A Brazil Honeymoon without sand... really?

While a certain amount of seclusion is certainly a key factor in any honeymoon, to many couples the idea of solely spending two weeks on a beach, even with the love of your life in a picture perfect setting, just doesn’t appeal. There’s no reason why a honeymoon can’t also be a good excuse to sample some faster paced sophisticated city time and happening nightlife.

Some of South America’s great cities are a good place to start and while Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro may be famous internationally for tango and samba they also have a more modern side and an exciting club scene. Nightlife in Buenos Aires starts very late (it’s standard practice to arrive after 3am at a club) and there is a thriving electronic and underground scene, combined with the Argentine capital’s large and rapidly changing selection of excellent restaurants and modern boutique hideaways, this is a perfect spot for a happening city-break honeymoon.

Rio de Janeiro throws a tropical climate and beach lifestyle into the mix and, although to a lesser extent, still has an ever increasing range of chic clubs and bars, but perhaps the most cosmopolitan city of all is the often over looked Sao Paulo. Several factors, firstly the massive concentration of wealth in the city (this is after all the city with the largest fleet of private aircraft in the world), and secondly the lack of naturally occurring attractions which cities like Rio can always fall back on, Sao Paulo has an incredible range of world class restaurants (Michelin aren’t here yet but Sao Paulo has the largest number of Brazil’s equivalent 3 starred establishments), and the country’s best night life, from small underground electronic meccas, to full on glitzy nightclubs where it can cost you more than $1000 just to walk in the door. There is no shortage of luxury lodgings to rest your head either, the Paulista elite know how to splash out and won’t stand for poor service. A suite at one of the city’s top hotels is a seriously stylish option for a honeymoon with a difference.

So you don’t get lost planning a trip in these urban jungles you need to go with the experts, not only to make sure your in nothing but the best hotel room in the coolest neighbourhood but also to recommend on where the party is on any given night, and which the best restaurants to check out are from trendy new openings to the old classics you simply can’t miss.

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

Airport Fast Track - the only way to arrive on your Honeymoon in Brazil

Few people’s dream holiday or honeymoon involves rigorous time constraints, immoveable itineraries or early morning military drills. A holiday for most of us is an opportunity to escape the banality of routine, to forget alarm clocks and timetables and live life at an altogether different pace, one that, rather than being imposed upon us, is entirely of our own choosing. What better country then, than Brazil? After all, do people even own watches in Brazil? Surely any kind of timepiece is a superfluous commodity in a country so synonymous with flexibility.

For Brazilians, ‘Pontualidade Britannica’ or ‘British punctuality’ is a national joke, something many of those native to this laid back land seem almost proud they have no need to adhere to. Nevertheless, if you’re planning a trip to include several destinations within the country, you’ll need to get on a plane to traverse this immense place and these planes do have timetables (sort of), so perhaps it’s worth bringing some of that punctuality (be it British, European or otherwise) with you. The only question is whether, in a culture where spontaneity rules, your punctuality alone will be enough to ensure your Honeymoon is hassle free.

Brazil’s motto, to be found on the nation’s flag, is ‘Ordem e Progresso’ (Order and Progress) Progress is not in question, but when you arrive from your international flight at one of Brazil’s chaotic airports, it’s sometimes difficult to see much evidence of order. After a tiring international flight, this can be a little unsettling; especially if you’re arriving for the first time in a country where the language and culture are unfamiliar. You puzzle at the ‘system’, where exactly does this line end and begin? Why exactly is it that so many who arrived after you now seem to be before you? Are you in the right line at all? What does ‘anulado’ mean?

Brazilians are very keen to help others and those that speak English will be happy to furnish you with information if you ask for help. The only problem is that Brazilians are sometimes so keen to help others that, rather than admit they do not know the answer to your question, will invent something.

If you have little time to catch your connecting flight, this will only serve to increase your frustration. Especially when you realise that due to the helpful advice you received, rather than now being on your way to your boarding gate, you are in fact in the duty free shop in arrivals, many bureaucratic hurdles and queues away from where you want to be and with just half an hour before your plane’s departure.

If you want your holiday to be truly relaxing from the moment you arrive, the only solution is to talk to luxury travel experts Dehouche who are based in Brazil. Dehouche’s dynamic cosmopolitan team combines local Brazilian knowledge with European efficiency and as such can ensure your holiday is seamless from the moment you step off the plane. Dehouche’s representative will meet you immediately upon arrival and help divert you away from the hordes jostling for position in an immigration queue of daunting proportions. With Dehouche you can breathe a sigh relief as you glide towards an ‘alternative’ line of an altogether more reasonable length; stepping up the momentum and saving you precious minutes. Here in Brazil ‘tudo é possível’ (anything is possible) and there is always a ‘jeitinho’ (Brazilian way) It’s just a matter of being with someone who knows.

Trust local experts Dehouche to take care of this for you and, instead of crying tears of nervous exhaustion as you stamp your feet in a static queue only to arrive at the boarding gate five minutes before departure and watch your connecting flight take off with your luggage, but without you; you’ll be smiling all the way to your (Dehouche selected) luxury boutique hotel.

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

The perfect spot for a nightcap on your Honeymoon in Brazil

On a summer’s day in Rio when temperatures can reach 40 degrees and feel like 50 due to the humidity, there’s nothing a Carioca likes more at the end of the day (or even in the morning) than a ‘cerveja estupidamente gelada’, that is, a freezing cold beer. Unlike beer in Europe, which is judged on its flavour, beer in Brazil is judged on its temperature; the colder the better. There may be ice floating in it, but a Carioca will still tell you that it is ‘too hot’.

If you find yourself in Rio on a day when the pavement might at any moment melt below your feet, it’s important to know the best place to find a frozen beer and perhaps, some accompanying nibbles – you will of course have the latest info to hand if you booked your holiday or Honeymoon through local experts Dehouche. The choice of establishments is baffling; add to this the rapidity with which these places fall in and out of favour as the fickle Carioca crowd change their allegiances with as much frequency as they do their other halves, and you realise that a guide book just won’t do. Ask luxury travel specialists Dehouche to organise your holiday however and you’ll be provided with an up to date bible of where to battle for a table and where to avoid at your utmost.

As Dehouche are based in Rio themselves they test out these places on a regular basis (demanding research indeed) drinking the bad beer so you don’t have to. Some current favourites include the traditional ‘Bracarense’. Situated in Rio’s most upscale neighbourhood, Leblon, ‘Bracarense’ is referred to as a ‘pé sujo’, which roughly translates as a ‘dirty drinking hole’. In any other neighbourhood, however, it would probably be considered a place worth dressing up for and you’d be a fool to pass up the tasty snacks with which to wash down your ice cold beer. Dehouche recommend the ‘bolinho de aipim com camarão e catupiry’ that’s manioc balls filled with prawn and cream cheese to you and me. Bustling in happy hour, the efficient waiting staff keep the ‘chopp’ (draught beer) flowing and you’ll soon find your thirst and appetite quenched.

If you’re not a beer lover however, fret not, as there are many other ways to cool down and tantalise your taste buds. It’s impossible to overlook the national beverage, cachaça, and its cocktail manifestation, caipirinha, available in an ever increasing range of fruit combinations. The charming ‘Da Graça’ in Horto, the leafy, tranquil neighbourhood hidden behind the botanical gardens, offers an impressive drinks menu including various tempting cocktail combinations from caipisake (a popular variation on caipirinha made with, you guessed it, sake, instead of cachaça) to the refreshing house mixture of vodka, mint liqueur and pineapple. Admire the eclectically decorated kitsch interior before making yourself comfortable amongst the cushions on the softly lit terrace, admiring the view of Christ the Redeemer. Calmly tucked away from the rush of Rio’s traffic, ‘Da Graça’ is a place to settle down for the evening and is a popular haunt for couples.

A relatively new addition to the Dehouche team’s drinking circuit is ‘Prima’ a ‘Bruschetteria’ in Leblon, where this Italian toastlike delicacy comes in an infinite number of guises, all of which are very pleasantly accompanied by a carafe of house wine. Dehouche can’t are keen to return and try the sparkling wine and limoncello cocktail.

Of course, despite their current popularity, Dehouche won’t guarantee that any of these establishments will still be functioning on your holiday to Brazil, so the best course of action is to ask Dehouche to organise things for you and they’ll make sure you receive the most up to date recommendations in Rio and anywhere else you might choose to visit across the South American continent.

Contact Brazil specialists Dehouche

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

The Little Known Green Spaces Of Rio De Janeiro

The international image of Rio tends to fall into one of three broad stereotypes. Firstly that of perhaps the world’s most famous city beaches – the broad sweep of Copacabana capped by Sugar Loaf or Ipanema’s surf culture, beach wear, and eponymous garotas, secondly the glitz, tail feathers, extravagant floats and tropical hedonism of carnaval and finally that other image perpetuated by the media of the city’s darker side of crime. All of which are to a greater or lesser extent misrepresentations of the real Rio de Janeiro, a multi faceted city with much to offer all types of visitor, from party minded backpackers, to cultural sight seers or honeymoon couples.

One aspect often overlooked in what is South America’s third largest metropolis, is the huge amount of greenery, mountains, jungle, open spaces, public parks and general natural beauty to be found in Rio. First of all the city is home to the world’s largest urban forest, the Floresta da Tijuca, a huge swathe of Atlantic rainforest dividing the city in two, the size of which can only really be appreciated from the peak of one of Rio’s many mountains, the famous Corcovado or the even higher Pedra da Gavea. The forest offers many outdoor pursuits unimaginable right in the middle of a city this size - treks to waterfalls, mountain biking, rock climbing, or perhaps a hike to the top of the Pedra Bonita to hang glide down over the forest and the city landing on Sao Conrado beach, a truly unforgettable honeymoon experience for the more active minded.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Rio’s botanical garden offers another natural haven from the city. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, the Jardim Botanico takes up a 140 hectare plot of prime real estate at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain. Its grand palm tree lined avenues, lawns shaded by tropical fruit trees, and tranquil lily ponds offer an idyllic environment for a romantic stroll to escape the afternoon sun and summer crowds of the city beaches.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

Paraty A Haven for Romantics and Culture Vultures!

Though this year’s line up may not yet be confirmed, there’s every reason to start getting excited about this year’s FLIP. (Paraty’s International Literary Festival) The annual event sees the streets of this charming historical town come alive with literature lovers, locally and internationally acclaimed authors, playwrights, journalists, composers and the odd Honeymoon couple who melt into the sheer romanticism of the setting.

Previous years have seen the likes of Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Jeffrey Eugenides, Colm Toíbín, Jeanette Winterson and J. M. Coetzee making appearances. Add to this already eclectic mix of international talent, local literary stars such as Ruy Castro and Jorge Amado, top with musical performances from the likes of Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso and it’s a recipe difficult to resist.

As the festival is held in ‘winter’ when the temperature is a pleasant average of 22 degrees centigrade, events can be held comfortably throughout the day without any need to take refuge from the midday sun (as can be the case in summer). The only downside being that this leaves little time to take full advantage of the many other attractions on offer in this delightful town. Local luxury travel experts Dehouche recommend arriving a few days early or staying a few days later in order to do so.
Situated about four hours drive south of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty was founded in 1667 and is today a world heritage site, celebrated for its colourful colonial architecture. Once a busy Port on the sugar & gold route from Minas Gerais, the historical centre’s cobbled streets remain car free to this day and are a joy to explore on foot.

In addition to its architectural splendour, it’s difficult to ignore the natural beauty the town is surrounded by. Every day, a flurry of boats leave the port bound for the many islands in the bay, making several stops for you to dive right in to the inviting turquoise waters. The awesome backdrop of Atlantic rainforest also conceals several beautiful waterfalls and Dehouche defy you not to succumb to the allure of a visit to the refreshing waters of nearby ‘Pedra Branca’ on a hot day.

After dark, return to the centre where the streets are lit with soft lamplight and the town takes on new golden hues as locals and visitors spill in and out of bars and restaurants soaking up the atmosphere of the festival.

Unsurprisingly, early booking is essential as hotels and guest houses quickly start filling once the dates of the festival are confirmed. Paraty is not short of options in terms of accommodation, so ask local luxury holiday specialists Dehouche for inside advice.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com

Our Honeymoon was fabulous in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Most people when heading to Brazil combine Rio and the beaches of Bahia, but my new wife and I decided to be more adventurous and get away from the majority of other tourists by heading to the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. This is where the majority of European settlers to Brazil headed a century or two ago, attracted by the beautiful beaches and countryside, as well as the less severe climate.

We used the travel company, Dehouche, who consist of Brits, Americans, Brazilains and Argentineans in their head office in Rio. We asked for the honeymoon to be spent in three different destinations. We started off on the Ilha de Santa Catarina, which is more commonly known as Florianopolis. Here we stayed in an incredible villa above the lagoon in the centre of the island. We had a private chef who cooked everything that we asked for to order, not to mention a very well stocked wine cellar with some wonderful value Uruguayan and Argentine bottles. But the best aspect was the boat that was moored at the pier at the bottom of our garden, which was at our disposal for the duration of our stay. The captain took us out of the lagoon via a channel to the sea and we then cruised around the beautiful surrounding islands.

The next stop was on the mainland, in the laidback beach village of Praia da Pipa. Here we stayed in a charming pousada with wonderful sea views. The watersports on offer were excellent - particularly the surfing and kite surfing. We spent the evenings sampling the many lively bars and restaurants – this was a lovely contrast from the busyness of Floripa!

Our final location was Fernando de Noronha a superb island that has consistently been named as one of the world’s best. The service here was certainly the most attentive that I have ever experienced and the accommodation was flawless, our suite had it’s own lap pool, Jacuzzi and sauna - not to mention stunning sea views. On our final evening the staff took us to a private island and prepared the most incredible romantic dinner for us. This really was the ultimate way to end the perfect honeymoon - well done Dehouche we shall return!

Contact Dehouche Travel for details

Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

Florianopolis is 'honeymoon island' in Brazil

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts. Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com