I love to travel and I have a soft spot in my heart for Brazil, especially Salvador, Bahia.
The Northeastern region of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia) has been described as “Africa in the Americas” due to the heavy concentration of Brazilians of African descent and heritage. Salvador, the first capital of Brazil, established in 1549, remains the flourishing center of cultural activity and influence for the nation through its music, dance, cuisine, religion and in some instances, attire.
In fact, I have spent some of my happiest days enjoying the people, culture and cuisine of both Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, because of their magical hold on my soul.
For a quarter of a century, MindArtz, the sponsoring travel-cultural organization, in conjunction with South American Tours Inc., has introduced travelers to Brazil particularly, Bahia, via small, compatible, congenial groups. These tours have embraced other historical and cultural sites and cities such as the Zumbi Festival in Maceo-Pernambuco; the quaint twin cities of Recife-Olindo; Boa Morte Festival in Cachoeira; Bahia and Salvador; Manaus, capitol of the Amazon region; Iguacu with its magnificent waterfalls and bird sanctuaries that borders Argentine-Paraguay borders; and Belo Horizonte with its baroque architecture (protected by UNESCO; and Rio de Janeiro with its famous beaches (Copacabana-Ipanema) and landmarks (Corcovado – Sugar Loaf Mountain).
This year, Mindartz invites you to join them on what promises to be one of the most stimulating and satisfying travel experiences of your life!
Experience
Salvador, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro,
Foz do Iguacu and Buenos Aires
August 10th – 25th, 2014
Tour 2014 will visit four (4) cities: Salvador and the town of Cachoeira, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguacu and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Leaving JFK, N.Y. around 8 p.m. via Delta Airlines, we arrive in Salvador, Bahia the next morning. The flight appears shorter and seemingly brief after a sumptuous meal, a full length movie, a restful sleep and presto: Brazil!
1. Salvador
The first destination will be Salvador, the capital of the State of Bahia, where we will spend 5 days at the 4 star Hotel Monte Pascal in the heart of the city. More than any other city in Brazil, Salvador attests to the racial and cultural miscegenation of African, European and indigenous native influences.
Known as the “land of the Orixas”, the Candomble religious deities, our stay in Salvador includes daily sumptuous, all-you-can-eat buffet breakfasts, dinners, shows, city tours, free time for shopping and exploring, plus a full-day trip to the historical town of Cachoeira and the celebrated “Boa Morte (Sisters of the Good Death) Festival.
Enjoy the sounds, pulsating rhythms, African Brazilian cuisine, spirituality and general good-natured vibes of the people of Salvador. One of the favorite highlights of our time in Salvador is the popular “Pelourinho” cultural area with its unique shops, art galleries, gem dealers, restaurants and nightclubs including Olodum (the musical group that accompanied Paul Simon and Michael Jackson on some of their award-winning albums.)
2. Rio de Janeiro
A 2 hour plane journey transports you to this world-reknowned and exciting city, where we will stay three (3) days at the 4 star Hotel Rio Orthon on Copacabana Beach, enjoying the sights and sounds of the Carioca style of life. In addition to the daily buffet breakfasts, this stay also includes dinners, shows, city tours, free time for shopping and independent trips to world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches for swimming and/or relaxation.
Rio is the apex of Brazilian art, history and letters, and our stay will include city tours of Rio that include the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer Statue, a Samba Night Club show, and a stimulating full day tour of Rio‘s Afro Cultural scene.
3. Foz do Iguacu
A short 2 hour plane ride delivers us to this double border city, located between Argentina and Brazil, where the world’s widest waterfalls flow majestically. Tours of the breathtaking Igucau Falls and national parks will encompass both the Brazilian and Argentine sides along with an ecological jungle train ride. Plus, the South American country of Paraguay is just a bus/taxi ride away for those who would like to personally experience another culture and enjoy shopping opportunities for merchandise designed by the indigenous people. We will stay overnight at the 4 star Hotel Recanto Park Hotel.
4. Buenos Aires
Another 2 1/2 hour flight transports us to this exciting, historic capital of Argentina, where we will spend four (4) days at the 4 star Hotel Kenton. Famed as the home of “tango”, Buenos Aires has much offer travelers. Our experience will include dinner and a tango show as well as a city tour of historical/ cultural sites. A great deal of leisure time is available to allow you to take advantage of the amazing bargain shopping opportunities (clothing, leather, footwear, furs, etc.) and enjoy exploring this vibrant and diverse South American city. A fitting new adventure to cap off our exciting four-city sojourn.
Finally, we depart from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro where we transfer to a Delta Airlines flight to New York (JFK).
It sounds like the trip of a lifetime to me!
I can’t wait to go!
Want to learn more?
Contact Earl Davis of Mindartz for complete tour and package information.
Email: mindartzed@aol.com
Tel 212-725-2019
Cell: 917-370-3700
We would love to hear your from you!
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Have you ever traveled to Brazil or Argentina? Share your experiences with us.
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I had a trip to Rio planned a while back and had to cancel. Seeing your photo has me drooling. I’m literally butt deep in snow right now.
Yes, you absolutely must get to Rio someday. It is such an exciting place to experience.
Nice pictures. Yes, this is the perfect place for investing your time. I am a traveling expert and I am very excited about visiting different places. I have visited this place in the month of August and my experience was great, I enjoyed a lot with my family.
Hi Annie,
Yes, isn’t Brazil amazing. I am so glad to hear that you were there in August. That is my favorite time to go!
We are ready to leave now!!! Brazil is our favorite vacation destination. Returning for the fifth time with MindArtz.
Hi Sam and Barbara,
I am so excited about our upcoming trip together. Thank you so much for your support!!! I was looking at beautiful photos taken on our trips Brazil and loving them. I think I will start posting some of the sites and tour hightlights on the website and Facebook. Looking forward to seeing you when the weather warms up a bit more!
I am soooo behind Deborah, this trip looks AMAZING! I’ve always wanted to visit Bahia and Rio. A good friend of mine is from Salta, Argentina and she makes me want to visit Argentina as well. I won’t be able to go this August because I’m having a baby in July, but I can’t wait to read your Brazil posts. I’m going to bookmark this company as well since they come so highly recommended by you. Will I see you at the BWB conference this year? Best!