Page Text Content
Brazil
"Brazil radiates a love of life like no other. Sun, sea and samba - succumb to the tropical beat and contagious energy."
Thomson Destinations
reviews Video tour & customer son.co.uk thom
Hear the word Brazil and it's almost like a carnival erupts inside your head. You glimpse a flash of sequins and a blur of feathers from Rio's sexy street parade. You hear the roar of the crowd as Ronaldhino effortlessly flicks the ball into the back of the goal. You imagine snake-hipped dancers moving in time to sultry samba rhythms. And you feel the sand between your toes as you watch a sun-bronzed athlete send a volleyball sailing over the net. Nowhere on earth has such a zest for life and passion for partying as carefree Brazil. And few places live up to the dream as well as this tropical South American slice. Your own Brazilian adventure takes place in the northeast of the country, close to the city of Natal. And because it's at the top of the country, the flight time's not bad at all - just nine hours for a transatlantic trip to paradise. In these parts, the people greet you like old friends, the beaches are eye-poppingly gorgeous, and the vibe as Brazilian as a carnival reveller rattling maracas and shimmying down the street. If you're looking to eat, live, party and play with some of the world's most exuberant people then book yourself a ticket, board that plane and get on down to the Brazilian fun bubble for a holiday as juicy as the limes they load into those Fly from zesty caipirinhas.
Belem
Sao Luis Parnaiba
Brazil
Fortaleza
Teresina Porto Franco Via Costeira Ponta Negra
Cabo de Sao Roque
Natal Recife
pa da Dia ma nt ina
Cha
Itabuna
· London Gatwick
2033 Pico de Itambe
Atl
BRASILIA
an
1678 Morro Alto
tic
Porangatu
1850
Salvador
Oc
Amazon Rain Forest
Aracaju
ea
n
N
Belo Horizonte
Vitoria
2787 Cabo Frio Pico das Agulhas Negras Rio de Janeiro
BRAZIL
350 km
© TUI 2005
Sao Paulo
Beaches There's no doubt about it. Mention Brazil and beaches in the same sentence and most people will come back with Copacabana, Brazil's famous party playground, where bronzed boys play sport on the sand and impossibly perfect girls pose in itsy bitsy bikinis. But there's more to Brazil's beaches than Copacabana - a lot more. In fact, the country boasts 8,500 kilometres of coastline gilded with spectacular tropical beaches and aquamarine bays. And they don't come any better than the sandy strips lacing the northeast coast around Natal. Lapped by balmy waters and backed by a swaying curtain of coconut palms, the sun-baked beaches of Via Costeira and Ponta Negra offer a real slice of paradise. Eating out Tuck into succulent steaks and the freshest seafood, washed down with an ice-cold beer or a few glasses of wine. It's so easy to enjoy a good meal out in Brazil with a host of tempting restaurants and bars to pick from - and the prices are as impressive as the choice. If you're looking to give local specialities a go, try carne de sol, sun-dried beef, or acaraje, an AfroBrazilian dish made with shrimps and seasonings. But if you'd sooner stick with what you know then choose from the range of international options on offer, like Mexican, Italian and Chinese. Shopping From sleek, air-conditioned shopping malls to seafront stalls creaking under the weight of jewellery and beachwear, retail therapy is easy to come by. If you want plenty of choice, head for the city of Natal where you'll find more than enough to keep your credit card groaning. In Ponta Negra there's a lighter dusting of shops selling everything from shoes and bags to clothes and trinkets. A handy tip when it comes to currency - if you're planning on taking travellers cheques stick with American Express. Nightlife Brazil's nightlife is legendary. After sunset, head to one of the samba clubs of Ponta Negra and experience authentic South American life. Forro is Natal's preferred style and dance floors erupt into a riot of colour and a blur of fast-moving feet as thronging crowds click their heels to the beat. Of course, no night out is complete without a cocktail so once you've shown off your moves, head to the bar and order a caipirinha.
Explore and Enjoy
Brazil Uncovered - If you can't make it in time for carnival, this explosive stage spectacle is the next best thing. Sit back and watch in wonder as an energetic troupe of performers clad in every colour of the rainbow flit across the stage in a dazzling display of rhythm and style. The spectacular finale of the Makulele and Capoeira dancers is reputed to be the best in Brazil. Beach Buggy Safari - Hop in, buckle up and get ready to kick up colossal clouds of sand as you sidewind across a sea of sparkling white dunes. You'll be picked up in a buggy from your hotel and ferried across the Potengy River to the famous Genipabu sand dunes. You'll skid, slide and swerve over gigantic mountains of sand, stopping off at seven breathtaking beaches and three freshwater lagoons along the way. There are regular pitstops where you can have a go at sandboarding or watch as a local rustles you up a caipirinha in a coconut shell.
°F
90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40
J F
Average daily maximum temp Brazil London
°C
30 25
20
15
10
5
M 8 A 8 M 7 J 5 J 6 A 7 S 7 O N D 9
77
99
Average daily hours of sunshine - Brazil 5 8 16 22 27 28 26 15 6 3 3 3 Average monthly rainfall in cms - Brazil 77 81 81 93 84 84 83 82 78 75 74 76 Average monthly humidity % - Brazil
www.thomson.co.uk/excursions
Fly long haul in our
162
More legroom than BA & Virgin in economy
`Rewind & Pause' seatback TV · Aldo Zilli meals
Miles Better Club
|
inbro