Brazil
in South America

Sun-bleached colonial towns, a deep Afro-Brazilian soul, and a breathtaking coastline are some of the elements that makes Bahia one of the most compelling regions in Brazil. Think of the pastel façades in Salvador, the slow sway of capoeira at dusk, and the numerious palm-lined beaches - and you'll know why.

An island with 42 beaches and the good sense not to make them all equally easy to reach. The north coast is calm, family-friendly, and lined with the kind of seafood restaurants where lunch becomes an afternoon. The south is wilder: serious surf at Joaquina and Praia do Rosa, dunes that shift between the beach and the lagoon, and a pace that drops to almost nothing once you leave the main road behind. Florianópolis has a strong Brazilian-European character, shaped by Azorean settlers whose fishing villages and lace-making traditions survive in the older neighbourhoods. The oysters farmed in the Ribeirão da Ilha bay are among the finest in South America and cost almost nothing eaten at the source. Brazilians have known about this place for decades. Everyone else is catching up.

Rio has been the destination for decades, with jet-set and celebrity circles making their way down for ages. Rio de Janeiro is nicknamed the Marvellous City and we most certainly do not disagree. The white sand beaches of Ipanema and Leblon are swimming with golden, tanned revellers, and the energy of the city is palpable.