Visit Rio one of the most important cultural and economical cities in Brazil and Salvador one of Brazil`s greatest historical destinations, filled with churches, homes and forts that reflect stunning Portuguese architecture from the Baroque period.
Day 1:Arrival in Rio de Janeiro (African heritage tour)
Day 2:Rio de Janeiro (Sugar Loaf)
Day 3:Rio de Janeiro (Corcovado Mountain)
Day 4:Rio de Janeiro - Salvador
Day 5:Salvador (African oriented historical tour)
Day 6:Salvador (visit to a cacao plantation)
Day 7:Salvador (Visit to the Children of Brazil street
Day 8:Salvador - departure
Hotels used in this tour (hotels can be changed on request for most tours)
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro (African heritage tour)
Morning arrival in Rio de Janeiro with accomodation at selected hotel. In the afternoon: African Heritage Tour. This orientation tour of Rio offers a fascinating introduction to the roots of African culture in Brazil. We will visit a temple of Candomble where this uniquely Brazilian religion combining both the Yoruba and Catholic faiths will be explained and used to illustrate how African culture shaped the Brazilian identity of today. Evening free. B
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro - Salvador
Transfer to Rio airport for your flight to Salvador. Upon arrival in Salvador de Bahia, meet and transfer to your selected hotel. Evening free. B
Day 5: Salvador (African oriented historical tour)
African-oriented historical city tour. We trace the African roots of Salvador on a city tour which combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical Center of Salvador, the Pelourinho area, so called after the pillory which stood in the main square, in front of the central slave market. We visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum which traces the West African origins of the city and see the superb wooden, sculpted panels of the orixa`s by Salvador`s most celebrated artist, Carybe. We visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a period of almost 100 years. The Casa do Benin (Benin House) nearby further investigates this permeating African influence. The buildings may be European but the rest is African. Evening excursion to a uniquely Bahian event: a rehearsal (show) or Olodum, one of the many Afro-blocos, or musical groups, enjoying great success in the current renaissance of Afro-based rhythms in Salvador. This frenetic, pulsating music is directly derived from the music of West Africa. This visit is particularly interesting, as Olodum is famous for their collaborations with Paul Simon on the Rhythm of the Saints album. Overnight in your selected hotel. B
Day 7: Salvador (Visit to the Children of Brazil street)
Morning visit "The Street Children of Brazil". These are the children who spend their days on the streets and their nights in the alleyways and doorways of Salvador. The Axe project was set up to help these children find their way in society by offering them real opportunities for education and training as well as involving them in creative and cultural
activities. We will visit one of their training centres where we will see the positive work of the Axe Project and given an explanation of the aims, hopes, challenges and success stories of the project. Afterwards we will visit a traditional capoeira school to see these kids at leisure, learning this martial art of Angolan origin. Tonight features Bahia by night, an excursion that takes us to Solar do Unhao, one of Salvador`s oldest and most eerily atmospheric buildings, originally used as a loading station for the importation of slaves. We begin here with a full buffet of the best in the exotic cuisine of Bahia. Soon after, a dazzling folklore show of Bahian music, dance and pageantry follows, illustrating all that is unique in the Afro-Brazilian culture. Overnight in your selected hotel. B
Day 8: Salvador - departure
Check out and transfer to Salvador International airport for flight back home. B Key: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
