As part of booking roundtrip flights which depart from US airports,
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Varig, which operates a non-stop flight Tuesdays, Sundays from Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU) to Los Angeles (LAX), regularly scheduled to depart at 12:50am and arrive at 7:00am. Usually a McDonnell Douglas MD11 is flown for this route. The average travel time from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Los Angeles, CA is 12 hours and 10 minutes.
During your Los Angeles vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
NBC Studios
According to a security guard, John Wayne and Redd Foxx once got into a fight here after Wayne refused to ride in the same limo as Foxx, who called the movie star a "redneck." Well, your NBC tour will probably be a bit more docile than that. The guided 70-minute indoor tour, which departs every half-hour, includes a behind-the-scenes unstaged look at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno set; wardrobe, makeup, and set-building departments; and several sound studios. In fact, NBC is the only TV studio that offers the public a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of its television operation, and it's a lot less expensive than the competition's studio tours. It doesn't have the cachet of a major motion picture studio tour, but it's entertaining nonetheless. Note: Tours are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and sell out early during peak vacation season, so arrive early. Also, this is one of the few studio tours that doesn't have a minimum age requirement.
The Arboretum of Los Angeles County
Tucked into the hillsides of the San Gabriel Mountains, this sprawling horticultural and botanical center was formerly the estate of silver magnate "Lucky" Baldwin -- the man responsible for bringing horse racing to Southern California -- who lived until 1909 on these lushly planted 127 acres overlooking the Santa Anita racetrack. You might recognize Baldwin's red-and-white Queen Anne cottage from the opening sequence of Fantasy Island ("de plane, de plane"); the gardens are also a favorite location for movie filming and local weddings. In addition to spectacular flora (every continent is represented here), the Arboretum boasts a bevy of resident peafowl who seem unafraid of humans -- one of the best treats here is being up close when the peacocks, attempting to impress passing hens, unfold their brilliant rainbow plumage. Avid gardeners will want to visit the nursery-like gift shop on the way out.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
When the Hollywood honchos realized how limited the footprint space was at the Grauman's Chinese Theater, they came up with another way to pay tribute to the starts. Since 1960, more than 2,000 celebrities have been honored along the world's most famous sidewalk. Each bronze medallion, set into the center of a terrazzo star, pays homage to a famous television, film, radio, theater, or recording personality. Although about a third of them are just about as obscure as Michael Jackson's sexual preference -- their fame simply hasn't withstood the test of time -- millions of visitors are thrilled by the sight of famous names like James Dean (1719 Vine St.), John Lennon (1750 Vine St.), Marlon Brando (1765 Vine St.), Rudolph Valentino (6164 Hollywood Blvd.), Marilyn Monroe (6744 Hollywood Blvd.), Elvis Presley (6777 Hollywood Blvd.), Greta Garbo (6901 Hollywood Blvd.), Louis Armstrong (7000 Hollywood Blvd.), Barbra Streisand (6925 Hollywood Blvd.), and Eddie Murphy (7000 Hollywood Blvd.). Gene Autry is all over the place: The singing cowboy earned five different stars (a sidewalk record), one in each category.The sight of bikers, metalheads, homeless wanderers, and hordes of disoriented tourists all treading on memorials to Hollywood's greats makes for a bizarre and somewhat tacky tribute. But the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been doing a terrific job sprucing up the pedestrian experience with filmstrip crosswalks, swaying palms, and more. And at least one weekend a month, a group of fans calling themselves Star Polishers busy themselves scrubbing tarnished medallions.The legendary sidewalk is continually adding new names, such as Muhammad Ali in front of the Kodak Theatre. The public is invited to attend dedication ceremonies; the honoree -- who pays a whopping $15,000 for the eternal upkeep -- is usually in attendance. Contact the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, 6255 Sunset Blvd., Suite 911, Hollywood, CA 90028 (tel. 323/469-8311), for information on who's being honored this week.
Luxe Summit Hotel Bel-Air
Hidden away on 7 garden acres just a stone's throw from the Getty Center and busy Interstate 405, this low-rise hotel is composed of two levels: The lobby and public areas -- plus some rooms -- are in the main building, while the most secluded guest rooms (and the Romanesque swimming pool) are uphill on the Garden level. Guest rooms are huge and come with stylish Gap-inspired fabrics in a sand-and-khaki color scheme; most have a large balcony or patio. This Luxe appeals equally to business clientele, who appreciate the extensive amenities, and to leisure travelers, who can relax in the open, green setting. A free shuttle lets guests avoid the parking hassles at the Getty Center. The hotel is popular for wedding receptions on weekends, and the full-service spa attracts a sizable local clientele, so be prepared for lots of lobby traffic. Still, the overall ambience is relaxing.Facilities: Indoor/outdoor restaurant; cocktail and piano lounge; pool; outdoor tennis court (lit for night play); full-service day spa; concierge; hourly shuttle to the Getty Center; secretarial services; room service (6:30am-10:30pm); laundry service; dry-cleaning service.
Hotel Shangri-La
Perched on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Pacific, the seven-story Shangri-La is in a great location -- a high-rent residential neighborhood just 2 blocks from Third Street Promenade shopping and dining. Built in 1939, the hotel has a timelessly sophisticated Art Deco facade with interior trimmings to match. Okay, so the furnishings are far from L.A.-chic and the hotel is decidedly low-tech, but considering the location, size, and comfort of these rooms -- not to mention the free parking -- the Shangri-La is a very good deal, and the management is constantly making improvements. Guest rooms, which are mostly studio suites (most with kitchenettes, all with fridges), are extremely spacious, and most offer unencumbered ocean views. Bathrooms are small and simple but clean. The two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites are a bargain for large families. Just across the street is a gorgeous stretch of Palisades Park, which overlooks the beach and offers the coast's finest sunset views.
Travelodge Hotel at LAX
The lobby is nondescript and the rooms are standard, but there's a beautiful tropical garden surrounding the pool area, and amenities extend beyond the budget-motel standard, such as courtesy airport/car-rental shuttle service and a free morning paper. Some units have terraces; about two-thirds of the rooms have showers only, so request a tub if you require one. A 24-hour Denny's adjoins the hotel. If you've brought the kids along, request the Sleepy Bear Den, a separate sleeping room designed for children.
