Brazil Intensive Cruise: Sao Paulo, Rio De Janiero & Salvador

Welcome to elegant, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, with its European colonial architecture and colorful mix of cultures. Each district has its own style: enjoy Palermo with its mansions and parks; shop in the chic boutiques of Soho and Hollywood; and soak up the Italian flavor of La Boca where tango dancers and artists display their talents for passersby. Then top it all off with an Argentine steak, perfectly grilled over a fire of glowing coals, and washed down with an excellent glass of Malbec.

Welcome to elegant, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, with its European colonial architecture and colorful mix of cultures. Each district has its own style: enjoy Palermo with its mansions and parks; shop in the chic boutiques of Soho and Hollywood; and soak up the Italian flavor of La Boca where tango dancers and artists display their talents for passersby. Then top it all off with an Argentine steak, perfectly grilled over a fire of glowing coals, and washed down with an excellent glass of Malbec.

Montevideo exudes European charm and elegance, with broad boulevards, fountains, stately squares, and irresistible sidewalk cafes. The city maintains a low-key atmosphere despite its position as Uruguay’s commercial and political hub, and there are few skyscrapers on the horizon, though there are some surprising contrasts – an Art Nouveau pedestrian mall, Art Deco Centenary Stadium, and an American Embassy designed by I.M. Pei. Most of the nation’s countryside is farm or ranchland, and the life of the cowboy, or gaucho, is part of the local lore. Take a peak at the Gaucho Museum, or visit an estancia, and see them in action.

Known as the quaintest port on the Emerald Coast, Porto Belo still maintains the look of an ancient fishing village to this day. Just a short ride away you can find the Island of Porto Belo where you can relax at the beach, follow some underwater trails, or take a hike along the Trilha Ecológica (Ecological Trail) and view prehistoric rock carvings.

A nearly 500-year old city, São Paulo has grown to become Brazil’s largest metropolis, and is ranked among the most populous cities in the world. Vibrant and bursting at the seams with life, São Paulo is a dream destination for those who love an atmosphere where anything feels possible.

Sampa, as the locals call it, is well known as a city that never sleeps. This round-the-clock lifestyle gives it a kinetic energy that is certain to captivate you, and with Azamara®’s late stays in port, you’ll have ample opportunity to immerse yourself in every exciting moment. Start with a visit to the Museu de Arte de São Paulo—Sampa’s largest and most impressive museum, which contains the most comprehensive collection of Western art in all of Latin America. If you’re in the mood for shopping, visit the Shopping Iguatemi—a luxurious shopping mall where you can browse all of Brazil’s favorite brand names. If you’d rather a more artisanal experience, head to the Feira da Republica. This open-air market is perfect for a stroll while checking out authentic local handicrafts and paintings.

This “beautiful island” lives up to its name, and today belies its once lurid reputation as a hideout of smugglers and pirates. Where once failed coffee plantations replaced lush vegetation, the land has been reclaimed, and state park trails provide access to a luscious green jungle, with numerous waterfalls where you can stop for a swim along the way. Divers will find great opportunities on some of the many shipwrecks off the coast. And when you work up an appetite there is nothing better than shrimp right off the boat, accompanied by Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha.

Trapped in a 300-year time warp, the entirety of this former gold rush town has been named a national historic monument. Its delightful Portuguese colonial architecture remains undisturbed, and nothing spoils the mood, not even traffic, as no cars are allowed in the old town center. In the 17th century it was one of the busiest and most important harbors on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, exporting gold from the interior. Follow the gold trail into the hinterlands in a 4WD, or tour a sugar estate and Cachaça distillery, where they brew up the strong sugar cane liquor that is the key ingredient in the national cocktail, the Caipirinha.

This dynamic city set on a magnificent bay is famed for its carnival, its natural beauty and friendly people. See the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.Shop till you drop in the modern and sophisticated shopping centre.

This dynamic city set on a magnificent bay is famed for its carnival, its natural beauty and friendly people. See the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.Shop till you drop in the modern and sophisticated shopping centre.

This dynamic city set on a magnificent bay is famed for its carnival, its natural beauty and friendly people. See the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.Shop till you drop in the modern and sophisticated shopping centre.

Brazil’s first colonial capital, Salvador was the center of its sugar industry and slave trade. African rhythms became part of the fabric of the local culture, most interestingly in Capoeira, a mix of martial arts and dance, and Candomble, a religion of ritual and magic imported along with the slaves. Pelourinho, the historic center, is an architectural jewel, with an array of opulent churches – carved and embellished with an abundance of gold leaf. Much of the fine work was done by slaves, who once it was completed were not allowed inside. Thus they labored at night for a century to build a beautiful church for themselves – Our Lady of the Rosary.

Brazil’s first colonial capital, Salvador was the center of its sugar industry and slave trade. African rhythms became part of the fabric of the local culture, most interestingly in Capoeira, a mix of martial arts and dance, and Candomble, a religion of ritual and magic imported along with the slaves. Pelourinho, the historic center, is an architectural jewel, with an array of opulent churches – carved and embellished with an abundance of gold leaf. Much of the fine work was done by slaves, who once it was completed were not allowed inside. Thus they labored at night for a century to build a beautiful church for themselves – Our Lady of the Rosary.

Before there was a town there was an impressive star-shaped fort, begun by Portuguese colonizers on the Feast of the Epiphany, and named Forte dos Reis Magos (Fort of the Three Wise Men). This prophetic event was followed by the founding of the town itself on December 25, 1599, hence the name Natal (Christmas). Natal today remains a popular place for holidays, when visitors celebrate the towering sand dunes and crystal blue waters that surround it. A dune buggy ride is just the thing for an adrenaline rush, and Dunas Ecological Park, rich in flora and fauna, is crisscrossed by trails just waiting to be explored.

Belém, sometimes called Pará, city and port, capital of Pará estado (state), northern Brazil. It is situated on Guajará Bay, part of the vast Amazon River delta, near the mouth of the Guamá River, about 80 miles (130 km) up the Pará River from the Atlantic Ocean. Its climate is equatorial, with an average annual temperature of 80 °F (27 °C) and an annual rainfall of 86 inches (2,175 mm).

Scarborough is a large, multicultural area that contains the Scarborough Bluffs, huge cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario, lined with parks, beaches, and hiking trails. Inland, the sprawling Toronto Zoo features global animal pavilions, close-up encounters, and a wildlife health centre. The area is also known for its diverse spread of restaurants, including regional Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine.

If you were to close your eyes while enjoying a “high tea in Trafalgar Square,” you would swear you were in London – if it weren’t for the warm breezes and emerald green waters enveloping you. Nicknamed “Little England” by some, Barbados is home to many museums that chronicle the island’s rich past and over 100 shipwrecks along its reefs that are a playground for divers from around the world.