Brazil is a land of magnificent beaches, vast rain forests and music-fueled cities, as well as an astounding variety of natural and cultural wonders. It is the world’s largest country in the tropics, and much greater than anything you can possib ly imagine. Setting the stage are idyllic, unspoiled islands such as Ilha do Mel or Ilha Grande, pristine stretches of coastline fronting emerald seas, and locked-in-time colonial towns such as Ouro Prêto or Olinda. And the cities: Brasilia, the futuristic inland capital; Salvador, historic and colorful pearl of the northeast; megalopolis-of-the-south São Paulo and - of course - Rio de Janeiro. Spectacular, sassy, sumptuous - you'll run out of superlatives trying to do this marvellous city justice.

Brazil’s rich ecosystems make for some amazing journeys, too. You can go horseback-riding through the Pantanal near Campo Grande in search of monkeys and capybara, or whale-watching off the coast of Santa Catarina. There are unforgettable river trips up the Amazon from Manaus, descents into waterfall-cooled canyons, refreshing dips in forest streams and ascents up rocky cliff tops to breathtaking views. And so, so much more.

Whether or not you come for Carnaval, music is a big part of the Brazilian experience. There are numerous ways to discover the perfect beat, from dancing with Cariocas at Rio’s atmospheric samba clubs to following powerful drumbeats through the streets of Salvador. There’s dancehall forró of the Northeast, twirling carimbó of the Amazon, scratch-skilled DJs of São Paulo and an endless variety of regional sounds that extends from the back-country sertanejo to reggae-loving Maranhão.