Sunday, January 27th, 2008
A major fishing port, Fortaleza is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in northeast Brazil. Its beaches are home to resorts, kitesurfers, and lively beach paths where visitors, vendors, and locals gather for festive late afternoon and evening trade. Visit the central market (Mercado Central) if you’re looking for a handwoven hammock, and the Cathedral in the historic centre, if you’re looking for architecture.
The best beaches are east of town: Praia de Iracema (for bohemians, intellectuals, and night time party-goers) and Praia do Futuro (for swimmers and especially for kite surfers) are some of the favorites. Along the Avenida Beira Mar, you’ll find more beaches (Meireles and Mucuripe) and one of the best walkways wide enough for joggers and walkers. Fortaleza is a great place to buy crafts, from tapestries to leather goods to ceramics; skip the tourist boutiques and head straight to the Mercado Central or the Feirinha Beira Mar. Both destinations have over 100 stalls offering handicrafts and products from around the region.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Isolated, volcanic islands rise out of the eastern coastal waters, about 550 kilometers from Recife. The Fernando de Naronha islands, formed 2 million years ago, are the remnants of a submerged mountain range. They are a mystical oasis that is growing in popularity as a tourist destination…it’s easy to see why. The water is transparent blue-green, revealing exquisite rock formations and stunning marine life. It’s no wonder that this archipelago is one of the best places in the world to dive. Sailing along the Inside Sea offers an incredible view of the surrounding beaches; you might see dolphins swimming alongside the boat, accomanying you.
For surfers, the archipelago is a paradise well worth traveling to from all parts of the globe. Two meter waves often rise up to peaks of five meters. Onshore, the main form of transport are hoodless buggies that cruise the island. Steered by local inhabitants who also act as tour guides, a buggy ride can bring you to some of the lesser known, beautiful areas of the island. If you prefer walking, there are many cliffs, caves and hills to explore. For the more adventurous, you can make your way through the beautiful Marine Park, accompanied by one of the island’s park rangers.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Ilha Grande is a rustic island that in the mind of navigator André Gonsalves, sailing the nearby canal in 1502, was not an island at all, but a landslide of the continent. He named the magnificent island on January the 6th, calling the surrounding cove Angra dos Reis (King’s Creek) in remembrance of the Magic Kings.
Here, mountains meet the sea, and hundreds of beaches, forests, caverns, and rivers spread out for exploration. Most visitors to Brazil make the island one of their top destinations because its beauty and adventurous offerings cannot be beat. The island is covered in tropical trees and vegetation and is accessible by trails snaking over mountains, leading to secluded beaches and natural springs. It is a wonderful place to hike, bike, swim, and soak up the lush beauty of this magical place.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Paraty is a quaint, historic seaside town four hours south of Rio. Once a stopping point along the gold trail during the 18th century. nowadays, it is rich with history and culture. The relaxed atmosphere of this town of 15,000 begs you to slow down and visit its historic centre as well as beaches (over 300) and islands (over 65). Meander along cobbled streets either on foot or by horse carriage. Park yourself at a cafe or restaurant, and while you enjoy a coffee or fruit shake or freshly baked cake, watch samba musicians play for their wives and friends. Visit many small shops and boutiques. Take boat rides to nearby islands; kayak in the sea; journey to the nearby waterfalls; visit a cachaça distillery and sample Brazil’s famous rum. Most people are sad to leave Paraty!
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Costa Verde (the Green Coast) starts two hours from Rio. This string of beaches offer a magnificent selection of some of Brazil’s finest resorts. To the west, the Angra dos Reis (Bay of Kings) mountains plunge into the sea. Islands, beaches, and coves dot the landscape. To the east, Buzios, a small peninsula that was once a tiny fishing village, now offers no less than 17 white sand beaches and a lively nightlife. “Brigitte” overlooks it all; the statue of the actress Brigitte Bardot was constructed during her heyday after she paid a visit to Buzios. At the end of this glorious coastal stretch sits Paraty (or Parati) and Ilha Grande, rising out of the bay.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008
The enchantment of the Amazon lies in its size and its mystique. Just over half of the 6 million square kilometers of jungles and rivers spreads into Brazil. It is an unbelievably beautiful ecosystem that thousands are fighting to protect. Travelers seeking the heady experience of visiting the tropical wonder enter by bus, boat and air. Rustic lodges provide memorable accommodation along the way. Half of the three million inhabitants of the Amazon live in the metropolis of Manaus, at the confluence of the Amazon River and Rio Negro. A cosmopolitan city with a year-round hot climate, Manaus attracts many Brazilian and foreign tourists seeking an entrance to the surrounding jungle.
Just a few kilometers downstream from the city churns Encontro das Águas (Meeting of the Waters), where the dark violet Rio Negro meets the toffee-colored Rio Solimões. The two rivers flow side by side, never mingling due to differences in speed, density and temperature, until they finally meet in the Amazon River.
To visit the Amazon is to experience life in its most fertile and primordial. Visit the Pantanal flood plains – the marshlands in Central-West known for its birdlife. Take a triip to Belém, in Pará state, often considered the gateway to the Amazon. As one of Brazil’s busiest ports, at about 60 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, it services the Pará, River, one of the tributaries of the greater Amazon river system. Belém, built on a number of small islands intersected by channels and rivers, is separated from the larger part of the Amazon delta by Ilha de Marajó.
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