Brazil is a BIG country — larger than either the continental United States or Australia. That comes as a surprise to many visitors, and as such they tend to underestimate Brazil travel times and distances. To help you smartly plan your trip to and within Brazil, I’ve mapped out distances and travel times between common […]
“So glad I didn’t learn any Brazilian Portuguese before my trip to Brazil.” Said no one — ever. You will get so much more out of your trip — and find so much more ease in your day-to-day life there — you know some basic Brazilian Portuguese words and phrases before you get there. Plus, […]
Preparing for a trip to a city off-the-beaten path like Salvador, Brazil is hard. Where to stay? What to do? What NOT to do? How will I get around? But, some of the best things in life are those that we have to a bit harder for. Brazil, and particularly Salvador, is one of those […]
The magic of Salvador, Bahia captures hearts. The warm, friendly people and vibrant street life are second to none. The New York Times, The Guardian, Forbes, and National Geographic all agree — Salvador should be on every traveler’s must-visit list. Beaches? Check. Rich cultural heritage? Check. Tropical climate? Check. World heritage site? Check. World-class music? […]
When January arrives in Salvador, every day is a pre-funk for Carnaval. We roll right out of one of the biggest New Year’s Festivals in the world and just keep partying. One of those signature days is Lavagem do Bomfim. This festival falls on either the second or third Thursday of the month, depending upon […]
In this city that is deeply connected to Africa and in a country that is very religious, residents cherish the opportunity to connect with their spiritual ancestors. And let’s be honest, they are always looking for a reason to party, as well. December 8th is the day of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, or the immaculate […]
What do you think of when you hear “Brazil Carnaval”? I bet it’s the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval with the sambadrome, women in high heels, and feathery costumes. That is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular. And pretty much the complete opposite of what you’ll find at Salvador’s millions-strong 6-day street party/city takeover. When is Salvador’s Carnaval […]
What music and dance form has its own verb and national day of recognition? Samba! That’s what. The verb: sambar The day: December 2nd A brief history of samba in Brazil The history of samba is disputed, with both Bahia and Rio de Janeiro claiming to have originated the dance and musical form. However, what […]