Brazil
The charming Brazil, South America
Brazil’s spiritual capital is Rio de Janeiro, with surely one of the most beautiful settings in the world. The Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains overshadow the city and the beaches include famous Copacabana and fashionable Ipanema. Tourists flock here in February or March for the annual Carnival, probably the most spectacular in the world. Petrópolis, in the hills above Rio, was emperor Dom Pedro II’s summer retreat and his modest palace is now an interesting museum. While the town is scruffy, there are some lovely small inns nearby.Two and a half hours north of Rio is the fashionable beach resort of Armaçao de Búzios, 27 sandy coves spread around a peninsula.
Búzios itself has a vibrant nightlife,excellent bars and restaurants, and some lovely pousadas.