Steering clear of the pesky 'Malandragem' on a trip to Brazil by Dehouche Travel

Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions about Brazil is that Brazilians speak Spanish and a sure fire way to get off on the wrong foot in Brazil is to assume just this and start jabbering away in your best GCSE Espanhol to that seemingly friendly immigration officer. They may be able to understand what you say, but that doesn’t mean that they will be pleased, or grant you with the stamp in your passport you had been hoping for.

Brazilians will joke that foreigners will go as far as to believe that Buenos Aires is the capital of Brazil. However, when you take into account that the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is akin to that between France and England, you begin to realize that this is in fact no laughing matter.

Many people travel to Latin America with a smattering of Spanish and find that this suffices to meet their needs. Portuguese is a language the majority of foreign visitors have no former knowledge of and to the untrained ear it can sound indecipherable, even to those who speak another language with Latin roots.

Attempting to learn a few phrases before your trip will always help to make your visit more enjoyable. Brazilians themselves complain that Portuguese is a difficult language and they will appreciate any effort you make to communicate. Unfortunately, it is a difficult language and so you may soon find yourself disheartened.

For a foreigner hoping to learn enough key phrases to survive a week or two’s holiday, the most likely difficulty you will encounter will be pronunciation. The trick is to hold your nose as you speak, but this may draw the very attention you had been hoping to avoid.

For starters try the following:

Bom dia (Bong jee-a)
Good morning

Rio de Janeiro (Hee-o, jee, ja-ney-roo)
Rio de Janeiro

Não (Nown)
No
Brazilians almost never say ‘yes’ either repeating the verb used by the speaker or saying ‘isso’, literally meaning ‘that’.

Whether you’re looking for the right bathroom or trying to explain your sexual preferences, these two words may come in handy:

Mulher (Mool-yair)
Woman

Homem (o- meing)
Man

Feeling hungry? Try these two:
Brigadeiro (Bree-ga-dey-roo)
Yummy chocolate and condensed milk treat

Açaí (A-sai-yee)
Delicious Amazon berry usually served mixed with all kinds of other calorific goodness.


Unfortunately, in parts of Brazil more popular with tourists such as Rio and Bahia, there’s another word that’s difficult to say, but important to know and that’s ‘malandragem’, (ma-lan-dra-jeing) which is basically the act of taking advantage of someone. A ‘Malandro’ (someone who practices malandragem for a living) will be quick to spot a gringo accent and the consequences can leave you somewhat bereft.

Malandros come in all shapes and forms and simply taking a taxi from the airport can result in being led very much up the garden path, as you are taken on the most scenic route possible. Even if your driver adheres to the recognized route, the rule goes that the stronger your accent, the higher the fare.

But what can you do to avoid such pitfalls? Do you need to become fluent in the language before you visit in order not to leave the country a bankrupt? Fortunately not; take a tailor made holiday with luxury travel specialists Dehouche and they can arrange private transfers with English speaking drivers for you throughout your holiday, thus removing the need to get into difficulty before you have even left the airport. Dehouche have relationships with unique and fun local people who will in fact help to smooth over those language difficulties for you, whilst still allowing you to gain an insight into the culture.

Of course, just because Dehouche can provide English speaking guides and drivers doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still have a go at Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation. Dehouche themselves will provide you with a list of up to date useful words and phrases. The difference is that if you do run into difficulty, key Dehouche staff around the country are on hand to help you find a ‘jeitinho’ (Jay-cheen-yo) or ‘Brazilian way out’ of that miscalculated restaurant bill/interminable queue/undeserved parking ticket (delete as applicable)

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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A gourmet's tour of South America with Dehouche Travel

When the Michelin inspectors first visited Tokyo in 2007, the international community (well anyone who had never dined in Tokyo) was stunned when it emerged victorious as the city with the most starred restaurants in the world.

As of yet there are no Michelin guides to any of the great South American metropolises, but most visitors to cities like Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Lima are frequently amazed by the both the quality and sheer cosmopolitan variety of cuisine on offer.

Good food is one of life’s great pleasures and a key factor in defining the perfect holiday. While some of the most rewarding foodie encounters are often of the stumbled upon rustic variety (empanadas on the streets of Cartagena; fresh oysters in Santa Catarina; or Moqueca on the beach in Bahia spring to mind...) for the true gourmet dining experience Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires should top the list of any trip to the continent.



Purveyors of South American luxury and self-proclaimed epicures Dehouche Travel, understand all too well the importance of good restaurants in a luxury holiday and have personally made it their business to trawl the streets of their favourite destinations particularly seeking out the hidden gems that you would otherwise certainly miss on a short trip to any of these cities. Dehouche clients are armed with the fruits of this constantly ongoing mission, and are also offered personal recommendations and a booking service, whether it’s an authentic and rustic seafood shack, a tucked away romantic bistro, or the glitziest luxury restaurant in town.

This arduous research means in many cases they have become firm friends with the owners and chefs of their favorite establishments, who always welcome Dehouche clients in style, often happy to go off menu or create individual tasting menus for special occasions such as a honeymoon.

For example in Buenos Aires, Dehouche has access to several ‘puertas cerradas’ or closed door restaurants, essentially just 3 or 4 tables in the chef’s own house where some of the city’s finest and cutting edge fare is to be found, for example on a luxury honeymoon they will often arrange for a celebrated chef to prepare a meal (with fantastic wine pairings as well) just for one couple – the most exclusive table in town!



Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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What is the number one priority for a fabulous Honeymoon or luxury family vacation? Dehouche has done some research!

When choosing a location for a Honeymoon vacation or luxury family holiday there are quite rightly a number of items on the “must have” check-list that are crucial to the selection of the perfect location, of course these vary from person to person but some do, (according to a recent survey) keep cropping up.




South American Travel experts Dehouche recently conducted a survey amongst some of their most travelled clientele to find out what tops their wish list. Leading contenders as you might expect were “sunshine”, “fabulous accommodation”, “tropical temperatures”, “sublime white sand beaches”, “warm clear seas”, “friendly welcoming locals”, “an historic and varied culture”, “wonderful natural landscapes”, “iconic sites to visit”, “diverse wildlife to spot”... to name but 10. None of this list is particularly surprising they are exactly what you would expect people to be keen to experience on a luxury vacation or Honeymoon but what was surprising is that the number one most important item on the list is actually none of these, the most mentioned by almost twice as many times was in fact “good food”.



Dehouche Travel probed a little deeper to find out exactly what was meant by “good food” surely this is a subjective term, some people are vegetarian, whilst others never touch their greens, others hate seafood and love only finest fillet steak. When asked to define what they meant by selecting ‘good food’ as the most important element of a trip to them the results were in fact quite conclusive. What people want on their romantic honeymoon or luxury family vacation is a fabulous variety - wonderful fresh produce and styles of cooking, across the board people want a vast choice of restaurants and eateries of all types they want inexpensive fresh local street food as well as fantastic silver service fine dining and all the options in between. This discerning clientele actually want there to be a culture and tradition of fantastic cuisine not an imported ‘take’ on a perceived international standard fare. Dehouche who specialize purely in Latin America from Honeymoons in Brazil to luxury family vacations in Argentina or getting off track in style in Peru. From the beaches of Colombia to the tip of Cape Horn if there’s a delicious morsel to be partaken of Dehouche have been there, sampled it, printed the t-shirt and popped it on their list recommendations for their clients to enjoy. One of the great things about South America is that it is a cultural melting pot of cultures and traditions with influences from the Incas to the Angolans.

Take Sao Paulo as an example, here there are more Italians then anywhere outside Italy, more Japanese than anywhere outside Japan and more Lebanese residents than anywhere outside Lebanon more than in any other city in the world... and these three nations have of course some of the finest cuisines in the world. They have been entrenched in Brazil for generations as have the Portuguese and the Spanish in places like Cartagena in Colombia where the seafood is plentiful you are liable to experience some of the best Tapas you’ve ever had of course it’s probably best to let Dehouche point you to the right establishment.



As you would expect South America scores very highly on all 11 items topping the Dehouche client wish-list but perhaps you didn’t realize quite how entrenched the tradition of fabulous food is right across the continent or indeed quite how important it really is as a leading factor in why people choose to Honeymoon and vacation in this glorious part of the world.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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National air travel in Brazil is easier with a helping hand says Dehouche

Brazil is a country of epic proportions, spanning several different time zones and encompassing a microcosm of cultures; from the European-esque South, to the pulsating cosmopolitan metropolis of Sao Paulo and its seductive rival Rio de Janeiro, to the laid back North East of endless paradisiacal beaches, the wetlands of the Pantanal and the world’s largest rainforest. Not forgetting mountains ranges dotted with colonial towns, (half of) one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, vast expanses of semi arid desert and the endless sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this is actually several countries in one. If you hope to see just a glimpse of Brazil’s immense diversity, how best to navigate it’s enormity? One word keeps cropping up in my research and that word is “Dehouche”!

Unfortunately, Brazil does not yet boast a high speed train network to sweep you effortlessly from one end of the country to the other and with single states larger than many countries in Europe, taking a bus is not something you really want to contemplate. Nevertheless, Brazil has the largest number of airports after the US and recent years have seen a surge of new air carriers appear, both increasing choice and lowering the cost for Luxury travelers and Honeymooners. So, all you need is a few web addresses and you can plan your interstate adventure, right? If only it were so easy….

As in Europe, the earlier you book, the more favorable the prices. However, booking online in Brazil involves Brazilian quantities of bureaucracy and is not for the faint hearted. Without a Brazilian address, post code, credit card and CPF (social security) number, you’ll probably find yourself uttering expletives at the computer screen, unable to make it even as far as entering your card details as ‘required fields’ keep you firmly grounded at home under grey skies.

Fortunately, luxury travel experts Dehouche have been based in Rio for the last ten years know all too well what is to suffer at the hands of Brazilian bureaucracy and are on hand to help. Book your international flights to Brazil and Dehouche will take care of the rest; handling flight itineraries, keeping on top of last minute changes and making sure those airline companies have got your all important middle name spelt correctly, so you don’t spend the rest of your life banging your head against the check in desk, yet another victim of inflexible administration systems.



Let Dehouche take care of those ‘required fields’ and all you need to do is turn up with your e-ticket number and breeze through to the boarding lounge. From spectacular Honeymoons in Brazil to luxury family vacations in Argentina Dehouche have it all in hand so that visitors to this wonderful continent can just relax enjoy themselves.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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Take a trip on the wild side with Dehouche

For many people a visit to a country isn’t complete without taking in some of the country’s natural wonders and a spot of wildlife spotting. Especially for busy city dwellers, what better escape from the daily grind than a few days in a remote lodge (preferably far from mobile masts and WiFi), watching Mother Nature go about her millennial routine in one of the world’s remaining great wildernesses? Number one South American authority and luxury travel obsessive’s Dehouche specialize in fabulous luxury Honeymoons and family holidays, right across the continent and will usually recommend guests spend some time in the great outdoors on one of their exclusive tailor made itineraries.

Most ‘package’ tours to Brazil traditionally sent their tourists off on a well worn route between the Amazon and the Iguaçu falls, but from the Flamingos on Bolivia’s salt flats, to jaguars in Brazil’s interior, South America has a lot more to offer, and finding just the right region let alone accommodation can be even more of an arduous task than picking the perfect safari lodge in Africa. This is why Dehouche Travel is based in South America the team at this progressive company are continually researching and updating their recommendations to reflect the absolute pinnacle of luxury travel across the Latin American continent.

The Amazon is often top of many travelers’ list, largely because they’ve heard of it, and whilst the region has certainly been the backdrop to some truly memorable adventures, it is also a very long way away from anywhere (5 hours in a jet from Rio de Janeiro) and the ‘luxury’ lodges tend to be huge tourist machines, a million miles from the remote yet sophisticated tree house of the brochure, not to mention the most exciting creature you’re likely to see is the spider in your bathroom – the monkeys, parrots, anacondas etc. are there, just fiendishly difficult to spot in the thick vegetation of a rainforest, if it’s actually wildlife you are after, it’s best to look elsewhere. Dehouche like to steer their clients instead to one of the continent’s great wetlands, positively teeming with all manner of beast and fowl, not mention a considerably more tempting range of lodging options to come back to and lay down your binoculars at the end of the day.

Brazil’s Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, and the only place in Brazil with a real chance of seeing Jaguars (be warned they are still very rare though), Dehouche clients fly in by light aircraft to a private fazenda in a spectacular spot in the bend of a river, being friends with the owners means guests are treated more like welcome house guests, but the service and food is still streets ahead of the bigger lodges. Aside from the abundant nature on your doorstep – giant river otters can be seen fishing at the bottom of the garden, and rhea freely wander the immediate grounds of the farmhouse – this is one of the best lodges to spot jaguars, the owner personally photographs and keeps track of all of the individual cats in the surrounding territory, as part of an ongoing conservation project. The surroundings are that of gorgeous wilderness and provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic Honeymoon in Brazil.

As Luck would have it the world’s second largest wetland is also to be found in South America, the northern tip of Argentina is home to the Esteros del Ibera, a literal birding paradise (some 350 species), and last refuge for many of Argentina’s endangered species. Again a light aircraft is the order of the day to penetrate right into the heart of the wetlands, for those heading from the north you can even take in the Iguaçu falls from the air on the way – spectacular! Finally it’s also one of the most exciting fly-fishing spots on the continent, home to the much sought after Golden Dorado, prized for its aggressive fighting on the line, anglers fly to the region from all over the world for the chance to fish them, some of which can way up to 25 pounds. Dehouche arrange complete fishing trips, with local bilingual guides to make sure you have the best chance of landing one (or several). So whatever else you do in South America whether it’s the beaches of Brazil or the steak houses of Buenos Aires, do make sure to take in one of the great areas of wilderness which will provide many lifelong memories from your Honeymoon or holiday vacation in Latin America, oh, and don’t forget to contact the experts at Dehouche to make sure you get the best of the best.



Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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Luxury honeymoon in Argentina and Brazil, Dehouche gives the insider perspective!

A combination of Argentina and Brazil honeymoon, allows you to get the best out of aSouth American honeymoon. Honeymoon Specialists Dehouche can organize luxury tailor made itineraries , that take in the best of each region. One might start the honeymoon in Rio de Janeiro , Latin America’s most exciting city, with three nights in the trendy Santa Teresa Hotel. This is one of the best luxury hotels in the city; you will have their superb Loft Suite with unparalleled views over the city. It has the largest swimming pool in Rio, and also one of the finest spas in the city. It also has one of Rio’s best restaurants, which serves contemporary Brazilian cuisine with French influences; Dehouche can and shall organize the restaurant to serve you a special tasting menu of choice, on the private veranda of your suite. You will have a personalized tour with our guide Leonardo, and will include a helicopter flight over the city, on your first day – there is no better way to see the city and indeed no better way to kick off a fabulous Honeymoon in Brazil and Argentina .

After a couple of days enjoying the city fly to Iguacu, where you stay in the wonderful Orient Express owned Hotel Cataratas, the only hotel that is based in the National Park of the Falls, and Honeymooners will have the suite with the best view! Dehouche will arrange for a private guided walking tour of the Argentinean side of the waterfalls, as well as for a boat trip on the river below them in order to get a close up impression of the incredible power of these natural wonders of the world.

A private light aircraft organized by Dehouche will give you an incredible view of the falls and surrounding countryside, before flying on to the Argentine wetlands, a beautiful part of South America that is teeming with wildlife. Here you stay in a wonderful estancia where the staffs are incredible and nothing is too much trouble. There are endless activities that you can get involved in if you would like to; from piranha fishing to horseback riding if you fancy – if not you can just soak up the peace and the views in such a remote part of the world.

The light aircraft returns will then take you to another airport in time for the flight to Buenos Aires, where you stay in the Dehouche selected suite in their favorite boutique hotel in the heart of Palermo Viejo in Buenos Aires. The large deck suite, (the best of only 4 rooms), with a big deck overlooking the hotel’s garden and swimming pool. The Hotel is supremely well located and Dehouche will furnish the lucky couple with their latest extensively researched best of Buenos Aires guide book, and just call their 24 hour concierge service which is on hand for anything from restaurant bookings to personal shoppers or tickets to the polo. On your first morning Dehouche will arrange for a private tour of the city, a perfect way to get your bearings and gain an insight into the fascinating history and culture of Buenos Aires from a local’s perspective. You will also be able to enjoy dinner while watching a live tango show, and have a private tango lesson with a famous local dancing couple. The idea of a Dehouche organized Honeymoon is that you sit back and relax in the knowledge that you are on the inside track to the very best on offer.



Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel,Brazil Honeymoon

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When only the best will do - honeymoon in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay

If it is a proper journey of exploration that you crave for your honeymoon, then Rio based British run South American travel experts Dehouche can create a luxury tailor made itinerary that ensures that honeymooners get to experience the best parts of Latin America’s three most exciting countries. You could start off the honeymoon with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s truly great cities. Stay at the Hotel Santa Teresa, a new and stylish boutique hotel in the Santa Teresa district surrounded by old colonial houses and cobbled streets. The views from here are incredible and the location is very convenient for visiting the main sights of the city, as well as for the famous nightlife of Lapa (where all the traditional samba clubs are). The Hotel also houses Rio’s best spa - the perfect way to help you unwind after the wedding and the journey - and also an excellent in house restaurant, with a French head chef. You will have a personalized tour with Dehouche expert guide Leonardo on your first day, part of which will be done in a private helicopter, undoubtedly the best way to appreciate the unique geography of the city - when seen from above Rio really is the most beautiful city on earth.

From here you fly north to Bahia for four nights in the village of Trancoso, on the palm tree lined ‘Discovery Coast’. Trancoso has a great atmosphere, and although very fashionable with the jet set of Rio and Sao Paulo, as well as in-the-know international navigators, it has lost none of its charm as a supremely laid back Bahian beach village. You will stay in a private villa in the beautifully secluded tropical gardens of the Uxua hotel, quiet and private but none the less right in the heart of the action on the quadrado, with its combination of chic restaurants, bars and artists studios set in the traditional brightly colored fishermen’s houses. Uxua also has a large private area and cocktail bar down on the beach. Dehouche will arrange for a beach buggy during the stay which is a great help both to get down to those wonderful Brazilian beaches but also to explore the coastline with its secluded bays and picturesque fishing villages.

Your next stop is the village of Pipa further north on a stretch of coast with some of Brazil’s most beautiful and romantic beaches . Here you stay in one of Brazil’s most exclusive hotels. Your room is a spacious free standing chalet connected to the rest of the hotel by wooden walkways through the lush tropical gardens of the pousada. The large room is very well equipped with flat screen TV and sound system, as well as some charming unique features, like double waterfall showers, and a Jacuzzi in an old fashioned bath tub outside under the jungle canopy where monkeys are often spotted playing, this secluded back veranda is lit by lantern at night creating a very special ambience. The staffs here are among some of the best in Brazil, nothing is too much trouble. The hotel has two stunning swimming pools and one of the best restaurants in the village. It’s a good idea also to include an afternoon out on a catamaran with the Dehouche man on the ground and local character, Didier, stopping for fresh seafood and ending at a beautiful spot in the lagoon for sunset. There’s plenty to do beyond just relaxing, it’s one of the best spots for surfing and kite surfing in Brazil, and there’s some fun beach buggy trips you can do on the dunes along the coast - this is one of Brazil’s most beautiful locations and a real must for the perfect Brazil Honeymoon.



But these is more than a simple Honeymoon in Brazil and so next up Dehouche organize a trip to Argentina for three nights in Buenos Aires, the ‘Paris of South America’, where you stay in a favorite boutique hotel of Dehouche in the trendy Palermo Viejo district. You stay in a spacious suite (the best of only 4 rooms), with a big deck overlooking the hotel’s garden and swimming pool. This delightful hidden gem is just walking distance from many of the best bars, restaurants and shops the city has to offer. On your first morning Dehouche organizes for a private tour of the city with their fun and knowledgeable guide Ana, a great way to get your bearings and gain an insight into the fascinating history and culture of Buenos Aires from a local’s perspective.

Finally on this amazing honeymoon in South America it’s time for a finale in true style in the very chic Uruguayan beach village of Jose Ignacio, where luxury honeymooners delight in a large suite in the best boutique hotel in the village, with a huge private veranda looking out to sea. This is one of the coolest places to be in South America, sophisticated but relaxed. There are some world class restaurants and bars in this understated little village. This will also be some great beach time to top up tans and really relax at the end of a fabulous South American Honeymoon, as well as catching one of the chicest party scenes in the world!

This is just an example of the superb tailor made luxury honeymoon that Latin America specialists Dehouche can put together contact Dehouche to start planning your dream South American honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel,Brazil Honeymoon

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A Diverse Brazilian Honeymoon by Dehouche Travel

For those people who want more variety and adventure on their honeymoon than just sitting on the beach, Rio based South America experts Dehouche are the talented fixers to turn to (although they are likely to recommend that you spend some of your time on Brazil’s fabulous beaches!). An example of the sort of trip that they can put together would perhaps see the lucky couple start their honeymoon with two nights in Salvador, a fascinating city with a vibrant African culture that is felt in everything from its music to its exotic cuisine. The hotel, one of the best luxury hotels in Brazil, is an immaculately converted convent with an ideal position in the heart of the historical centre, a very romantic stop for the first couple of days of the honeymoon. Dehouche will arrange for a short walking tour of the ‘Pelourinho’ with their fabulous guide Gabriela who will ensure a fun time and an inside track on the colourful history and culture of this one time capital of Brazil.

Honeymooners might then head inland for four days in the Chapada Diamantina national park, which is a little off the beaten track and gives a taste of the relaxed pace of life in the Brazilian interior. Here one resides in the sleepy colonial town of Lencois, Dehouche select another one of their fantastic guides this time it might be Ronald who would look after guests for the duration of their stay in this remote landscape for the whole stay, Ronald tailors excursions to the personal preferences of the clients – just as it should be. Daily excursions can be treks and picnics on tabletop mountains, swimming in crystal clear streams and waterfalls. In this unique spot one can be as active or not as one likes, and anything can be organised from mountain biking to horse riding and from rock climbing to caving. The hotel is a reselected is a gem, with a very charismatic owner and most importantly a very impressive breakfast spread to give energy for the day ahead!

On return to Salvador, the next location might involve a flight south to the village of Trancoso, on the palm tree lined ‘Discovery Coast’. Trancoso has a great atmosphere, and although very trendy with the jet set of Rio and Sao Paulo, as well as in-the-know international travellers, it has lost none of its charm as a supremely laid back Bahian beach village. Lucky Dehouche Honeymoon couples stay in a luxurious villa at the Uxua hotel, beautifully peaceful and secluded set in tropical gardens, but none the less right where one wants to be on the quadrado, with the combination of chic restaurants, bars and artists studios set in the traditional brightly coloured fisherman’s houses. Uxua also has a large private area and cocktail bar down on the beach. Dehouche arrange for a jeep during the stay – lots of fun to potter down the coast visiting the many secluded coves and simple villages, where there are endless beaches and little restaurants serving up great seafood.

After a good 5 or 6 nights in Trancoso why not continue south to Rio for three nights in the superb Fasano hotel right on Ipanema beach front. This is without a doubt the best luxury hotel in the city, lucky guests will have a Dehouche selected favourite suite with a balcony looking out over Ipanema beach. It has the largest rooftop swimming pool in Rio, where the spa is also housed looking out down the Ipanema and Leblon seafronts. It also has one of Rio’s best restaurants, first class Italian style seafood. Honeymooners will have a personalized tour with our guide Leonardo the Dehpouche expert guide, as throughout the Honeymoon couples will have the benefit of the Dehouche list of recommendations, and their 24 hour concierge service is on hand to organise anything at the last minute - from restaurant bookings to helicopter trips.



Finally why not finish the Honeymoon in style on the stunning beaches of the Costa Verde, the Atlantic rainforest covered coastline between Rio and Sao Paulo. Stay in a charming boutique pousada, just on the edge of a little fishing village with beautiful views down the coast. Set up just above the beach, and the hotel has a large swimming pool and deck area. As well as being a very comfortable and stylish place to finish the honeymoon, it is also a great look at the ‘real’ rural coastal Brazilian life. It is an excellent place to spend several days, as aside from relaxing and enjoying the hotel’s spa services or many beaches of the coastline, there is plenty else to do; walks to waterfalls in the surrounding rainforest, kayaking or snorkelling trips, visiting islands and deserted beaches a thoroughly charming spot in which to finish a wonderful Honeymoon in Brazil.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO, Dehouche – Art of Travel, Brazil Honeymoon

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A wonderful full luxury Brazilian Honeymoon by Dehouche Travel

Dehouche are the company to turn to you when you really want to experience the best that Brazil has to offer. An example of the type of incredible tailor made trip that they regular assemble for their discerning clientele would see begin your honeymoon with 4 nights in Ponta dos Ganchos, the most exclusive resort in Brazil that has won countless awards as one of Latin America, and the world’s, most romantic hotels. You will be staying in one of the best of only 25 bungalows - your private facilities include a dry sauna, a Jacuzzi and an infinity plunge pool. The service here is absolutely outstanding and the setting is beautiful. On your final night Dehouche will arrange for the two of you to be served a romantic dinner on the hotel’s private islet - to ensure that you feel special you will be the only people dining on the islet!

You will then fly to Rio de Janeiro, Latin America’s most exciting city. Here you will stay in the Fasano, which enjoys an enviable position right on the famous Ipanema beach. You will stay in one of their 3 suites which have incredible views of the ocean from their large balconies. When watching the sunset with a caipirinha in hand by the pool you certainly realise that you are in the coolest hotel in town. On your first morning Dehouche’s local guide Leonardo will take you on a personalised tour of the city, which will help you get your bearings and ensure that you get to see world renowned landmarks up close. While in Rio you will also be given a private cooking lesson that will focus on using local ingredients and also in creating the perfect cocktail accompaniments! You will also spend an afternoon hang gliding over Rio - this is the best way to really appreciate the city’s stunning natural beauty.

Your next flight will take you to the island of Fernando de Noronha, 350 kms off Brazil’s north east coast. Here you stay in the best hotel on the island, the Pousada Maravilha. Words cannot do Fernando justice, it’s beauty has to be seen to be believed - the water is so pure and clear that you can see for 30 feet, which means that the diving and snorkelling are some of the world’s finest. The air quality has been measured as the second purest on earth, after only Antarctica - which is not such a desirable honeymoon destination! You will have a beach buggy at your disposal for the duration of your stay, which will ensure that you can explore all of the island’s glorious (and often deserted) beaches.

After 5 blissful days you will fly back down to Sao Paulo, where you will be in the exquisite Hotel Fasano, which is ideally located in the Jardims district. This is South America’s most cosmopolitan city and has the most sophisticated nightlife - Dehouche will make sure that you have our recommendations of the best bars and restaurants to enjoy. We will also arrange for you to have a private tour with our local guide Luisa, she will take you off the normal tourist trail and show you some hidden gems. An itinerary similar to this will ensure that you get to experience many parts of this beautiful and diverse country.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO

Dance your way across South America

Gracing the dance floor for the first dance at your wedding can leave you with several feelings:

1. You always knew you were a great dancer; this just confirms it, everyone at the wedding was able to learn something from you.
2. You’ve always enjoyed dancing, but you feel like you could enjoy it more if you actually knew some steps.
3. You feel like maybe your dancing could be better with less champagne and perhaps a little instruction.

If you answered b or c, then perhaps it’s time to take some classes?

It’s difficult to say exactly where in the world the capital of dance lies, but few would dispute that it’s probably somewhere in Latin America; a melting pot of cultures, the fusion of African and European influences has resulted in an incredibly rich music and dance tradition. Why not plan your honeymoon in South America to take in several different destinations and become a master of them all?

Luxury travel experts Dehouche offer tailor made packages throughout Latin America and in addition to internal flights and accommodation are able to organise as little or as much of your itinerary as you wish. Be it Tango classes in Buenos Aires, Samba in Rio de Janeiro or Salsa in Cali.

Dehouche are based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where offices and shops close for almost a whole week each year so that people can dance with abandon in the street without respite, and standing uncomfortably on the sidelines is tantamount to offense. As such, they’re well aware how easily you can feel intimidated in the midst of people who seem to be born with not just a basic instinct to dance, but a seemingly natural ability to do so both well and effortlessly.

So if you don’t yet know your samba from your rumba and you think Cha-cha-cha is a drink, do not worry, there is help at hand. Dehouche can arrange for a private teacher, so even if you’re truly embarrassed at your lack of dancing ability, there’s nothing to fear. Let one of Dehouche’s patient, English speaking teachers guide you through the steps and you’ll soon be the one giving the lessons to your friends back home.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com


Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO

Hotel Bedrooms rarely make the grade for a Dehouche Honeymoon

From four poster beds in colonial mansions to high tech beach bungalows with all the mod cons Dehouche the South American Honeymoon specialists have not just poked their noses in they’ve darn well spent the night in them all checking the finer points of shower pressure and mattress springiness – it’s a tough old job but someone’s got to do it!

Dehouche, based in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are not generally sticklers for rules being very much of the opinion that breakfast should be served at anytime and drinks should certainly be allowed in the pool area – they do however always adhere to their 1st commandment “thou shalt strenuously test every hotel bedroom before recommending it” They say it’s amazing how many hotels look good but end up not making the grade – and first impressions can be misleading especially in South America where the most luxurious properties tend to be small independently owned boutique hotels that often have the prerequisite infinity pool and designer vodka bar but do the hot water pipes clank, and just how capable is room service at providing a chocolate pudding in the early hours?

At any one time there are apparently two Dehouche researchers tirelessly sleeping in the finest cotton sheets and washing their hair with the most exclusive Amazonian oils in marble clad bathrooms. Dehouche believe that until you have spent a nights ‘bedding in’ to a place you really can’t know what it’s like which rooms are actually best in terms of view and peace and quiet and yes anal things like water pressure.

Dehouche only visit the most promising new openings in South America and yet they report that only 1 in 5 of these properties make it onto their luxury itineraries. Apart from linens and views and food and waterfall showers and service and location etc. there is also something that they refer to as an elusive “X-factor” that certain ‘Je ne ce qua’ a vibe or a feeling where everything comes together just right to create another level to set a place apart as truly great – this is the nirvana that these tireless modern day explorers seek. And nowhere, Dehouche say is this X-factor more prominent in South America than in Argentina and Brazil. The mixture of the effortless chic and the genuinely luxurious do come together in places as far flung as Colombia and the tip of Chile but they do so time and again right across Brazil and Argentina from a beach bungalow beside a mangroves in the far northeast of Brazil perfect for a Honeymoon set on a secluded beach and with views out to sea from the bed to the icy climes of an exclusive Patagonian lodge with only 4 bedrooms one with a deck and hot tub with views out across a lake to the foothills of the snow capped Andes beyond.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO

South America is a foodie paradise!

An essential cornerstone of an amazing Honeymoon is fabulous food, from fresh local delicacies and great street food through to the finest no holds barred dining experiences and all in between. There should be the full range on offer, after all Honeymoons are about relaxing without a care in the world not foraging for something decent to eat. South American travel experts Dehouche are based across the continent with a head office in Rio de Janeiro they comprise of a mixed team of Brits, Americans, a Swede, an Italian and a fair few Brazilians and Argentineans all of whom apart from having a love for South America also share a deep uncompromising passion for good food.

The continent of South America has some of the finest produce in the world from the freshest of fish in Cartagena, Colombia to the juiciest steak from grasslands of Argentina, or from the spicy seafood of Bahia in Brazil to the new season Uruguayan lamb ingredients are key and in South America it’s all quite simply “best in class”!

The team at Dehouche are always trying to find new local specialities or off track foodie experiences to recommend to clients. All of their clients have access to their free concierge service exclusive to people travelling with Dehouche in South America. Clients can ring up an expert whilst travelling who is not only in their time zone and describe the sort of experience they are looking for. Invariably clients desire something genuine and in keeping with the local surroundings and so if in Minas Gerais in Brazil a state (just North of Rio) famed for its cuisine, here the Dehouche concierge might call on a friend who at the weekend roasts suckling pigs on his farm for the lucky few invitees (everyone always agrees the crackling and tender white meat is the best they’ve had).

Or If in Buenos Aires where the options are endless but perhaps clients on holiday fancy trying one of the underground “Puertas Cerradas” or “closed door” restaurants which have become very popular in Buenos Aires of late. These are restaurants not open to the public that tend to be operated from the chef’s own home with just 3 or 4 tables and very limited menus in terms of choice but what they serve up is often extremely good. They only release their location when a table is booked, they are quirky and original but very often turn out inspired dishes sometimes with fantastic wine pairings. The chefs themselves tend to be interesting characters passionate about what they do and so great fun to meet which one invariably does given the size of these hidden treats of culinary invention. If you want to try one out, let the concierge know and they’ll check which is the best one for the nights you’re in town.

Of course fine dining is not just important but an outright necessity on a Honeymoon in South America and Dehouche is no slouch when it comes to organising the perfect romantic experience the concierge tends to have the ear of the maître d’ to ensure clients have the right table overlooking the chef at work. It’s so important to get these things right so Honeymooners can just relax and enjoy the best food in South America in the knowledge that everything is being well thought of to ensure the best possible experience.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

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Honeymoon in Brazil can be a real party!

The first choice for those seeking the best of South America’s nightlife is obviously the big cities – Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro. But for travellers who want to combine a more relaxing stay by a beautiful beach with a happening social scene, Brazil in particular has several beach party hot spots, perfect for a honeymoon couple who get itchy feet after more than a day or two of purely R&R.

Bespoke South American holiday wizards Dehouche will make sure you are always in the right place at the right time, on hand to provide table reservations, VIP entrance to clubs, not to mention a reservation in the coolest room at the chicest boutique retreat in town.

During its short summer season (January to February) the south of Brazil, specifically Florianopolis, has long been popular with the young Brazilian party crowd, particularly at Carnaval time for those wanting to escape the incessant samba, tail-feathered, commercialised version of Carnaval on offer in Rio. On Florianopolis itself, the famed beach parties in Jurere of clubs like Taiko and Cafe de La Musique, are gradually becoming better known outside of Brazil, and the great thing about Florianopolis is that while you have world class nightlife, the island also offers 170km of coastline, dotted with sandy beaches, and a perfect natural playground of mountains, lagoons and forests to fulfil all your adventure sport needs, or simply relax in beautiful surroundings. Also in Santa Catarina is the Warung Beach Club, regularly voted as one of the best clubs in the world, in a unique natural setting between the beach and the forest, it has a total capacity for more than 3000 people and hosts some of the biggest international names in electronic music.

Moving north towards Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, on the jungle covered, island studded, Costa Verde hosts the country’s hottest private island parties, where the international jet set party hop aboard their luxury motor yachts. Just north of Rio is the Buzios peninsula, favourite of Brigitte Bardot in the 60s, perhaps not quite the ‘Ibiza’ of Rio as its sometimes billed but still a small fishing village with cute restaurants and beach wear boutiques complimenting a booming nightlife scene with international names like Pacha taking pride of place facing out to sea on the beach promenade Rua das Pedras.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Argentina Honeymoon, Brazil Honeymoon, Honeymoon in South America, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon in Brazil, IndSEO

Gorgeous 'Praia da Pipa' wins top 10 Brazilian beach - perfect for a romantic Honeymoon in Brazil

The village of Pipa is one of the most beautifully situated in all of Brazil, with a lagoon to its west and the tropical Atlantic Ocean to the east. The local topography is diverse and very impressive, ranging from towering cliffs and enormous white sand dunes to secluded coves and natural swimming pools, mostly fringed by Atlantic Rainforest. But of course the main reason for coming here is the glorious beaches that stretch for miles up and down the coast; the joy is that you can often have an entire beach to yourselves, perfect for romantic strolls as the sun sets on another blissful day. The beach below the village itself was named in the ‘Guia 4 Rodas’ (Brazil’s most respected impartial travel book) as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Brazil, and it’s easy to understand why as you amble along in the shade of the extensive coconut palm trees. Around the corner you will find the Baia dos Golfinhos - this is the dolphins favourite location, where you are practically guaranteed to see them playing in the waves and where you may be lucky enough to swim right alongside these remarkable animals, the bay is also frequented by turtles. Further down the coast is the Praia do Amor, where some of the best surfing in north east Brazil is to be found. It is also the most lively beach on which to enjoy a few sundowners.

Besides the excellent surfing, there are many other exciting activities on offer, ranging from boat trips and dune buggy excursions to canoeing and horse riding. Heading out on a well equipped boat in search of marlin and other deep sea fish is another enjoyable way to spend a day. Although still small and retaining its laidback charm, the village of Pipa is a fashionable destination and therefore has several excellent restaurants. Rio based luxury agency Dehouche keep their finger on the pulse and are always up to date with the best options. Currently they include a tapas restaurant that has some very creative offerings, some excellent places for fresh seafood and a wonderfully located restaurant with a great 7 course tasting menu. After dinner there are lots of lively bars to choose from, a nightclub in the village and also a nightclub on the beach, where the live reggae on a Thursday night is a particular highlight.

For accommodation, Dehouche can secure perhaps the best room for honeymooners in all of Brazil. It is in a hotel that is on the outskirts of the village and is situated in an area of private rainforest and carefully manicured gardens. The chalets within the hotel are so well spread out that you have lots of privacy, but the very well trained staffs are never far away. Your room has a veranda all the way around it and is decorated with gorgeous antique furniture. A couple of the additional features are the double waterfall showers and hidden outdoor Jacuzzi, ensuring that this is the ultimate romantic retreat for part of your Brazilian honeymoon.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

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Rio, one long carnival parade?

You could be forgiven for thinking that life in Brazil, or at least in Rio, is one long carnival parade, as exhibitionists strut up and down the streets in outlandish costumes, liable to break into dance at any moment. Certainly the ‘Paulistanos’ (São Paulo residents) would have little to say to dispute this.

Technically however, Carnival is just one day. Known in some parts of the world as ‘Fat Tuesday’ or ‘Mardi Gras’, and ‘Shrove Tuesday’ to Brits, the last day before lent is celebrated the world over; yet these celebrations take somewhat different forms. Whilst Brits are devouring mountains of pancakes with lemon and sugar, Brazilians are shaking their lithe toned bodies to the rhythms of samba, axé and maracatú, to name but a few. What’s more, Brazilians can’t stop at just one day and insist on turning this festival into a week long party, with the majority of businesses closing and normal life coming to a standstill for five full days. So if you fancy swapping a night of pancakes for a week of revelry, read on.

Carnival is perhaps Brazil’s most famous export and Rio’s carnival is perhaps the most famous of them all. Samba schools spend practically the entire year preparing for a performance to surpass all others, beginning their preparations when the previous year’s visitors are still heading home, abandoning the costumes they are unable to squeeze inside their bulging suitcases at the international airport.

It’s impossible to overestimate the seriousness with which this competition is taken as Rio’s Samba schools vie each year for prime position. Rio’s samba schools began to emerge as early as the 1920s and their lives have not escaped controversy; few schools have not suffered allegations of allegiances with drug traffickers; suspicions of money laundering or being used as a mask for criminal activities. Recent years have seen government investment in the schools in an attempt to protect them from corruption.

It’s possible to attend the schools’ rehearsals from November onwards, by taking a journey to some of the more impoverished areas of the city. Though these days the rehearsals are frequented by many foreign visitors, it can still be quite a jaw dropping spectacle to those who were not born shuffling their feet to Samba. But if you’re curious to see behind the doors of one of these legendary institutions, ask local luxury travel experts Dehouche for more details on how to organise an excursion.

The long awaited parade itself takes place over two days inside the ‘Sambódromo’, the creation of Rio’s most famous architect son, Niemeyer, and the world’s most famous show is quite simply a unique and unforgettable experience.

What have now re-emerged to rival this performance in popularity however, are the ‘blocos’ (or street parties). For impatience sake, these too, begin well in advance of carnival week itself, with ‘pre-carnaval blocos’ taking over Rio’s streets as early as January. In recent years the ‘blocos’ have gained so many extra followers, that the very details of their locality and time of departure are a closely guarded secret, rarely divulged to the public and if divulged, usually only as a ‘diversion tactic’. Be warned.

Rio’s carnival may be the most well known and is unarguably spectacular; however, if you’re looking for a laid back holiday or some quiet time on your honeymoon, Carnival is not necessarily the best time to visit this city. Almost a million tourists flock to Rio at this time of year and accommodation prices rocket.

The city is a hive of activity, bursting at the seams, and after five days of continuous partying, the lack of public toilets could not be more apparent. Dehouche, who are based in Rio themselves, recommend instead heading for the historical city of Olinda, in Pernambuco, North East Brazil. Olinda is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, founded in 1535 and according to legend, earned it’s name when Portuguese Duarte Coelho first stumbled upon the location, exclaiming ‘Oh, linda situação para se construir uma vila’ ‘Oh what a beautiful place to build a villa.’ Today Olinda’s beauty is undisputed, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1982, Olinda was also voted the first Brazilian capital of culture in 2006. Unsurprisingly, Olinda’s carnival is one of the most traditional and the festivities are an opportunity to experience another side of Brazilian culture and an insight into the origins of this colourful city.

If you thought Samba was difficult, then it’s time to try the frenetic Pernambuco rhythms of ‘Frevo’. The name ‘Frevo’ originates from the Portuguese ‘ferver’ (to boil) and effervescent you need to be to perform the acrobatic steps of this dance. Frevo has its roots in Capoeira, the martial art that evolved amongst Africans sold into slavery in Brazil; when Frevo first emerged in the 19th century ‘Capoeiristas’ traditionally led the parade in order to defend the ‘bloco’ from rival ‘blocos’. Even the colourful parasols twirled by the dancers today, were at one time a means of defence.

Also native to Pernambuco, is percussion led Maracatu. Like many Brazilian traditions, Maracatu owes its existence to a blend of Indigenous, African and European influences; though the dance was principally born out of rebellion against the Portuguese court. The procession, composed of a myriad of costumed characters, is held up by a king and queen at the rear and is intended to represent the old African courts, showing that despite being captured and sold into slavery, their nobility was kept alive.

These are ‘blocos’ to admire, but there are also those where all abilities can take part and there’s no need to be a professional dancer to enjoy Olinda’s carnival. Once you’ve ‘frevoed’ until your heels are sore, watch the giant doll race, when grown men don enormous costumes, one man per leg of doll, and limber up and down the cobbled streets, sprayed by the water pistols of onlookers, in the hope of winning a large cash prize.

Let Dehouche take care of all your travel arrangements and all you need to do is enjoy the world’s greatest party.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

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Patagonia: the unmissable adventure - an essential part of a gorgeous Honeymoon in Argentina by Dehouche Travel

A trip to Patagonia comes high on the list of ‘must-sees’ for most visitors to Argentina or Chile. Perhaps your picture of the region goes something like this: an Alpine-esque landscape of lakes and mountains, jagged peaks and glaciers, populated with a jolly mix of penguins, Welsh villagers, escaped Nazis and American outlaws-cum-ranchers. Now add in the fact that the word ‘Patagonia’, comes from the name early European explorers gave to the natives here: Patagon (or Patagão in Magellan’s Portuguese), possibly translating ‘big foot’ – referring to a local population of alleged giants, twice the normal human height - and it’s easy to see how a trip to Patagonia can be a daunting prospect for the first time visitor.

Covering over a million square kilometres or the entire southern parts of Argentina and Chile, containing several distinct eco-systems, hundreds of different towns and a huge range of accommodation options from full luxury estancias in dramatic and remote locations, to rustic mountain huts or even camping under the stars as part of longer treks or expeditions on horseback, it’s advisable to speak to an expert before planning your trip. South American specialists Dehouche know all the secrets from the best hotel for a family skiing holiday to the cabin with the best view on a luxury cruise around Tierra del Fuego.

While Chile boasts some superb luxury properties, such as the internationally renowned Explora lodges, Argentina tends to offer better value for money as well as some of the most famous sights Patagonia such as the Fitz Roy mountain range and the Perito Moreno glacier. Although it’s impossible to avoid other tourists in the most famous locations, such as at the Moreno glacier, Dehouche tries to steer its clients away from the bigger international lodges to smaller family run estancias, still highly luxurious, with cosy eiderdowns, log fires, and delicious home cooked food. The owners often become good friends and take pleasure riding out with guests showing them their estates and sharing a traditional Argentine ‘asado’ barbecue cooked in the field with local gauchos.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

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Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro is a hiiden gem well worth dropping in one sunny day of your vacation

When thermometers rise in Rio and shady spots are sought out, it’s important to know where to go to escape both the heat and the crowds. Leafy Jardim Botânico is certainly enticing, but local luxury travel experts Dehouche recommend bypassing the hordes pouring in here and heading instead to its slightly younger sister, Parque Lage, lying just a little further down the street.

Ask a Carioca when they last went to ‘Sugarloaf’ and they’ll reply that it was several years ago when their cousin last visited from São Paulo. Ask them when they last went to ‘Parque Lage’ and the more likely response is that they have never actually been. Dehouche suggest taking advantage of this heinous oversight.

Parque Lage lies at the foot of Corcovado, far enough away from the traffic roaring down ‘Rua Jardim Botânico’ that it’s easy to forget the hustle of the city. Backed by acres of Atlantic rainforest and with the lagoon just in front, it benefits from a more agreeable temperature than many other parts of the city.

The park’s life began back in the early 19th century when English landscape architect John Tyndale was commissioned to design the gardens, imprinting upon the landscape the romantic style so popular in his home country at that time. In the mid 18th century the land was acquired by the Lage family in whose hands it stayed until 1913.

After a brief spell in possession of another, the park was re-appropriated by Henrique Lage in 1920, who in the same decade invited Italian architect Mario Vodret, to redesign both the gardens and impressive colonial mansion which today stands at their forefront. The eclectic style he brought with him was greatly appreciated by Henrique’s wife, Italian singer Gabriela Bezanzoni, at that time a prominent figure on the Carioca party circuit and known for hosting lavish events. Sadly, Parque Lage’s heyday was short lived and Henrique was later forced to sell the property to pay his debts. Fortunately however, the park was saved by the state, receiving protection as part of the city’s cultural heritage and opening to the public in the 1960s.

Climb the steps to the mansion and inside discover the scene which pleased Gabriela so much; an incandescent green swimming pool encircled by a courtyard, the imposing architecture of the mansion reflected in its still waters. Take a seat under the arches, where the comfortable low tables of the café are adorned generously with cushions and interspersed with displays of artwork from the art school housed here today. Order one of the delicious home made quiches before they are swiped from the kitchen window by the monkeys from the park behind.

Dehouche particularly recommend stopping by for the weekend buffet breakfast, when the courtyard fills with live music, as the perfect way to start the day on your honeymoon. If you manage to resist the temptation to overindulge, linger long enough to explore the rambling park behind; if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, it’s possible to hike through the subtropical rainforest to the summit of Corcovado itself.

Let Dehouche arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO