Days 1 to 8
Rio de Janeiro to Salvador
Where else
could you start a tour of Brazil than in Rio de Janeiro, the undoubted party
capital of the world? There’s just so much to see, from the glorious beaches at
Lebion, Ipanema and 
Copacabana to the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer on
Corcovado Mountain.
We’d also include a visit to the charming Santa Teresa
neighbourhood, the art installations of Pereira da Silva favela and the
Botanical Gardens – not forgetting the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf
Mountain, of course.
While Rio is
obviously a must-see, Fernando de Noronha – about 350km off the Brazilian coast
– is equally beguiling but offers a 
real contrast too. This is the perfect island
retreat from the real world with gorgeous cliff walks, utterly-magnificent
snorkeling and a multitude of protected wildlife including marine turtles and
dolphins. With your own beach buggy and boat trips to take you around the island
and its fabulous beaches, there’s no better way to spend some time relaxing
during your time in Brazil.
After
a few days enjoying some of Brazil’s finest stretches of sand, we’d take a
short flight to Salvador. Once the capital of Portugal’s New World colony, the
city has retained a strong cultural 
identity, the rhythm of life played out
daily on its streets.
Not to be missed is the multi-coloured Old Town, mixing
gold-laden churches with South America’s largest complex of colonial
architecture, the Largo de Pelourinho.