Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro invokes images of a never-ending festival as one of the most celebrated cities in the world. From dancing samba on the beach of Ipanema to exploring the art deco influences of Copacabana, it comes alive. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, seen for miles in any direction, encapsulates the city’s grand feel. On the mouth of Guanabara Bay lies the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can take a cable car ride to the top for exhilarating, bird’s-eye views of city structures expanding to the edges of lush green cliffs into blue waters. Just on the outskirts of the city, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits to be explored – Sítio Roberto Burle Marx – a garden designed by the landscape architect it’s named after.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro invokes images of a never-ending festival as one of the most celebrated cities in the world. From dancing samba on the beach of Ipanema to exploring the art deco influences of Copacabana, it comes alive. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, seen for miles in any direction, encapsulates the city’s grand feel. On the mouth of Guanabara Bay lies the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can take a cable car ride to the top for exhilarating, bird’s-eye views of city structures expanding to the edges of lush green cliffs into blue waters. Just on the outskirts of the city, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits to be explored – Sítio Roberto Burle Marx – a garden designed by the landscape architect it’s named after.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Ilheus, Brazil

The city of Ilhéus is known for its striking mix of colonial architecture and beautiful beaches, as well as for being the hometown of famous Brazilian writer, Jorge Amado. Discover its rich history as an exporter of cacao at Fazenda Yrere. Sample the delicious chocolate produced here as you’re walked through the process. Perhaps best known for Praia Dos Milionarios, settle in for lunch, drinks and live music at one of the local cabanas. At the Centro Cultural Bataclan, you are transported back in time to the 1920s. From the building’s facade to its interior exhibits, history has made this city timeless.

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Salvador’s rich mix of colonial and African influences gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the energy of Afro-Brazilian culture. From the food to the arts to the music, as well as the hip, bohemian vibe of newer neighborhoods, the capital of Brazil’s state of Bahia plunges you into a diverse and authentic experience made for adventure.

The former capital of Portugal’s New World colony lies along Brazil’s northeast Atlantic coast. Colonial architecture in vibrant, pastel colors perfectly display the city’s complex identity and cultural influences. Museums like Misericordia and Bahia Museum of Modern Art give travelers a glimpse into the culture’s history and art for a chance to truly understand the locals.

A climb up the steps of the black and white Barra Lighthouse affords sensational views of the Bay of All Saints. From here, you feel the sea breeze blow through your hair while you take in the expansive scene of the bay on one side and tropical palms and lush green on the other. The rush of waves lapping against the lighthouse’s stone fortress create the soundtrack of your explorations.

Forte da Capoeira, a former state prison, now acts as the site to catch a demonstration of a mesmerizing capoeira performance. This unique Brazilian practice stems from African traditions that combine styles of martial arts and dance. It holds so much importance to the culture that UNESCO deemed it an intangible world heritage.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Recife, Brazil

Recife, one of the largest cities in northern Brazil, offers a diverse array of neighborhoods to discover. From palm-fringed beaches like Boa Viagem to the colorful streets, markets, and colonial architecture of Old Town, this destination makes for the ultimate traveler’s playground. With plenty of rivers, bridges, peninsulas, and islets to explore, you will never have a boring moment. Colorful streets and architecture amid the local Mercado de São José bring out the city’s vibrancy. The structures of Praca da Republica, Catedral de São Pedro dos Clerigos, and Teatro Santa Isabel call out with their stories if you are willing to listen.,/br>

Natal, Brazil

Find all the splendor of Brazil in Natal, perched along the Atlantic coast. Miles of undulating sand dunes that transform into turquoise lagoons during the right season make up the Dune State Park. Take an exhilarating buggy ride through the Genipabu Beach dunes. For a true feel for the people of Northern Brazil, dive into their cuisine. Once you try the local favorite, bobo de camarao, a savory stew prepared with manioc, dende oil, coconut milk and shrimp, your taste buds will forever be changed. Forte dos Reis Magos, an old, star-shaped fort along the waterfront stands as a monument to strength and endurance, both for the city and its people.

Fortaleza, Brazil

Fortaleza, the capital of the Brazilian state of Ceara, boasts over 30 kilometers of beaches, making it a sunny paradise of white sands and blue waves. Skyscrapers that line the horizon behind the beaches give it a cosmopolitan look and feel that affords travelers all the conveniences of modern-day exploration.

The arts and cultural center of Dragao do Mar (Dragon of the Sea) offers a lively experience with museums, a planetarium, Brazilian films, and other city-wide events. It gives you the chance to dive in and immerse yourself among the locals and their history. At night, the center becomes a hub for nightlife with bustling bars and live music.

For a true taste of Brazil, you must sample the local fare. From fresh fish of the day to the country’s national cocktail, caipirinha, a drink that highlights the nation’s sweet fruit flavors with liquor. If this doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, then try a typical tapioca ice cream, a light and often fruity treat that invokes feelings of carefree childhood.

Along the coastline of Beira-Mar Avenue you find more restaurants that entice you with their delectable and savory aromas of typical Brazilian dishes. But if you make it past the food and to the end of the avenue, a local market awaits. Here vendors sell local wares, like leather goods and colorful trinkets to take home. Moreover, it’s a chance to mingle with the residents and make friends with the locals.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Belem (Amazon), Brazil

The port city of Belem, the largest port in the region, leads the way to a thrilling Amazon adventure. A boat ride through the Amazon River’s creeks and smaller waterways takes you on an authentic journey through the famous rainforest and its people.

As you sail along the Amazon River and into the indigenous communities, you will see local homes built on stilts by the residents of the river. The lush vegetation of the rainforest coupled with the sounds of its wildlife create a scene perfect for bringing out the explorer in you.

In the economic hub of Belem, also known as “The City of Mango Trees,” you find a significant cultural center filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Lined up along the quay are multi-colored fishing boats and canoes as they unload their wares, from ceramics made by indigenous peoples to fragrant herbs and acai berries.

Walking through historic Belem you come across Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. A mix of a fish and butcher’s market, fruit and vegetable stands, craft stalls, and sellers of spices and herbs, the vibrant life of Brazil runs through the veins of Mercado Ver-o-Peso.

For a glimpse at neoclassical architecture from the 19th century, take a trip Theatro da Paz. More than a remnant of the 1870s, the theater stands as a monument to the country’s wealth during the boom of rubber trade, of which the Amazon region facilitated.

Belem (Amazon), Brazil

The port city of Belem, the largest port in the region, leads the way to a thrilling Amazon adventure. A boat ride through the Amazon River’s creeks and smaller waterways takes you on an authentic journey through the famous rainforest and its people.

As you sail along the Amazon River and into the indigenous communities, you will see local homes built on stilts by the residents of the river. The lush vegetation of the rainforest coupled with the sounds of its wildlife create a scene perfect for bringing out the explorer in you.

In the economic hub of Belem, also known as “The City of Mango Trees,” you find a significant cultural center filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Lined up along the quay are multi-colored fishing boats and canoes as they unload their wares, from ceramics made by indigenous peoples to fragrant herbs and acai berries.

Walking through historic Belem you come across Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. A mix of a fish and butcher’s market, fruit and vegetable stands, craft stalls, and sellers of spices and herbs, the vibrant life of Brazil runs through the veins of Mercado Ver-o-Peso.

For a glimpse at neoclassical architecture from the 19th century, take a trip Theatro da Paz. More than a remnant of the 1870s, the theater stands as a monument to the country’s wealth during the boom of rubber trade, of which the Amazon region facilitated.