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 eye-grabbing 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.

We’ll end this culturally infused trip with a quiet and enchanting immersion in the Minas Gerais – a cluster of some of Brazil’s most enchanting colonial cities. The ‘Mineiros’ here are known for their welcoming and friendly way of life and the local dishes are flavorful and surprising even for the most refined palette.

Days 1: arrive Salvador de Bahia • Day 2: Salvador de Bahia • Day 3: Bahian countryside • Day 4: fly to Rio • Days 5 & 6: Rio and environs • Day 7: fly to Belo Horizonte for exploration of the colonial cities of Minas Gerais • Days 8 - 10: wandering the Minas Gerais • Day 11: return to Belo Horizonte for flight to Rio and connect with international flight home.

Extension to Iguassu Falls and Buenos Aires
Day 11: connecting flight to Iguassu • Day 12: Brazil side of Iguassu Falls • Day 13: Argentina side of Iguassu Falls fly to Buenos Aires • Day 14: Buenos Aires • Day 15: depart.

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