| GROUP TRAVEL IN BRAZIL |  |
| GROUP TRAVEL IN BRAZIL | |
Thematic | Special Interest | Sports | Gifts | Transportation
In order to give an idea of the several options for group travel in Brazil, we selected a few examples of itineraries that successfully fulfilled the needs of special interest, thematic and incentive groups.
Thematic groups
The Dutch Presence in Brazil: Visiting the cities where the Dutch settled for almost 50 years, enabling the group members to have a close contact with the dreams of the Occidental Indians Company in Salvador (Bahia) and, mainly, in Recife (Pernambuco) where the Dutch influence is still present.
The African Presence: An extensive program through the main points of the country where the African immigrants settled.
The French Presence: Yes, there are strong traces of French influence in Brazil, mainly in São Luis City (Maranhão State). Many Europeans are amazed to verify this.
Special Interest Groups
Technical visits to farms, cooperatives, industrial plants organized by our staff and adjoined by a skilled professional.
The following itinerary is a good example, as we have been taking more and more clients to this very special tour.
This tour starts and ends in Belo Horizonte, State Capital of Minas Gerais . The region has been producing endless richness in the mineral kingdom : gold, diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones, emeralds, iron, etc.
Day 1 - Arrival in Belo Horizonte airport in the evening. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 2 - Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a city tour of Belo Horizonte. First, you will visit the Country 's largest lapidary center and, then, the Gem Center. After lunch, the tour will take you by bus to the ancient town of Ouro Preto ( about 100 km by road ) to see the mineral museum of the Minas School. Overnight at Ouro Preto.
Day 3 - After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Imperial Topaz mining site. Ouro Preto is the only place in the whole world where this precious stone of great value can be found. Visit to the world 's biggest mineral duct where daily, about 30 tons of mineral pulp are thrown, following 400 km down the coast to Vitória to be exported. The mine has billions of tons in reserves and it is a spectacle itself. A film showing the whole process is presented. Right after, there will be a visit to a gold mine, where tour members will descend about 300 m to the bottom of the galleries. Overnight in Ouro Preto.
Day 4 - After breakfast at the hotel, departure from Ouro Preto to Itabira. About 250 kilometers on road, you will visit the largest emerald mine in Brazil. It is entirely fenced, illuminated and controlled by a safety system where tour members may fill their hands with emeralds to take pictures and to tape recording. The stones roll over various chains that are collected and kept in containers. There is also the possibility for tour members to look for emeralds in the piles of rejects (where always some are left behind...). Right after, the tour goes to Governador Valadares where the group will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 5 - After breakfast at the hotel, the group will visit to the Gioconda Tourmaline Mine, which is 30 km far from the city. Once at the mining site,the group members will have to board large trucks that will climb about 1.000 meters up to the entrance. This
mine features large rock salons where the tourmalines, rubilites, indicolites and other semi-precious stones are encrusted in high walls. The group members will be allowed to look for stones and will surely find one. Return to Governador Valadares for a delicious Brazilian barbecue lunch. Free afternoon. Overnight.Day 6 - After breakfast, departure to Belo Horizonte on a bus trip (or straight to Belo Horizonte Airport).
End of services.
Sports Groups
Visit important stadiums, gyms, hippodromes, hang gliding ramps or other places participating in any type of sports tournaments in Brazil.
Others
Visit the Brazilian native population in The Amazon.
Mystic groups: Visiting the many different temples of the various cults that have been settling in Brazil since the past 10 years, especially in Brasília (the so-called third millennium capital).
Environment/Eco-adventure: Brazil's richness in wildlife and flora make the country a real paradise for wildlife protection concerned travelers and adventurers. The various National Parks are a must, not mentioning the amazing Amazon and the Pantanal, the coastal paradises in the Northeast, Rio de Janeiro and Paraná in the south.
Suggestions of Gifts for Group Members
- - An exhibition of the Samba School Winners of the Recent Carnival Competition.
- - A buffet cocktail at the Corcovado or Sugar Loaf.
- - A Colonial Times Gala Dinner in a Farm House with folklore show.
- - A cassette tape of samba.
- - The Company logo printed on the headrest covers of the buses.
- - Brazilian liqueur ( Cachaça ).
- - Kit to prepare of the caipirinha drink.
- - A recorded cassette tape with Brazilian songs.
- - An ashtray of quartz
- - The official T-shirt of Brazil's football team.
- - Beach wear.
- - Sculptured drink mixers ( wooden colorful birds ).
- - Traditional Brazilian percussion instruments such as the berimbau.
- - T-shirt with company logo and tropical drawings.
- - Original carioca's beach paddleball set.
- - Brazilian guaraná powder to prepare some drinks.
- - Precious, semi-precious stones or jewelry.
- - Traditional dressed dolls. (Samba School for example).
- - Individual appointment with a "Pai de Santo" (Father of the Saints from the Candomblé Cult).
- - Stone sculptured birds (quartz or crystal).
- - Stone sculptured grapes (quartz or crystal).
- - Colored sand designed in a glass bottle.
- - A wooden sculptured replica of the Christ Statue .
- - Drinking glasses in a renaissance style.
- - Half a kilogram of Brazilian coffee
- - Soapstone sculptured replica of the Christ Statue .
- - Wooden pens in several forms as a parrot or Christ's face, for example.
- - A kit with slides of Brazil.
- - A video-cassette tape about Brazil.
- - A kit of photos about the city.
- - Musical instruments (maracas, afoxé, cabuletê, agogô).
- - Wooden "figas".
- - A kit to prepare barbecue.
- - Key rings; pens; umbrellas; raincoats; beach-towels; towels; playing cards; hotel pillow-cases printed with the Company logo.
- - Embroidered caps.
- - Sculptured birds earrings.
- - Pens inlaid in wood.
- - Lace drink mats.
- - Enlaced bedspreads, blouses, T-shirts.
- - Brazilian wine, coffee liqueur, cocoa liqueur.
- - An orchid.
OPTIONAL TOURS / ACTIVITIES
- - Boat rentals (sailboats, motorboats, etc.)
- - Fishing equipment
- - Scuba diving
- - A visit to the Burle Marx's private gardens
- - The Golden Lion Tamarin Tour
- - A soccer game at the Maracanã Stadium
- - Hand-glider flights (photo)
- - Ultra-light plane flights
- - River Rafting
- - Helicopter panoramic flight
- - Tour to the " favela "
- - Tour to the Churches
- - Tour to the Museums
- - Jet sky boat rentals
- - Samba / Lambada dance classes
- - The Pedra Bonita mountain hike
- - The Sugar Loaf Mountain hike
- - Golf
- - Schooner cruise at the Guanabara Bay
- - Jeep ride and trek through the Tijuca Forest
- - Visit to the Herons Reserve
- - Tour to the Colonial Coffee Farms
- - Water skiing
- - Bicycle rentals
- - Horse races at the prestigious Rio Jockey Club
- - Antique shops tour
- - Dine around
- - Gafieira night club (1920's Brazilian style dancing)
- - Popular Brazilian music stars shows
- - Full day at Brasilia; Full day at Iguaçu; Full day at Búzios
- - Botanical Garden Tour
SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazilian Traditional
01) CASA DA FEIJOADA: capacity for 60 pax.
Barbecue houses (typical Brazilian service/cut):
01) CHURRASCARIA PORCÃO BARRA: capacity for 340 pax.
02) CHURRASCARIA PORCÃO IPANEMA: capacity for 186 pax.
03) CHURRASCARIA BARRA GRILL: capacity for 410 pax.
04) CHURRASCARIA ESTRELA DO SUL BARRA: capacity for 700 pax.
05) CHURRASCARIA TOURÃO: capacity for 200 pax.
06) CHURRASCARIA MARIU'S LEME: capacity for 250 pax.
07) CHURRASCARIA MARIU'S IPANEMA: capacity for 300 pax.
Sea-food Restaurants:
01) RESTAURANT SOL E MAR: capacity for 750 pax.
02) RESTAURANT GROTTAMARE: capacity for 200 pax.
03) RESTAURANT EL PESCADOR: capacity for 200 pax.
04) RESTAURANT MEDITERRANEO: capacity for 144 pax.
05) RESTAURANT RIALTO BARRA: capacity for 150 pax.
06) RESTAURANT SATYRICON: capacity for 130 pax.
International Cuisine:
01) RESTAURANT RIO'S: capacity for 250 pax.
02) LE STREGHE : capacity for 40 pax.
03) RESTAURANT CASTELO DA LAGOA: capacity for 80 pax.
04) IATE CLUB DO RIO DE JANEIRO: capacity for indoor area is 250 pax; and outdoor area is 1.500 pax.
- Tour at countryside of Cachoeira town (known for its Afro-Brazilian heritage) and at the Cigars Factory.
- Tropical night in a boat.
- Full day in a paradise island.
- Cocoa Tour.
- "Lambada" night (dinner + show)
Suggestions to personalize a group
- Carnival with the "trio elétrico" at Salvador streets.
- Timbalada.
- Olodum Night.
Our Suggestions of Restaurants in Salvador:
01) BABY BEEF: specialized in meat (barbecue), capacity for 200 pax.
02) BABY BEEF MARTINEZ: specialized in meat (barbecue), capacity for 200 pax.
03) ANTONIO’S GRILL: specialized in meat, capacity for 200 pax.
04) BARGAÇO: the most famous fish restaurant in Bahia, specialized in seafood;
capacity for 300 pax.
05) SOLAR DO UNHÃO: Bahia typical cuisine; capacity for 200 pax. Night shows.
06) FELIPE CAMARÃO: international cuisine; capacity for 80 pax.
07) CASA DA GAMBOA: Bahia typical cuisine; capacity for 80 pax.
08) MOENDA BUFFET: Bahia typical cuisine and show every night; capacity for 400 pax.
09) IATE CLUB: international cuisine; capacity for 150 pax.
10) CASA DA FARINHA: Bahia typical cuisine; capacity for 100 pax.
OPTIONAL TOURS IN FOZ do IGUAÇU
- Visit to Itaipu Hydroelectric plant.
- Visit to "Ciudad del Este".
- Helicopter Tours.
- Shopping in Argentine (leather articles).
- Santo Inacio Missions.
- Evening in Iguaçu (dinner and Latin music show at Rafain Barbecue)
OPTIONAL TOURS IN RECIFE
- Full day at Calhetas beach with lunch.
- Full day at Caruaru with lunch (Handicraft Fair).
- Full day at Porto de Galinhas with lunch.
- Full day to northern and southern litoral with lunch.
- Visit to a natural swimming pool.
- Sailing boat cruise with lunch.
Our Suggestions of Restaurants in Maceió:
01)SPETTUS: specialized in meat; capacity for 300 pax.
02)MANZUÁ: specialized in international cuisine; capacity for 200 pax.
03)REPÚBLICA DOS CAMARÕES: specialized in seafood, mainly shrimps; capacity for 150 pax.
- Visit to southern litoral (boat tour).
- Visit to Pipa beach.
Our Suggestions of Restaurants in Natal:
01)CHAPLIN: specialized in typical cuisine; capacity for 300 pax.
02)GRAN PALACE: specialized in international cuisine; capacity for 130 pax.
03)PEIXADA ARABAIANA: specialized in seafood; capacity for 110 pax.
- Visit to Canoa Quebrada beach.
- Visit to Morro Branco and Das Fontes beaches.
- Visit to Lagoinha beach.
Our Suggestions of Restaurants in Fortaleza:
01) BUFALLO BILL: specialized in meat; capacity for 100 pax.
02) CHAROLES: international cuisine, capacity of the swimming pool covered area: 120 pax. Area with air-conditioned: 50 pax.
03) LAGOSTA D'OURO: specialized in seafood & international cuisine; capacity for 400 pax.
04) LA TAVERNA: Italian food and international cuisine; capacity for 100 pax.
05) PARQUE RECREIO: specialized in meat; capacity for 500 pax.
06) PEIXADA DO MEIO: specialized in seafood and typical cuisine; capacity for 180 pax.
07) IATE CLUB FORTALEZA: international cuisine; capacity for covered area: 300 pax; uncovered area: 1000 pax; area with air-conditioned: 200 pax.
