Brazil

Services, benefits and night on board

In the morning, arrival in Rio de Janeiro.  In the morning we will leave Rio, a hectic city, to go to a haven of peace and vegetation: Paraty.  In Brazil, it is one of the best preserved cities of the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Discover the rich heritage of Paraty on foot. Dinner and night in Paraty

Embark aboard a schooner to sail along the Costa Verde and in the bay of Ilha Grande, and along beaches of rare beauty.  Lunch on board.

Departure for Rio.  Do not miss Ganabara Bay, one of the most beautiful in the world, the Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf, as well as the “Floresta da Tijuca”, the largest urban park in the world (3 300 hectares).  The city is scattered with “morros”, round hills covered with lush vegetation. Lunch Early afternoon, climb to the peak of the Corcovado dominated by the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer, symbol of Rio, with a magnificent view over the city.  Continue toward the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, and stroll in the old town. Dinner and night in Rio.

In the morning, in a cable cabin, climb to the top of the Sugar Loaf, another symbol of Rio.  It offers a spectacular panoramic view on Copacabana, the beaches, the center of Rio, Guanabara Bay and its islands bursting out of the water all the way to the city… Dinner at the restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to visit the historical center of Rio, mainly one of the most beautiful religious complexes in Brazil, the Saint-Benedict Monastery dating to the 17^th century. Dinner at a Churrascaria restaurant. Night in Rio

In the morning, discovery of a gold and of a diamond mine.  Minas is considered as the land of colonial baroque and its historical cities are full of masterpieces.  A main characteristic of the Miniero is its religious fervor.  In the early afternoon, we will head toward Tiradentes in order to discover the genuine Brazil. Lunch in a restaurant on the way to Tiradentes. Discover the city and the Matriz de Santo Antônio Church, one of the most beautiful in Brazil. Dinner at the restaurant, night in Tiradentes

We will go to Sao Joao del Rei, charming little colonial town.  Our second step will be Congonhas where we will see the Santuario do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, major work of Aleijadinho, listed by UNESCO. Then we head toward Ouro Preto. Dinner at a restaurant and night in Ouro Preto

The whole day will be focused on Ouro Preto.  The whole town is listed by UNESCO.  We will visit the Museum of Mineralogy, one of the most beautiful in the world, then the municipal theater inaugurated in 1770 and still in activity.  Discovery of Sao Francisco Church, a masterpiece of colonial art. Dinner at a restaurant and night in Ouro Preto

We will go to Sao Joao del Rei, charming small colonial town that rises in a wide valley covered by eucalyptus trees.  We will visit the Sao Francisco de Assis Church.  Our second stop will be Congonhas where we will see the Santuario do Bom Jesus de Matsohinos, masterpiece of Aleijadinho, listed by UNESCO.  The latter decorated the forecourt of the sanctuary with twelve soapstone statues representing the prophets.  In the six external chapels, he also placed sixty six cedar wood sculptures representing the stages of the Passion of Christ.  All of this constitutes the largest ensemble of baroque sculptures in the world. Departure toward Ouro Preto Lunch at the restaurant. Night in Ouro Preto

In the morning, transfer to Belo Horizonte Airport (around 20km).  Flight to Brasilia Listed on the World Heritage list by UNESCO as “the best example of the architectural and urbanistic movement of the 20^th century”, Brasilia is the largest planned city in the world.  Inaugurated in 1960, its construction within only three years is a real saga.  The iron will of then president Juscelino Kubitschek combined to the genius of the architect Oscar Niemeyer as well as to the creative imagination of the urbanist Lucio Costa and the landscape artist Burle Marx.  Panoramic tour during which we will mainly visit the cathedral, with a circular shape and its crown of thorns, Dom Bosco Church with its stained glass windows whose shades of blue evolve according to sunlight.  We will also visit different government buildings. Dinner at the hotel, Night in Brasilia

In the morning, flight to Salvador de Bahia Sao Salvador de Bahia is the first capital of Brazil.  We will visit N.S. Do Bonfim Church, the heart of popular devotion, and the Mercado Modelo, handicraft market located in the old customs complex that was the compulsory entry point for the emigrants until the 17^th century. “Balé Folclorico da Bahia” show Dinner and night in San Salvador de Bahia

Visit and discovery of the colonial Salvador, listed by UNESCO and restored in 1994.  Dedicated visit to the old district of Pelourinho: Colonial houses, colored façades, wrought iron balconies. Lunch then discovery of the Largo do Carmo district and of the Da Ordem Terceira do Carmo Church that harbors a statue of Christ studded with 2000 rubies representing his blood.

Transfer to the airport for a departure to Beirut via Paris.