São Paulo by Anthony Bourdain in 36 hours

Follow Anthony Bourdain in his last visit to São Paulo

FIFA confirms goal-line technology at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The successful Brazilian soccer uniform

The Brazilian soccer team has won five World Cups with the uniform that shows the yellow,
green, blue an white colours.This combination of tones is the product of a newspaper
competition in 1953 and has been used in a modern style till now.

Pedro Alvares Cabral and the discovery of Brazil

Sculpture in bronze of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the Portuguese navigator and explorer who landed on Brazil in 1500.

Designed by the Brazilian architect Agostinho Vidal da Rocha, the art work can be observed at Ibirapuera park, the largest urban park in the city.

Inside Brazil by Eliana Souza

A country with the largest territorial extension in South America, with a large, welcoming and friendly population, enormous natural resources, varied climates and positioned in the market as one of the largest global economies, Brazil offers innumerable possibilities for fun, adventure, relaxation, and contemplation for visitors from other parts of the world.

Map of South America

Brazil has centuries of history, which is reflected in its roots and the behavior of its mixed population, originating from racial integration of Indigenous and the European Portuguese and later with black Africans. The ethnic spice increased with the later arrival of Europeans from other nations, Jews, Arabs and Asians, which influenced and enriched Brazilian culture with different values.

Composed of 27 states and one Federal District, where the capital Brasília is located, the country is divided in five regions: North, Northeast, Mid-West, Southeast, and South. In each one of them, you can find innumerable tourist attractions to take a breather.

Map of Brazil by regions

The Amazon is unquestionably the best representation of the North region. Explore the treetops, the untouched tropical forest, listen to the songs of native birds and wander around the winding rivers to explore Brazilian diversity which usually captures the attention of those who are looking to be one with nature.

The Amazon river - photo of wikimedia commons

In the Mid-West, the Pantanal, which is considered the largest swamplands on the planet, offers the opportunity to interact very closely to animals and birds on farms where you can learn about wildlife.

Onça, the Brazilian jaguar -  photo by British photographer Daniel Allen 

Sunset and jabiru flight - photo by British photographer Daniel Allen

Privileged by a ocean coast of more than 7 thousand kilometers, Brazil has dazzling beaches spread throughout the Northeast down to the South of the country. Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and pleasant temperatures, many beaches are sunny all year round and others are still deserted. Lakes between the deserted areas of Lençóis Maranhenses, dunes in Natal and Jericoacoara, the cliffs on Canoa Quebrada, mangroves on Ilha Grande, reefs in Porto de Galinhas and Trancoso, waves for surfing in Joaquina and Fernando de Noronha, depths for diving in Ilha Bela and Angra dos Reis, wind for kite surfing in Tibau do SuI and so many others with fine, white sand are part of the unending list of beaches, fascinating for their characteristics.

One of the lakes of Lençois Maranhenses park - photo by wikimedia commons

Porto de Galinhas - photo by wikimedia commons

Fernando de Noronha- praia do Sancho - photo by  (wikimedia commons) 

Angra dos Reis - Ilha grande - photo by Eliana Souza

Ilha Bela - photo by Eliana Souza

In the Southeast, the most economically developed region of the country, the most prominent metropolises of the country are concentrated: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural options, with museums and art galleries, theaters with shows, music and dance of all types, and even bars and restaurants with high-quality cuisine.

São Paulo - Aerial view of Ibirapuera park  - photo by Percival Tirapeli

São Paulo - State Art Museum - Pinacoteca - photo by Eliana Souza

São Paulo - Independence Park - Museu Paulista - photo by Eliana Souza

Rio de Janeiro - Mirante Dona Marta - photo by Neyla Bontempo

Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana beach and Morro da Urca - photo by Eliana Souza

Sugar Loaf and the tram - photo by Neyla Bontempo

It is in this area that you can see and dig up the Atlantic Forest, present on the coast and in the mountains in the countryside of the states, which opens opportunity for trails, climbing and other activities linked to ecotourism.

São Paulo - Trail at Botanical Garden - photo by Eliana Souza

São Paulo - Trail in the middle of the Atlantic Forest - photo by Eliana Souza

The magnificent waterfalls that form Iguassu falls, included as one of the seven modern wonders of nature, are in the south of the country on the border with Argentina. Boat trips where you can get close to the falls that reach up to 80 m in height depending on the time of year, or hike the trails in the park of primary forest that is still preserved, with endemic species that are unlikely ever to leave the memory of tourists.

Iguassu Falls - photo by Sandra Giannotti

Iguassu Falls - photo by Sandra Giannotti

The south is also home to deep valleys lined with araucarias, and it is home to five major canyons in the country, which are part of the Aparados da Serra national park.

Rio Grande do Sul - Aparados da Serra Park - Canyon Itaimbeizinho-

photo by Valdiney Pimenta (wikipedia)

Curitiba - Botanical Garden - photo by Thomas Koch Boras (wikipedia)

Florianópolis - Joaquina beach - photo by Herbert Viana

In the countryside of Brazil in historic and modern cities, you can see much on the various phases of development and culture in the city. The historic heritage can be admired in such locations as the cities of Ouro Preto, Olinda, Salvador and Paraty. In Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília, other aspects can be explored together with more modern, urban scenes.

Ouro Preto: aerial view - from wikipedia

Salvador - historical center named Pelourinho - photo of wikipedia

Brasilia  - Brazil´s National Congress - photo of wikipedia

Brasilia - Palácio do Planalto, headquarters of the Executive Branch of the Brazilian Government,

located at the Plaza of the Tree Powers - photo of wikipedia

Paraty - historical center at the end - photo by Eliana Souza 

Rio de Janeiro - Selaron' stairs - photo by Eliana Souza 

São Paulo - Tomie Ohtake cultural center - photo by Eliana Souza

But still, Brazil offers much more. With happy people that like to have fun, the calendar is full of popular festivals. Beyond Carnival, which is most well known internationally and can be experienced in Rio de Janeiro, Olinda and Salvador, there are various celebrations that show many of its historical influences, its art and the beliefs of its citizens. The Parintis Festival, in Amazonas, the Círio de Nazaré in the state of Pará, the June festivals in the Northeast and Southeast, the immigration festivals in the southeast, and Oktoberfest in the South are some examples of the celebrations that involve the local population and visitors from all over.

Olinda - Group dancing frevo, popular dance in Pernambuco State -

 photo by Antonio Cruz / Agencia Brasil (wikipedia)

Amazonas - Parintins Folklore Festival - photo by Ricardo Stuckhert /Agencia Brasil (wikipedia)

São Luiz do Paraitinga - June festival - photo granted by City Hall of São Luiz do Paraitinga

Brazilian cuisine is one of the strong highlights on a trip to any part of the country. High quality meats and vegetables of various types, seasonings that go from mild to spicy, fruit of various aromas and colors, as well as sweets that make your mouth water are all part of a menu full of options that fit in any budget. Without even mentioning the famous caipirinha, the cocktail made from the national drink, cachaça, which is sent all over the world.

The famous Brazilian drink: caipirinha, made with cachaça - photo by Eliana Souza

São Paulo- fruits in the Food Market - photo by Eliana Souza

Popular Brazilian dish named feijoada, that is served with black beans, rice, different pieces of pork meat, slices of orange, kale and farofa, an essential complement made with toasted cassava or manioc flour

When you go home, you will be able to show your friends and family the souvenirs and keepsakes that you brought from Brazil, which could include handicrafts made of clay, ceramics, leather and other typical material, embroidery and lace made by hand, paintings and sculpture, or other finished goods that make the country famous, like clothing, bikinis and designer clothing. One of the most sought-after presents are Brazilian stones, which go from amethysts and aqua marine to rare and unique gems like imperial topaz and Paraíba tourmaline.

Brazilian stones - photo by Eliana Souza

São Paulo - Handicrafts in Embu das Artes

photo by Eliana Souza

Handicrafts and souvenirs- photo by Eliana Souza

Brazil is also world known for its soccer, which gave it the coveted title of world champion five times. In 2014, it will host the World Cup, one of the largest sporting events on the planet, which makes tourism for those passionate about sports to explore the cities where the games will be played and their surroundings from other angles.

São Paulo - Pacaembu stadium - photo by Eliana Souza

São Paulo - one of the rooms in the soccer museum - photo by Eliana Souza

Brazilian fans during an international game of Brazil - photo by Eliana Souza

It will be Rio de Janeiro’s turn to host the Olympic Games in 2016, an event that will make it possible for the visitor to taste the energy-filled atmosphere and the unequalled beauty of this South-American country.

Rio 2016 Olympics logo

 

No matter your age, gender, culture or style, Brazil offers innumerable destinations and trips to surprise you, sharpen your senses and conquer your heart. SPin Brazil Tours offers personalized services to accompany you in the most prominent scenes of Brazilian culture with safety, bilingual communication and privacy.

Come break into this corner of the world and live diversity at its essence!