Most people don’t associate country music, plaid shirts, square dancing, and cowboys with Brazil. But, in this large country of over 200 million people, there is a lot of regional music for every musical taste. As winter arrives in Brazil, particularly in the northeast, thoughts turn to forró, the most popular country-style music, and the […]
There is nothing quite like taking part in a local tradition and learning its century’s old history to feel connected to a place as a traveler. And in Salvador, the wish ribbons from the Bomfim basilica are just that tradition. But, how exactly did this now-ubiquitous ribbon get its famed ability to perform miracles? History […]
Getting up at 4:30 am wasn’t easy for night owls like us, but we knew that pre-dawn was the time to arrive if we wanted to catch the religious — sacred — part of the festival for Iemanjá. We jumped into the taxi to the Rio Vermelho neighborhood, lightly caffeinated, proud of ourselves for even […]
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? […]
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 […]
New Year’s Eve celebrations are a big deal around the world, but in Salvador we take it to a different level. The phrase “go big or go home” is true when it comes to Salvador and its ability to throw a party. We host the biggest New Year’s celebration in Brazil — a free multi-day […]