History & Hapiness

Description

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Rio de Janeiro

Jammed into the world’s most beautiful setting are 6 million Cariocas, as Rio’s inhabitants are called. The Cariocas pursue pleasure like no other people: beaches and the body beautiful; samba, beer and Caipirinha; football and the local firewater, Cachaça.

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro your local guide will meet you at the airport and provide a private transfer to the Arena Copacabana Hotel. Here your guide will make sure you are comfortably settled into your hotel before the remainder of the day is spent at your leisure.

Day 2: RIO DE JANEIRO TOUR

FULL DAY CHRIST REDEEMER + SUGAR LOAF + BBQ lunch

After breakfast you will be met by your guide for a full day private tour to the two biggest attractions of this famous city. Located atop the Corcovado Mountain at a height of over 710m / 2300 feet, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is certainly one of the world’s best known and most visited monuments.

The tour begins in the Cosme Velho District, aboard a miniature train (pictured right) that runs through the steep Atlantic Rainforest up to the foot of the statue, offering stunning glimpses of Rio from many different angles. From the top, the view is nothing short of heavenly: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Botanical Gardens, the Jockey Club, and the Lagoon. The entire city spreads out in a magnificent panorama during the day, glittering and magic after dark and always protected by Christ the Redeemer, who blesses visitors and residents from on high.

You will then have time to stop for lunch at one of the best barbeque restaurant in town. Anchored on the Flamengo beach, Porcao Rios offers a tempting buffet with a variety of antipasti, Japanese cuisine, salads, cold cuts and hot dishes. As the charcoal is popping, a nonstop parade of prime Brazilian cuts of beef are served at your table, including succulent sirloin, ribs and white meats, in addition to lamb and game, including wild boar.

After lunch and time for all this amazing cuisine to settle down we continue to Sugar Loaf Mountain. The height and unmistakable outline of Sugar Loaf makes it – together with Christ the Redeemer, one of the two main attractions offering breathtaking views of Rio. The origin of the name refers to the  cone-shaped clay molds called “sugarloaves” which were used to transport it to Europe. This famous landmark is reached by cable car (pictured left) in two stages: first to the top of Urca Hill, where visitors catch the second car to the top at 396m / 247 ft. From the Sugarloaf, the endless beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi stretch to the horizon. Set against the lush Atlantic Rainforest, the scene is dotted with historical buildings such as the Santa Cruz Fort and the miniature palace on Fiscal Island.

After the tour you return to the hotel and again have the evening free to relax or explore the city by night with a live Brazilian popular music around Lapa area. Samba rehearsal is available from October to February.

Meals; (B)

Day 3: Rio at your leisure

Explore this fabulous city at your leisure.

Day 4: Full day tour to Petropolis (The Imperial City)

Petrópolis City is located in the mountain region picturesquely situated in the hills just N W of Rio de Janeiro. After 1 1/2 hour drive from through the mountains we arrive at this charming city that was colonized by Bavarian immigrants in 1845.

The city of Petrópolis first started as a farm where the imperial family of Brazil built its summer residence. Petrópolis is a fine mountain resort city that is famous for its museum, with a nice selection of imperial times memorabilia and many cultural activities. But Petrópolis even after the abdication of D.Pedro II retained its glory, maintaining the status of the summer residence of the President of the Republic.

Petrópolis is today an independent city that is also famous for the manufacture of sports and knitwear with very good prices. There is time for shopping and bargain hunting. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

Our tour will start visiting the Imperial Museum which contains possessions of Portuguese and Brazilian royalty like a huge collection of antiques,paintings,treasures and the Imperial Family jewels. After we will visit the Gothic Cathedral São Pedro de Alcântara, drive pass by the Cristal Palace and the Santos Dumont residence.

After we will visit the Gothic Cathedral São Pedro de Alcântara, drive pass by the Cristal Palace and Santos Dumont residence.

Petrópolis is considered a fashionable resort, with a healthful climate, beautiful wooded estates, flower gardens, and tree-lined avenues. There are also industries producing textiles, coffee, and cereals
Meals; (B)

Day 5: To Paraty

After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and be met by your driver for the private transfer by road to the stunning setting of Paraty, where you will stay at the Pousada do Sandy Guest House.

Paraty is located at the Costa Verde (Green Coast) far away 240KM/150mi from Rio, a lush, green corridor that runs along the coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Paraty has become a popular tourist area in recent years, renowned for the historic town and the coast and mountains in the region. Here you will be able to see a preserved Colonial architecture.

Pousada do Sandy ( STD room ) – breakfast included.

Optional Tours
Birdwatching, snorkelling, boat trip , visit cachaça plant, fishing.

Day 6: Paraty at you leisure

Explore this Paraty at your leisure.

Day 7: From Rio to Iguazu Falls

This morning you are transferred overland to Rio de Janeiro International airport in order to board your onward flight to Iguaçu.

On arrival at Iguaçu you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Hotel Das Cataratas, located within the Iguaçu National Park.

Hotel Das Cataratas by Orient Express is the only hotel located within the Iguaçu National Park just a 10 minute strolling away from the Falls. As the only hotel in the National Pàrk, guests are able to enjoy exclusive access to the falls every morning before the park opens.
Meals; (B)

Day 8: Iguazu Half Day Excursion

Visit the Argentinian side of the Falls.

Day 9: To Salvador – The’ Happy City’

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Salvador. On arrival in Salvador you will be transferred in private to the Hotel Villa Bahia located in the Pelourinho area.

It is now a thrilling centre of Afro-Brazilian life. The city is filled with churches, homes and forts that reflect stunning Portuguese architecture from the baroque period.
Salvador was the first capital city of Brazil and is also known as the “Happy City”, renowned for its multiculturalism (a thrilling centre of Afro-Brazilian life). Each year, its famous carnival attracts millions of revellers, who parade alongside carnival floats and troupes along the city streets. The party atmosphere lasts all year round, in the surroundings of 50 km of gorgeous beaches. There is also a great diversity of cultures and creeds, with more than thirty Catholic churches rubbing shoulders with the sacred rites of the African animist religion known as Candomblé.

Everybody who comes to Salvador certainly visit Pelourinho, also known as “Pelô” for its visitors and people who live there. Capoeira is a Brazilian art that involves dancing and fighting. Capoeira was invented in the 1800s and it has become a popular activity today and it´s now being used to help street children to stay away from trouble. How does Capoeira help these children …what do they learn from it? Find out on this special tour.
Meals; (B)

Day 10: Salvador – A Historical Tour

Enjoy a half-day private Historical City Tour exploring the central area of Pelourinho.
Meals; ( B )

Day 11: Salvador at your leisure

Enjoy the ‘Happy City’ at your leisure.
Meals; ( B )

Optional Tours
Available on request

Day 12: Return to Rio or Sao Paulo

Leave Salvador, back to Rio or São Paulo in order to visit your next city in South America or to return back home.
Meals; (B)

Tour Price includes:

Domestic / internal flight
Transfers & tours with English Speaking guide
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Breakfasts

Tour Extras (not included):

International flights
Visa, any recommended vaccinations or other health precautions
Optional tours (these are local payment to guide)
Personal travel insurance
Beverages, tips and laundry services