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
Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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
Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO
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
Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO
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
Mixing wine with skiing is highly advisable on and adventurous honeymoon in Argentina
If you are fortunate enough to be honeymooning in South America between the months of June and September then the opportunity to ski or snowboard the majestic Andes awaits you. The best resorts tie in perfectly with visits to some of Argentina’s most beautiful destinations. Rio de Janeiro based travel agents Dehouche can take advantage of their network of local contacts across the continent to ensure that couples on their honeymoon get the best rooms in the most romantic hotels and cosy lodges. A suggested itinerary for energetic people who are keen on the great outdoors and are contemplating visiting Argentina during the southern hemisphere winter would involve flying into Buenos Aires and spending a couple of nights in a luxurious boutique hotel in the trendy Palermo district. Activities here would include a private city tour with a local guide and dinner while watching the best tango show in town. An internal flight would then whisk you to southern Argentina and the spectacular Patagonian Glacier region. Here you would spend 2 days on a boat getting up to close to these natural wonders, and 2 more days staying in a charming lodge which is ideally placed for hiking expeditions.
The next stop would be the breathtaking Patagonian Lake district, where you would stay near to town of Bariloche and get involved in horse riding and white water rafting, before heading 12 miles into the hills for a few nights in the resort of Cerro Catedral, which is the most developed ski area in South America, with 5000 acres of skiable terrain and plenty of challenging mogul runs and off piste areas for advanced skiers. There are 50 marked runs and 29 lifts, and the highest point of the resort is 6800 feet. The best place to stay is the Village Catedral Resort Hotel, handily located at the bottom of the mountain.
Another flight would take you from Bariloche to Mendoza, the capital of Argentina’s world renowned wine trade, where you can spend a few days in a boutique wine lodge. Dehouche again have all the necessary contacts and will arrange a tour with their local wine expert to show you around the bodegas (vineyards); there will also be a driver so that you can tuck into all of the tasty samples that are on offer! The final stop on this adventurous honeymoon would be another ski resort - Las Lenas, a one hour flight from Mendoza. The mountains here reaches 11,300 feet and this is the best place in the Andes for adrenalin pumping heli-skiing; of the 40 marked runs, 67% are for advanced skiers. The off piste action is what you really come here for though, and Dehouche will make sure you get to enjoy the best of it and that you finish your honeymoon in as action packed fashion as it began.
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
Bahia - get away from mass tourism on a secluded beach Honeymoon in Brazil
Bahia is an area that nearly all European travellers to Brazil will have heard of, almost certainly in connection with exotic images of coconut groves, endless sandy beaches, mysterious African traditions and a relaxed party atmosphere which comes to a head in the riotous Salvador carnaval -fuelled by cheap cachaça and caipirinhas made from a baffling array of tropical fruits. Whilst somewhat more prejudiced Brazilians from the south will tell you that Bahia is synonymous with laziness and sexual abandon (which may of course be part of the appeal).
However most visitors do not stray from a well beaten track from Salvador to a beach resort in say Praia do Forte, and for the surfer and backpacker crew either down to Itacaré or out to the overdeveloped island of Morro de Sao Paulo respectively.
The fifth largest state in Brazil (which is still saying a lot in a country this size) has a lot more to offer though. Dehouche, the Brazil experts, endeavour to lead their clients away from some of the tourist traps and sub standard resort accommodation near Salvador to cut straight to Bahia’s real highlights, be it taking you to a genuinely deserted beach with freshly caught lobster barbecued in front of you, or to an authentic ‘roda’ (fight/game) of capoeira at a local school in Salvador.
To give one example, starting in the south of the state we have the pristine ‘Discovery Coast’, 150km of coastline virtually unchanged since the Portuguese first landed here in the 16th century. This is the place to get well and truly off the beaten track in tiny villages such as Caraiva (which only got electricity two years ago). But there are also lesser known, yet still luxurious areas waiting to be discovered as well, such as in and around the hip beach village of Trancoso. The summer playground of Brazil’s rich and famous this is where you will find some spectacularly luxurious beach villas as well as trendy boutique hotels and international restaurateurs, all in the semi unreal setting of a low key historic fishing village. Dehouche will hand pick the perfect hotel room or private villa for you, and if you fancy your own speedboat no problem, Dehouche has all the connections and know how to make sure you you get right to the heart of the action.
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
Adventure Honeymoon Skiing in Argentina or Chile
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If you want an adrenaline packed honeymoon in beautiful surroundings then look no further than the many diverse regions of Argentina and Chile. South America experts Dehouche can put together a unique tailor made itinerary to ensure that you have a totally unforgettable honeymoon. You could begin with a few days in Buenos Aires or Santiago, Chile’s buzzing capital city. Here you would stay in the best hotel in town, ideally positioned to appreciate the beauty of the Spanish colonial architecture that is evident throughout the cities. Dehouche will organise a local guide to give you a private tour that will ensure you get off the beaten track and uncover some hidden gems.
You could then head to the Atacama, the world’s driest desert. Such extraordinary aridness results in some breathtaking landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world: from jagged canyons to giant sand dunes and salt pillars to exploding geysers. Dehouche can book you one of only 8 cottages in a luxury hotel that is built with local materials to ensure that it fits in perfectly with its surroundings. Activities available include trekking, horse riding, mountain climbing and cycling. You could then fly onto the stunning region of Patagonia, where you would stay in an exquisite hotel which is the only one located within the National Park and enjoys a stunning location, perched on the edge of Lake Pehoe. It is very remote and affords incredible opportunities to really appreciate this dramatic landscape of towering white peaks, blue lakes and enormous glaciers. Despite the far flung location, the hotel has all modern amenities - luxurious rooms, gourmet food, an extensive wine list, a thermal pool and a spa. Activities to partake in include trekking, horse riding, wildlife viewing expeditions and kayaking.
After the desert perhaps some lush countryside is in order and a spot of indulgence? Why not head to Argentina’s world renowned wine region tucked up below the Andes stay either on a selected vineyard or perhaps in a luxury hotel in Mendoza itself. Dehouche have a specialist wine guide who introduces you to the regions’ best spots including organising private tastings with the owners of exceptional vineyards – a real treat to hear from the creators themselves!
Saving the most exciting activity for last, you would finally hop over the foothills to the Andean ski resort of Portillo. This place is totally unique as there is no town, just the magnificent Hotel Portillo, which contains extensive bars, restaurants and a nightclub, as well as a spa and a heated outdoor swimming pool that provides incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The skiing on offer is generally accepted to be the best in South America; certainly it provides some of the continents steepest and most challenging terrain and plentiful off piste opportunities. The runs themselves are mostly ideal for beginners and intermediates, which ensures that skiers of all standards will have a great time. This is the ideal place to end your wonderfully adventurous honeymoon in South America, every aspect of which will have been carefully orchestrated by the experts at 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
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