BRAZIL – long ago…

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Brazil has many exciting cities, ranging from pretty colonial towns and coastal hideouts to hectic, lively metropolises; these are a few of the more prominent travel destinations:

• Brasília – The capital of Brazil, and an architectural spectacle. Noteworthy buildings include a basket-shaped cathedral, the beautiful Arches Palace (seat of the Ministry of Justice) and others.
• Florianópolis – The city is located in an island in the Atlantic Ocean in the southern state of Santa Catarina, with lakes, lagoons, amazing nature and more than 40 clean, beautiful, natural beaches. Major destination for Argentines during the summer months.
• Fortaleza — The fifth biggest city in Brazil, blessed with beautiful beaches. Home of the Iracema Beach street market. A good base for exploring the beaches of the northeastern coast, including Jericoacoara. Famed for forró music and comedians.
• Manaus – Located in the heart of the Amazon, is the capital of Amazonas State and it is also the biggest city of the Amazon. At Manaus the rivers Negro and Solimões meet to become the Amazonas River. The best place to go to visit the Amazon rainforest. It is a gateway to the Anavilhanas and to Jaú National Park.
• Porto Alegre— a major city between Argentina and São Paulo and gateway to Brazil’s fabulous Green Canyons.
• Recife – A city in the Northeast region, originally settled by Dutch colonizers. Nicknamed „The Brazilian Venice“, it is built on several islands linked by many bridges. Rich in history, art and folklore. Do not miss neighboring Olinda and Porto de Galinhas. The city is also a gateway to the amazing archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
• Rio de Janeiro – World famous, beautiful city that welcomes visitors with a big statue of an open-armed Jesus atop Corcovado Hill.
• Salvador – The first capital of Brazil is home to a unique blend of indigenous, African and European cultures. Its Carnival fun is famous, and the influence of African culture and religion is remarkable.
• São Paulo – Brazil’s largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city, where you can find strong influences of several ethnicities, including Italian, Korean, Japanese, German, Russian, Caribbean, Greek and Arab.

• Amazonia – jungle tours, wildlife, floated wood, the mysteries of the Amazon
• Chapada Diamantina National Park
• Chapada dos Veadeiros — cerrado (tropical savanna) wildlife and stunning waterfalls
• Fernando de Noronha — tropical island paradise in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, is protected as a Marine National Park since 1997 and a World Heritage Site
• Ilha Grande– a beautiful Brazilian island, about 150 km from Rio de Janeiro
• Iguaçu Falls — world-famous waterfalls
• Ilha do Marajó– an island at the mouth of the Amazon river
• Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) – protected ecological area in the coast of Paraná, features the most beautiful beaches of this state. From there, two other islands can be reached: Superagüi and Ilha das Peças, both part of the Parque Nacional do Superagüi (a UNESCO natural heritage site).
• Lençóis Maranhenses
• Pantanal — the world’s largest wetland hosts lots of eco-tourism and vast biodiversity, including caiman, jaguar, anaconda, giant anteater, primates, giant otter, and piranha
• Itacare An incredibly beautiful fishing and surfing town on the coast of Southern Bahia; where the Rio Contas and the rain forest meets the Atlantic Ocean. Famous for having some of the best surf beaches in Brazil and for it’s cacao plantations, the raw ingredient for making chocolate.