My Recommendation for Sao Paulo... and Danilo...

[jonj]

I'm just back from my third visit to Brazil and my interest in the country and its culture, land and people only grows each time. Sure, the sauna and gay scenes are fun and offer great experiences not readily available at home or even in Montreal or... anywhere. But it's just so darn nice that Brazil is a great place to visit for many, many reasons. And except for airfare, it remains quite cheap!

 

Here's a word of advice... Sao Paulo is really fun to visit for a few days. The Lagoa sauna is simply the best and the city offers fantastic restaurants of all kinds and more musical and cultural events than Rio de Janeiro. Here's the key: The city is the financial and business capital of Latin America, not a big tourist draw. Many excellent hotels offer very cheap room rates for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. I just paid US$48 a night for the most luxurious hotel I've stayed at for quite a while. The location was great and the breakfast, by itself, was fantastic. This hotel charges at least US$200 a night during the week. Check out some places on Travelocity.com

 

I've flown Varig for the past two years. I recommend them! Their in-flight service reminds me of the way international travel used to be on American carriers. [The ground check-ins can be a bit disorganized though...] They have offered the best fares I've found- usually about $700 (from JFK)with a FREE stopover in Sao Paulo (for the weekend) and then a free flight into Rio on Monday or Tuesday. They also fly from L.A. and Miami. Check for special Internet fares on their website.

 

And while in Sao Paulo... let me heartily add many good words about Danilo as a guide. He is a remarkable bright, personable young man who knew enough history to satisfy me (and I'm into history!) but who can also offer you a good insight and experience into life in this intriguing city that most of us know very little about. He shows good care and concern to his clients and is flexible and knowledgable in many areas. While he's a bit new to guiding (and guiding only!) his poise and instincts for his age are really remarkable! If dates can work, he is also available to travel/guide in Rio. He drives around "town" with great skill and knowledge in a comfortable car and in a city larger than New York, that's not easy to do and is especially appreciated by the visitor! I think you will very much enjoy your time with him! Remember to be open and honest with your requests and please keep any dates/appointments you make. He can be contacted at dv.hortenci@uol.com.br and by cell phone at 55-11 9136-7135.

[jonj]

I'm just back from my third visit to Brazil and my interest in the country and its culture, land and people only grows each time. Sure, the sauna and gay scenes are fun and offer great experiences not readily available at home or even in Montreal or... anywhere. But it's just so darn nice that Brazil is a great place to visit for many, many reasons. And except for airfare, it remains quite cheap!

 

Here's a word of advice... Sao Paulo is really fun to visit for a few days. The Lagoa sauna is simply the best and the city offers fantastic restaurants of all kinds and more musical and cultural events than Rio de Janeiro. Here's the key: The city is the financial and business capital of Latin America, not a big tourist draw. Many excellent hotels offer very cheap room rates for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. I just paid US$48 a night for the most luxurious hotel I've stayed at for quite a while. The location was great and the breakfast, by itself, was fantastic. This hotel charges at least US$200 a night during the week. Check out some places on Travelocity.com

 

I've flown Varig for the past two years. I recommend them! Their in-flight service reminds me of the way international travel used to be on American carriers. [The ground check-ins can be a bit disorganized though...] They have offered the best fares I've found- usually about $700 (from JFK)with a FREE stopover in Sao Paulo (for the weekend) and then a free flight into Rio on Monday or Tuesday. They also fly from L.A. and Miami. Check for special Internet fares on their website.

 

And while in Sao Paulo... let me heartily add many good words about Danilo as a guide. He is a remarkable bright, personable young man who knew enough history to satisfy me (and I'm into history!) but who can also offer you a good insight and experience into life in this intriguing city that most of us know very little about. He shows good care and concern to his clients and is flexible and knowledgable in many areas. While he's a bit new to guiding (and guiding only!) his poise and instincts for his age are really remarkable! If dates can work, he is also available to travel/guide in Rio. He drives around "town" with great skill and knowledge in a comfortable car and in a city larger than New York, that's not easy to do and is especially appreciated by the visitor! I think you will very much enjoy your time with him! Remember to be open and honest with your requests and please keep any dates/appointments you make. He can be contacted at dv.hortenci@uol.com.br and by cell phone at 55-11 9136-7135.

[grweyers]

Can you let us know what his rate is for a guide? Thanks

[grweyers]

Can you let us know what his rate is for a guide? Thanks

[+ Axiom2001]

Currently I am in Rio enjoying the cariocas;next week I plan to be amongst the Paulistas and have hired Danilo as my guide. He prefers your hiring him for a day at a time at $100 for each day. Since I do not plan to hire him daily-- we negotiated an hourly rate way back some months ago; I just sent him an email stating him to reconfirm the price.

 

To make a long story short, I would suggest that you email him and request his rate-- daily as well as hourly; his rates might have changed since he and I first communicated some time ago when we were first introduced to him via this site by one of our fellow travelers.

[+ Axiom2001]

Currently I am in Rio enjoying the cariocas;next week I plan to be amongst the Paulistas and have hired Danilo as my guide. He prefers your hiring him for a day at a time at $100 for each day. Since I do not plan to hire him daily-- we negotiated an hourly rate way back some months ago; I just sent him an email stating him to reconfirm the price.

 

To make a long story short, I would suggest that you email him and request his rate-- daily as well as hourly; his rates might have changed since he and I first communicated some time ago when we were first introduced to him via this site by one of our fellow travelers.

[catnip]

Was that 100 US dollars or 100 reais, Axiom?

[catnip]

Was that 100 US dollars or 100 reais, Axiom?

[bilingual]

LOL....Dollars of course! But be careful when you hire him as he does not always live up to his contract.

[bilingual]

LOL....Dollars of course! But be careful when you hire him as he does not always live up to his contract.

[+ Axiom2001]

I am back at the internet cafe today; the rate per day is in DOLLARS!

[+ Axiom2001]

I am back at the internet cafe today; the rate per day is in DOLLARS!

[+ Axiom2001]

Recently, I spent eight days in Sao Paulo. On four of those days, I was with Danilo who is a wonderful and delightful guide. He is in love with his auto as well as other vehicles; he speaks relatively clear English, but when he does not understand, he'll ask for clarification. I was pleased with him and sent him a long email yesterday.

 

Danilo reminded me of one of my former students, thus he and I got along well and interacted as if we'd known each other for a while. I was principally interested in his guiding expertise, and that is what he is ALL ABOUT, fellows. Do not expect anything else out of him, for he confidently shared a few scenerios and past experiences with me;he told me that he wants to be a guide for us from the States and elsewhere, and that is ALL. HE IS NOT AN ESCORT!

 

So guys, if you hire Danilo, settle on a price in writing; keep the prearragements, and enjoy. He's young and full of life, so getting into a deep conversation about culture or history might be slightly alien to him, but make the better of the experience...

 

(Danilo depends on the money that he has negotiated for his independent guiding of visitors to his city, so try to keep whatever arrangements you'd made prior to your arriving in Sao Paulo.)

[+ Axiom2001]

Recently, I spent eight days in Sao Paulo. On four of those days, I was with Danilo who is a wonderful and delightful guide. He is in love with his auto as well as other vehicles; he speaks relatively clear English, but when he does not understand, he'll ask for clarification. I was pleased with him and sent him a long email yesterday.

 

Danilo reminded me of one of my former students, thus he and I got along well and interacted as if we'd known each other for a while. I was principally interested in his guiding expertise, and that is what he is ALL ABOUT, fellows. Do not expect anything else out of him, for he confidently shared a few scenerios and past experiences with me;he told me that he wants to be a guide for us from the States and elsewhere, and that is ALL. HE IS NOT AN ESCORT!

 

So guys, if you hire Danilo, settle on a price in writing; keep the prearragements, and enjoy. He's young and full of life, so getting into a deep conversation about culture or history might be slightly alien to him, but make the better of the experience...

 

(Danilo depends on the money that he has negotiated for his independent guiding of visitors to his city, so try to keep whatever arrangements you'd made prior to your arriving in Sao Paulo.)

[+ Axiom2001]

>I am back at the internet cafe today; the rate per day is in

>DOLLARS!

 

 

 

Consult with Danilo regarding his fee; it varies because of the economy; when I engaged his services I told him that I would write about the wonderful job that he did when I was with him: he also stated that he would write about me as a client. I had to smile about the latter; but Danilo did implore me not to mention his rates because this is his job. After thinking about what he mentioned to me, I concur.

 

With any profession and on occasion, the rates do change for various and sundry reasons!

 

Guys do hire this young, energetic guy. Plan your itinerary in advance, and Danilo will make all attempts to execute it and please you in the end.

[+ Axiom2001]

>I am back at the internet cafe today; the rate per day is in

>DOLLARS!

 

 

 

Consult with Danilo regarding his fee; it varies because of the economy; when I engaged his services I told him that I would write about the wonderful job that he did when I was with him: he also stated that he would write about me as a client. I had to smile about the latter; but Danilo did implore me not to mention his rates because this is his job. After thinking about what he mentioned to me, I concur.

 

With any profession and on occasion, the rates do change for various and sundry reasons!

 

Guys do hire this young, energetic guy. Plan your itinerary in advance, and Danilo will make all attempts to execute it and please you in the end.