Salvador and the World Cup in Brazil

Brazil's first capital still preserves its strong African influence that permeates its food, music, dance and religion. With the history alive and well in the streets, alleys and hills that marks the start of Portuguese colonization, the city possesses a rich archive of architectural and religious works, which can be found in its historic center, known as the Pelourinho. 

Historical center in Salvador

Itapuã beach, Salvador

Capoeira, Martial arts and dance

Famous for its street carnival, with the great singers of Axé music, the biggest city in the Brazilian Northeast also has an ocean coast blessed with beautiful beaches surrounded by coconut palms.

The classic Ba-Vi game is the highlight of the dispute between the two favorite rival teams by Salvador residents. Both Bahia and Vitória compete fiercely at the state level.

Bahia is famous for its faithfulness to its fans, who put it as the owner of one of the largest fan bases in Brazil, which won the trophy of Brazilian Champion in 1988, and the Taça Brasil in 1959.

Vitória in turn has won three titles in the Northeastern Cup, and one of vice-champion of the Brazilian Championship in 1993, after being beaten in the final match by Palmeiras. The Leão (lion), as Vitória is also known, already produced such stars and world champs like the forward Bebeto and the goalkeeper Dida.

Fonte Nova Arena

The novelty to Bahian football is the Fonte Nova Arena, a multiuse stadium with capacity for 55.000  fans. Salvador will host at least three of the main teams that sealed a spot to participate in 2014. In the first phase, the city will host four games. In three of them, key players from their groups will be on the field. The Bahian capital will also host an elimination game in the round of 16, and one of the quarter finals. The presence of Spain, Netherlands, France, Portugal and Germany promises some legendary scenes in a remarkable city in Brazil.

June 13^th – Friday - 04:00pm  – Spain x Netherlands  (group B)

June 16th – Monday - 01:00pm - Germany  x Portugal (group G)

June 20^th – Friday – 01:00pm -  Switzerland  x France (group  E)

June 25^th – Wednesday - 01:00pm -  Bosnia x Iran (group F)

July 01st – Tuesday – 05:00pm - 1^st Group H x 2^nd Group G (round of 16)

July 05^th – Saturday – 05:00pm - 1^st  Group B or 2^nd Group A x 1^st Group D or 2^nd Group C (quarterfinals)

Iran squad profile

Switzerland team profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Recife and the World Cup in Brazil

Cut up by rivers and full of bridged (close to 60) Recife is known as the Venice of Brazil. The unusual Dutch influence that occurred only in this part of the Brazilian Northeast is one of the interesting factors to explore the city culturally. With museums, churches, and houses from the Portuguese colonial period, the city is famous for its calm lakes created by reefs typical for its beaches. In catamaran trips down the main river that cuts through the city, the Capibaribe, you can admire its mangroves. For art lovers, you can't miss the fabulous workshop of the native artist Francisco Brennand, located in the middle of the Atlantic forest, where thousands of works of ceramics, paintings and installation art are brought together.

Recife historical center, wikipedia

Francisco Brennand studio

Olinda view, wikipedia

In the neighboring city of Olinda, with its hills and magnificent views that combine antique houses with the sea in the background, you will find rich historic heritage. Frevo and maracatu, typical musical rhythms in Pernambuco, are registered trademarks during the city street carnival, which exhibits excited floats of revelers like Galo da Madrugada.

Frevo, typical dance from Pernambuco State in Brazil

With respect to the art on the field, three clubs divide the state's attention: Sport, Santa Cruz and Náutico. Giant rivals in the local tournament, historic duels have collided for almost 100 years. The stadiums of the teams, Ilha do retiro, Arruda and Aflitos, are excellent locations to watch the heat that emanates from the passionate fans in Recife.

Pernambuco arena

As one of the best stages to see the Brazilian soccer team, the capital of Pernambuco state boasts the Pernambuco Arena, host for three games in the Confederations Cup in 2013 and five World Cup games in 2014. With 44.248 seats, the stadium has become a landmark in the city, since it includes the construction of a totally planned neighborhood and a complex that will house a museum, shopping center, restaurants, convention center, and other amenities. Náutico has the right to be the owner of the new Arena after the World Cup. Favorites to win the trophy, such as Germany and Italy, will show up in this field.

June 14^th – Saturday - 07:00pm – Ivory Coast x Japan (group C)

June 20^th – Friday - 01:00pm - Italy x Costa Rica (group  D)

June 23^rd – Monday - 05:00pm - Croatia x Mexico (group A)

June 26^th – Thursday - 01:00pm - United States  x Germany (group G)

June 29^th – Sunday – 05:00pm – 1^st of Group D x 2^nd of Group C

Croatia profile

The skills of Didier Drogba from Ivory Coast National team

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Fortaleza and the World Cup in Brazil

The tradition of eating crab every Thursday is already a different plan in a visit to Fortaleza. But, beyond typical cooking, its spectacular beaches are spread out over a large area and are interspersed with fishing villages or nested between dunes that rise several meters above the sea.

Cumbuco beach, photo by Eliana Souza   

Morro Branco beach, photo by Eliana Souza

The best place to go, culturally speaking, is the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture, located next to an area full of restored neoclassical mansions. Theaters, movie theaters, art galleries and museums share space with bars and restaurants. 

Just 30 km away is Beach Park, the largest aquatic park in Latin America, a giant complex that brings together virtually any type of fun in the water, from activities for the family to giant water slides to increase the adrenaline of the visitor. In the Cachaça Museum, owned by the well-known cachaça brand Ypioca, you can learn all about the production process of Brazil's national drink.

Beach Park, photo by Eliana Souza

In the city, you can watch the duel between two large local forces: Ceará and Fortaleza, which are in Brazilian Championship series B and C, respectively. The biggest games used to occur in Presidente Vargas stadium before the Castelão arena reopening.

As one of the first venues to be ready for six games of the World Cup, the Governador Plácido Castelo Stadium, the Castelão, is a local star. It has 63.903 seats and will be on the itinerary of the Brazilian football team over the course of the tournament.

Arena Castelão, photo by Fabio

In the Confederations Cup, the Castelão was the stage for three games. Approved by people and press in that occasion, the beautiful arena will host relevant squads like Brazil, Mexico, bi-champion Uruguay and the tri-champion Germany. No doubt, is one of the most important centers in the group stage. Decisive matches in round of 16 and quarterfinals will take place in Fortaleza as well.

June 14^th – Saturday - 04:00pm - Uruguay x Costa Rica (group D)

June 17^{th -}  Tuesday - 04:00pm - Brazil x Mexico (group  A)

June 21^st  - Saturday - 04:00pm - Germany x Ghana (group  G)

June 24^th-  Tuesday - 05:00pm - Greece x Ivory Coast (group C)

June 29^th  - Sunday - 01:00pm – 1^st winner of Group B x 2^nd winner Group A (round of 16)

July  04^{th –}  Friday - 05:00pm – 1^stt group A or 2^nd Group B x 1^st group C or 2^nd Group D (quarterfinals)

The goals of German national team for 2014 World Cup qualification

Mexican squad profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours