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Brazil Tours and Travel
Suggested
Packages / Rio area / Amazon
/ Pantanal / Iguassu
/ Salvador and Bahia
Northeast Coast / Bonito / Fernando
de Noronha / Florianopolis
/ Lagamar
Gauchos
& Grapes / Land of Gold and Gems / Lencois
Marenhenses
Salvador
and Bahia Tours
Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia. Bahia's
strong sense of cultural identity, with African, Native Brazilian and
European influences, has made Bahia a mystical land with a rich folk
culture. People of African descent have contributed greatly and continue
to contribute in the preservation of this cultural panorama. Samba was
first danced in Bahia, plus a series of games that have been assimilated
and preserved to this day. Not only are the most well-known cultural manifestations
significant, such as capoeira-an Afro-Brazilian martial art practiced
to music, a warrior's dance; Candomblé-an animist religion with
roots in West Africa; samba de roda-a type of samba dance in a circle;
and afoxé-an African rhythm with a strong influence on many Afro-Carnival
groups.
The Pelourinho or Pelô, as the colonial city is affectionately known,
is definitely worth a visit. It is the largest collection of Baroque
colonial architecture in Latin America, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The topography of Salvador is uneven and most neighborhoods are located
on the crests of the city's many hills. There used to be only one way
to get from one place to another, the curvy, narrow roads that connected
each of these high points, which, as the city grew, became insufficient.
Today a network of wide "valley avenues" crisscrosses the region,
easing the traffic burden on city roads. From inside the modern, multi-colored
office buildings in many parts of Salvador, it is possible to see the
turquoise blue waters of a tropical city blessed by the sun, whose people
are fun-loving and hospitable.
Here is a sample itinerary:
Day 1 - arrive Salvador, where you
will be met and transferred to your hotel. Then enjoy a historical city
tour. We start in the modern suburb of Barra at the mouth of the Bay with
its famous lighthouse and make our way slowly by car or coach to the old
historical section of town, the Pelourinho area with the largest and the
best preserved complex colonial architecture in the Americas. We stroll
through the narrow, bustling streets lined with buildings in pastel shades
of an age gone by. We visit the church of S. Francisco (U$ 1.00 entrance
fee not included) with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior and
the Pelourinho Square, the heart of the old town. This tour shows two
distinct aspects of Salvador, the new and the old, concentrating on the
early expansion of the city. It ends at Mercado Modelo, a thriving market
of local artifacts.This is Salvador, a perfect example of a harmonious
relationship between old and new, preserving the architecture and innovating
with new urban planning solutions. The Pelourinho or Pelô, as the
colonial city is affectionately known, is one of the most important collections
of Baroque colonial architecture in Latin America, appointed in the UNESCO's
World Heritage site.
Day 2 - breakfast, then "lower
city" tour. The lower city tour takes us to the quiet waters of the
Itapagipe Peninsula where the first holiday residences were built. Now,
a peaceful family district, life moves at a slower pace than the bustling
upper city. Fishermen fish from dug out canoes, locals collect shellfish
at low tide, schooners are at anchor, all protected by the famous Bonfim
church, one of the most important churches of pilgrimage in Brazil. We
continue to Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city. (note
that Bonfim church is closed on Mondays)
Day 3 - breakfast, then you will be transferred to the airport or extend your time
Why not add a Bahian show and dinner to get more of a sense of the area?
2010 Price per person in US$:
|
Hotel
|
Single
|
Double
|
Triple
|
|
Convento do Carmo 5*
|
$1037
|
$567
|
-
|
|
Pestana 5*
|
$563
|
$331
|
-
|
|
Monte Pascoal 4*
|
$469
|
$285
|
$239
|
|
Tropical 4*
|
$451
|
$274
|
$227
|
|
Pousada do Pilar 3*
|
$423
|
$295
|
$253
|
|
Vila Gale 4*
|
$399
|
$261
|
$243
|
These prices include transfer in, standard rooms in hotels with breakfasts,
group tours, transfer out with driver. We can price for private tours
and upgraded rooms. Prices change for major holidays and special occassions.
The hotels have many rate categories and we used prices valid for much
of the year in order to simplify the chart. At some times of year, rates
may be lower.
Here are other tour options:
Full
Day Schooner Cruise
Board on a schooner for a cruise in the All Saints
Bay from where one can have an unforgettable view of the old part of
the city of Salvador. Cruising across the bay, we'll pass by several
islands, as the famous Frade island, surrounded by groves of palm trees,
warm, crystal clear and calm waters. Views of Loreto, Tobar, da Viração,
Costa de Fora e Ponta de Nossa Senhora and Paramana, the most popular
among these beaches, before getting to Itaparica, the biggest island
of All Saints Bay, with 240 km². The word Itaparica means "around
the rocks" and the name comes from the barrier of corals laying
1km from the beaches towards the Atlantic ocean, creating a big natural
swimming pool, with transparent warm blue water, excellent for swimming
or diving. We will have lunch here. $91 per person .
African
Oriented City Tour:
Tracing the African roots of Salvador, we start at PELOURINHO, a symbol
of the black movement in Bahia and home of many places of interest to
those wishing to explore the bahian soul. Visit to the AFRO BRASILIAN
Museum, with the history of the city's African origins, the Sociedade
Protetora dos Desválidos ( Society for Destituted), old fraternity
founded in 1832 in order to help the slaves before the abolition, still
active in the black community; the Church of OUR LADY OF ROSARY, famous
church built in the colonial times, when black and white men would not
share the same place, and then, CASA DO BENIN, featuring the heritage
from afro-brazilian culture. $78 each for 2, $59 each for 3,
Bahia
by Night Show and Dinner -
In the evening enjoy a marvelous evening of
folk dancing and a traditional Bahian dinner - Passengers will be enchanted
by the brilliant bahian night life, where music and folkloric manifest
in their full magic spirit. We invite you for a regional dinner, including
a variety of delicious typical plates and deserts. During dinner, an
amazing folkloric show with be presented, featuring the famous "Capoeira"
from African salves, the "Maculelê", an impressive dance
performed with pieces of wood and big knifes, and the rhythms of the
"Candomblé", the old afro-brazilian dances related
to religious divinities, specially cultivated in Bahia. (for 2-3 people,
we price for dinner, then show after).
$92 per person for group tour, $124 per person with
2 or $100 per person with 3 for private tour
More Great Areas in Bahia
| Morro da Sao Paulo | Costa do Sauipe |