A Trip To Brazil
This year we had the great fortune of vacationing in Brazil. While looking through the bargains for Expedia, we found a great offer for a week long trip to Brazil. It wasn’t on our radar, but with the deals that we found, it was a no-brainer.
Brazil is the largest country in South America, bordering each country of the continent except Ecuador and Chile. It is a country of great contrasts, of great beaches, the renown Amazon, great football players and of course Carnival. Brazil has a lot to offer: a great composition of races and cultures, a wide range of weather, great cities with a mix of high technology and slums.
Visiting
Some of the most visited destinations in Brazil are Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Fernando de Noronha Island, the city of Salvador in the northeast and the colonial towns of Olinda and Ouro Preto. If you want to experience the natural beauty of Brazil, you can travel to Iguacu Falls. And, of cource, the best time to travel to is during the time of Carnival.
Carnival is held anually 4 days before Ash Wednesday. Over the years, it has been influenced by Native, African, Euro and German elements and the rhythm, participation and costumes vary from one celebration to another. The top destination to experience it is in Rio de Janeiro; you can watch the annual parade of the Samba Schools.
The most visited modern resort in Brazil is the quaint Praia de Pipa, located in the northeasern part of the country. It is an extremely well-known city with tourists as well as with the locals. The friendly and open locals lead a relaxed lifestyle and you will find this a most welcomed spot if you are just looking to kick back for awhile.
Brazilian Dining
The food in Brazil is very diverse. Locals prefer a simple breakfast made of milk, bread, jam and coffee and sometimes hamand fresh friut. In addition, there might be papayas, mangoes, watermelons or avocado. For lunch or dinner, there are all kinds of restaurants to choose from, from sumptuous ones to family restaurants where meals are prepared by weight. Pay attention to the fact that Brazilians prefer not to eat anywhere on the street or while riding, walking and doing any other things. Your hotel should be able to provide some great recommendations and some coupons to save you some money.
The best seafood can be found in the coastal towns, especially in the northeastern part. You will also find many self-service restaurants where you can opt for an all -you-can-eat price (Rodizio) or “por quilo”, meaning that you weight the food after serving yourself.
Getting around Rio de Janeiro is extremely easy and you do not actually need a car, because of the public transportation even in the isolated areas. The most convenient and economic way to travel between regions is the long-distance bus. The train is not a good option since the railway system was frequently a casualty in the time of the military regimes and today there are very few passenger lines left. Renting a car is not a good idea either, as road safety in Brazil is severly lacking.
You should definitely vacation in Brazil. It is a trip that you will not forget. There is so much to see and do there.