Just Back From: Brazil with Laura

How did you get there?
I flew directly with British Airways from Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro and was fortunate to be upgraded to their club suite cabin - what a treat!

Where did you go in Brazil?
Iguazú Falls, Paraty and Rio de Janeiro.

Have you been before?
Yes, dozens of times – my mum is from Rio and I last travelled to Paraty with my husband and two kids in 2017. The last time I was in Iguazú was over 12 years ago when I led a group tour for Journey Latin America around South America.

If so, any notable differences?
Not really, thankfully! But the promenade that runs along the beaches of Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon has seen a lot of investment in the ‘quiosques’ (Kiosks). Now you will find several smart bars with underground toilets serving delicious beach snacks and cool cocktails, and some play live music.

Which was your favourite:

Place: Rio, of course! No matter how many times I’ve been, I still get excited to return to this stunning city I feel proud to call home.

Hotel: I loved the Belmond Das Cataratas hotel (featured in the image below) – not only does it enjoy an exclusive and privileged location inside the national park and overlooking Iguazú Falls, but they have champagne hour by the pool at 5 and we all received a complimentary glass of fizz. If you stay at this hotel, you can enter the falls from the Brazilian side before the national park opens, so on our last day we headed out around 6:30am and had the entire falls to ourselves.To be at one of South America greatest natural wonders and without another tourist in sight was true luxury.

Excursion: The boat trip to explore the lush tropical bays around Paraty was a highlight for our group – we had the most spectacular weather, and we loved diving straight from the schooner straight into the emerald sea, exploring the sandy coves and sipping caipirinhas, of course.

What was your most memorable moment?
The helicopter flight over the Iguazú Falls was magical – the views from above were nothing short of spectacular.

Were there any surprises along the way?
A brand-new music show had opened at the Roxy in Rio the week before we arrived, so I was keen to check it out. My expectations were a bit low if I’m honest as I anticipated it being a tacky samba performance for tourists, but I was completely wrong. The iconic building that first opened in 1938 as a cinema has undergone complete refurbishment and now is a glitzy vintage venue offering delicious dinner and show. With music from different regions of Brazil as well as music from different eras, it is brilliantly choreographed and highly entertaining.

What travel tips to Brazil do you have?
If you only have a short stay in Rio, for convenience, I highly recommend staying at the far end of Copacabana around ‘Posto 5’ of Copacabana beach. This section of the beach not only offers some of the most stunning views of Copacabana and Sugar Loaf Mountain, but you are also just a 5-minute walk from the small beach of Arpoador, famous for watching the sunset and a 10-minute walk from trendy Ipanema. The Fairmont Copacabana Hotel, for example, is ideal and a fantastic hotel!

Rio Carnival and New Year’s Eve in Rio are world-famous, but they also coincide with the rainy season. So if you’re looking for a few days of beach relaxation, it would be better to travel to the northeast of the country afterwards, where the weather is likely to be drier.

Is there anything indispensable to pack or prepare for?
Water bottle, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. The road journey between Rio and Paraty is very picturesque but not without lots of mountain curves, so be prepared in case you suffer from car sickness.

Paraty’s historic centre is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site with original cobblestones so sturdy footwear is needed. It would be exhausting walking over the cobblestones in flip-flops.

Any local snacks, dishes or drinks that should be sampled in Brazil?
Caipirinha – Brazil’s iconic national cocktail made from cachaça (rum distilled from sugar cane), lots of freshly squeezed lime, sugar and crushed ice.

A must-eat snack on the beach is Biscoito Globo – light, puffy, salty crisp rings made from cassava flour.

Any restaurant or bar recommendations?
Fazenda Bananal located outside of the centre of Paraty served probably the best food we had during our trip. The 17th-century former farmhouse is wonderfully preserved and now serves as a cultural centre for visitors to explore. After a wonderful lunch, wander around and relax in the extensive tropical gardens and not to be missed are rainforest walkways to discover a vast array of tropical plants, immense trees and tropical birds. The food served in the restaurant is beautifully presented and made mostly from ingredients grown in their garden. From heart of palm salad to spicy seafood broth and grilled fish in a banana leaf to confit of duck – the menu has lots of options to suit all palates.

Sum up your trip?
This was a fabulous trip that showcased six of Brazil’s highlights: majestic waterfalls, an iconic city, a historic town, lush rainforest, wildlife, beautiful beaches and it didn’t involve too much internal travel: just one flight and two transfers.