Luxury holidays honeymoons and weddings abroad

You cannot escape the most extraordinary sights and sounds on a Brazil holiday. Rio de Janeiro is an incomparable setting with its exuberant Carnival and iconic beaches right in the heart of the city.  Then there’s the rush of the waters over the Devils' Throat at the Iguassu Falls, the call of exotic birds and monkeys in the steamy jungles of the Amazon Rainforest or the samba dancers in full flow in their flamboyant costumes.

Contrast this with the tranquility of the coast with its vast, golden beaches stretching over 7000 km from north to south and you will find an array of experiences to enjoy on your holiday in Brazil.

For some, the highlight of their Brazil holidays is Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's most lively city with its colonial architecture and African spirit and also another great city to catch Carnival.

Or perhaps your perfect holiday to Brazil is wildlife spotting in the Pantanal wetlands, where animals and birds are more visible than in the jungle due to the less dense vegetation. You could also indulge in that other great Brazilian passion by catching a game at Rio's Maracana Stadium, the home of Brazilian football.

Wherever you choose to go, Brazil holidays are a feast to be savoured by all the senses, and offers an incredible array of destinations for discerning travellers from adventure trips to total relaxation in top-class luxury retreats.

Rio de Janeiro:

Rio is an extraordinary city which has long been one of our favourite cities. It is a place full of energy and the city's incomparable setting of beaches, ocean and mountains, watched over by the iconic Statue of Christ atop Corcovado Mountain, is unforgettable. Copacabana and Ipanema are probably the most famous beaches in South America and the views from the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain are incredible.

There are some great restaurants, excellent clubs and plenty of places to explore, including the dense forest of Tijuca and nearby small towns such as Petropolis. Along the coast both north and south of the city lie smaller resorts to relax in when you tire of the hustle and bustle of city life with Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande and Paraty to the south and Buzios to the north.

Of course, there is also Rio Carnival. The most famous Carnival in the world takes place every February just before Ash Wednesday. The Brazilians celebrate with drums, singing and dancing in the street in an explosion of colour, music and lavish and outrageous costumes. Hotels do impose minimum stays of 4-5 nights during Carnival period and early booking is essential as many hotels are booked up months in advance. We can arrange tickets to the Sambadrome where the best Samba schools parade to top off your Carnival experience.

South Coast Beaches:

Brazil is justifiably proud of its long coastline where a beautiful quiet sandy tropical beach paradise is not hard to find. Relax at the end of your Brazil itinerary with a few days unwinding on a delightful stretch of coast. Here we list some of our favourite places to stay along the southern stretches of Brazil's coast.

The former fishing village of Buzios is a favourite summer retreat from the vibrant bustling city of Rio de Janeiro and is just a few hours drive north of the city. Still a small but elegant resort, the town of Buzios offers plenty of places to dine and browse boutiques and has a number of very beautiful small boutique properties set in the hills overlooking the ocean. The surrounding peninsula offers some 25 pretty beaches to choose from.

Another wonderful location between Rio and Sao Paulo is one of Brazil's prettiest colonial towns, close to the stunning beaches of the Costa Verde (Emerald Coast). Paraty was declared a national monument and bustles with tourists browsing its small boutiques and art galleries at weekends, while the town is quiet and intimate during the week and in low season. The nearby coast with its wonderful beaches, small islands and inlets are just as charming and scenic.

The southernmost stretches of Brazil's coast on the island of Santa Catarina and around the port of Florianopolis offer some spectacular activities such as surfing and whale-watching and are less frequented by European visitors than some of their counterparts further north.

Wherever takes your fancy, we would be delighted to discuss with you the best coastal area to head to depending on season and location. We have extensive knowledge of the best beaches and hotels.

Salvador:

Salvador is where Brazil meets Africa and the Caribbean. Wander through its atmospheric cobbled streets in the old quarter of Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been lovingly restored back to its former glory over the last decade.

Several of the old colonial houses have been transformed into luxurious boutique properties right in the heart of this historic city centre, one is even located in a former convent. Visit magnificent baroque churches and museums and try the delicious Bahian cuisine. Salvador's stunning coastal setting looks out over the Bay of Todos os Santos and is a great place to discover the colonial heritage of Brazil. Combine Salvador with a stay at one of the great beach resorts nearby, such as Kiaroa.

Music is very much a part of the culture here and you can learn about capoeira, candomble or traditional forro music at different venues throughout the city. This culture also means Salvador offers a great alternative but no less lively location than Rio for Carnival in February.

Pantanal & Bonito:

The Pantanal is a vast floodplain that is home to the world's largest nature reserve and is one of the very best places in Brazil to view wildlife. Very different to the jungle, the region has more open spaces and far fewer trees thus making it easier to see the abundant birds and animals. This unique ecosystem is a perfect environment for a great number of birds, reptiles and a host of other animals.

About 300kms from Campo Grande and on route to the southern Pantanal, Bonito is one of the most complex and fascinating areas of natural water in the world. The area offers hundreds of waterfalls, lakes and crystal clear water rivers as well as more than 80 caves, both dry and flooded, together with an endless variety of fish and wild animal species. A highlight here is to take a snorkelling trip in one of these clear rivers, floating down river surrounded by multi-coloured marine life.

The lodges we recommend are accessed via either Campo Grande in the south or Cuiaba in the north. Included in the packages are full board, all excursions with English-speaking guides and return transfers from the nearest airport. The Refugio Caiman is accessible from Campo Grande as is Bonito, whilst Rio Mutum and the Pantanal Wildlife Centre are closest to Cuiaba.

The best time of the year to go to the Pantanal is during the drier season from March to October. However the wet season can also be rewarding at certain lodges as birds are nesting at this time.

Amazon Rainforest:

For most of us, a trip to Brazil is not complete without a journey into the mighty Amazonian jungle. The Amazon and its tributaries make up the largest water system on the planet, a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers.  You will also come into contact with local river communities and see their traditional way of life.

Manaus in northern Brazil is the principal gateway into the rainforest, the capital of the region. From here a journey by road and river will take you to one of the jungle lodges used as a base to explore the surrounding rainforest. Some of Brazil's best jungle lodges are located further away from Manaus and offer superb biodiversity and excellent opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the rainforest. These more remote areas offer the most rewarding wildlife experiences and require you to access the lodges via Alta Floresta and Tefe using small local flights.

Amazon River Cruises:

The Amazon and its tributaries make up the largest water system on the planet, a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. A great way to explore the vibrant Amazon rainforest and the mighty Amazon River is by taking an expedition cruise from Manaus. A cruise is a great option for those who like adventure with all the comfort of an all inclusive cruise and comfortable air-conditioned cabins. River boats are fantastic viewing platforms that dock at a different spot each day, offering flexible itineraries that allow you to reach the best trails depending on the time of year. The cruises offer daily excursions on small boats or zodiacs to explore the dense vegetation. You will also come into contact with local river communities and see their traditional way of life.

All boats include guided excursions, for example the "meeting of the waters", where the dark waters of the Rio Negro join the Amazon river, jungle treks, birdwatching and observing alligators and nocturnal animals by flashlight. Full board, excluding drinks, are also included onboard. Do ask us for details of the different itineraries available which may last from 3-7 nights.

Some of the boutique hotels and cruise ships we feature in Brazil include amazon clipper premium, amazon ecopark jungle lodge, caiman lodge, casas brancas, convento do carmo, cristalino jungle lodge, fasano, kiaora eco resort, melia recoleta plaza, nannai beach resort, pestana angra beach bungalows, pestana convento do carmo, ponta dos ganchos, pousada abracadabra, pousada maravilha, pousada mondego, pousada picinguaba, pousada porto imperial, pousada rio mutum, solar da ponte, txai resort, vila d'este, villa bahia.