The city expects to receive 70,000 tourists during the World Cup 2014. Around US$43 million will be invested in infrastructure by Bahia’s Secretary of Tourism (Setur BA) in the Bay of All Saints area.

Salvador’s privileged topography brings a clear division between the Cidade Baixa and Cidade Alta (Low City and High City), but they are interconnected through one of the city’s most notable landmarks, the Elevador Lacerda. Still, the ultimate symbol of Salvador is the Pelourinho, a historical centre with churches and colourful colonial buildings that was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Setur BA is investing in training local guides not only in the capital, but also in other cities in the State. The Secretary of Tourism, Domingos Leonelli, says that the main legacy of the event will be the “human capital”. “The training of the tourism sector will open the doors for economic integration. By 2014 our goal is to have 5,000 workers trained in time for the Pronatec Cup in Bahia”, said Mr. Leonelli.

Another project will involve the training of 600 professionals in languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Italian, German, French, Croatian, beside Brazilian Sign Language. Setur and Bahiatursa are training hosts to work in Porto Seguro (and waterfront locations Arraial D’Ajuda, Trancoso and Caraiva) and the Mata of St. John ( Praia do Forte and Imbassai), to welcome tourists.

The Arena Fonte Nova (which replaces the former Fonte Nova Stadium) is a newly built, multipurpose stadium with a capacity of 56,000. Operating as a public-private joint venture, the complex will also house a panoramic restaurant, a football museum, car parks, shops, hotels and a concert hall.

Budgeted in at US$300 million, the arena will host three games during the Confederations Cup (including the classic soccer match Brazil X Italy in June) as well as six other matches in the 2014 World Cup.

Bahia’s ‘welcoming squad’ will not only be on the streets, but also available via call center (Dial Tourism Bahia), working 24 hours a day and offering customer service in 12 languages, as well via online chat at www.bahia.com.br.  Another initiative is the construction of a World Cup Training Center in Praia do Forte, located 56 km away from Salvador International Airport. At the Airport Luis Eduardo Magalhaes two projects are underway: renovations to control towers, and expansions to accommodate greater airplane traffic.

By Julio Santos 

Great sunny beaches, warm weather, natural beauty, good food, lots of culture and history are not exclusively present in the traditional wonderful city. The “Off Rio” attractions present a fascinating snapshot of the main corners of the state that will make it worth extending your stay.

Anyone who arrives at Tom Jobim International Airport is welcomed right away with a good impression of the city of Rio de Janeiro as portrayed by the postcards. They are filled with images of a wonderful landscapes and landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and the traditional beaches of Rio.

“OFF THE BEATEN TRACK RIO”

The beauty here goes far beyond what one can see in the city. The attractions located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, for those unfamiliar, is a must see for all it offers.  It is not only for its beauty, but also for its history, culture and tradition. One simply cannot miss a visit to one of the four main corners of our state – The Lake Region, Mountains, Green Coast and the Paraíba Valley.

LAKE REGION (REGIÃO DOS LAGOS)     

Sun, heat, and wonderful beaches lead to a pretty idyllic life in the Lake Region. During some points of the year activities include Carnival, New Year’s Eve and long holidays.  These are all landmarks of Lake Region, which has more than 100 kilometers of coastline.  Also called the ‘Sunshine Coast’, the region also enjoys an average of 300 sunny days a year.

The Lake Region is a place where tourism flourishes because of so many typical attractions of a tropical country. One of its well-known cities is Cabo Frio, which welcomes international and national visitors almost all year long from all around the globe.

Among one of the most visited cities, Buzios, emancipated itself from Cabo Frio 17 years ago. The city became internationally famous through actress Brigitte Bardot as she chose that city as her favourite spot.  Arraial do Cabo, with crystal-clear waters and Rio das Ostras, which is a city that is witnessing an economic boom brought by the oil business. These are places that need to be part of your journey.

THE MOUNTAINOUS REGION (REGIÃO SERRANA)                

  The mountainous region, with particular attention to the cities of Nova Friburgo, Teresópolis and Petrópolis, all offer a wonderful mix of history, culture, good food and mild temperatures year round. The Itatiaia National Park covers an area that involves some cities of the region and it is an important conservation area with temperatures sometimes reaching below zero. Nova Friburgo still conserves traces of the Swiss colonization which began in 1820. Petrópolis brings the historical mark to the picture and is home to the Imperial Palace, which served as a summer residence for the imperial family. As Teresópolis is named after the wife of the Emperor Dom Pedro II, Dona Teresa.

GREEN COAST REGION (REGIÃO DA COSTA VERDE)          

Tradition also marks the region of Costa Verde, named after the luxurious Rain Forest and Atlantic coast. Some of the beaches are not always suitable for bathing, but the history and the exuberance of the region are its main features.

Angra dos Reis is the landmark of the only two existing nuclear power plants in Brazil.  Paraty, a land of good cachaça and historic streets and houses, enjoys international fame with the celebration of the International Literary Festival that is celebrated in July.

PARAÍBA  VALLEY REGION (REGIÃO DO VALE DO PARAÍBA) 

If you prefer to taste a bit of the colonial history of Brazil, you should take the road to Vale do Paraíba, located between the east and south of Sao Paulo from Rio de Janeiro. The region, once a wealthy region during the Coffee Cycle, still keeps important colonial mansions, many of them open to the public.  The state of Rio de Janeiro offers many alternatives for short trips, rich in history, culture and natural beauty. You just need to be up for a challenge and a few hours drive.

SERVICE

Lake Region (Região dos Lagos)

Besides the wonderful sunny weather, the cities of the region also offer an excellent infrastructure so the tourist can really enjoy their visit. Excellent hotels and restaurants together with its attractions are part of what the region has to offer and they’re all worth stopping by for a quick visit. Not to mention the tropical sunlight that bathes the region daily:

Where to stay:

Arraial do Cabo

- Ocean View: www.oceanviewhotel.com.br
- Estalagem do Porto - www.estalagemdoporto.com.br

Búzios

- Hotel Ferradura Resort - www.ferraduraresort.com.br
- Villa Rasa Marina Hotel Boutique & SPA - www.villarasamarina.com.br
- Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel & Spa e Hotel - www.casasbrancas.com.br
- Ferradura Private - www.ferraduraresort.com.br
- Hotel Ferradura Resort - www.ferraduraresort.com.br

Cabo Frio

- Malibu Palace Hotel - www.malibupalace.com.br
- Best Western Paradiso Del Sol - www.bestwestern.com.br
- Hotel Balneário Cabo Frio - www.hotelbalneario.tur.br

Rio das Ostras

- Grande Park Hotel - www.granadaparkhotel.com.br

Where to eat

Arraial do Cabo

- Churrascaria Picanha na Brasa
- Oriental Hissão
- Casa do Pontal

Búzios

- Pátio Havana
- Don Juan
- Shiitake
- Osso Perdido

Cabo Frio

- Labadee Restaurant
- Vira Verão
- Panela de Pedra

Rio das Ostras

- Beira Rio
- Mundi
- Ponto Tropical bar and restaurant

Main Attractions

Arraial do Cabo

- Pontal do Atalaia beach
- Praia  Brava  and  Praia  Farol  (beaches)
- Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
- Sport fishing and underwater

Búzios

- Rua das Pedras
- Orla Bardot
- Islands
- Capela Nossa Senhora Desatadora dos Nós
- Santana’s church
- Reserva do Tauá – Serra das Emerências

Cabo Frio

- Ilha do Japonês (island)
-  Praia do Forte  (beach)
- Praia das Dunas (beach)
- Praia do Peró (beach)
- Forte São Mateus
- Convento N.Sª dos Anjos, – Rua dos Biquinis

Rio das Ostras

- Praia Costazul (beach)
- Praia Areias Negras (beach)
- Lagoa do Iriri (lake)
- Park of the birds
- Sítio Arqueológico Sambaqui da Tarioba

Mountainous Region

Enjoying a lower temperature all year long, the Mountainous Region offers good food and cosy accommodations. More specifically in Petrópolis and Teresópolis, visitors are able to take a deep look in the history ofBrazil. Here are some of our suggestions:

Where to stay

Petrópolis

- Hotel Casablanca Palace - www.casablancahotel.com.br
- Grande Hotel Petrópolis - www.grandehotelpetropolis.com.br
- Clarion Hotel – Itaipava - www.clarionhotel.com

Nova Friburgo

- Grande Park Hotel – www.granadaparkhotel.com.br- Pousada Refúgio dos Fal -www.refugiodosfalcoes.com.br/
- Parador Lumiar - www.paradorlumiar.com/

Teresópolis

- Hotel Rosa dos Ventos - www.hotelrosadosventos.com.br/
- Bel-Air Hotel - www.belairhotel.com.br/
- Hotel Fazenda Recanto das Águas - www.recantodasaguastere.com.br/

Where to eat

Petrópolis

- Dical Branconott Restaurante
- Parador Valência
- RestautanteChico Verissimo

Nova Friburgo

- Churrascaria Quinta Rica
- Dona Mariquinha
- Assim e Assado Restaurante
- Taberna Friburgo

Teresópolis

- Atma Empório Ecológico
- Rancho Restaurante
- Brasa Viva
- Rancho Restaurante

Main Attractions

Petrópolis

- Imperial Museum
- Palácio de Cristal
- Santos Dumont House
-  Petrópolis Museum
-  Quitandinha Hotel

Nova Friburgo

- Praça do Suspiro
- Estadual dos Três Picos Park
- São João Batista Catedral
- Santo Antônio Chapel
- Indiana Jones waterfall
- Três Picos de Salina

Teresópolis

- National Park  Serra dos Órgãos
- Granja Comary
- Cascata dos Amores
- Matriz de Santa Tereza
- Orquidário Aranda
- Cascata do Imbuí

Green Coast Region (Região Costa Verde)

The combination of the luxurious greenery and the ocean is one of the main attractions of this wealth region ofRio de Janeiro. If you like to sail or travel by boat the region offers infinity islands ready to be explored specially in Angra dos Reis. One can also enjoy a contact with the culture and history ofBrazilby attending the International Literary Festival (Flip) in Party, home to historic houses and its flavourful spirits called cachaça. Here are some of our suggestions:

Where to stay:

Angra dos Reis

- Meliá Angra Marina & Convention Al Inclusive Resort - www.pt.solmelia.com/Angra-dos-Reis
- Vila Galé Eco Resort Angra All Inclusive - www.vilagale.com.br/Eco-Resort-Angra
- Portogalo Suite Hotel - www.portogalosuite.com.br
- Golden Tulip Porto Bali - www.goldentulipportobali.hotelsone.com

Paraty

- Othon Pousada Villa Del Sol Hotel - www.othon.com.br/hotel/paraty/othon-pousada-villa-del-sol
- Meliá Angra Marina & Convention Resort - www.melia-angra-marina.com
- Hotel do Frade & Golf Resort - www.hoteldofrade.com.br

Where to eat

Angra dos Reis

- Casa da Picanha
- Fromágio
- Dom Paco
- Chez Dominique
- Cheiro Verde

Paraty

- Alquimia dos Sabores
- Banana da Terra
- Cervejaria Caboré
- Le Gite De Indaiatiba, Thai Paraty

Main Attractions

Angra dos Reis

- Praiado Aventureiro (beach)
- Praia Vermelha (beach)
- Praia das Éguas (beach)
- Ilha da Gipóia (island)
- Ilha de Cataguás (island)

Paraty

- Ruas da cidade
-  Santa Rita Church
- Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church
- Forte Defensor Perpétuo
- Sobrados
- Casa da Cadeia
- Engenho da Boa Vista

Paraíba Valley Region (Região do Vale do Paraíba)

A unforgettable stroll through the region famous old farms will leave you with a taste of coffee in your mouth. Home to the grand plantations of coffee in the past, the region still boasts the glamour of the Coffee Barons and they cannot be left out from your trip. Cities like Valença, Vassouras ou Barra do Piraí are definitely worth visiting.

Where to stay

- Hotel Fazenda Parador Maritacas Spa Resort (Barra do Piraí) -www.paradormaritacas.com.br
- Vassouras Eco Resort (Vassouras) - www.vassourasecoresort.com.br
- Hotel Vivenda Les 4 Saisons (Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin) - www.les4saisons.com.br
- Pousada Fazenda Ponte Alta (Barra do Piraí) - www.pontealta.com.br

Where to eat

- Laponia Rotisserie Chopp Bar (Resende)
- Parrila Penedo Restaurant (Itatiaia)
- Aono Costa Restaurant (Barra Mansa)

Main Attractions

- Obelisco Getúlio Vargas (Volta Redonda)
- Memorial Volta Redonda
- Zoológico Municipal – Parque Muncipal da Criança (Volta Redonda)
- Fazenda da Bocaina (Valença)
- Serra da Concórdia (Valença)
- Cachoeira do Bonito (Valença)
- Nossa Senhora do Rosário Church (Valença)
- Fazenda Taquara (Barra do Piraí)

By Leila Monteiro Lins

Manaus, the state capital, was once a wealthy city. Its streets saw street lighting and streetcars earlier than London but it largely fell into disrepair after the Rubber Cycle meltdown (near the twentieth century). The accumulated fortunes were so great that the richest Brazilian rubber barons in Manaus used to light their cigars with bank-notes. In 1967, the federal government implemented a plan to revive the city. Manaus flourished as a city again, after the decline of its golden period, with the implementation of an economic model, the Manaus Free Trade Zone; which has resulted in over 500 high-tech industries, that generate more than half a million direct and indirect jobs – making this industrial production model the economic base for its more than 1.7 million inhabitants. The surrounding forest and the rivers charm all those who visit Manaus. It is an important city, rich in culture and history. So much so, that it can be dubbed the “Paris of the Tropics”.

Where to Go
The Amazon Opera House
This is the state’s main cultural heritage venue, a majestic representation of the golden age of the rubber cycle , with an impressive architecture. It is considered the fourth most comfortable theatre in the world.

Encounter of the Waters
This natural phenomenon takes place when the waters of the Negro and the Solimoes rivers meet one another, providing a unique, natural display of incredible beauty. The two largest rivers in the region run side-by-side without mixing their waters for over 15 kilometres, due to differences in density, temperature, and the flow speed of their waters.

Handicrafts
The Amazonian craftsmanship represents one of the strongest traditions of cultural artistry in the region. The state of Amazonas has the largest indigenous population in the country with approximately 66 ethnic groups. In addition to the local, national and international fairs, the crafts of the Amazon have a home here, where you can find the most beautiful handcrafted pieces and where you can meet the craftsmen who made them.  Craft Centre “ Branco e Silva”(1999 Recife St./ Suite 21).

Historic City Tour
A visit to the main tourist attractions of Manaus sends us back to the golden period of the Rubber Cycle and the landmarks that represent the development of the Green Capital of Brazil.     www.amazonexplorers.com.br

Written  by Leila Monteiro Lins  -  Photos by Diego Barros  

 There are many reasons to choose the state of Amazon as your next travel destination. For those of you who love nature, Amazon state provides many tourism options. With 1.5 million square kilometres of natural beauty, the Amazon has a dense forest and a large number of rivers that, along with rich fauna, make up a paradisiacal setting.

“Amazon: the largest tropical forest in the world  and one of the wildest places on the planet”

The state of Amazon is almost entirely covered by the Amazon Rainforest, 98% according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).  It is known as the world’s lungs. More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced there. The Amazonian Rain Forest takes up nearly half of the national territory. It is home to 500,000 species of plants on record, the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Its rivers transport 15% of the world’s supply of freshwater to the sea, yet it is inhabited by only 16 million people.

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Brazil is seen by other countries as an exciting place, with people always friendly, convivial and hospitable. This image was designed by Embratur president Flavio Dino workshop held during the 39th Brazilian Congress of Travel Agencies and Fair of the Americas – Abav 2011, in Rio de Janeiro.

Next year, the Brazilian tourism promotion (Embratur) plans to invest $ 42 million in various actions. Of the 5.1 million foreign tourists visited Brazil in 2010, 46% came from South America . Our neighbors spent last year, per capita /per day, an average of $ 59 and the European country spent U.S. $ 66. Of the top five source markets for our country, two are from the region: Argentina and Uruguay,” said Dino.

Regarding expectations for the World Cup, the president of Embratur said he was relaxed about the progress of preparations. And for him, the greatest legacy will be the spread of the image country, mainly because the disclosure of destinations opportunity still little known abroad as Cuiabá and Foz do Iguacu. “The Cup will be perfect? No, absolutely not. Because no mass event is perfect anywhere in the world. But we will leave the image of Brazil in the post-World Cup will be the greatest legacy that we, much larger than the physical works, “said the president of Embratur.

Brazil has diverse, untouched ecosystems; large wilderness areas with magnificent waterfalls, natural beaches and undiscovered archaeological sites. These gems are usually unknown to first-time travelers to the country. So, instead of classic destinations, think about including some adventure and spectacular sights in the paradises listed below.

JERICOACOARA

The word Jericoacoara means “house of turtles.” Located in Ceará State, ‘Jeri’ is full of wildlife and surrounded by huge dunes, coconut palm trees, crystalline lagoons and caves. The place is one of the world’s hot spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing, hosting many international competitions year round.

This old fishing village is located about 300 kilometers from the state capital, Fortaleza, in an environmentally protected area. Its beaches, located within national parks, are ranked in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world according to the Washington Post.

Where: Ceara State, Northeastern Brazil

How to get there: The distance from Fortaleza’s Pinto Martins airport to Jericoacoara beach is approximately 6 hours by car or bus. The bus company, Redenção, sells tickets at the airport. You can check schedules and prices at www.redencaoonline.com.br

Adventures: Kitesurfing, windsurfing, sandboarding, and dune buggying (use of a recreational vehicle with large tires to ride on sand dunes). Average price: U$125, duration 5 hours.

More info: www.jeri-brazil.org

BONITO

Bonito is located on Bodoquena Mountain, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Due to an immense quantity of limestone in the ground, the river waters are among the clearest and most transparent in the world.

There are over 30 ecological tours around the Bonito area that explore the natural environment, and all require an accredited local guide. The ‘Natural Aquarium’ excursion, for instance, starts with a 25-minute walk through the jungle where you can check out a variety of the region’s native animals, followed by a 900 meter snorkel adventure.

Where: Central West region, Mato Grosso do Sul State.
How to get there: Many companies fly from the state capital, Campo Grande, to Bonito Airport, a 280 kilometer distance, and 35-minutes by direct flight. For information, go to http://www.voetrip.com.br. The buses company Viação Cruzeiro do Sul leaves daily at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.. The 5-hour trip costs $15.
Adventures: Walks to caves, lakes of crystal clear water and adventure treks through the treetops on a suspended steel walkway installed in native trees of the Pantanal region.

More info: www.portalbonito.com.br

JALAPÃO

The eighth season of the reality show Survivor was filmed here. Situated about 250 kilometers from Tocantins’ capital, it’s the largest state park in the region. This ecoregion has increasingly received interest from adventure tourists and ecotourism fans. The vegetation is predominantly savanna, with waterfalls, rivers, large plateaus and golden sand dunes, up to 30 meters high.
The desert of Jalapão is anything but a ‘desert’. It’s actually a paradise of waters, flowers and exotic animals.

Where: North West region, Tocantins State.

How to get there: The starting point is the city of Palmas. Major Brazilian carriers fly daily to Palmas airport (www.emsampa.com.br/wardest_palmas.htm), and fares range from $199 to $344. From Palmas, drive 64 kilometers on Highway TO-050 to Porto Nacional, and then 116 kilometers on TO-255 to Ponte Alta do Tocantins.

Adventures: Sports such as rafting. To reach most of the attractions, it’s necessary to travel about 50 kilometers on dirt roads. The difficult access makes it a natural haven for flora and fauna. The region is still relatively untouched by man due to the limited number of visitors.

More info at: http://jalapao.to.gov.br/en/

Interview

Eduardo Campos
By Marcio Rollemberg

Eduardo
Campos, Pernambuco’s governor – Photo by Roberto Pereira
Pernambuco: An example of progress and development

The experts believe the northeast of Brazil’s economy should grow by up to 10% by the end
of the year, the same rate as China’s. Pernambuco has been the state that has grown the most in the region and it is considered an
example of progress for the country. The state’s economic success assured popular governor Eduardo Campos’ re-election with 80% of the vote. In this
interview with Discover Brazil, Campos explains how Pernambuco became a model of development.

Discover Brazil – The Suape Port and Industrial Complex has become the largest development centre  in the country. How did this happen?

Eduardo Campos - I credit its success to the partnerships our administration started and I can also tell you we did
our homework really well. We understood Pernambuco by itself couldn’t make Suape the large complex it is nowadays. We went to the private sector and to
the great public banks to show them that investing is Suape was worth it and they would have a guaranteed profit.

DB – A commission from Pernambuco’s government came to Canada last year focusing on making new economic partnerships. What progress
has been made so far?

EC - The main purpose for our trip was to make
possible business with the oil exploitation sector which was very profitable.
We came back home with great investment possibilities that are still being negotiated.
The opportunity also gave us the chance to introduce the Suape Global project
to Canadian entrepreneurs, which is our player in the oil, gas and off-shore
industries. I also learned about the experiences of the largest port in Canada,
in Vancouver.

DB – What could the other states learn from Pernambuco?

EC – Pernambuco has became the state in Brazil
that grows the most. We have created new strategies that have goals and  always verify them. I check the results
personally. That way we can have priorities, replace bad expenses with good
ones and increase the ability  of the
state to invest, especially in the areas chosen by those who pay their taxes
and have the right to have good quality public services. Those are the values
that I have and whoever works with me has to think the same way.

By Ingrid Coifman

Photo by Neno Vianna – Ouro Preto city, Minas Gerais

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) travel division tailored a unique trip to Brazil that included a visit to a native tribe in Amazon rainforest. They also visited and attended such sites as; a Capoeira Afro-Brazilian martial dance presentation in Salvador, architectural tours through world heritage sites in Minas Gerais, stops at the magnificent statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio and Iguacu’s spectacular waterfalls in the south.  After a 15 day-journey, its travelers are still mesmerized at what they experienced.

This jaw-dropping journey to Brazil provided some of the most exclusive experiences, highlighting history, art, and architecture. They took a boat ride to an Eco Lodge to explore the rainforest and the mighty Amazon River.  The travelling party took a jungle survival crash course and later enjoyed the mind-boggling ‘Meeting of the Waters’, where the Negro river joins the Solimoes river.

Their second stop was Salvador, the first capital of Brazil for over 200 years with the most African influence anywhere outside Africa. They explored the city and had a chance to attend a live performance of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art dancing.

According to Yolande Baldachin, one of the volunteer coordinators of ROM Travel Group, felt safe walking around the downtown area. “We saw police cars most of the time and didn’t feel harassed by street vendors. The feedback from our group was great and many of us would like to repeat the experience. Food was excellent and the hotels were beautiful,” recalls Baldachin.

On the south side of the country, Iguaçu Falls was the highlight, located just above the meeting points of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Iguacu is South America’s most celebrated waterfalls, a glorious combination of 240 cascades, furious white water, rain forest, and diverse wildlife.

The trip finished in vibrant Rio de Janeiro, one of the most culturally dynamic, visually breathtaking cities in the world. It is the site of the 2014 World Cup of Soccer and the 2016 Summer Olympics. “Iguacu Falls along with Christ-the Redeemer statue just took our breath away,” says Yolande.

HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE AND ART

In Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais, the group went on an architectural tour and then proceeded to Ouro Preto, a UNESCO world heritage site, with cobblestone streets, baroque churches (18th century) and huge colonial buildings. There, a homogeneous architectural ensemble is mostly composed of one and two-story dwellings with clay tile roofs and whitewashed walls; their wooden structural elements and ornaments are painted bright colors.

Ouro Preto is a university city with an intense student life. A number of former gold mines in the city offer tours to tourists. One of the most popular is the Mina do Chico Rei (Little King Mine), near the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao.

In fact, the city was one of the stops that most pleased the group. “We saw places that tourists in general don’t have a chance to see. Brazil is not only made up of Sao Paulo and Rio. We were amazed at the colonial, opulent and rich Ouro Preto. Our group didn’t want to see the ‘usual’ in an amazing trip like this,” continues Yolande.

In Ouro Preto, the group also had the opportunity to meet Mayor Angelo Oswaldo de Araújo Santos and to spend time at the Museum da Inconfidência, which traces the Inconfidencia independence movement. That was a great point of interest for them, whose interest in art makes it a natural option to include visits to important museums around the globe in their tours.

ROM: 60 COUNTRIES IN 25 YEARS

“A breathtaking trip like this requires almost 2 years of preparation,” says Yolande. Lots of research and promotion had to be done carefully by each coordinator of the ROM Travel committee. In total, there are 600 members in the Department of Museum Volunteers working in 25 different committees.

She has been involved in organizing ROM trips to places such as Egypt and has travelled extensively to Brazil. India is being planned for 2012. Only ROM members can sign up for the trip and those who come on board have to make a donation of $300 to the museum. Each trip usually accommodates 20 people. There are around 55,000 ROM members – many of those have visited more than 60 countries over the last 25 years.

IN HIGH DEMAND

These signature packages are becoming trendier for the exclusive experience they offer to its travelers.  Lewie Gonsalves, president of Worldwide Quest International and his company specializes in experimental travel to distinctive destinations around the globe for targeted groups, such as museum members, lawyers, history buffs, among others. “We take people on journeys to discover unique places. About 80% of our clients are repeat clients or come to us by referral,” says Gonsalves, who has been partnering with ROM groups for the last 15 years.

To customize a package, Worldwide takes into account the duration of the trip, accommodations required, and the taste of its various groups of travelers. In providing  this type of journey to Brazil, Gonsalves made partnerships with local tourism agents to make sure English was spoken during sightseeing and boarded the plane himself along with the group. “We only recommend trips to places we’ve been before. I’ve been to Brazil many times and recommend going back as many times as possible. It’s a huge country with so many amazing places to explore.”

ANGRA DOS REIS :  A breathtaking paradise

By Leila Monteiro Lins / Photo by TurisAngra ( Ilhas Botinas, Angra dos Reis, RJ)

Located in the southern state of Rio de Janeiro, the Green Coast region is extremely popular with international and domestic tourists. The 365 islands are surrounded by emerald green waters and the 2000 beaches provide visitors with the chance to experience unforgettable moments of enlightenment. Amongst the most visited cities are Angra dos Reis, which is one and a half hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro.  It is imperative to mention the historic Paraty, this historic region will sweep you far into the past and is only three and half hours from Rio.

Surrounded by Atlantic Forest and blessed by Mother Nature, Angra dos Reis is flooded with great islands, urban and wild beaches.  Upon arriving, Angra dos Reis is “love at first sight” and right away plans are being made to return to such beauty. Many tourism magazines consider the region the most beautiful for sailing. It features a generous archipelago located inside a large bay, with endless options of activities and attractions.  Get yourself on a boat and be prepared to be mesmerized by your journey into the unknown.

Brazilian Caribben

Cataguases Island located in Angra Bay, is also known as the “Brazilian Caribbean.” This island is a must see to those who appreciate paradise-like landscapes. The Botinas Islands, with its crystal clear waters is an escape to a land of magic, this is one attraction that should not be missed.

Another area popular with visitors is Gipoia Island, located 30 minutes by boat from Angra Bay.   The island offers an excellent tourist infrastructure with hotels, restaurants and bars. For those of you who are sun worshippers, the best beaches are Gipoia, Flechas and Vitorino.

Convention  & Visitors Bureau

Gino Zamponi is the president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Angra dos Reis.  He is very excited with the potential of the area becoming an international tourist destination. “The creation of the bureau last year was done with the goal of integrating the tourist sector and advertising Angra nationally and internationally”, says the entrepreneur who invested in a hotel in Angra.

Last year the city participated at the International Tourism Market of Latin America, in Argentina. According to Zamponi, this was the first event at which Angra dos Reis was present, and represented an important opportunity to officially introduce the city to investors and entrepeneurs from all over the world. “Without the support of the bureau this wouldn’t be possible”, he says. “Our goal is to show Angra dos Reis’ beauty and to fortify the investments in the tourist sector.”

Ilha Grande (Big Island) is an ecological sanctuary, surrounded by hundreds of beautiful beaches with trails, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and mountains. A tourist has three options of arrival to Ilha Grande. Transportation from downtown to Vila do Abraao (Abraao Village) via taxi, bus, car and then take a catamaran or ferry. The catamaran has the capacity for 120 people and leaves Santa Luzia station at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. The round trip ticket costs CAD$ 30. The ferry has a capacity of 500 people, leaves at 3:30 pm on weekdays and at 1:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The ticket costs CAD$5 during the week and CAD$9 on weekends and holidays.

Services

Location Angra dos Reis is located 170 km from Rio de Janeiro and 410 km from Sao Paulo.

Hospitality Many hotels and bed and breakfasts in the region have their own marinas.

Food The region specializes in seafood.

Diving courses International certificate, recognized in 185 countries. The course takes four days.

Tourist information Angra dos Reis Convention & Visitors Bureau: http://www.angradosreiscvb.com.br   TurisAngra : http://www.turisangra.com.br.