Authentic Brazil: Salvador, Trancoso and Rio

Founded in 1549, Sao Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos (to give the city its full name) was Brazil's first capital. It is divided into two parts: the upper town and the lower town. The lower town runs along the gulf, incuding the harbour, the Mercado Modelo (the old customs building) and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration. And also the beautiful houses at the base of the mountain; narrow, steeply sloping streets with glazed painted tiled facades, narrow staircases, the small bars of the old quarter of Ribeira. Huge elevators - the Lacerda and the Tabuao - and funiculars connect the lower town to the upper town, where, on the hillside, the criss-crossing steep streets of the Pelourinho district are found. Large houses with pink, blue or ochre facades and jacaranda parquet floors; and Baroque masterpieces: the cathedral, the Sao Francisco Church, the largest Jesuit church in the country, completed in 1723. And everywhere, candomble (religious rites) squares and casas-de-santo (informal shrines) where orishas (minor deities) are worshipped.
Things to see and do - Stroll through the streets of Pelourinho to experience the Bahia pace of life - try capoeira - taste the pleasures of a tropical beachside swim - visit the Vila Velha Theatre, one of the most beautiful places in Bahia, where Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania, and Gilberto Gil started out in the 1960s - lunch on acarajes, 'fireballs', white bean and shrimp fritters fried in palm oil, part of Brazil's intangible heritage, bought from a Bahia woman dressed in white lace - attend a candomble religious ceremony in a Catholic church - sip a cachaca, sugar cane brandy.
Included in the itinerary - A half-day walk through your neighbourhood, Pelourinho, with a private guide, to discover its history and meet its community of artists, stylists and musicians. Move from Baroque churches to artists' workshops and forge ties along the way.

Three full days to settle down, make yourself at home in this private house and relax. You will find yourself naturally adopting the enchanting pace of life in Trancoso, lazing on the terrace or on the beach, with time to explore and be together.
Things to see and do - a nap during the warmest hours: an institution - improvise a game of football with the locals, in front of the old white church - sip a chilled caipirinha on the terrace, under the lamps, at dusk - enjoy a moqueca, a Bahian marinated fish speciality - choose your beach for the day: white or red sand, turquoise or emerald water, bordered by a lush jungle or an ochre cliff - learn to do capoeira accompanied by live music - dance the forro into the early hours - stroll through shops and art galleries displaying the creations of local artists - put on a mask, flippers and snorkel to visit coral reefs.
Optional - Horse riding on the beach: a stunning setting and an incredible sense of freedom.

Private airport transfer and further flight south to Rio. Another private transfer to the district of Santa Teresa, set on its hill, a true refuge for artists in Rio. We love Santa Teresa's bohemian character, its terraces in the shade of banana trees, its houses with European splendour, its coveted restaurants... You stay for three nights in a beautiful family home built in the 1920s, offering seven large rooms in the heart of an estate of several acres of lush rainforest, eucalyptus and centuries-old mango trees. From the pool, a magnificent view of Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain and the bay. A tennis courts and coach are available.