The best of Brazil is the best of a beautiful, bounteous, buxom country, about as best as best can be. Which we immediately sense as we alight in the Atlantic Coast city of Salvador de Bahia, a natural and human sensation. Often called the most African city in the Western Hemisphere, Salvador is a vibrant mélange of cultures, which we’ll sample at funky little cafés and dance performances, and in our creative ramblings. And of the Bahia’s natural splendors, which we’ll definitely not overlook, Darwin wrote, “The land is one great, wild, untidy, luxuriant hothouse. . . . How great would be the desire in every admirer of nature to behold the scenery of another planet! Yet [here] the glories of another world are opened to him.”

Now south to Rio de Janeiro, surely the most mellifluously situated city in the world. But there’s more to Rio than eyegrabbing scenery; it’s one of the planet’s most energized cities, sexy beyond measure—“ a place,” Jan Morris has written, “of deep and humane variety . . . a shot in the arm, a haunting tune in the head . . . a lovely greatheart.” We give Rio a good sightsee, heading up Corcovado Mountain for its fantastic vistas, exploring the Tijuca National Forest (an urban rain forest!), cruising the city’s offshore islands, strolling its stimulating beaches, and much, exhilaratingly, more. Then we turn north into the lessfrequented state of Minas Gerais, or “general mines,” which in this case were the gold, diamond, and gem mines that generated Brazil such a torrent of affluence that Minas Gerais had the wherewithal to create its own wonderful style of architecture and art, second to none in western South America, that became known as Barroco Miniero. We’ll visit the lovely mountain town of Petropolis (the summer residence of Brazil’s 19th-century royalty) and soak up the cobblestoned colonial feel of Ouro Preto (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Belo Horizonte, Tiradentes, São João del Rei, and Congonhas, another World Heritage Site famous for its exquisite sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, built in 1773.

Day 1: arrive in Salvador de Bahia • Days 2 & 3: Salvador • Day 4: to Rio de Janeiro • Day 5: Rio de Janeiro • Day 6: Petropolis • Day 7: fly to Belo Horizonte • Day 8: Tiradentes and São João del Rei • Day 9: Congonhas and Ouro Preto • Day 10: Ouro Preto • Dat 11: depart Brazil.

Extension to Iguassu Falls and Buenos Aires
Day 11: fly to Iguassu Falls • Dat 12: Iguassu Falls • Day 13: fly to Buenos Aires • Day 14: Buenos Aires • Day 15: depart Buenos Aires.

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