Salvador is the capital
of Bahia state and is home to a heady mix of colonial buildings,
African culture, pulsating musical rhythms and beautiful beaches.
The historic quarter is a national monument and it was in this area
that the Portuguese built their fortified city and where today stand
some of the most important examples of colonial architecture in
the Americas. The old quarter is also protected by Unesco. Colonial
houses are painted in pastel colours, patios have been created in
the open areas behind the houses to create open-air cafes and bars.
Many of the bars have live music which spills out onto the street.
The city stands on the stunning Bahia de Todos Los Santos, a sparkling
bay dotted with 38 islands. The samba was first danced in Bahia.
Today you can watch the graceful capoeira, a part dance and part
martial art which was once a form of rebellion by the slaves.
Salvador da Bahia & Beaches
6 days / 5 nights
Day 1
- Arrive Salvador
Arrive Salvador and transfer to your hotel. Your city tour will
start in the modern suburb of Barra at the mouth of the bay with
its famous lighthouse and will then move on slowly to the old historical
section of town. The Pelourinho area hosts the largest and best
preserved and complex colonial architecture in the Americas. You
will stroll through the narrow bustling streets lined with buildings
in pastel shades of an age gone by. We visit the church of Sao Francisco
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 the Mercado Modelo, a thriving
market of local artefacts.
Day 2
- Salvador
Today you will take a tour to the lower city starting at the quiet
waters of the Itapagipe peninsula where the first holiday residences
were built. This area is now a peaceful family district and life
moves at a much slower pace than the bustling upper city. Here fisherman
work from dugout canoes, locals collect shellfish at low tide, schooners
are anchored in the peaceful waters, all overlooked by the famous
Bonfim church one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Brazil.
We continue to the Monserrat district with its panoramic view of
the city. In the evening enjoy a night of folk dancing and a traditional
Bahian dinner. The folkloric show features the famous capoeira dance
from African slaves, the impressive maculele dance performed with
pieces of wood and knives and the rhythms of candomble, the old
afro-brazilian dances especially created in Bahia.
Day 3
- Praia do Forte
Transfer to Praia do Forte, 50km north of Salvador. You will stay
for the next 3 nights at the Praia do Forte Eco Resort.
Day 4 & 5
- Praia do Forte.
These two days are at leisure for you to enjoy the fantastic facilities
and some of the best beaches in Brazil at the Praia do Forte Eco
Resort. The resort is located in an environmentally protected area
with 12 kms of beach. All rooms feature a veranda facing the sea
and are designed using natural fibres and wood. The resort has three
restaurants serving international and Bahian cuisine. A range of
spa treatments are available at the Thalasso Spa and guests can
also enjoy activities such as snorkelling and sailing. The hotel
arranges activities which highlight the area’s ecosystems
including walks, turtle watching and diving. The resort has 304
rooms with air-conditioning, cable TV, mini-bar, internet access
and 24 hour room service. The facilities at the resort include 3
bars, business centre, games room, fitness centre, 8 pools, 4 tennis
courts, water sports, spa, sauna, beauty salon, shops and boutiques,
laundry, kids’ club and kids’ pool.
Day 6 -
Depart Praia do Forte/Salvador Depart Praia do Forte/Salvador for your
onward journey.
