My account

Login

Username or email address *

Password *

Remember me

Lost your password?

Register

Email address *

A password will be sent to your email address.

Yes, please! I'd love to learn more about Salvador, its unique, fascinating culture, and get trip planning ideas. I know I can un-subscribe at any time.

Your personal data will be used to fulfill your order(s) and communicate with you about those orders, as well as for other purposes described in our privacy policy.

Follow me on Instagram for live updates from Salvador

WHERE LINGERING IS AN ART FORM 🏖️ I'm delighted to show you all what an amazing piece @brown_paper_dad put together for me a short while ago. He is a super-talented artist that I had a good fortune to meet in The Creatives Workshop hosted by Akimbo and @sethgodin. It was a fun collaboration, and I loved to see how he pulled it all together from our conversations. He truly brought out what I love so, so much about Salvador. Original background music by @birasantosalabe. #explorebrazil #salvadorbahia #igbahia #ig_brazil #visitbrazil #travelbrazil #braziltravel #discoversouthamerica #travelsouthamerica #traveldestinations #doyourtravel #amazingplacestovisit #touristmode #slowtravel #touristythings #authentictravel #smallgrouptravel #tripgoals #worldtravels #touristing #vacationgoals

My favorite Brazilian Portuguese word 💙⁣ ⁣ And it just so happens that my favorite-ist word is also one we have become intimately familiar with during the pandemic. You just may not have known this Brazilian Portuguese word, but now that you do, you'll never forget it.⁣ ⁣ Not only is it my favorite word, but it is also one of the first words I learned.⁣ ⁣ On my first trip to Brazil, I remember sitting in the van with my exceptionally limited Portuguese, desperately trying to figure out what was being said. My Brazilian capoeira professor was talking to the van driver, and I was anxious to pick up any cultural bits I could about this city I was already in love with.⁣ ⁣ Over and over, I kept hearing one word -- 𝘴𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴. When we tumbled out of the van at our next stop, I pulled aside the one Portuguese speaker in the group and asked him what that word meant.⁣ ⁣ (𝘈𝘭𝘴𝘰: 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘔𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘢𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘈𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘐'𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥.)⁣ ⁣ My fellow traveler, Kevin, said it was interesting that that was the word I picked up on and went on to say that the word didn't have any direct translation. Instead, it's one of those words that always make the clickbait lists of "amazing words in other languages that have no straightforward translation." ⁣ ⁣ Of course.⁣ ⁣ In the most basic terms, saudades means "to miss," as in, "I miss you." But, it has a much deeper sentiment that combines longing with nostalgia into that heart-clutching "I miss you" that is said with teary eyes.⁣ ⁣ So, yes, that feeling you've had throughout the pandemic (to get on a plane, touch someone that isn't in your pandemic bubble, go out in a crowd, and see a show) is saudades.

Now this answer I could get behind. And his response gave me clues to start looking for a better English-language equivalent. I went back to the dictionary, this time starting on the English side.Ease.My second-favorite Brazilian Portuguese word.⁣ ⁣ A while back, I was looking up the words to one of my favorite Brazilian songs -- I figured if I was attempting to sing it loudly in public, I should learn the words. 🤷‍♀️⁣ ⁣ As I was reading the lyrics, I ran across a word I didn't recognize. 𝘚𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘨𝘰. So, I went to my handy-dandy Portuguese-English app. It said that the word meant, "peace".⁣ ⁣ Now 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 answer I could get behind. And his response gave me clues to start looking for a better English-language equivalent. I went back to the dictionary, this time starting on the English side.⁣ ⁣ Ease.⁣ ⁣ Sure enough, there it was.In the context of the music, the word now made perfect sense. And I couldn't help but think that the word also really embodies the attitude of the city. And as someone who has been on a hunt for ease her whole lift -- how perfect to find this word here and now.⁣ ⁣ As we are slowly, haltingly, making out way out of the pandemic, where do you find sossego? Wherever or whatever it is, just keep doing more of it, my friend.⁣ ⁣ If you feel like sharing, I'd love to see your version of sossego. Go ahead and tag me here in a sossego moment so I can see it.

You'll need your straw hat for this festival. 🎉 While I was in Salvador visiting for my very first Carnaval, a friend and I were talking to some other English-speaking visitors, and they said, "yeah, Carnaval is cool, but you really want to be here for São João." [[ 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 ]] 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘭??? Intrigued as to how ANYTHING could be better than Salvador's world-famous Carnaval, we pressed for details. They went on to tell us that the festival is part of Festa Junina, or June festival, a festival that is traditional to the interior of the northeast of Brazil. And that it is a much more laid back, family-friendly version of Carnaval. A lot fewer tourists. But, still one heckuva party. Never one to pass on a good cultural festival, I made a point of being in Salvador for the festival the following year. 😀 It did not disappoint. I legit can't tell you if I think it's better or worse than Carnaval, but it's pretty awesome. My nightly forays revealed: 🔶 Lots and lots of forró music, a regional music style that reminds me of old-school country 🔷 World-class musical acts 🔶 Abundant dancing -- choreographed and not 🔷 Plenty of traditional, seasonal food, including corn, peanuts, and tasty liquors 🔶 A plethora of families 🔷 And, of course, plaid shirts and straw hats 🤠 None of this is happening this year, but I fully expect forró's triangles and accordions to be back in full swing in 2022. The official holiday is June 24 -- yes, today -- and the city-hosted celebration in Salvador's historic center falls for about a week around the 24th. Who's with me here for 2022? Let me know 👇🏼. 📸: São João 2016-2019

Mother Nature put on a show for us tonight. #sunset #nofilter #igbrazil #ig_bahia #ssalovers #salvadorbahia #brazil #salvadordabahia #highwaybrazil

Woke up this morning remembering my dream. I was in shallow ocean waters dancing to Mariene de Castro’s Ponto de Nanã - one of my favorite songs ever. Then I got up, listened to it for real, 💃🏼 around the living room. Set me up for a great day. Who is your go-to, want to have a good day artist or band? P.S. Music is in my stories.

The crystalline waters of Chapada Diamantina. If you are a nature lover, then Chapada needs to be on your must-visit list for your post-pandemic trip to Brazil. Hiking, biking, spelunking (caves), swimming in crystalline waters. Want to hear more? New article on the blog. Link in the bio. #explorebrazil #salvadorbahia #igbahia #ig_brazil #visitbrazil #travelbrazil #braziltravel #discoversouthamerica #travelsouthamerica #traveldestinations #doyourtravel #amazingplacestovisit #touristmode #slowtravel #touristythings #authentictravel #smallgrouptravel #tripgoals #worldtravels #touristing #vacationgoals

Wishing you nothing but blue skies and palm trees -- even if it's through the magic of the internet -- for this week.⁣ ⁣ Happy March!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #explorebrazil #salvadorbahia #igbahia #ig_brazil #visitbrazil #travelbrazil #braziltravel #discoversouthamerica #travelsouthamerica #traveldestinations #doyourtravel #amazingplacestovisit #touristmode #slowtravel #touristythings #authentictravel #smallgrouptravel #tripgoals #worldtravels #touristing #vacationgoals

Late-afternoon magic in pre-pandemic Barra, Salvador.⁣ ⁣ Lazy Sunday afternoons in Barra are the best.⁣ ⁣ 💙 Friends, families, and couples wandering the streets⁣ ⁣ 💙 Cotton candy, sweet and salty popcorn, beer, soda⁣ ⁣ 💙 Samba-reggae bands⁣ ⁣ 💙 Memorable sunsets⁣ ⁣ 💙 Light, love, and laughter⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #explorebrazil #salvadorbahia #igbahia #ig_brazil #visitbrazil #travelbrazil #braziltravel #discoversouthamerica #travelsouthamerica #traveldestinations #doyourtravel #amazingplacestovisit #touristmode #slowtravel #touristythings #authentictravel #smallgrouptravel #tripgoals #worldtravels #touristing #vacationgoals

Boipeba, where time stands still.

Post-pandemic getaway planning

From world-class beaches to gorgeous colonial architecture to sultry dance rhythms, discover the 40 reasons why publications from The Guardian to the New York Times are saying that Salvador is a must-visit destination.

Your no-cost inspiration piece comes as a 16-page PDF -- great for printing and sharing with future traveling companions.

Get the Guide

About this site

This is the site I wish I would have had when I first started visiting Salvador. As a friend of mine says, “this is your love letter to Salvador.” It’s true.

This is an amazing place, filled with completely unique culture and warm, friendly people. But, it’s also somewhat inaccessible for non-Portuguese speakers. That’s where I come in.

I still remember what it was like to be new here, and am here to here to help you make the most of your time in Salvador. Learn about my Salvador Concierge service.

Seja bem-vindo/a a Salvador!

Articles
Privacy Policy
Shipping and Returns
Cart
About

Free Articles
Carnaval
- All Carnaval Articles
- Carnaval Concierge
Trip Planning
Work-to-Live
- Transition Coaching: The Sossego Sessions
- Ease + Momentum Retreats
About
Wishlist
Shop
Login