Tropical flavors: culinary immersion in Brazil

Beschreibung der Reise

Unterkunft

Reiseprogramm

• Tag 1

  Arrival in São Paulo

  

  Upon your arrival in São Paulo, your driver welcomes you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you enjoy a first glimpse of the largest city in Brazil, known for its cultural diversity, its gastronomic scene, and its urban energy.

• Tag 2

  São Paulo: Influences of the world and Paulistano gastronomy

  

  Today, your guide introduces you to São Paulo through its migratory history and its gastronomy. The route crosses several emblematic neighborhoods, marked by the different communities that have shaped the city: Italian in Bixiga, Japanese in Liberdade, or even Middle Eastern in the historic center. As you go through the tastings, you discover a few local specialties and the importance of São Paulo in the contemporary Brazilian culinary scene. Your guide also shares the history of the waves of immigration that have profoundly transformed the culture and cuisine of the city.

• Tag 3

  From São Paulo to Paraty

  

  You leave São Paulo heading towards the Atlantic coast and the colonial town of Paraty. On the way, stop in the Cunha region, known for its craftsmanship and its local productions around lavender. You visit a small farm and discover the products made on site: essential oils, soaps, infusions and other artisanal creations. The road then continues through the mountainous landscapes of the Serra do Mar before your arrival in Paraty at the end of the day.

• Tag 4

  Paraty: Cachaça and local traditions

  

  Your guide accompanies you today to discover the traditional distilleries of the Paraty region, renowned for producing some of the best artisanal cachaças in Brazil since the colonial era. You visit several family-run stills where the producers explain the different stages of production: fermentation, distillation, and aging. The tastings allow you to compare several styles of cachaça, from white versions to the more complex ones, aged in Brazilian wood.

• Tag 5

  Paraty: bay, islands and caiçara cuisine

  

  Departure for a day on a boat in Paraty Bay, among tropical islands, beaches accessible only by sea and small fishing villages. During the excursion, the crew prepares a lunch based on fresh fish and local specialties inspired by caiçara cuisine, inherited from the traditional communities of the coast. Several stops also allow you to swim in the calm, clear waters of the region.

• Tag 6

  From Paraty to Rio de Janeiro

  

  After breakfast, transfer to Rio de Janeiro via the coastal road. The journey follows part of the Costa Verde, a region known for its mountains covered in Atlantic Forest and its many coves.

• Tag 7

  Rio de Janeiro: Santa Teresa, wines and sunset

  

  Your guide meets you for an exploration of the Santa Teresa neighborhood, known for its bohemian atmosphere, its old mansions, and its rapidly developing gastronomic scene. You discover several local spots as well as different specialties revisited by carioca chefs. The itinerary also includes a tasting of Brazilian wines and caipirinhas. At the end of the day, you visit Sugarloaf Mountain to enjoy the view over Guanabara Bay and the sunset.

• Tag 8

  Rio de Janeiro: Carioca must-sees and the famous feijoada

  

  This morning, departure with your guide to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, one of the best-known symbols of Brazil. From the summit, the view makes it possible to observe several emblematic neighborhoods of Rio, between mountain, forest and ocean. At noon, lunch around a traditional feijoada, an emblematic dish of Brazilian cuisine (and a true Friday tradition in Rio), prepared with black beans and different meats. Your guide shares the history of this specialty and its importance in the country’s popular culture. Free afternoon.

• Tag 9

  From Rio de Janeiro to Salvador

  

  You set off to discover Salvador de Bahia, with a direct flight from Rio de Janeiro. First capital of Brazil, Salvador is the cradle of many traditions and a major center of Afro-Brazilian culture, where history, music, gastronomy, and African influences blend together.

• Tag 10

  Salvador: Afro-Brazilian Heritage

  

  Your guide accompanies you on an in-depth discovery of Salvador’s African heritage. The tour covers the history of slavery, cultural resistance, and Afro-Brazilian traditions that are still very present today in music, religion, cuisine, and daily life. You discover several historic sites in the city center, as well as local cultural initiatives. The day also makes it possible to better understand the African influence in Bahian gastronomy, notably around dendê oil, seafood, and recipes of Yoruba origin.

• Tag 11

  Salvador: Bahian cuisine and community project

  

  You are taking part today in a cooking workshop organized as part of a local community project. Alongside the residents and your guide, you discover several emblematic recipes from Bahia and the essential ingredients of this mixed cuisine. The preparation takes place in a friendly atmosphere and makes it possible to exchange about local culinary traditions, the transmission of know-how, and the social initiatives developed in the neighborhood. Lunch is eaten on site, with the dishes prepared during the workshop.

• Tag 12

  From Salvador to Itacaré

  

  Your driver takes you south of Bahia, towards Itacaré. The journey crosses a region shaped by cocoa plantations, coconut groves and the tropical landscapes of the Bahian coastline. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon to discover the centre of Itacaré, a former cocoa port that has now become a popular destination for its wild beaches, its preserved nature and its relaxed atmosphere.

• Tag 13

  Itacaré: Cocoa Route and Historic Fazendas

  

  Your guide takes you into the cocoa-growing hinterland of Bahia to visit a traditional fazenda. The visit helps you understand the entire cocoa production process, from harvesting to the processing of the beans. You also discover the economic and social history of the region, long dominated by large cocoa plantations. And of course, tastings of fresh cocoa and artisanal chocolate round out the visit!

• Tag 14

  Itacaré: free day

  

  Free day to enjoy Itacaré at your own pace. Several options are available to you: beaches, hiking in the Atlantic Forest, surfing, massages, or discovering the city’s cafés and restaurants. Your guide remains available to advise you according to your wishes.

• Tag 15

  Departure via São Paulo