Accounting for more than half of Brazil's area, Amazonia is a region dominated by nature as the mighty Amazon River winds its way through the world's largest rainforest, home to an infinite assortment of exotic plants, animals and birds. The Amazon port city of Manaus, whose famous Amazonas Opera House is a reminder of the 19th century rubber boom that brought riches to the region, is the gateway to the river and to the jungle. From here you can take river cruises or access a variety of lodges where experienced naturalist guides will take you deep into the rainforest and amongst the many tributaries of the world's largest river system.

Carnival and New Year

Displaying the very essence of Brazil's fun loving spirit, Carnival and New Year's celebrations are spectacular demonstrations of the parties for which the country is famous. During Carnival, Rio's streets are thronged with drumming and dancing revellers for a five day celebration, the 'greatest show on earth', renowned for the colourful parades of the famous Samba Schools. Rio is also the place to be for New Year's Eve as the city flocks to Copacabana Beach for the world's most spectacular fireworks display. Not to be outdone, Salvador, the Bahian capital, is home to the world's longest and largest Carnival celebration, an immense street party the highlights of which are the vast drum troupes known as the Afro Blocos.

The Pantanal

The Pantanal is one of the world's greatest wildlife reserves, a vast and luxuriant wetland with a greater abundance of wildlife than anywhere else in Brazil. From lodges in this region you will have a chance to see huge concentrations of exotic birds as well as mammals and reptiles such as giant otters, anteaters, jaguars and anacondas.  This is a remote and wild area and most lodges are reached by a long overland journey from the gateway towns of Campo Grande and Cuiabá.

The Green Coast

The Green Coast stretches South from Rio de Janeiro and is a beautiful area of luxuriant rainforests, islands, beaches and charming colonial towns.  Its proximity to Rio and its natural beauty make the region the ideal place to escape from the city and to relax before or after your tour.  In the picturesque port town of Paraty, a national historic monument nestled between the sea and the forest-clad mountains, colonial townhouses have been converted into delightful 'Pousadas' many with flower draped courtyards and gardens.  Here, or from one of the resorts along the coast such as Angra dos Reis, you can explore the Atlantic Rainforest, take a tropical island boat trip or simply relax amidst beautiful surroundings.

The North-East – The Gold Coast

With miles of azure coastline, Brazil's Northeastern Coast offers beautiful uncrowded palm-lined beaches, some world-class resorts and a tropical climate that can be enjoyed year-round. The Northeast is also the place where Brazil's colonisation began and was the centre of the slave trade which made the region the heart of 'African' Brazil.  Today a fascinating cultural mix thrives with historical and modern traditions blending in cities like Salvador de Bahia with its colonial style town-houses, churches and forts as well as its traditional music, folklore and customs such as the voodoo like Candomblé and the Capoeira martial ballet.  Inland from Salvador the colonial town of Lençois is the base for visits to the beautiful Chapada Diamantina National Park which covers a mountainous region that offers spectacular scenery and excellent opportunities for trekking.  Further up the coast towns such as Natal are excellent spots to unwind and enjoy the Northeasts famed beaches and relaxed pace of life. For diving enthusiasts or those wishing to just get away from it all, there is no better place than the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, an island paradise 345 km from Brazil's Coast and reached by flights from Recife.

The South

Wooded mountains and grassy plains cover the South, the only region in Brazil where temperate seasons are clearly defined.  The influence of European immigrants (mainly Germans and Italians) is felt throughout the area particularly in its modern but gracious towns such as Curitiba.  Thundering waters, great clouds of spray and countless rainbows make the 250 ft high Iguazu Falls the major attraction of the South and one of the most spectacular sights in the world.

The Central Region

Brazil's Central Region is an area of exciting diversity with Sao Paulo, a large cosmopolitan city and South America's most important commercial and industrial centre contrasting with Rio de Janeiro, the fun loving 'marvellous' city in its breathtaking setting between sea and mountains.  No visit to Brazil is complete without a few days in Rio where you can stroll down the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and take a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for amazing views of what is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful cities. Elsewhere in the Central Region, historic colonial towns such as Ouro Preto beckon with cobble stone streets and spire capped hills.