BRAZIL

I use my personal knowledge and expertise to plan and create bespoke itineraries to suit your unique tastes, needs and desires.
For help planning your perfect holiday, please call Nelkin Bespoke Travel on 020 7209 7302 or for just a small taste of what Brazil has to offer, please read the description below.

Brazil is a vast country that never fails to charm those who visit. With its natural wonders, pulsating rhythms, unspoilt rainforest, and 7000 miles of glorious coastline, there is much to see and do here.

Rio is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, sweeping beaches, and for being home to some of the world’s greatest landmarks.
Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is an awesome sight. Standing high up on the 2300 ft. Corcovado Mountain, the art deco statue itself is 130 ft. tall and 98 ft. wide.
Take a cog train up the mountain to visit this great monument and enjoy the stunning views as you make your way up. On a clear day, look up at the base of the statue and marvel at the way it dominates the Rio skyline. When it gets dark, you will notice how the lit statue appears to float above the city.
Sugar Loaf Mountain is a must see. Take a cable car to the top and relish a dramatic 360 degree view of Rio, its gorgeous beaches, clear blue waters, beautiful forests, and imposing mountains. For a truly unforgettable experience, make your way up in time for sunset and watch the sun descend over the city.
Take a tour of the Favelas for a deeper understanding of the way in which poorer people live in Rio. Talk with some of the locals, and see the creative things people do to make the best of their circumstances.
No visit to Rio is complete without visiting its famous beaches. For the best views, come to Copacabana. The atmosphere here is friendly and vibrant. Facing the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, you will see the awesome Sugar Loaf Mountain on your left, and Copacabana Fort on the right. Take a stroll along the beach and watch the locals play volleyball.
With its sun-drenched white sands, Ipanema Beach is clean, beautiful and just as vibrant as Copacabana. When you want a break from the beach, wander around and browse through the high-class boutiques, or dine in one of the area’s upscale restaurants.
The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world. It is so big that it covers over 60% of Brazil’s landmass. There are two seasons here: wet and dry. During wet season (March-July), the waters rise by 15-30 ft. Canoe through the flooded forests with one of the locals as your guide, and marvel at the abundance of wildlife. The Amazon is home to more than 1800 species of birds and 250 kinds of mammals; you won’t help but be in awe at the wonders of nature here. Watch monkeys and birds in the trees as you float along. Try your hand at piranha fishing, and visit a nearby settlement to find out how the locals live.
During dry season (July-November), embark on a night hike to spot nocturnal creatures like the flying fox bat and bearded pig. Take a boat along the river and enjoy watching pink dolphins play in the water.

For a touch of culture, enjoy a city tour of Manaus. Visit the Theatre Amazonas, a Renaissance-style opera house, where some world-famous singers perform. Explore the Municipal Market and wander through the city’s beautiful parks.

The Iguazu River is home to the biggest and most impressive waterfalls in the world. As part of your guided tour of Iguazu Falls, you cross the border into Argentina’s side of Iguazu National Park and walk along the walkways of the National Park to see them up close.
Explore all three tiers of the Park as you admire the Falls from different vantage points. Take a boat ride under the Falls for an exciting and memorable end to your day.
Brazil’s most north-eastern state, Bahia boasts over 600 miles of sandy beaches and a warm climate throughout the year.
The state capital, Salvador da Bahia, is a dazzling blend of high energy, history and beauty. As one of the oldest colonial capitals in South America, Salvador’s (admittedly shameful) role in the sugar and slavery trades ensured it thrived under the Portuguese Empire. As a result, the city is brimming with quaint cobbled streets and colonial buildings.

Bahia as a whole is also home to the largest African-Brazilian community in the country and is famous for its pulsating African rhythms. Even the food here, with its distinct spicy flavour, has a strong African influence – and is all the better for it.

Take in Salvador’s rich cultural heritage as you wander by bright-coloured mansions, lavish Catholic churches, Candomble temples, and peaceful courtyards covered in flowers. Browse through shops selling fascinating sculptures and musical instruments, which hang high in doorways. And as night falls, sample delicious Bahian cuisine, take in a theatre show, or just relax in a bar and watch the state’s famous nightlife start to flourish.

With its stretch of coastline and historic centre, Paraty is a small World Heritage town and the crowning glory of the Costa Verde. Whitewashed colonial architecture, grand churches, art galleries and boutiques fringe the charming cobbled streets, while jungle forests and countless beaches surround the whole town. Most of the white sandy beaches are easy to reach by bus, taxi, or car.
Spend a couple of days in Paraty as a wonderful way to relax. Climb aboard a schooner and travel to one of the many small deserted islands that pepper the coast. Take a bicycle tour of the nearby hills for incredible views of the bay, or head up into the mountains on horseback and explore the jungle with an expert as your guide.
Once a quiet fishing town, Buzios became Brazil’s most famous beach resorts after Brigitte Bardot began to take holidays here, and it’s easy to see the French actress fell in love with place now known as the ‘St. Tropez of South America’…
Buzios sits on a jutting peninsula with 17 beaches dotted around it, all of which boast gleaming white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Around this premier resort, you also find a wealth of lavish hotels, bars and restaurants.
At almost 10 times the size of the Everglades, Pantanal Wetlands are the largest of their kind in the world. Subject to heavy rainfall and flooding, the area serves as a lush reservoir of fresh water and is home to a hugely diverse mix of exotic plants and animals. These include 700 bird species, giant otters, anacondas, caimans, monkeys, marsh deer, and many others.
Come to the Pantanal Wetlands for one of the best nature-spotting experiences you could ever imagine. The sound of monkeys chattering in the trees, and the sight of caimans lazing on the banks are enough to make this is a rewarding trip, but the Pantanal Wetlands give you so much more.
Brazil has so much to offer that it would be hard to list it all here. But as someone who knows about this stunning country, I’m here to ensure that your next holiday is one you remember forever. For help planning your perfect trip, please call Nelkin Bespoke Travel on