This was a full-on tour covering a huge part of Brazil, and although you by no means see the whole country this trip is a great taster and feels like you’re getting deeply into different diverse regions and not just skimming the surface. The busy beaches and spectacular sites of Rio are as promised but a real surprise was the huge inner city rainforest park at Tijuca, just beautiful and a real oasis within the madness. South onto Paraty: a unique combination of preserved 17th-century Portuguese colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and natural surroundings. It is a UNESCO-listed site known for its charming cobblestone pedestrian streets, lively nightlife, boat trips to local islands, and exquisite local dining.
There followed an early rise and drive to Sao Paolo to fly to Iguacu. Of couse the Falls didn’t disappoint and for me fulfilled a long ambition to visit. We were told it was relatively quiet but still felt very crowded. But in the heat and spray there was no rush, and watching all the selfie-takers provides its own entertainment!
Another flight to Manaus led us into the hot, humid rainforest Amazon region by boat, and a small lodge run by local people. They looked after and fed us well, and it provided a base for several boat trips and forest walks at day and night. It feels remote and peaceful and allows plenty of time for spotting wildlife in beautiful natural surroundings.
