We are busy! The tourist season is kicking in and we put 12 to 14 hours a day seven days a week! It’s great. The hotel is beginning to look like home, with Russian dolls and Russian flag at the reception.
Meanwhile I’d like to say a couple of words about the underrated (IMHO) week-end getaway spots in Europe – Istanbul and Lisbon. I know that at least in Scandinavia the most popular places to go for a long week-end are Rome, Paris and I guess Berlin. I say – do something different and go a bit further away, it’s totally worth it. Also, if you travel to Brazil with Turkish airlines or with TAP (Air Portugal) from Oslo you will have long layovers in Istanbul and Lisbon respectively.
Turkish airlines have about 16 hours of layover on the way to São Paulo. You will arrive around 4 p.m. Despite to what you may think, Istanbul have a very well organized public transport from the airport. I imagine that a taxi won’t be too expensive either. Istanbul with its minarets over Bosphorus is a true melting pot of different cultures. Absolutely gorgeous! Great food and warm-hearted people. And men give women place in public transport! I stayed the night at a CouchSurfer and we had a dinner together and went bridge-gazing together afterwards. I had a fantasic time! I was also impressed by the service at the Turkish Airlines – big seats, very good food, good selection of the on demand movies and very service-minded stuff!
TAP has a layover of about 18 hours, arriving late in the evening to Lisbon and leaving again for Fortaleza around 5 p.m. next day. The airport is only 10 EUR away from the city center. Just like Istanbul, I like Lisbon for being not-perfect. It has a gypsy spirit which is so dear to any Russian (or..?). I love its irregularity - its hills, elevators, tiled facades and its bending tram tracks. I stayed in a hostel and went on a free walking tour around the city – can there be a better way to meet like-minded people? TAP as an airline is not too impressive though, the food is boring and there are only seven crappy movies that are shown on repeat.
Anyhow, the bottom-line is – you can make much of your trip than just going to the North-East of Brazil!
Drz, I'm convinced and heading North-East of Brazil :)
ReplyDeleteI remember our trip to Istanbul years ago (2004, was it?). I don't know if I'd call the Turkish airlines staff the most service-minded, but to be fair I need to mention the efforts of the male flight attendant to keep the smile while handing us the second glass of Bloody Mary (and damn, that was the strongest Bloody Mary, I've ever tried!). If they're still mixing such cocktails on board, I'm definitely flying with them :)
hehe yeah that was an unforgettable trip :) looking fwd to having you here!!!
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