Everything in Brazil seems larger than life. It has the world's wildest Carnival, its greatest waterfall, its biggest wetlands, its mightiest river and its largest rain forest and one of the most unique and diverse cultures on the planet.
We’ll venture beyond the thousands of miles of superb beaches to explore Brazil's other remarkable attractions: the traditional Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador da Bahia, the colonial towns of Ouro Preto, Paraty and Olinda, or the small charming town of Petropolis, one of the best preserved in South America.
Rio might draw you to Brazil the first time, but the country's unexplored corners, breadth of attractions and remarkable Heritage will make you want to come back again.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Rio de Janeiro
After our arrival and assistance at the International Airport in Rio, we’ll be transferred to our Hotel, located on the World-famous Copacabana Beach. Balance of the day is free to rest. Overnight: Hotel Rio International Porto Bay (2 nights)
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro / Petropolis (drive)
Following the breakfast, we will have a half-day tour to Petrópolis. Petrópolis is a small colonial town with cobblestone streets and horse-drawn buggies. We visit here the old Cathedral and the Summer Palace of Dom Pedro II, Brazil’s last Emperor.
The palace is now a museum, housing a beautiful collection of crown jewels, furniture, paintings and tapestries from the days of the Empire. We’ll return to our Hotel in Rio, late in the afternoon. Included: B.
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro / Paraty (drive)
Paraty After breakfast we are transferred to Paraty. Paraty is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world and breathes an extremely romantic and magical atmosphere. Protected by the UNESCO, it is considered as the most architectonic gathering of Brazil; gas lights, well preserved colonial houses, winding streets, gardens, backyards and flowery balconies are all of them a permanent invitation to dream.
Its native name "Parati-i" means White Fish. The balance of the day is at leisure, so we can go strolling the streets of the historical center, with it's beautifully preserved colonial architecture, stopping in the numerous art galleries and stores, stepping back in time in the churches and museums, sampling the exquisite food, surrounding this oasis of history and charm. Overnight: Hotel in Paraty (2 nights). Included: B, D.
Day 4: Paraty
After breakfast, we will take a 5-hour schooner trip in Paraty's Bay, where we will find over 65 tropical islands and dozens of beaches, each offering something different and all covered with vegetation that remains lush and colorful year round. The water of the bay is always the right temperature for swimming, diving and snorkeling. Included: B, D.
Day 5: Paraty / Rio de Janeiro / Belo Horizonte / Ouro Preto (drive & fly)
In the morning and after breakfast, we drive back to Rio de Janeiro Airport and take a short flight to Belo Horizonte. From here we are transferred to Ouro Preto. Founded in the early eighteenth Century, Ouro Preto is a masterpiece of Colonial Brazilian architecture and art. Indeed, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.
With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th Century, the city's influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity. Overnight: Hotel in Ouro Preto (2 nights). Included: B, D.
Day 6: Ouro Preto
After breakfast, we begin our day by getting acquainted with the city of Ouro Preto. We will visit its major attractions, including: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Church – a masterpiece of the Brazilian religious architecture, with Aleijadinho wood and soapstone sculptures -, Our Lady of Pilar - a church that marked the climax of the Golden Age architecture, with carved works painted entirely in gold, The Museum of Mineralogy, The Opera House and The Oratory Museum. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Included: B, D.
Day 7: Ouro Preto / Belo Horizonte / Recife (drive & fly)
After our early Breakfast we’re transferred back to Belo Horizonte Airport for our short flight to Recife. Upon arrival, meet our local guide and get transferred to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Atlante Plaza, Recife (3 nights). Included: B.
Day 8: Recife & Olinda
Although Recife is the fourth-largest city in Brazil, it is less modern and cosmopolitan than its more famous counterparts. Recife and its environs have only recently become a tourist destination, so visitors are often a novelty for its inhabitants, especially for those of the neighboring fishing villages.
We’ll start our city tour after our breakfast and go to see Recife’s colonial architecture and its historical downtown area, including the Brennand Ceramic Studios and The Casa da Cultura handicraft market. After completing tour of Recife, we’ll drive to the colonial town of Olinda, a World Heritage Site, which boasts a wealth of Colonial architecture.
Beautiful Olinda is seven km north of Pernambuco’s capital Recife, placed on a hill overlooking the capital and the Atlantic, and is one of the largest and best-preserved colonial cities in Brazil.
Olinda is recognized as a lively city with bohemian quarters, art galleries, museums, music in the streets and always some kind of celebration in the works. Also notable, are the houses and churches of Alto da Sé, whilst the historical heritage keeps alive the story of Colonial Brazil. Included: B, D.
Day 9: Olinda
Following breakfast, we’ll enjoy a full day at leisure. We may take an optional tour to relax on the nearby Porto de Galinhas beach. Included: B.
Day 10: Recife / Salvador da Bahia (flight)
Today we’ll take another short flight to Salvador da Bahia. Salvador was the capital city of Brazil during Colonial times. The city is famous for its 365 churches, religious and historical treasures and also for its beaches. Upon arrival, meet our guide and get transferred to the hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Mercure Salvador (2 nights). Included: B.
Day 11: Salvador da Bahia
As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African and Amerindian cultures. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. The city has managed to preserve many outstanding Renaissance buildings.
Today’s city tour will take us to see the Upper and Lower cities of Salvador and the Colonial remnants of their cobblestone-paved streets and stucco buildings, including the Sao Francisco Church, The Carmo Museum and Church, the Mercado Modelo Market, and “The largo do Pelourinho” (whipping Post Square), where slaves were auctioned and punished during Colonial times. Included: B.
Day 12: Salvador da Bahia / Rio de Janeiro (flight)
After breakfast we’re transferred again to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a modern cosmopolitan city where visitors immediately feel at home. Local people call it "Cidade Maravilhosa" - The Marvelous City . After our check-in, we go for a Half Day Historical City Tour in Rio.
This walking tour gives us a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio de Janeiro. The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, including the following highlights: Sao Bento Monastery, Candelaria (the candle-makers), Praca XV de Novembro, originally a convent built in 1590, and later becoming a place where historic events took place such as the coronation of Brazil's emperors and the Imperial Palace.
Our walk continues down on Uruguaiana Street, then Carioca Square and up to the Metropolitan Cathedral. Before we then return to our hotel, we’ll have a farewell dinner in one of Rio’s famous Churrascarias (local steak house) Restaurant. This barbecue dinner is part of the Brazilian cuisine & folklore. Overnight: Hotel Rio Internacional Porto Bay (1 night). Included: B, D.
Day 13: Rio de Janeiro / Homebound
After what was an outstanding Cultural tour of ‘the best of Colonial Brazil’, we leave with our hearts and minds filled with long-lasting memories, as we are taken to the airport for our flight back home.
Price includes:
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All transfers, tours and sightseeing by private AC car or minivan (except Schooner tour in Paraty)
- All the boat/schooner rides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to all Sites, Museums and Performances as mentioned
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Road taxes, parking fees, drivers’ wages
Price does not include:
- International flight tickets and airport taxes
- Excursions/optional tours, which are not included in the itinerary
- Visa fees and any kind of insurance
- Domestic flights: Rio de Janeiro / Belo Horizonte / Recife / Salvador da Bahia / Rio de Janeiro (and additional / local airport taxes!) (~ USD: 500.00)
- Personal expenses, such as bar, laundry or phone bills
- Any drinks or beverages with meals
- Tips or other such costs
- All other services not mentioned
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
USD: 2,735.00 / CAD: 3,145.00 - per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement USD: 815.00 / CAD: 880.00.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Brazil
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
|
