Follow Anthony Bourdain in his last visit to São Paulo
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.
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
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Onça, the Brazilian jaguar - photo by British photographer Daniel Allen
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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
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
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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
São Paulo - Tomie Ohtake cultural center - photo by Eliana Souza
Rio de Janeiro - Selaron' stairs - 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
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!
Luxury in Brazil by Le Monde
Interesting article about luxury in Brazil and São Paulo published at Le Monde (in French)
Le Brésil dans la course au luxe
M le magazine du Monde | • Mis à jour le
Par Vicky Chahine
180 boutiques, 43 000 m2... Le centre commercial Cidade Jardim, à São Paulo, est axé sur le luxe et l'art de vivre.
Photo: Lalo de Almeida pour M Le magazine du Monde | Lalo de Almeida / Lalo de Almeida
COMME CHAQUE JOUR, ANA, LA QUARANTAINE RETOUCHÉE, quitte son appartement cossu en tenue de fitness et se dirige vers l'ascenseur. Etage Cidade Jardim. Les portes s'ouvrent sur ce paradis de la consommation relié directement à son immeuble : un centre commercial avec magasins de luxe, restaurants, cinémas, spa, salles de sport, laboratoires d'analyses, et bientôt une école...
Musique d'ambiance et décor arboré, ce "mall" est une ville dans la ville, où se retrouve chaque jour la bonne société de São Paulo. Après sa séance de Pilates, Ana rejoindra ses amies pour déjeuner puis, si les enfants ne sont pas encore rentrés de l'école, sans doute iront-elles jeter un oeil aux nouveautés du plus grand magasin Louis Vuitton d'Amérique latine, ou à la toute nouvelle boutique Dior inaugurée en mars. Tout cela sans jamais mettre un pied dans la rue. Ainsi va la vie des privilégiés, dans un cocon climatisé et entièrement sécurisé où le luxe européen rivalise de fastes. Après s'être solidement implantées en Chine, les enseignes hexagonales s'intéressent de près au marché brésilien, en commençant par São Paulo où 70 % du marché du luxe sont concentrés (d'après l'étude "Bossa & Beautiful, le XXIe siècle made in Brasil", d'Helene Capgras et Helen Kupfer, 2012-2013). Certaines maisons y possédaient déjà un point de vente, plutôt symbolique mais, face à une demande toujours plus importante, leur développement s'intensifie.
Photo: Lalo de Almeida pour M Le magazine du Monde | Lalo de Almeida / Lalo de Almeida
Forts de leur domination, les deux concurrents s'arrachent la présence de ces noms qui font rêver les Brésiliens. Chacun possède un service spécialisé dans la traque des nouvelles marques occidentales. Leurs arguments ? Négociation du meilleur emplacement, quitte à faire déplacer d'autres boutiques, gratuité de la location pendant les premiers mois, prise en charge du pas-de-porte, parfois de la gestion complète de leur implantation. "Pour avoir une offre plus large, les malls préfèrent développer eux-mêmes les marques plutôt qu'attendre qu'elles investissent le marché", explique Carlos Ferreirinha, ancien PDG brésilien de Louis Vuitton, aujourd'hui à la tête de MCF Consultoria, consultant en luxe au Brésil.
CET INGÉNIEUX (ET TRÈS RENTABLE) SYSTÈME part d'un constat simple : de nombreuses marques souhaitent s'implanter sur le marché brésilien mais n'en ont pas les moyens et sont effrayées par la complexité de la fiscalité locale. Elles apportent alors leur nom, leurs codes visuels et la marchandise, au mall de s'occuper du reste, depuis la location de l'espace jusqu'aux relations avec la clientèle. "Ils partagent ensuite les bénéfices", explique Carlos Ferreirinha. Ainsi, Christian Louboutin possède aujourd'hui trois boutiques au Brésil. Etonnant pour une PME ? Pas vraiment : son développement dans le pays, il le devrait à l'investissement financier d'Iguatemi. "De la même façon, le groupe gère l'implantation de Lanvin et du maroquinier Goyard, affirme Carlos Ferreirinha. Cidade Jardim a misé sur Hermès, avec une première boutique dont le personnel, formé par la maison mère, est salarié du mall. Evidemment, cette méthode réduit la possibilité que les marques ouvrent un point de vente chez le concurrent. L'exclusivité n'a pas besoin d'être contractuelle, elle coule de source."
Aujourd'hui, si une Brésilienne veut s'offrir un Kelly, elle doit se rendre à Cidade Jardim, si c'est une paire de Louboutin, à Iguatemi ou JK. Pour éviter cette contrainte de l'exclusivité, quelques marques ont préféré installer des bureaux locaux et ne solliciter les centres commerciaux que pour la location d'espace. Un luxe que seules les maisons épaulées par de grands groupes peuvent se permettre. C'est le cas notamment de Louis Vuitton, Dior et Chanel. "Notre structure locale nous permet de négocier en direct nos emplacements de boutiques et de faire croître l'image de la marque dans le pays", confirme Bruno Pavlovsky de Chanel. Un investissement humain et financier permettant également de jouer avec les taxes d'importation qui font grimper les prix de vente jusqu'à 50 %. Au Brésil, le sac Neverfull taille moyenne de Louis Vuitton est vendu 2 500 réis (964 €) contre 640 € en France. Autre exemple, le modèle Pump verni de Louboutin est affiché à 1 790 réis (690 €), et 425 € en France. Dans ces conditions, comment attirer la clientèle huppée et éviter qu'elle ne file à l'étranger dépenser ses réis ? Les malls capitalisent sur le service : liftiers dans les ascenseurs, personnel dévoué, conciergerie, voituriers zélés... "Quand on dépose son véhicule, c'est tout juste si on ne le récupère pas lavé et livré avec une bouteille d'eau !", s'amuse Helen Kupfer. "Comme c'est le cas en Chine, la notion de service est essentielle dans ce pays qui compte le plus de personnel de maison par habitant au monde", remarque Elisabeth Ponsolle des Portes, déléguée générale du Comité Colbert qui oeuvre au "rayonnement international" de l'industrie du luxe français.
Contrairement à Paris, New York ou Londres, où les boutiques de luxe sont devenues des lieux de visite touristique comme tant d'autres, elles n'attirent, au Brésil, que la clientèle locale. "J'ai le portable de la vendeuse de Louis Vuitton que je connais bien et avec qui je déjeune de temps en temps. Quand elle reçoit certaines pièces que je suis susceptible d'aimer, elle les fait porter chez moi pour que je les essaie", explique Maythe Birman, cliente régulière d'Iguatemi. Bruno Pavlovsky de Chanel confirme : "Chaque boutique a ses clients attachés à ses propres vendeuses, qui savent anticiper leurs attentes. De même, les achats des six collections annuelles sont réalisés par les directrices qui connaissent leurs clientes et adaptent au mieux leur sélection."Il y a quelques années lors de leur implantation en Chine, les marques plongeaient dans la culture asiatique. Elles font aujourd'hui leur éducation brésilienne et peuvent compter sur les malls pour les aider à comprendre les spécificités locales. "Nous mettons au service des marques une équipe qui peut les conseiller sur les collections fonctionnant dans un pays tropical, l'importance du service, les coutumes locales...", explique José Auriemo Neto, PDG de Cidade Jardim. Et au rayon coutume locale, il y a le crédit à la consommation ou parceladas, qui touche ici toutes les classes sociales. Au Brésil, on peut payer son sac Dior ou Chanel en plusieurs fois sans frais. "Je n'ai pas besoin d'acheter à crédit mais cela fait partie des moeurs. Et c'est plus agréable lorsque je reçois mon relevé de compte !", explique Maythe Birman.
SI LES MALLS TRAQUENT LES MARQUES OCCIDENTALES qui voudraient s'implanter au Brésil, les maisons occidentales guettent aussi le développement des malls. Car une fois qu'elles ont ouvert un point de vente dans les trois centres qui ciblent leur clientèle, comment peuvent-elles se développer davantage à São Paulo ? "Le Japonais Uniqlo cherche un point de vente, mais il peine à trouver un centre qui puisse lui offrir les 5 000 m2 dont il a besoin. C'est une autre gamme de prix mais cela montre bien les limites auxquelles les marques sont confrontées", analyse Carlos Ferreirinha. Un obstacle qui va sûrement pousser le luxe à explorer d'autres territoires que São Paulo, d'autres grandes villes comme Rio de Janeiro et Brasilia qui seront bientôt sous le feu des projecteurs avec la Coupe du monde (2014) et les Jeux olympiques (2016). Certains l'ont anticipé : Christian Louboutin est déjà implanté à Brasilia à travers le groupe IESC (Iguatemi), Louis Vuitton possède une boutique à Rio de Janeiro et le PDG de Dior dit "prospecter". Fin 2012, le Brésil comptait 503 malls dont 165 à São Paulo. "Aujourd'hui, le pays affiche le plus grand nombre d'ouvertures de centres commerciaux au monde. D'ici cinq ans, leur nombre aura doublé", affirme Carlos Ferreirinha. Aucun doute, la guerre est déclarée.
Brazil in Paris
From Valor Luxury Lab - luxurylab.com.br
Exposure Brésil Le Rive Gauche makes success
at Le Bon Marché, Paris
24 abril 2013
To conduct the campaign, Le Bon Marché has acquired U.S. $ 2,25 million in products of Brazilian companies to be advertised and sold in the store.
"The results have ben already much more positive than we thought. We've done good business, which is the focus of this event ", said Patrice Wagner, president of Le Bon Marché.
"The results have ben already much more positive than we thought. We've done good business, which is the focus of this event ", said Patrice Wagner, president of Le Bon Marché.
In less than two weeks, the exhibition "Le Brésil Rive Gauche" not only exceeded sales expectations, but also became a hit with the public who visited the department store Le Bon Marché, in Paris. More than 120 Brazilian brands from the sectors of fashion, jewelery, gastronomy and cosmetics, are exhibiting their products in the three floors of Le Bon Marché and Grande Epicerie de Paris.
The Brazilian Agency for Export Promotion and Investment (Apex-Brasil) is one of the key partners in the initiative Le Bon Marché, along with business entities that make up the brand Brazil Fashion System – Abest (Brazilian Association of Stylists), Abicalçados (Brazilian Association of Shoe Manufacturers), Abit (Brazilian Association of Textile and Apparel) and IBGM (Brazilian Institute of Gems and Precious Metals).
According to the project manager of Apex-Brazil, Rafael Prado, Le Bon Marché is known to be a gateway to quality products. "The display of trademarks is bringing a very positive impact on the quality and creativity of Brazilian products", said. "Consumers are taking a great opportunity to check, on-site, the attributes of diversity and authenticity of our production and Brazilian companies are satisfied with the commercial return and image the campaign is bringing its brands ", added.
The success of the "Le Brésil Rive Gauche" was evident during the official opening of the exhibition, held on the evening of last Monday (22) and had show singer Gilberto Gil. According to Le Bon Marché, near 1600 people attended the official opening of the Campaign.
To show what Brazil has to offer in fashion, design, jewelry and gastronomy, Le Bon Marché, department store founded in 1852, decided to skip from the clichés, as explained Patrice Wagner. "We try to show something different, not the classic 'Brazilian Carnival', that everyone already knows. We are very proud of the result ", said. "Everyone in Paris is talking about Brazil at Bon Marché. We are very happy to join this partnership ", mentioned Wagner.
Interest in Brazil
For Gilberto Gil, former Minister of Culture, the current moment of economic growth in Brazil also shows the soft and cultural richness of the country which reflects in the opening up of foreign markets for several types of product. "Fashion is one of the fields in which Brazil has done very interesting work in recent years. This is why great fashion traders as Le Bon Marché get interested in the country ", said the singer.
The exhibition "Le Brésil Rive Gauche" takes place from 10 April to 22 June at Le Bon Marché, Paris.
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