Brazil
Land of samba, fantastic beaches, an intoxicating culture and so much more.
Brazil is the enviable home to three of the Natural Wonders of the World, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World and (at last count) 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Brazil is blessed with incalculable natural beauty: a 7500km white-sanded, palm-lined coastline with transparent warm waters and swaying hammocks; land locked rain forests and wetlands with an abundance of wild life; and a rich cultural heritage immortalized in historical cities and in the free spirited and vivacious nature of Brazilians.
Since Brazil’s introduction to the “New World” back in 1500, the world’s fifth largest country that swallows-up 47% of South America has continued to attract and captivate generations of immigrants and tourists, due to Brazil’s unequivocal share of dazzling natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and relaxed joyful life-style.
The endless coastline offers astounding beauty, with transparent warm waters, constant sunshine, swaying hammocks and endless white-sanded palm-lined beaches backed by giant sand dunes or draping cliffs. From world-famous, pulsating Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, to the lazy pristine paradisaical beaches further up-or-down the coast, the variety and beauty of the 7500 km coastline is incalculable.
The interior is also filled with an exuberance of natural treasures. From the majestic Amazon Rain Forest, guardian to one-fifth of the planet’s fresh water supply, and to one-quarter of all known fauna and flora, to the Pantanal, the largest inland wetland on earth, covering an area of 230,000 sq kms, creating an enormously rich feeding ground that provides ecological niches for many animals, plants and flocks of birds in their thousands.
An eventful history spanning over 500 years has produced a cultural concoction of color, taste and sound, with the various phases of Brazil’s economic development immortalized in the numerous historical cities scattered around the country. From Salvador with its beautifully preserved 16, 17 and 18th century architecture, and the historical gold rush boom towns of Minas Gerais with their steep cobblestone streets amidst rich clusters of baroque architecture, to the central historical hearts of all major cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Sugar, tobacco, coffee, gold and diamonds attracted droves of people from all corners of the world. Different customs and traditions were practiced, enforced, outlawed, concealed, modified and finally embraced into the rich cultural diversity that make Brazilians the cheerful, proud, expressive and most welcoming nation that they are.
Samba, carnival, axé, candomblé, capoeira, forró, feijoada, caipirinha, futebol, amongst many others, are all elements of the incorporative Brazilian multiculturalism – proudly practiced, displayed and shared with whomever wants to participate. This is a small introduction to an incredible country with A Thousand destinations and Millions of journeys…
Brazil Highlights
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, or the “Marvellous city”, as it has been affectionately renamed, is the pivotal city for any visit to Brazil or Latin America, with reason. Besides it’s incomparable natural beauty, Rio is a sophisticated city, situated in the largest urban forest in the world, stretching along a curvaceous coast line filled with bays, endless beaches and rocky mountains.
The historical, often overlooked, centre of the city, gives an interesting insight into Rio’s rich heritage, and whilst strolling amongst impressive historical architecture, it’s not hard to imagine that this city once was the capital of the entire Portuguese empire.
Iguaçu Falls
Foz do Iguaçu is a small town situated on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, and is the town of access, from Brazil, to one of the world’s most visited and admired landscapes, the magnificent Iguaçu Falls, also known as the Falls of Iguazu on the Argentinean side. No less than 275 individual falls occupy an area more than 3km wide and 80m high, which makes them wider than the Victoria and higher than the Niagara. Neither words or pictures can do the falls justice – they should be seen, heard and felt. On a visit to Brazil, American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said this cluster of 275 cataracts made the Niagara look like a kitchen faucet.
The Brazilian Amazon
Manaus is main port of entry to the Brazilian Amazon with a good tourism infrastructure.
Manaus gained prosperity and became the “Paris of the tropics” in the late 1800´s, with the discovery of rubber.
A trip to the Amazon is described by many as “one of the best things I have ever done in my life”. The sheer magnitude, diversity and beauty of the surroundings can only but humble one and make one wonder – is this not where it all began?
The Amazon, the world’s most bio-diverse virgin forest, is enchanting and immense in every sense of the word and much larger than is imaginable. It occupies almost half of Brazil – the world’s fifth largest country, it is twice the size of India or larger than 15 European countries grouped together.
Paraty and the Costa Verde
Paraty combines nature and history… It’s a quaint well-preserved colonial town set on a shoreline of jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches. It is backed by steep Atlantic rainforest-filled mountains, which drop into a clear bay with warm waters and hundreds of islands and islets. Paraty is highly recommended and has it all…You can easily catch a boat in the harbour to a secluded beach during the day or delight yourself in the forests filled with trails and waterfalls. Spend your evenings strolling in the car-less cobble-stoned streets and dining at open-air restaurants in one of the numerous squares of the village. A lot of the bars and restaurants in Paraty offer live music. The immediate surrounding area is filled with delights begging to be explored. Paraty is incredible and certainly has it all!!
Salvador da Bahia
Salvador is the city where it all began over 500 years ago, and any trip to Brazil should include a visit to this sensual city in The Bay of All Saints. Much of the Brazilian culture as we know it today, can somehow be traced back to Bahia. Incredible preserved colonial architecture, endless palm-lined beaches and an infectiously friendly population with interesting cultural practices, all contribute to making Salvador and the state of Bahia, Brazil’s top tourist destination, as it continues to rake in the tourism awards.
Buzios
Búzios is the perfect place for paradisiacal relaxation in a picturesque fishing village situated only 180 km’s up the coast from Rio. Búzios is set on a peninsula jutting into the ocean and is renowned for it’s 23 immaculate beaches with crystal clear waters. Besides the unique blend of exquisite natural surroundings with a distinct Mediterranean feel; Búzios has a sophisticated central heart lined with stylish boutiques, gourmet restaurants and rocking nightspots.
These are just a few of the amazing destinations that await you in Brazil. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to visit any of these destinations, or incorporate them into your South American travel plans