Natal and the World Cup in Brazil

The sun favors this city, which is sunny almost all year round. Because of that, Natal is known as the city of the sun, and a scene from paradise. The white sand dunes contrasting against the blue sea dazzle thousands of tourists that explore its coastline from North to South. A cashew tree with an immense canopy of more than 7,000 square meters, which produces cashew fruit in addition to the nut that most foreign tourists know, is also worth seeing. At night, forró, traditional popular dance in Natal, is an invitation for a little relaxation.

Ponta Negra beach, photo by Ricardo   

 Genipabu beach, wikipedia

Pipa beach, photo by Helder da Rocha

The great soccer rivalry is the Potiguar Championship, as the state tournament is called. ABC and América are the clubs that divide sports fans in Rio Grande do Norte and have gathered the most recent local titles.

Dunes Arena in Natal, RN

In this year, fans will be even more enthusiastic to receive four games of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 in the Dunes Arena, a stadium which has capacity for 42.086 people. Stage for local heroes like América de Natal, will show traditional competitive forces to the world, like Uruguay and Italy.

June 13^th –  Friday -  01:00pm - Mexico x Cameroon  (group A)

June 16^th – Monday - 07:00pm - Ghana x United States  (group G)

June 19^th – Thursday - 07:00pm -  Japan x Greece (group C)

June 24^th – Tuesday - 01:00pm -  Italy  x Uruguay (group  D)

The American star Jozy Altidore

Ghana National team profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Manaus and the World Cup in Brazil

On the banks of the Amazon River, the city has inherited a rich past, through the rubber cycle, with its gorgeous Opera House and the Municipal Market. Getting into the Amazon rainforest, exploring its biodiversity, fauna and flora is not just a fantasy. From Manaus, by ship or boat, countless forest hotels can be reached which offer tourist experiences with a focus on adventure, contemplation and learning something new. In the month of June, in the neighboring city of Parintins, the spectacular folklore festival of Parintins takes place. It is a mixture of theatre shows, music and dance inspired by legends and the customs of indigenous tribes and Amazonian communities.

Opera House, wikipedia

Meeting of the waters between Solimões and Negro rivers, wikipedia

Feeding the pink dolphins close to a lodge in the Amazon rainforest

The Amazon championship has gained competitiveness over the last few years with the arrival of new clubs, which has divided local passions. Among the teams that have come out on top at the State level are Nacional, which owns the greatest number of titles, Fast Clube, São Raimundo and Rio Negro.

Arena Amazonia, photo by Bruno

For the World Cup, the expectations are high. The Amazônia Arena, constructed especially for the competition, substitutes the traditional stadium Vivaldão. The space, ready and prepared for various sports, has capacity for 42.3 thousand people, who will be able to watch four World Cup games in 2014 in the group stage, featuring an amazing one: England versus Italy, opening the works for group D. Portugal, United States and Switzerland are also relevant teams willing to challenge the heat in Manaus.

June 14^th –Saturday - 10:00pm - England x Italy (group  D)

June 18^th – Wednesday - 04:00pm - Cameroon  x Croatia (group A)

June 22^nd - Sunday - 04:00pm - United States x Portugal (group G)

June 25^th - Wednesday - 05:00pm - Honduras x Switzerland (group E)

The star Andrea Pirlo, one of the respected players of the Italian squad 

The famous and Ballon D'Or 2013-2014 awarded Cristiano Ronaldo

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours