Brazilianista Book Club Trip *NEW

While it's great to read guidebooks, you'll get a real taste of Brazil reading books by Brazilian and foreign authors - while visiting the places they're writing about.

2012 trip November 16 - December 8

Itinerary – Brazilianista Book Club 23 days/22 nights

Inclusions: all Brazilian accommodation, breakfast, transfers, city tours (Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Lencois, Paraty), 5 flights: Rio - Salvador r/t,  Salvador - Lencois o/w, Rio - Iguacu Falls o/w, Iguazu - Buenos Aires o/w).

Exclusions: Buenos Aires hotel & airport transfer, see Terms & Conditions for other exclusions.

You may want to arrive in Rio before the tour begins on Nov 16 - let me know if you need help with hotel bookings etc.

Day 1 – Rio de Janeiro, Sexta-feira (Friday 16/11)

Arrive in Rio – if you have the energy, go out dancing in Lapa – it’s a good way to wake up your legs after a long flight.  If not, hit the hay – it’s going to be a big weekend!

Day 2 -  Rio, Sabado (Saturday 17/11)

Get up as early as you’re able and go straight to Arpoador for a swim and a coconut milk. Then after breakfast have a wander around Ipanema.  We’ll go to football game either Saturday or Sunday afternoon, depending on which game is the best.  Go to the beach and check out how the Cariocas enjoy themselves – then we go out at night to Mangueira Samba School.

 Hope you've read Alma Guillermoprieto's "Samba - The Making of Brazilian Carnaval".

Day 3 – Rio, Domingo (Sunday 18/11)

Pick up some souvenirs at the hippy fair in Ipanema in the morning – not many hippies these days but lots of leather, jewellery, art, musical instruments and t-shirts.  In the afternoon, it’s futebol or beach (praia). More music and dance in the evening if you’re up to it.

Day 4 – Rio, Segunda-feira (Monday 19/11)

Time for some sightseeing.  Both postcards (Cristo in the morning and Sugarloaf at sunset) in one day if the weather’s good.  If not, walking tour of the city and lunch at a traditional restaurant.

Day 5 –Terca-feira (Tuesday 20/11)

We fly from Rio to Salvador da Bahia – the former colonial capital and centre of African heritage in Brazil - (depart Rio @ 11.15am/arrive Salvador 1.20pm) – then spend the afternoon exploring the colourful, historic Pelourinho district around the hotel.  In the evening, there is a huge street party in the Pelourinho.

Day 6 -  Salvador, Quarta-feira (Wednesday 21/11)

Schooner tour of the beautiful Baia de Todos os Santos (Bay of All Saints).  We’ll swim and lounge on a small uninhabited island before heading over to the island of Itaparica for a big buffet lunch.  Have a snooze on the way back to Salvador – if the samba band doesn’t keep you awake.

Day 7 –  Salvador Quinta-feira (Thursday 22/11)

We fly to Lencois (dep 12.30 pm, arr 1.30pm) the prettiest of the old colonial diamond-mining towns, nestled in the foothills of the Chapada Diamantina - the eastern edge of the Brazilian high plain.  The area is full of waterfalls, caves and plateaus with speccy views.

Day 8 – Sexta-feira (Friday 23/11)

There are lots of outdoor activities in Lencois – your choices include hiking, rappelling, climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding or even hot-air ballooning.  At night the town is lively, and there’ll be great music somewhere.

Day 9 – Lencois, Sabado (Saturday 24/11)

Lencois is reknowned for it’s breakfasts.  Have a leisurely one and then head to a waterfall for the afternoon.

Day 10  - Lencois, Domingo (Sunday 25/11)

We’ll take the bus (6-hours, air-con) back to Salvador and stay at one of the ocean beaches.

Day 11 –Segunda-feira (Monday 26/11)

We fly back to Rio (dep 1.50pm/arr 4pm) – in time for some beach and a sunset caipirinha. More music in the evening if you’re keen.

Day 12 – Terca-feira (Tuesday 27/11)

We’ll take a bus to Paraty via the scenic coastal road.  A colonial pearl between the mountains and the sea, Paraty is surrounded by lush Atlantic rainforest and beautiful beaches - you’ll love it.

Day 13 – Quarta-feira (Wednesday 28/11)

We'll explore the surrounding islands and beaches on a day cruise. 

Day 14 – Paraty, Quinta-feira (Thursday 29/11)

Enjoy a visit to a local distillery, or relax and explore the town.

Day 15 – Paraty, Sexta-feira (Friday 30/11)

We’ll return to Rio via the coast road – it’s easy to see why explorer Amerigo Vespucci called it paradise on earth.

Day 16 - Rio de Janeiro (1/12)

As an alternative to the beach, let's go to Sitio Roberto Burle Marx and Casa do Pontal. We can also lunch at a cool restaurant

Day 17 - Rio de Janeiro (2/12)

Day 18 - Rio de Janeiro to Iguacu Falls (3/12)

No trip to Brazil is complete without a trip to Iguacu Falls – one of the natural wonders of the world.  After flying in from Rio (dep 10.34am/arr12.20pm), we’ll visit the Brazilian side. This is a great panormamic view of the falls

Day 19 - Iguacu Falls (4/12)

Today we’ll visit the Argentinian side. This is where we get close and personal with the falls – there’s even a boat ride (optional) to take you under some of the smaller ones.

Day 20 - Iguacu Falls to Buenos Aires (5/12)

After breakfast we visit the Parque das Aves (bird park) where we’ll get close to some cheeky toucans.  Then we fly on to BA (dep 12.50pm/arr2.40pm)

Day 21- Buenos Aires (6/12)

Eat steak, drink Malbec, tango

Day 22 - Buenos Aires (7/12)

Buy souvenirs, visit Evita's grave in Recoleta, tango.

Day 23 - Buenos Aires to Australia (8 Dec 2012)

Avoid duty-free booze in BA if you're flying via New Zealand - they will take it from you even if you are only on a stopover (Bastards!).

 Sound good? BOOK NOW

© Brazilianista