Brazil Tours & Travel

Considered to be the capital of Bahia, Brazil, Salvador offers an intoxicating mix of colonial and modern day wonders. My trip to this city was nothing short of an amazing journey through time and boy I was delighted to the hilt. Salvador is primarily noteworthy for its happening carnaval, luring beaches nearby and amiable locals. I have always found Brasil as a welcoming country; Salvador was no different! The city had a lot of surprises to offer other than its colonial architecture and the South American cuisine.

Since my entire Brazil trip was during the carnaval time so I had got quite used to the street frenzy while visiting Rio, Paraty, Sao Paulo, Manaus, Recife and the other major cities of this blessed country. If you are eager to visit Brazil’s cities during the carnival then it is better to book your hotel rooms months before your actual trip – this is just to escape the last minute jitters during your trip. The same cardinal rule applies while you are visiting Salvador.

The evening party started quite early in Salvador and the night was bright with the finely crafted attires of the men and women. The city of Salvador was found during the slave-trading era and the Afro-American cultural influence certainly hangs heavy on the city. The majority of the population is of the African origin but at the same time there is no dearth of all the native Brazilians – a perfect mix. The city dwellers are quite generous and one would love the warmth and easygoing attitude of the population.

While traveling through the city, it is very tough to miss the colonial influence on the architecture of the Old Town – an UNESCO world heritage site. Salvador is also culturally rich and some of the gems that this city has produced are Jorge Amado (world renowned writer), Dorival Caymmi, Caetano Veloso, and Gilberto Gil. Some of the most important tourist destination of the city are Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Museu Afro-Brasileiro, Praça da Sé and the Terreiro de Jesus. The best part of my Salvador trip was attending a party at the Abaeté Park and watching the sun go down the Solar do Unhão.

Music obviously formed an indispensable part of my Salvador trip and the city did not miss a single note to touch my heart! Sipping chilled bear in one of the Salvador bars while listening to classical Jazz was an out of the world experience. The local Bahian cuisine was great and mouthwatering. I relished the finest grilled meat with a fruity in one of the restaurants.

The astonishing country of Pele, the Maracanà stadium, the Sugar Loaf and the statue of the Christ the Redeemer made my trip dangerously enjoyable. The delightful waterfalls and boat rides into the Amazon forest were thrilling to say the least! It was no doubt a wonder trip for me…

It seems that most first time visitors to Brazil outright focus on Rio de Janiero, Iguassu Falls, Salvador, may be Pantanal and at having at least a quick look at the Amazon by flying into Manaus. The two cities certainly should be visited, and so should the amazing falls and the Amazonia. But even though it is not difficult to travel to, just within a few hours from Rio, the province of Minas Gerais is overlooked by most yet it offers a wonderful slice of Brazil.

Rich in history, rich in the arts and crafts and surrounded by attractive landscapes, the small former gold-mining towns of Mina Gerais contain gems of baroque churches and colonial architecture. Its beauty imparts the mind a unique kind of solace and sanctity. One can spend some peaceful time away from the hectic city life of Rio or Sao Paulo and soak in the serenity and peace of the Minas highlands. Coming here will definitely free you of stress, monotony and boredom. The feel of the mountains, undulating highlands make the towns more amiable and introspective.

Minas Gerais has an interesting history as it was once a hot seat for agitations that eventually led to socio-economic and political changes in the country. If you should have only a short time you can spare, three days at most, make a weekend trip to Sao Joao del Rey and Tiradentes. These historically very rich towns located at the threshold of São José and Lenheiro mountains were the harbinger of revolts and gave birth to great heroes. The Minas Gerais Inconfidência, Conspiracy leaders, used to meet here and revolted against the tyrant monarchs in 1789.

The easiest way to get to São João Del Rey from Rio de Janeiro is by car. Alternatively there are fine aircon buses from Rio’s main bus station. It takes about five hours.

If you are soon to leave for Brazil you have likely already read a few guidebooks and may have seen some of these videos. If you are unsure if and when you may head on down to Brazil, the following videos may get you inspired.

One of the best ways to learn about a country is to see it being on the inside, and the only way to have that experience is through the eyes of people that live there, the natives. This is what the first video is about. Find out about Brazil’s natural riches as well as its history, carneval, soccer, religion, how some make a living and more.

Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country in terms of physical size and sixth largest in total population. Needless to say with these kinds of numbers there are extremes and contradictions. There are fashionable cities, spectacular natural configurations and remote backwaters, incredible distances and vastness that is bewitching. That’s what you’ll find in the second video.

Much has been written about the Amazon and the remaining few Indians of the Brazilian rainforest. As Brazilians from the coastal areas more and more encroach upon the vast open space of their country, and cut down more of the tropical forest, the faster the traditional culture of the remote interior disappear. This video is a fine account of the forces that shape Brazil today, and an insight into a struggle of survival of the indigenous people.

Of course even if you have never heard much about Brazil, you have very likely heard about Rio, seen some of its landmarks, heard about its sumptuous nightlife, beaches and bikinis. Yes, you may have heard about the girls of Brazil, and it is indeed here in Rio where the fashion trends in bikini design and swimwear in general are typically pioneered.