Though most famous for Carnival, golden beaches, and world-famous landmarks, the real heart of Rio de Janeiro, for those in the know, lies in its downtown, most notably in Saúde, Gamboa, and the surrounding neighbourhoods hard by the port.
I am a hiker. But at home no one uses a machete to blaze the trail prior to walking on it as did our guide Souza, creating a path in the overgrown rainforest step by step. Slicing, swatting, swooping, chopping, no branch, bush
What’s my favorite part of Rio de Janeiro? Not at all easy to say, because there are so many cool parts of this city, appealing in their different ways. But (literally) high on the list, way above the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, on
What’s it like to be in the presence of the world’s largest waterfalls system? Well, in three words: wet, wild, and wonderful. These wonders of nature formed as the Iguazú River hurtles off the Paraná Plateau in the form of hundreds of waterfalls,
Sure, going out for an intimate dinner à deux is pretty much everyone's default on this day for lovers. But to make Valentine's Day extra special, seek out an experience that will make it truly memorable for years to come. High and low, on land and
Rio de Janeiro‘s greatest and most famous festival is unquestionably one of the world’s, as well, an over-the-top extravaganza of samba schools parading their raucous music, dancing, and extravagant floats and costumes over several consecutive nig
Carved out of the Amazonian rain forest, Manaus (pop. 1.8 million) has been little known by the outside world, the capital of Amazonas state is filled with contrasts and intrigue, and previously lived through a golden age due to the rubber boom in th
Just 6 kilometers in length, this island, unusually shaped like a 5-pointed star, has all the ingredients for a perfect tropical location. The Ilha dos Frades (Island of the Friars) is a mosaic of white sandy beaches, fresh water lakes, small waterf
There are many incredible destinations in the world yet to be overrun by tourists. If you're an explorer who likes to find under-the-radar spots, read on for a rundown of my favourite off-the-beaten-path destinations and experiences...
Some 72 miles from Rio de Janeiro, Vassouras today is a pleasant little college city and weekend getaway for Rio residents. But's also located in "Coffee Valley," and both the historic old quarter and the hills surrounding the city preserve some wond
Brazil is one of today’s most fashionable holiday choices and Praia do Forte one of the country’s most attractive destinations. White sandy beaches bathed by crystalline waters and lined by coconut trees, a whole host of water sports, luxury hotels,
Welcome to February! Since 1970, it's also been Black History Month in the USA, and since 1995 in Canada, as well (whereas it's observed in October in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands). And though the reason for the A
If you're thinking about a trip to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, it's really worth your while to also give a thought to adding another several days for a visit to Brazil's singular capital, another 90-minute flight from either of those. Why is that,
Perhaps the closest thing Latin America has to New York City (and in fact also has the Big Apple beat population-wise by several million - nearly 12 million/21 in metro area), São Paulo is a vibrant - some might say slightly crazy - and skyscraper-
When even wine connoisseurs think of Latin America and the fruit of the vine, Argentina and Chile of course immediately spring to mind. But to their east, in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, lies a slightly smaller and les
Globalization has been a sometimes controversial mixed bag in different areas and different parts of the world, but I think we can all agree that on the plus side, one of its grooviest benefits has been to bring to spread many of the exciting cultu
Brazilis, of course, lots more thansamba,Carnaval, andPetrobras. Or even, when it comes to cuisine, the likes ofmoqueca(a kind of fish stew),bobó de camarão (shrimp with manioc and coconut milk), and the national dish, the bean stew feijoada
When visiting a fascinating new destination, there’s nothing cooler than staying in equally intriguing accommodations. And so here are 11 of the most fascinating in key Iberia Destinations in Latin America.
Central Rio de Janeiro is most famous for the likes of Ipanema and Copacabana. But in many ways its most exciting and dynamic scene – along with a plethora of cultural and historic landmarks – is to be found north of them, in the venerable district
A fairly short hop away from the samba and bustle ofRio de Janeiro, you can escape to a variety of tropical paradises, both inland and on the coast. One of the most superb examples of the latter is 150 kilometres (93 miles) away: the city of Angra