SIX OF THE BEST
WORLD CUP BRAZIL BRAZIL The football World Cup takes
place across 12 cities in Brazil next summer. Andy Hoskins picks out six of the best destinations in which to soak up the atmosphere
visitors to Brazil will take in this legendary city, and the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric, particularly when the national side are in action. Seven games will take place at Rio’s famous – and recently redeveloped – Maracana stadium, including the World Cup Final on July 13 – though England fans might not feel the need to note that particular date in their diaries! SELL IT: Cox & Kings offers a Vibrant Brazil itinerary with four nights in Rio de Janeiro and two at the Iguazu Falls. It costs from £2,095 including fl ights.
www.coxandkings.co.uk
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it comes to carnival and general joie de vivre, so the city is sure to be at its loudest and most vibrant during the World Cup. Salvador do Bahia has a rich African heritage – evident in its excellent cuisine and diverse music – and its historic old town, the Pelourinho, is full of colourful, colonial buildings and monuments. The city will host six games at its new 50,000-seater Fonte Nova stadium, including one of the quarter finals. SELL IT: Rainbow Tours operates an eight-night itinerary that visits Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls, with three nights in Salvador. It’s priced from £3,105 including fl ights.
www.rainbowtours.co.uk
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rainforest in the world – the Amazon – and the steamy environment here could present a challenge to teams playing in its four group games. City sights include the Jesuit-
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MANAUS This is the largest city in the largest tropical
SALVADOR This Atlantic city is a close runner-up to Rio when
RIO DE JANEIRO Where better to start than Rio de Janeiro? Most
style cathedral and splendid Teatro Amazonas, but Manaus also serves as the gateway to the region’s real attraction: jungle
adventures that include cruises on the Amazon, canoeing, trekking and encounters with indigenous groups. SELL IT: A 14-night tour from Journey Latin America visits Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Manaus – with three nights in a jungle lodge – Praia do Forte and Salvador. A special World Cup departure costs from £5,905, including fl ights.
www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk
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SÃO PAULO Brazil’s largest city has the honour of holding the
opening World Cup fixture on June 12, with Brazil kicking off the tournament. Not many visitors manage to squeeze São Paulo into their itineraries, but those who do will discover a modern, cosmopolitan city dominated by the famous Avenida Paulista. Galleries, museums, restaurants and bars line its tributaries, while the impressive Municipal Theatre, Metropolitan Cathedral and enormous Ibirapuera Park are worth paying a visit. SELL IT: Many of São Paulo’s best hotels are located in the upmarket and leafy Jardins suburb of the city, including the Fasano Hotel, Emiliano and the striking Hotel Unique, all featured by Scott Dunn. Alternatively, head to the São Paulo coast for a few days on the beach at the Sofi tel Jequitimar Guaruja or the DPNY Beach Hotel on the island of Ilhabela.
www.scottdunn.com
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NATAL Natal could be a good compromise for couples
where one half is not so fussed about the football! This area of Brazil’s northeast Atlantic coast is all about the beaches, so catch one of the four group games staged at Natal’s new Estadio das Dunas stadium – which takes its name from the region’s trademark sand dunes – before heading 90 minutes down the coast to Pipa, with its low-key restaurants, bars and beautiful beaches.
SELL IT: Journey Latin America offers a 15-day trip to Brazil’s northeast that includes fi ve nights at the delightful Toca da Coruja
pousada in Pipa. It costs
www.sellinglonghaul.com November 2013 35
from £5,495, including fl ights, and coincides with matches in Natal, Recife and Salvador.
www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk
fans of modern architecture, but it’s a good, natural stopover for visitors crossing the country too. Its collection of iconic buildings include the National Congress of Brazil, Alvorada Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral, all designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. The capital will host seven World Cup matches at its suitably stunning Estadio Nacional. SELL IT: Imagine Latin America’s 15-day Brazil Explorer itinerary includes three days in Brasilia, plus Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. It costs from £2,305 excluding fl ights.
www.imaginelatinamerica.co.uk
6 *Please note that
tickets for World Cup matches are not
available from tour
operators. Clients should instead be directed to fi
fa.com/worldcup for more information.
BRASILIA The purpose-built capital city is a big draw for
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