USA
Wednesday, September 17th - Viva Brazil & Bella Italia bon voyage party in Los Angeles.
Thursday, September 18th - Depart the USA for your flight to Brazil
Salvador, Bahia
Friday, September 19th - Upon arrival in Salvador you will meet your Portuguese/English-speaking escort who will remain with you for the remainder of your stay in Brazil. You will then be transferred by private deluxe motor coach to your welcome/orientation lunch.
Brazil is pulsating international melting pot of cultures which provides a spectacular contrast to the surrounding natural beauty. Salvador "City of Joy" is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Due to its very beauty and to a series of unique features, it has become a primary destination for international tourism. Famous for its history, for the legacy left by people from other continents, for the religious syncretism and for its hospitable people. Salvador casts a good spell on its first time visitors so they always want to come back. The city mixes the primitive and the modern in one place. You will enjoy the spicy atmosphere present in every corner of this joyful city.
After lunch and hotel check-in head to the beach to soak up the sun and beach beautys of Salvador. Salvador is literally surrounded by beaches. They are where people go to relax, cool off, chill, socialize, eat, drink, dance, exercise, surf, and of course swim. After your day on the beach return to the hotel for some rest before your first night of brazilian nightlife. After dinner together, you are off to spent the evening at one Salvador's hottest night clubs. The cultural mixture of Brazil has created some of the world's most beautiful people. The life and spirit of these people pushes the allure of Rio's intoxicating land and oceanscape to the next level of nightlife entertainment and spectacle. The hospitality and kindness are incredible.
Saturday, September 20th - This morning, after breakfast, you will trace the African roots of Salvador on an African-oriented historical city tour which combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical Center of Salvador, the Pelourinho area, so called after the pillory which stood in the main square, in front of the central slave market. You will visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum that traces the West African origins of the city. See the superb wooden, sculpted panels of the orixás by Salvador 's most celebrated artist, Carybé. We visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a period of almost 100 years. Return to the hotel for dinner on your on before an another exciting evening at a local night club.
Sunday, September 21st - Following breakfast at the hotel, today is you are off to morning of Snorkeling. After your transfer from the hotel and a short briefing you will enjoy a day in the turquoise water of Praia do Forte. Masks and snorkels are provided. Praia do Forte is 55 kilometres from Salvador, set on 12 kilometres of virgin beach and surrounded by endless groves of coconut palms, multi-coloured reefs, rivers, rapids and lagoons. Praia Do Forte is an enclave of comfort and unspoiled beauty. The rich marine fauna and flora and climate that favors underwater visibility make this village a perfect place to for snorkeling. Like most villages in Brazil, Praia do Forte never sleeps and why should it! Life in this village continues around the clock! There are live acts, music and performances on the street day and night. It is definitely not the place if you're seeking rest and tranquility. After your day of Snorkeling, return to the Salvador for some free time on your own before getting dressed for another exciting night on town.
Rio
Monday, September 22nd- This morning you are transfered to the airport for your flight Rio. If there is one place in the world offering every single earthly delight any sane man could want, Rio de Janeiro is it. Sprawling beaches, beautiful women, parties 24/7 and people living life at full tilt is what this Brazilian city of seven million is all about. The Marvelous City, as it is often called, is the cultural and financial hub not only of Brazil, but of the whole South American continent as well. Two of the world's most famous beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana, anchor Rio's 45 miles of white sand beaches. Expect the unexpected in this nearly five hundred year old City (founded 1502) but be spontaneous if you wish to experience the festival of song, color and joy around you. Primeval splendor encourages a youthful approach to city living where colors are richer, people are beautiful and tomorrow's just another day. Upon your arrival in Rio, make sure you have on your dancing shoes! You will be wisked away to private Samba lesson with beautiful female brazilian teacher. The ladies at one of Brazils most popular Samba studios with have you dancing like one of the locals. If you already know the Samba, maybe you can teach the ladies one of your American moves. After your class, check-in the hotel and you can head over to the famous Ipanema beach. Ipanema is a neighborhood that summarizes the best Rio de Janeiro. Granted, it is one of the most urban beaches on the planet - but still, it's Brazil's most popular tanning spot. And, one of the best places for people... ahhhh.... girl watching. You'll be able to enjoy the sound of the surf and the sun. Ipanema Beach has it all - music, bars, and street vendors stopping by with local favorite snacks, seafood and coconuts - so you can drink the milk right from the coconut with a straw. After you day on the beach, head back to the hotel before your first evening of incredible Rio nightlife.
Tuesday, September 23rd -Grab a quick breakfast and you are off to an afternoon Hang Gliding in tandem. Hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro is a very special experience. You will have the unique sensation of flying like a bird, with a light breeze of tropical air in your face and surrounded by the beautiful mountains and beaches of Rio de Janeiro. First a short briefing with the worlds best tandem pilots about the take-off and other aspects of hang gliding. Taking off that is very simple and easy and not hard as you might imagine. Soon you will be airborne with out hang glider. Flying means gliding smoothly through the air, after seven steps over the platform you will feel and understand why birds are peaceful animals. The fear of not touching the ground will disappear and will be overcome by tranquility of floating in the air. After a smooth landing on a sandy beach, the day is yours explore more of the sights of this incrediable city. Later return to the hotel for a little R&R before another great night on the town. For those not interested in the nightclubs, head back to the beach. After midnight, the night scene along the beach area really heats up!
Wednesday, September 24th - After breakfast board your air conditioned bus headed to "The Wild" Take a jeep ride followed by an approximately a walk through the coastal rainforest at the Sapiranga Reserve to the Pojuca River. There you'll board a speedy Hawaiian canoes for a row upstream to where the river is no longer navigable and the rapids begin. Make sure you have on your swim trunks because afterwards you going to take individual inner tubes down river for a pleasant float to the towers, where we will glide across the river on two zip wires. Plenty of excitement in total safety. After the tour return to the hotel or head back to the beach or set-out for some exploration with the locals. There are often free performances during evenings around 7 or 8 p.m. near Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. The music could be anything from Brazilian folk dancing to classical music, jazz, or a rock concert. The shows aren't usually listed in newspapers, unless someone very well-known is giving a benefit, so it's best to just wander around the beach area and see what's happening. Have dinner on your on before returning to the hotel and setting off for an another exciting evening at a local night club.
Thursday, September 25th - Today you can explore Rio on your own or in small groups. We suggest heading to Sugar Loaf mountain. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most spectacular cities on the planet. Sugar Loaf mountain is one of the most famous in the world and is a spectacular backdrop to Brazil's most lively city. Cable cars (an adventure to ride), take visitors to to the top of the mountain. Shaped like a Victorian sugar loaf and 396m (1299ft) tall, Sugar Loaf Mountain stands high above the city of Rio de Janeiro and Baia de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay). Don't forget Rio is justifiably famous for its enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer. This 38 metre-high statue on Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park is well worth the journey on the Corcovado Rack Railway. The view of the city from the platform is as awe-inspiring as the statue itself. The park is just 15 minutes from central Rio and its 120 square kilometres of tropical jungle is all that is left of the once expansive Atlantic rainforest, so enjoy it! Tonight is your last night in Rio. We suggest packing your bags before heading out! This way you can party all night and into the morning.
Rio/USA
Friday - September 26th - After breakfast, your Brazilain holiday will come to end filled with great memories and maybe plans to return next year.
