Brazil like a Native

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and also Brazil`s capital from 1763 to 1961, is nestled between the mountains and the sea. Its magnificent shoreline includes charming bays and beautiful beaches, dotted with islands up and down the coast. Flying into Rio is a beautiful sight, whether it be at night or during the day, the visitor quickly finds out why Rio is known as the Wonderful City. It is also an important center for art and fashion. Transfer to hotel.

At night, you will enjoy a Gafieira night. A "Gafieira", is a Brazilian dance hall, one of the country's most beloved and popular forms of entertainment. Visit the oldest dance in Rio, a simple place located on a historic downtown square, and sway to the Brazilian Big Band sounds of mache, bossa nova, samba, lambada and more. Start with dinner to taste the traditional feijoada then return to the hotel. Overnight in your selected hotel. D

Day 2: Rio de Janeiro (Sugar Loaf)
Morning city tour and Sugar Loaf with Barracao (Barracao is available only from Oct through Feb - a week before carnival). Visit to the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay, from where one of the most breathtaking views of the city of Rio can be seen. Proceed to Downtown, to visit the barracao (a warehouse) where local artisans are putting together the Carnival incredible floats. Learn the tradition and folklore behind the scenes of Carnival. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
Free day. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 4: Rio de Janeiro - Buzios
Morning transfer to Buzios. Buzios, a peninsula in the northern coastline of Rio (180km from Rio), attracts many Brazilian and foreign visitors by its natural beauties and a unique climate, that combines simplicity and sophistication. After 1964, when the French actress Brigitte Bardott spent her vacations in the city, the fishermen village became famous internationally. There are lots of beaches (over 27 different beaches), with different characteristics. Beaches with very charming inns and restaurants that serve elaborated Brazilian and International dishes. By night, Rua das Pedras (Pedras Street), a real walkway in the city center, is very atrtactive by people searching for fun, shopping, or just a nice dinner restaurant. The next 3 nights will be enjoying the city and relaxing by the beach. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 5: Buzios
Day at leisure. Overnight in your selected hotel.. B

Day 6: Buzios
Day at leisure. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 7: Buzios - Rio de Janeiro - Salvador
This morning, transfer back to Rio de Janeiro airport for flight to Salvador. Arrive in Salvador, transfer to hotel.

Salvador, Capital of the State of Bahia, and was also Brazil's capital until 1763, is divided in two parts. The "Lower City" is at sea level and contains the old port and the commercial area where visitors will find a complete and varied assortment of Brazilian arts and crafts at the Modelo Market. It is also the best place to witness a demonstration of "capoeira", a martial art developed by African slaves in Brazil, originally as a form of combat and later as a type of dance and folklore tradition. The "Upper City" can be reached by stone steps, alleyways or the famous Lacerda Elevator. This part of the city contains the old government buildings, the residential districts, museums, churches and much of the newer architecture. Evening, Pelourinho by night with dinner. The restoration of the historical Pelourinho district has resulted in a new lease of nightlife to this, the largest complex of colonial architecture in the America's. We have dinner in one of the first class restaurants in the area. After dinner stroll the busy streets where many of the bars offer live music. Overnight in your selected hotel. B, D

Day 8: Salvador
Morning half day historical tour. We start in the modern suburb of Barra and make our way slowly by to the old historical section of town, the Pelourinho area with the largest and the best preserved complex colonial architecture in the Americas. We visit the church of "San Francisco" with its exuberant gold-leafed baroque interior and the Pelourinho Square, the heart of the old town. This tour shows two distinct aspects of Salvador, the new and the old, concentrating on the early expansion of the city. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 9: Salvador
Free day. Overnight in your selected hotel. B

Day 10: Salvador - Fly out from Sao Paulo
Transfer out to Salvador airport for flight to Sao Paulo to connect for international flight. B

Key: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner