RIO DE JANEIRO

In the collective imagination, Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with Samba and Carnival. But Rio is not only this: it is history, culture, passion. Passion for football, that can be found anywhere, even on the renown Copacabana beach, where dozens of children daily show their soccer skilfulness; love for culture, that can be met in the many galleries, cultural centres, concert halls; and history….Found by Portuguese explorers in 1501, it has been the national capital city till 1960 and today it is the second town of Brazil, after Sao Paulo, for commercial and cultural importance. And more: large white beaches, deep blue sea, magnificent colonial churches, ancient Portuguese buildings, a mild climate and, of course, the warmth of the people, who will make you feel at home.

IGUAÇU

Located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, in the homonymous National Park, Iguaçu Falls are a genuine wonder of nature. Originated two hundred thousand years ago on the confluence of Iguaçu and Paraná rivers, they today offer a complex of some 275 falls, up to 70 metres high. When you reach the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) you can enjoy a spectacular scenery: the roaring waters form a constant mist with several incredible rainbows

MANAUS

The first Portuguese settlement dates back to 1669, but it was only in 1856 that it became an important urban centre, named Manaus after the native manaos tribe living in the area. Rio Negro and Amazonas River, with their incredible volume of flow, allow ships to sail upstream till the town, making of it a harbour of remarkable importance. Under the tourist point of view, it is today eminently a stopover before proceeding to the regions of the wonderful Amazonian forest. Of Manaus’ flourishing period only some, though important, vestige can be seen, as Amazonas Theatre (Opera Theatre) founded in 1896, representing a hymn to the opulence of that time.

AMAZONAS

The Amazonian basin covers an area of more than six million square kilometres, where one third of the world’s main forests can be found, together with up to eighty thousand kilometres of navigable waterways. One hectare of Amazonian forest can host more than 200 tree species and some 72 species of ants can be found on each tree. A water lily can have a two-metre diameter and a monkey can weigh just 130 grams, being smaller than a toothbrush. Concealed plants and animals are still to be discovered, but above all, protected.

BRASILIA

Young, unconventional, innovative, this is Brasilia. Built in few years by three famed Brazilians: urbanist Lucio Costa, architect Oscar Niemeyer and landscape architect Burle Marx, Brazil capital city was inaugurated in 1960 and it is a really unique place, astonishing even to an expert traveller. A real architectural wonder, so spectacular as to be declared Humanity Heritage by UNESCO.
This rich and advanced city is today a paradise for modern architecture lovers.

OURO PRETO

Fascinating and romantic, this town is characterized by narrow and steep streets, so loose that cars can hardly run on them, leaving visitors free to walk at their ease, enjoying the surrounding view. Founded in 1698, Ouro Preto soon became the centre of gold and silver rush and one of the most important extractive regions in Brazil, the Minas Gerais ones. Having been reckoned among the Humanity Heritages by UNESCO in 1980, this ancient capital city still preserves the countless evidences of its glorious past, like churches, fountains and baroque buildings.

OLINDA

On a green hill, where a splendid view of the sea can be enjoyed from, this really pretty small town rises. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1535 and afterwards invaded by the Dutch in 1630, who, after setting it on fire, abandoned it. Despite this fact, many vestiges of the past can still be seen; baroque churches, convents, small chapels, gardens, which give the town a particular charm. Olinda has been declared Humanity Cultural Heritage.

PANTANAL

Located on the border between Bolivia and Paraguay, this wide alluvial valley is an ecological paradise of great importance, representing one of the world’s richest existing ecosystems. Two hundred and thirty thousand kilometres of marshes and forests, natural habitat of many species of mammals, reptiles, fishes and birds, many of which, unfortunately, threatened with extinction. Travellers are invited to visit this area between May and September, when rainfalls are less frequent, and to carry light clothing with long sleeves, comfortable boots and insect repellent creams.

NATAL

In the far north-east of Brazil the town of Natal rises. Nicknamed, at good reason, “sun city”, it has a wonderful climate all the year long, with very rare rainfalls and an average temperature of 28ºC. It is characterized by its long lonely white beaches, waves suitable for surfing, dunes and coconut palms. A touristic destination ideal for a relaxing stay