When I was a child in Kenya, my late father, got me hooked on the 80’s TV show, The A-Team. There were a few well-known catchphrases, however, the one I loved the most was Lt. Peck’s “music to my ears”. Although quite common, it came to mind when we received the following update from our team in Brazil.
The Brazilian congress is analyzing the suspension of the decree signed by President Lula reinstating the visa requirement for holders of American, Australian, and Canadian passports to enter Brazil. Last Thursday, the federal government reached an agreement with congressmen and postponed the start of visa requirements until April 2025. For now, passport holders from the U.S., Canada, and Australia can continue traveling to Brazil for tourism, without any visa.
Brazil is one of those countries we love at times and scratch our heads at others. Through it all though, our team has a deep affinity to Brazil. For me personally and my colleagues will love this diatribe, it is about auto racing. You heard that right. It’s not about Neymar or the World Cup team, it is about Ayrton Senna, a driver I idolized growing up. May 1 is Senna Day, which coincides with Labour Day in Brazil. When Ayrton Senna tragically passed away in Italy in 1994, Brazil’s action to declare national holidays in his honor was unheard of. It said a lot about the people of Brazil, and even today, I find myself amazed at the ability of the Brazilian people to share Senna’s day with their national holiday.
I’ve been hooked on Brazil since 1994 and always felt for the people when there was either an upheaval or an action that negatively impacted the country which makes what I read about the visa postponement such delightful news. Anyone who tried to obtain a Brazil visa over the last few months when the government tried to implement the new scheme, knows it was not a ready system. It wouldn’t be fair to the amazing tourism industry in Brazil to pay the price for a poorly executed visa system. Postponing the visa requirement to April 2025 is such welcomed news that we had to share our excitement and cool new video with you.
Bem-vindo!
In 1995, a coalition of talented Latin artists and academics founded the Teatro Círculo in Paraty, Brazil. It was created as a place to preserve classical 17th Century Spanish theater as well as support new works by contemporary Latin artists.
What makes this theater unusual is that its performances are wordless and its actors are a bit stiff, but that is to be expected when your players are puppets of wood and cloth. And, this is a theater for adults… 14 and older, so no little ones.
From its inception, Teatro Círculo has been committed to preserving and promoting Latin cultural heritage through creative theatrical works.
Teatro Círculo encompasses four primary areas: the Mainstage Season, showcasing award-winning classical, contemporary and original plays; a national and international touring program that includes classical competitions and performances to Spanish-speaking communities lacking local theater; a school program engaging students in learning about their heritage through workshops and visiting performances; and professional master classes for emerging and established artists led by world class directors like Antunes Filhio from Brazil, Luis Jiménez from France and Floyd Rumorh from the U.S.
For nine years, it has hosted an international festival, Contatos Cênicos, bringing to Paraty more than 18 international companies of dance, theater and circus. In 1991, they created the Latin American Network of Independent Producers of Contemporary Art (La Red), which today has representation in 47 countries. In addition to the performances by the resident group, the theater is home to the cultural activities developed by its members.
In the last decade, the company has won more than 50 awards for excellence in the Hispanic theater, including an OBIE for touring classical work, and numerous ACE Awards and HOLA Awards.
The regular schedule of Teatro Espaço, “Em Concerto” is presented Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9pm, for adults. Several important Brazilian and Latin music, theater and dance performers have played this stage such as Paulo Autran, Paulo Moura, Joyce, Denise Stoklos, Antonio Nóbrega, among many others.
Travelers from the U.S., New Zealand, Norway and beyond have found their way to this unusual 90-seat theater to see the hour-long show, and have left moved.
“This is one of those experiences you should try if you’ve got time. It lasts only an hour, and every seat in the theater is a good one. Also, language isn’t a barrier. The puppets are beautiful. The scenes are vivid, and the creators weren’t afraid to explore a variety of adult topics ranging from an elderly couple and their simple but fulfilling love, a suicide, an Indian woman in a bathtub, and ending with a woman and self-love. It isn’t appropriate for children for sure, but if you are an adult and you go, be sure to keep an open mind.”
”Unique, creative. WOW! While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, this was a pure joy to watch. 7 small skits, each under 10 mins, together make an amazing show. You really ‘feel’ the emotion of the puppets (you are sad for them … or happy), and totally unique. If you like live performances, and like something different, you won’t be disappointed.”
Teatro Círculo brings a contemporary attitude to an art that dates back to 1000 B.C. The theater sits in the heart of Paraty, a historic city three hours from the center of metropolitan Rio de Janeiro. If you crave unique cultural experiences in your travels, then you might like to experience Teatro Círculo. Depending on your itinerary, we can arrange for you to take in the show during your Brazil adventure such as in our new President’s Pick Brazil Discovery In Depth.
Feijoada is a slow-cooked stew of black beans, salty, fatty pork or beef, fresh and smoked sausages, garlic, bacon, and onions. Allowed to cook in a clay pot for hours, feijoada is served with white rice, collard greens, refogada, or fried garlic, deep-friend bananas and cassavas, and pork rinds. For those who like it hot, a hot pepper sauce is served on the side, and for those who like it cold, the meal pairs perfectly with Brazil’s favorite distilled liquor, cachaca, or beer.
Brazilian feijoada is more than a treat that keeps your mouth watering as you wait for it to simmer to perfection; it is a perfect symbol of Brazil’s cuisine. It is created with care; it reflects not just the tastes of the country, but the culture of its people. It is, like Brazil itself, a melting pot of colors, tastes, religions, and ethnicities that come together into a rich, fragrant whole. The best way to experience Brazil is to dig into its delicious cuisine.
Brazilian food integrates indigenous elements, as well as influences from Europe and Africa. Its many immigrant populations – from, primarily, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, and Germany – contributed new ingredients and cooking methods to their new home. Ingredients like leafy vegetables, wheat, dairy, and wine found their way into the country’s cuisine, alongside staples like yams, acai, mango, papaya, polenta, hog plum, rice, beans, and root vegetables. You can find foods more typically associated with Asia and Arabian countries than South American ones, but Brazil always gives them its own flavor.
Fortunately for the hungry traveler, Brasilians like to eat! Breakfast typically includes fruits, cakes, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, bread, smoked turkey, honey or jam, cheeses, ham or turkey, juices, sweetened tea, or the national drink, coffee. Elevenses, or brunch, is the morning snack. Once again, fruit is a star, but light sandwiches are also served. Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day. Typical is a dish of rice and beans, with perhaps some meat, polenta, salads, and vegetables. At tea time, more snacking on fruits, cheeses, and the like. Next, it is dinner time. This is a light meal of soup, salads, or whatever one has left over from lunch. Finally, at late supper, you might have some soup, salad, or pasta.
Not everyone eats these “secondary” meals but it can be fun to try a Brasilian diet for a day or two all the same! You can find numerous restaurants, from haute cuisine to comida a quilo. The latter are buffets where you pay for food by weight; also common are set-price buffets. Another fun style to try is “rodízio,” where you pay a set price and servers walk around with food that you can take. You don’t have to spend a lot to sample the best of Brazil.
Whether you seek out traditional dishes or modern fusion cuisine, whether you skip elevenses and save room for lunch, Brazil will reward you with some of the most hearty, delicious foods in the world.
Rio de Janeiro is a charming and vibrant city that begs to be explored. There are so many things to do that it can be overwhelming. You will want to pay visits to the Tijuca Forest, Ipanema and also Copacabana. The city is open for the willing traveler, but what should they see and do first?
When in Rio, visiting the beach is a must. The Brazilian days are so beautiful, it’s a shame to waste them staying inside. Spending the day at the Copacabana Beach is very entertaining. Not only is it one of the most famous beaches in the world, it is also a great place to do some beautiful people watching. There are sun bathers, surfers, and volleyball players all enjoying the white sand beach. Be sure to keep aware though, as pickpockets are common. If you are looking for a less active beach, check out Ipanema Beach for a change of pace.
After spending the day soaking up the sun, you will want to hit other Rio hotspots and cultural attractions. Take a cable- car ride for amazing views on the 390-foot granite Sugar Loaf Mountain. No trip to Rio is complete without paying a visit to the famous Cristo Redentor, or Statue of Christ the Redeemer. There are many other great destinations to see, such as the Jardin Botanico, Tijuca National Park and the Palacio do Catete. Don’t wear yourself out exploring during the daytime; you will need your energy for the evening.
The nightlife of Rio de Janeiro is legendary and there is something for everyone. If you are in search of some dancing, be sure to stop by Baronneti or Bunker. There is also incredible live music at the Carioca de Germa or the Café Sacrilegio. These are all great places to samba the night away.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has become a sought-after travel destination for travelers from all over the world. A stay in Rio is sure to be filled with excitement, relaxation and adventure!
Brazil is a gem located in South America that offers a wide range of exciting experiences. A trip to Brazil is sure to be full of luxury, passion and excitement! As the world’s largest country in the tropics, Brazil really offers endless travel options and possibilities. It can be overwhelming when trying to decide exactly where to go in Brazil, so here is a brief breakdown of some exciting places to visit and what makes them special.
1) Salvador – Salvador is the largest city on the northeast cost of Brazil and is known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and architecture
2) Iguaçu Falls – Iguaçu Falls is a set of hundreds of waterfalls that are surrounded by lush rain forests. These waterfalls range from 197 -269 feet in height.
3) Ilha de Santa Catarina – This beautiful island located in Santa Catarina is known for its nightlife and beautiful beaches. If you are looking to have a little fun in the sun, be sure to stop by Ilha de Santa Catarina.
4) Pantanal – The Panatal is a vibrant tropical wetland known for its wildlife trekking, boat trips and horseback riding. It is actually one of the largest wetlands in the world.
5) Sao Paulo – Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and is home to rich culture, booming night life, museums and world class dining.
6) Fernando de Noronha – This archipelago of 21 islands sits 354 kilometers off of the Brazilian coasts and is home to world-class scuba diving site and great beaches.
7) Jericoacoara – Jericoacoara is the ultimate hideaway! It is world famous for its national park and beaches. You will find some of the most amazing scenery along the coast.
We are proud to announce the third edition of our 2012 Precious Journeys collection. The Precious Journeys are a collection of travel programs that offer accessible luxury to those who might be new to the world of international travel. These programs provide the best traveling experiences without breaking the bank! The newest edition for 2012 Precious Journeys will feature programs to Brazil, Chile, Kenya and Botswana.
Brazil
This new eight day adventure will bring you to the world class international city of Rio De Janeiro where you can take in all that the vibrant city has to offer. You will also have the opportunity to explore the historic gold mine cities that date back to the 1690s when Brazil was a Portuguese colony.
Chile
There is also a great eight day adventure to Chile that is perfect for families. With this program you can explore the dramatic and fascinating Atacama Desert. The activities of the trip will be specifically tailored to your family’s interests and abilities.
Kenya
This seven day Kenyan adventure offers a flying safari through the private conservancies of the Kalama Wildlife Reserve located near Samburu National Park and the Mara North Conservancy in the famous Masai Mara.
Botswana
This eight day Precious Journey will bring you to the wondrous Victoria Falls from the Zambia side as well as Moremi Game Reserve. You will also have the opportunity to explore the watery world of the Okavango Delta.
As you can see, the third edition of our 2012 Precious Journeys is very exciting. We can’t wait to have you travel with us and find out what makes Brazil, Chile, Kenya, and Botswana so special!
