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“The World Cup pushed prices up and the Olympics are likely to do the same over the key booking dates, but good value rates are still possible if you are
flexible on dates and location” STUART WHITTINGTON, JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA
are the thundering Iguazu Falls, on the border with Argentina; the pretty colonial city of Salvador; and miles of beautiful Atlantic beaches. And then of course there’s Brazil’s rich wildlife, with both the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal adding to its rich appeal. “Clients can pack a lot into a two- to three-
week holiday and still leave enough undiscovered destinations for another visit,” says Amanda Sweeney of Rainbow Tours. A lesser-known highlight is the spectacular Chapada Diamantina National Park. “It really is a must-see,” says JLA’s Whittington. “It’s quite a long drive from Salvador, but it’s defi nitely worth it.” Further north, visitors can explore Lençois Maranhenses, an unusual landscape of sand dunes and bright-blue lagoons. And back in the south of the country, Passion Brazil’s Rosa picks out Mato Grosso do Sul and its wealth of ecotourism opportunities as a top destination. But if it’s Rio and a lazy beach break that’s the order of the day, there are good options a few hours’ drive both east and west of the city. Sunvil’s Boucher recommends driving along the
cost to Buzios, a resort made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s. “There’s great seafood restaurants and it’s not gone mad with building and development,” he says. Travel 2’s Justine Egan, meanwhile, suggests heading west from Rio to the unspoilt beaches of
Ilha Grande, or to Paraty, a pretty town brimming with well-preserved historic buildings and centuries-old architecture, with accommodation in charming Pousada style hotels.
Perfect ten Rio de Janeiro: Blessed with a stunning setting and sights such as the
Christ Redeemer statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Beaches: Brazil has a long Atlantic coastline and a vast array of beautiful
beaches, from quiet coves to bustling city bays. Amazon: Head to the city of Manaus in the heart of the Amazon and take to the
river to explore the steamy Amazon rainforest. Salvador: This colonial city is known for its Afro-Brazilian culture. Its carnival
celebrations are an excellent alternative to Rio’s. Iguazu Falls: Higher than Niagara, these impressive waterfalls are a
must-see for most fi rst-time visitors to Brazil. Carnival: Rio’s annual carnival is world-famous but the occasion is
celebrated across the country. Minas Gerais: Visit this state to explore charming colonial cities such as Ouro
Preto, built on the riches of historic gold mining. Pantanal: The tropical wetlands are home to abundant wildlife. Explore it by
boat, on foot or on horse-back. Fernando de Noronha: A marine reserve mecca for divers and snorkellers. Costa Verde: Brazil’s ‘green coast’ is home to low-key resorts such as Ilha
Grande and Paraty, southwest of Rio.
Pictured clockwise from left; exploring the Pantanal on horse-back; tropical Ilha Grande; the Christ Redeemer statue towers over Rio de Janeiro; the colonial city of Ouro Preto
What’s new News: The number of international visitors
to Brazil during the 2014 World Cup surpassed the tourist board’s (
visitbrasil.com) expectations
of 600,000 by over 70%. Operators: Rainbow Tours now sells the Mirante do Gaviao lodge (
mirantedogaviao.com.br) which opened last summer and is a highly rated addition to accommodation options around Manaus. Prices for a four-day, three-night package with the operator start from £765pp with a twin/double room, including all meals,
excursions and transfers from Manaus airport. Accommodation: The Butterfl y House (butterfl
yhousebahia.com), an eco-retreat in the Marau Peninsula of Bahia, is adding 10 new guest cottages this year including four ‘shabby chic’ Fishermen’s Cottages and two luxury Tree Houses. The hotel fi rst opened in 2013 with eight villas, pool, restaurant and tropical gardens, and is offered by several UK-based operators. YOO Hotels & Resorts (
yoohotels.com) will open the fi rst of its new design-conscious YOO2 portfolio in Rio later this year. The YOO2 Botafogo will have 144 guest rooms and suites, a dramatic entrance and lobby lounge and a rooftop terrace with views of the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain. Contemporary in style, the interior design concept ‘combines colourful accents, patterns and textures to refl ect Rio’s
vibrant culture’. Excursions: Guests at Belmond Copacabana Palace (
belmond.com) in Rio de Janeiro can now enjoy a private sunrise picnic at the Christ the Redeemer statue. The experience is exclusive to the famous hotel and gives visitors crowd-free access to the iconic monument before it opens
sellingtravel.co.uk
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