big and has so much to offer to the gay community that not even a Paulista (Sao Paulo born and raised) can keep track of all the gay spots in town, including bars, clubs, saunas, porn movies, parks..."

 

"But there are many places other than Rio and São Paulo. Brazil sprawls over most of the continent and is bigger than the continental U.S. Other cities such as Salvador, Recife, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia, to name a few, have much to please gay travelers. The language can sometimes be a barrier but body language always speaks for itself and with a big vocabulary."

 

"Brazil is not alone in welcoming Gay travelers"

 

"Buenos Aires recently became the first Latin American capital to legalize homosexual unions."

 

"Cesar Ciglutti, 45, and Marcelo Suntheim, 34, are both leaders of the Homosexual Community of Argentina (CHA), which fought for passage of the law by the Buenos Aires city council in December. It is the first law in Latin America to grant same-sex couples many of the same rights as heterosexual ones. Homosexual and lesbian couples who have lived together for at least two years in Buenos Aires may marry and enjoy the same rights in terms of health insurance, hospital visitation, bank credits, family leave and pension for the surviving partner in the advent of the other's death. Although the union is only valid in Buenos Aires it is an important step towards acceptance of the community."

 

"Buenos Aires is not as wild and free a destination as Rio; however gay travelers are welcomed and an accepted part of urban life. Gay and lesbian life is more low-key in Argentina, but it's a world-class destination for everyone and gay travelers are no exception."

[bigguyinpasadena]

RE: Rio & Buenos Aires - Found on TAM Airlines site

 

Imrthr=please post back regarding your experiences on TAM-their prices are very fair and the product(all fare classes-but especially biz and 1st)look really nice on the website.

Thanks,looking forward to a trip report on BA also.

[trilingual]

TAM has rapidly grown in the past few years to become the chief rival to Varig among the full-fare Brazilian airlines. Their service is extensive, and they're known for their quality and professionalism. Their fares within Brazil are not the cheapest, but they offer excellent service.

 

Within Brazil, fares are often better on the low-price airlines like GOL (which has taken a lot from Southwest Airlines, except that they serve light boxed snacks and let you reserve seats in advance). They can be found at http://www.voegol.com.br However, they don't take Visa or MasterCards issued outside Brazil for payment. The only option so far for foreigners trying to reserve flights on GOL is to use American Express. (There's info on GOL's site.) If you don't have Amex, contact Carlo Romano for help. GOL's service is also very good and very professional, and their owner is a major hunk!

 

Aerolineas Argentinas, the Argentine national airline, has improved greatly ever since it was bought by Marsans, the Spanish travel giant (they also own Spanair). Between Brazil and Argentina, Aerolineas often has the best fares and schedules.

[catnip]

Another less expensive domestic airline can be found at http://www.voebra.com.br/