BLUE DOORS & JUNGLE SHORES

Your first stop is Sao Luiz do Paraitinga, where you’ll stay at Fazenda Catucaba, nestled in beautiful countryside and surrounded by an organic farm, mountains, rivers and lakes, with sweeping views over the valley. With no TV or internet, you can truly relax here. Wake up to a cup of the farm’s coffee, freshly baked bread and homemade jams and honey. Spend your day hiking, biking or horse riding your way around the hills, swimming in rivers, visiting waterfalls or ziplining through the treetops. In the evening, refuel with a barbecue and enjoy a caipirinha made with the farm’s sugar cane cachaça.

It’s on to Ubatuba and Pousada Picinguaba, Fazenda Catucaba’s sister hotel, which is the epitome of rustic chic and also has a stunning setting in the Serra do Mar National Park, overlooking islands and aquamarine bays. Explore the idyllic coastline on the pousada’s private schooner, accompanied by an expert local guide, and snorkel with sea turtles around tranquil islands. This is also a good spot for surfing and diving. Back at the hotel, relax in the pool, the spa and in your hammock. And if you liked the food from Fazenda Catucaba’s farm, you’re in luck – you can enjoy more of it here!

It’s not far to historic and beautiful Paraty, where jungle-clad mountains reach down to beautiful bays, where you can make the most of the idyllic peninsulas, inlets and secluded beaches, as well as wander the cobbled streets, lined with galleries, restaurants and colonial mansions, and indulge in the city’s vibrant arts scene. Your hotel, Pousada Literaria, is an explosion of colour, culture and character, reflecting the infectious spirit of Paraty. It also has a private schooner – head out to explore Mamangua Bay and its beautiful, unspoilt beaches, fringed by lush green jungle - a real-life Robinson Crusoe experience.

No visit to Brazil would be complete without experiencing the unique atmosphere of Rio, from its mountain backdrop to its iconic beaches, as well as its world-class galleries and restaurants. Take the cable car up the mountain for postcard perfect views, and make a beeline for Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, before a cocktail or two in a rooftop bar. After imbibing Rio’s buzz, retreat to Hotel Santa Teresa MGallery by Sofitel in pretty Santa Teresa, surrounded by exotic gardens, with panoramic views over the city. Restaurant Térèze is one of the best hotel restaurants in Rio, and you shouldn’t miss the chance to dine here, looking out over Guanabara Bay.