7 nights. Brazil

Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil. There are plenty of maceiós and lakes in this part of Brazil; because of this, the city was named Maceió, and the State, Alagoas. The city is home to the Federal University of Alagoas. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Piaçabuçu. • Beaches: -Urban beaches (Cruz das Alma, Jatiúca, Pajuçara…) -North Coast (Barra de Santo Antônio, Carro Quebrado Beach, Croa Island…) -South coast (Barra de São Miguel, Francês, Gunga)

São Paulo is a place of great contrast, a melting pot of cultures, both cultural and ethnic. This fascinating metropolis is the financial potential of Brazil and the largest city in South America, it has wonderful nightlife, gastronomy category, theaters, shops and everything you can imagine. This large, modern city has art galleries, wealthy handsome museums, world-class music venues, and the best restaurants in the country. Strolling along Avenida Paulista, the financial center of São Paulo, you will see many modern buildings, as well as Art Nouveau and Art Deco mansions and some of the city's main cultural attractions, such as Casa das Rosas, Trianon Park or the Museu de Arte de São Paulo. Nearby, there is Praça da Sé, in the heart of the city. The Catedral da Sé dominates this beautiful square. Other highlights of São Paulo's city center are the Pátio do Colégio, the site where the city was founded, the Monastery of São Bento, the Banespa Building, the Martinelli Building (Brazil's first skyscraper), the Itália building, the Viaduct do Chá, the Municipal Theater, the Sala São Paulo concert hall, the Luz Train Station, and the Municipal Market. Although there are plenty of stunning city parks; Parque do Ibirapuera is undoubtedly the most famous park in the city, hosting several museums, monuments and cultural activities. Cosmopolitan and full of life, São Paulo is a sea of possibilities.

Armação dos Búzios often referred to as just Búzios, is a resort town and a municipality located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Today, Búzios is a popular getaway from the city and a worldwide tourist site, especially among Brazilians and Argentinians. In the early 1900s Búzios was popular with the Carioca’s high society, who wanted to escape from the chaotic city life of Rio de Janeiro and enjoy over 23 beaches that the peninsula offers. But it wasn’t until 1964, when the French actress Brigitte Bardot visited Búzios, that it grew to be a popular tourist destination. Today, the peninsula is a travelling site that offers calmness, direct contact with nature and scenic views. The west coast beaches offer calm, clear waters while the east coast ones, facing the open sea, are more wild and draw surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Azeda, Ferradura, João Fernandes, Armação, and Geribá, are the most popular beaches in town and to the surf. At night, Rua das Pedras, Buzios' main street, offers its visitors an active nightlife and a great variety of shopping and restaurants. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Beaches The west-facing beaches generally offer calm water while the ones facing the open sea, to the east, attract surfers, windsurfers and kite enthusiasts. Clockwise around the peninsula, the main beaches are. o Praia Rasa. First beach on the left as you arrive from Rio de Janeiro. Wind surfing and kite surfing and a few pousadas but a bit off the beaten track. o Praia de Manguinhos. An extension of Praia Rasa, closer to the downtown area and with more accommodation. o Praia da Tartaruga. o Praia do Canto. The harbour for the downtown area rather than a beach. Lots of accommodation. o Praia da Armação and Praia dos Ossos. o Praia João Fernandes. This is an upmarket residential area but the beach is disappointingly small and at high tide there is little room. o Praia Brava. Surfing beach exposed to the Atlantic. Few facilities. o Praia Olho de Boi. Naturist beach reached by following a 500m trail from Praia Brava. Take your own refreshments. o Praia do Forno. Attractive toe-shaped beach with one small bar. o Praia de Ferradura. Large, sheltered beach for swimmers not surfers. A few bars where the vans stop. One upmarket pousada but little else in the way of accommodation. o Praia Ferradurinha. Attractive small beach that can get rather crowded. Only reachable by car if you want to pay R10 an hour for one of the few parking places. Park at or take a van to Praia de Geribá and walk. From Praia Ferraderinha the fit can swim to Praia dos Amores (Lovers’ Beach), where it is said that “two arrive and three leave”. o Praia de Geribá. Popular beach with many bars and restaurants and pousadas either on the beach or in the blocks behind it or on the overlooking hill. Good surfing location and there are several people offering surfing lessons (look for the upright surfboards in the sand). o Praia Tucuns. Long, almost deserted beach with no facilities other than a large, unattractive resort at the far end. • Rua das Pedras (street of stones) is a street that gives its name to the downtown area on the north coast that offers restaurants, shopping and nightlife. • Statue of Brigette Bardot. The peninsula was popularized by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s, and a statue of her can be found on the sea front a short distance east of the wharf in the downtown area. • The views. There are several viewpoints (mirantes) around Buzios. On the top of a hill close to Praia Brava there is a tower that offers good views of much of the peninsula. The road up to it is not very good but it is just about reachable with an ordinary saloon car.

Salvador, located on the Todos os Santos Bay, is the capital of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, and the traces of its importance are visible in the city’s Historic Quarter. Salvador is a bustling, vibrant and beautiful colonial town with many attractions and a unique charm. Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Salvador’s charming Old Town that offers a glimpse into Salvador’s early days. In this area you can explore the site of the former slave market and pillory, baroque-style churches and colonial architecture. Also from colonial times is the Lighthouse of Barra, one of about 15 forts dotting the city. Salvador is Brazil’s colourful and historic centre of Afro-Brazilian culture, African culture is a big part of this city and is evident in its food, music and religious traditions. There are numerous terreiros, temples of the widely practiced Candomblé religion of African origin, scattered throughout the city. Most terreiros will permit visitors to attend their ceremonies. The best of Salvador is in its daily life, walking on the beach, savouring its delicious food, admiring the sunset and enjoying its unique culture. Salvador embraces you and doesn't let you go, so come at your own risk.

Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil. There are plenty of maceiós and lakes in this part of Brazil; because of this, the city was named Maceió, and the State, Alagoas. The city is home to the Federal University of Alagoas. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Piaçabuçu. • Beaches: -Urban beaches (Cruz das Alma, Jatiúca, Pajuçara…) -North Coast (Barra de Santo Antônio, Carro Quebrado Beach, Croa Island…) -South coast (Barra de São Miguel, Francês, Gunga)