NEW SEEKER JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME SERIES

When you leave Brazil, you'll take more than memories of gorgeous beaches, bustling metropolises, and nights dancing. Brazilians can teach you a lot of life lessons that will be with you for the rest of your life. From their cheerful attitude to their approach to relationships, Brazilians can teach us about being secure in our own skin, living in the moment, and having time to try new leisure activities.

To start this Southern Brazilian tour off, you’ll have to fly to São Paulo, a thriving financial hub and one of the world's most populous cities, with a multitude of establishments and a long architectural legacy. This is unquestionably a fantastic site to begin your journey.

Curitiba - Iguazu falls - Florianópolis - Campo Grande - Cuiabá Pantanal - Rio de Janeiro

FIRST STOP ……CURITIBA - HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS

Walk the trails at Botanical Garden Curitiba

Curitiba isn't one of the most visited cities in Brazil, despite its abundance of vegetation, architecture, and cultural heritage. It's a pity, because Curitiba, Brazil, has so many entertaining things to do! In Latin America, Curitiba is a significant cultural, political, and economic hub.

The Botanical Garden is one of Curitiba's most famous postcards and the city's most popular tourist attraction. The 458-square-meter greenhouse, designed in the style of European architecture, houses natural and ornamental plant specimens from the Atlantic Forest flora, which covers the Serra do Mar and the Paraná coastal plain. Since their arrival through the main gates on Rua Engo Ostoja Reguski, the annual waves of tourists have been impressed by the iron and 3,800 pieces of glass building in an open environment. The greenhouse stands out in the landscape for those arriving in the city during the day, and even more so at night, when illuminated in colour to mark important campaigns like Yellow May (awareness of reducing traffic accidents), Blue August (male physical and mental health), or Pink October (awareness of breast cancer) (breast and uterus cancer prevention alert).

The walking pathway, which surrounds lakes with carp and also follows the path of the avenues, is quite popular among Curitiba residents. The colourful little flocks of the more than 300 species of butterflies observed and recognised there, as well as nests of lapwings in the grass or preas, agoutis, and coricacas roaming through the garden, all draw tourists' attention.

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2. Iguazu falls

The Iguazú Falls are the largest of the three major waterfalls, straddling the boundary between northeast Argentina and southern Brazil. The other two are Niagara and Victoria. They are frequently regarded as Latin America's most stunning natural sight, and a must-see for anyone journeying through the continent's attractions, not least because of their location in a subtropical rainforest teeming with birds and butterflies.

On the Brazilian side, there are roughly 3 kilometres of panoramic walkways, and the Parque das Aves, one of South America's top bird sanctuaries, is nearby. You can enjoy a helicopter trip over the falls or go on an exciting boat safari. The pathways on the Argentine side of the falls are significantly more extensive, ending in the beautiful boardwalk to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat).

THE WEATHER IN IGUAZU FALLS – BRAZILIAN SIDE IS WIDE AND VARIED

The Iguazú Falls thunder down from a height of 60 metres, tumbling through a lush, subtropical jungle teeming with birds and butterflies. Iguazú is hot and humid during the summer months (December to April), especially in January. Rainfall and water levels are at their peak during this time, and the falls are especially spectacular. You'll be cool in no time thanks to the spray. The months of May and October-November are lovely and sunny. Mornings in the winter (June-September) are crisp, but the sky is usually clear. Outdoor activities are easier to do now that there is less rain.

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3. Florianópolis

A Brazilian metropolis over 500 miles distant from the party hub of Rio de Janeiro is one you wish you had known about years ago. In many aspects, "Floripa" (as the locals refer to it) is like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo combined. It is safe, enjoyable, and offers many of the same attractions as those found in Brazil's big cities. Floripa also has a distinct, almost magical charm.

It is clear after just a few hours of visiting Floripa that it attracts to all types of travellers, especially the more daring. Especially the distant southern tip, which is home to white-sand beaches, various hiking trails, and beautiful rainforests.

The island's centre has a more bohemian vibe. It's a hip neighbourhood with rustic restaurants and hip cafes, ideal for travellers and adventurous travellers. Step off the boat near Lagoa da Conceição and you'll find yourself in the heart of it all, a hotspot for nightlife, surf shops, and live music.

The island provides all of the oysters for the world's largest country, Brazil, as well as several other South American nations. There's nothing quite like eating oysters direct from the ocean in Floripa.

Adventure sports abound in Floripa. During the summer, you'll hear folks on skateboards zipping down the paved streets. Surfers, kite boarders, and swimmers enjoy the beautiful turquoise ocean at the beach.

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4. Campo Grande

Campo Grande, known as the "brunette city" because of its chestnut-coloured dirt, has grown from a little town to a bustling metropolis in the previous four decades.

There are farms and rural resorts with great infrastructure around Campo Grande where guests can spend their day if they want to appreciate the countryside but don't want to venture too far from the city. It's a fantastic opportunity to go horseback riding, eat a traditional farm breakfast, swim in nearby rivers, interact with farm animals, and relax in hammocks.

In Campo Grande, indigenous culture is very important. Beautiful pottery, bows and arrows, hand fans, handmade lace designs and needlework, berrantes (blowing horns made of hollowed out bull horns used to make loud warning noises by local cowboys to drive their livestock), and traditional dolls are just a few examples of local handcraft work.

The Indigenous Culture Memorial (Memorial da Cultura Indigena), located in the heart of the city, offers visitors the opportunity to see an authentic indigenous hamlet. It is home to more than 100 indigenous households, as well as a cultural centre where indigenous products are peddled. The Monument to Indigenous Communities, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Dom Bosco Museum of Cultures are all located in the Indigenous Nations Park (Parque das Naçes Indigenas). The Saint Francis Matrice Church, not far from the park, has stained-glass windows depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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5. Cuiabá - Pantanal

Mato Grosso State's capital is known for its colonial architecture and green urban neighbourhoods. The city also serves as a gateway to some of the country's most popular tourist spots, including the Pantanal's north side and the Chapada dos Guimares National Park.

Cuiabá is situated on South America's central axis, often known as the continent's geodetic centre. This means the municipality is smack dab in the midst of the continent, with an equal amount of landmass to its north and south, and an equal amount to its east and west.

The Pantanal is the world's biggest inland wetland area, stretching over the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul (and also spilling into Bolivia and Paraguay). While the Amazon receives more attention, the vast regions of the Pantanal provide the best opportunity in Brazil for seeing animals in their natural habitats.

Depending on the water level, there are three main forms of transportation: plane, boat, or car. Within the area, there is no public transportation. The Pantanal is traversed by two important roads: the Transpantaneira in the north (Mato Grosso) and the Estrada do Parque in the south (Mato Grosso do Sul). Both have dirt roads with multiple wooden bridges in varied states of repair, as well as tourist-oriented pousadas, lodges, and fazendas.

What animals can I expect to see?

The distinctive white jabiru stork with its black and scarlet neck, as well as red, blue, and hyacinth macaws, are among the many colourful birds found here. There are also several caimans and square-nosed capybaras in the area. It's all about being in the right spot at the right moment for the rest of the fauna.

Most people come hoping to see a jaguar, and your best chances of seeing one are early in the morning or after twilight, when they hunt, eat, and drink. The Brazilian tapir, marsh deer, and giant anteater are all endangered. The huge otter, which can grow up to 1.7 metres in length, is another popular animal on wildlife wish lists.

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6. Rio de Janeiro

Stunning natural attractions, the locals' spontaneity and generosity who turn everything into a party, and world-famous historic monuments. This is what distinguishes Rio de Janeiro as a unique and wonderful travel destination.

Rio de Janeiro is a unique city with almost 450 years of history due to the mix of its geographic elements (the sea, the mountains, and the forests) and human presence. Several areas of the city are surrounded by breathtaking scenery. It was the first city in the world to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category of Cultural Landscape.

There is nothing better and more traditional than experiencing Carnival in Rio to truly feel the spirit of the Brazilian people. One of the most popular ways to enjoy one of the world's most famous festivities is to watch the samba schools parade through the sambadrome. Participating in street festivals is another popular alternative, as each neighbourhood in the city has its own favourite carnival ensemble.

Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and Tijuca National Park are among the city's most well-known attractions. The Sugarloaf Cable Car connects Urca Mountain to Sugarloaf Mountain at a height of 396 metres above sea level. It was Brazil's first cable car, and the world's third. On top of Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer stands with wide arms above Guanabara Bay. It is the world's largest and most famous Art Deco sculpture. Tijuca National Park is a must-see for everyone who wants to get close to nature. It is one of the world's largest urban forests, with mountains, caverns, waterfalls, and pathways through gorgeous settings for people to enjoy. Climbing and hang-gliding are among the various activities available at the park, which will appeal to adventure enthusiasts.

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