Showing posts with label Salvador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvador. Show all posts

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 13th – Friday - 04:00pm  – Spain x Netherlands  (group B)
June 16th – Monday - 01:00pm - Germany  x Portugal (group G)
June 20th – Friday – 01:00pm -  Switzerland  x France (group  E)
June 25th – Wednesday - 01:00pm -  Bosnia x Iran (group F)
July 01st – Tuesday – 05:00pm - 1st Group H x 2nd Group G (round of 16)
July 05th – Saturday – 05:00pm - 1st  Group B or 2nd Group A x 1st Group D or 2nd Group C (quarterfinals)



Iran squad profile


Switzerland team profile


Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Christmas decoration in the twelve cities that will host the World Cup

Although Brazil is a tropical country where palm trees are a constant, the traditional Christmas trees can be seen all over. Majority of cities - no matter if they are in the coast or in the countryside - prepare the Christmas decoration as part of the season celebration.

Have a look at the Christmas decoration at the twelve cities that will receive the matches for the 2014 World Cup.

Belo Horizonte - lighting at Liberty Square
photo by Wellington Pedro, Imprensa MG 

Brasilia - lighting at  Ministries Esplanade
photo by Daniel Ferreira, DA press


Cuiabá - House of Noel
photo by Michel Alvim - SECOM/Cuiabá

Curitiba - Show at Avenida Palace, headquarters of HSBC

Fortaleza - Christmas tree at Ferreira Square,
photo by Tatiana Fortes

Manaus - Christmas tree at Ponta Negra beach 
photo by Evandro Seixas

Natal - main entrance of the city, The Three Kings


Porto Alegre -  musical show at Santander Cultural Center 
photo by Andrea Graiz, Agencia RBS

 Recife -  Christmas tree at wharf
photo by NE10

Rio de Janeiro - the amazing floating tree  with three million micro lamps at Lagoa district
photo by Alexandre Durão, G1

 Salvador - Christmas tree at Campo Grande Square 
photo by Telma

São Paulo - one of the scenes of the video reproduced in the lake of  the lightened Ibirapuera Park
with the phrase "Live the moments"


Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Salvador, the center of Afro-Brazilian culture

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. 


View of harbor area in Salvador - Photo by Adam Jones


The baroque interior of St. Francis Church - photo by Fernando Dellacqua 


The traditional snack namesd "acarajé", made by "baianas"

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.


Oludum musical group during carnival in Salvador,BA

Itapuã beach - photo by Cristõvão Santos


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 goalie Dida.


The novelty to Bahian football will be the Fonte Nova Arena, a multiuse stadium that will house 50 thousand seats and will receive the match between Brazil and Italy for the 2013 Confederations Cup on June 22, 2013.

 Arena Fonte Nova - photo from www.fifa.com

Salvador will receive at least three of the main teams that sealed a spot to participate in 2014 World Cup. 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.

Why São Paulo?

SPin Brazil Tours really believes business and tourism are inter-related.

We encourage travelers and business professionals to explore the attractions of the destination they are traveling to, be it by attending a presentation, participating in a conference or trade fair, an important business meeting or even if they are returning to manage investments in the country.

By exploring the context of the city that you visit, you can expand your horizons beyond the culture, lifestyle, local habits and customs of its inhabitants.

It is a unique opportunity to discover the profile of its local consumers, competitors, the market itself and consequently, it can generate new insights and sharpen perceptions. The geographical, economic and historical-cultural understanding that you acquire will pay dividends when you interact and do business successfully in a country with a culture different from your own.

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!