Tuesday

Arrival Transfer

On arrival in Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be taken to Sao Paulo Domestic Airport, Congonhas

Flight: Sao Paulo Congonhas to Porto Seguro

Depart Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport on the GO flight JJ3450 to Porto Seguro.  The flight departs at 1045 and arrives at 1135

Economy Class ()

Arrival Transfer

On arrival at Porto Seguro Airport, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met  taken to Arraial d’Ajuda, Pousada Estrelas de Jakuaras for eight nights

Private Service ()

Porto Seguro & Arraial da Ajuda

Pousada Estrelas de Jakuara

Tourist Class

Eight Nights

The pousada is located on the main beach of white sand beach and crystalline waters in Arraial d'Ajuda, only 15 minutes across the river from Porto Seguro. The hotel consists of chalets facing the sea, with balconies and hammocks, air conditioning and private facilities. It is five minutes walk from the shops, bars and restaurants and includes a wonderful Brazilian breakfast overlooking the sea.

Double Occupancy - Standard Room (12)

Porto Seguro – Introduction

In 1500,  Pedro Alvares Cabral discovered Brasil landing at Coroa Vermelha, 20 minutes north of Porto Seguro. The town tries to maintain its historic origin, buildings are subject to controls on height and materials in keeping with traditional Bahia styles.

On the cliffs above the city in "Cidade Historica"  (historic city) with three churches Nossa Senhora de Mesericordia (1530), Nossa Senhora do Rosario (1534) and Nossa Senhora da Pena (1738), the former jail and the stone monument marking the landfall of Goncalo Coelho, a small peaceful place with a garden and panoramic views out to sea.

Porto Seguro is now a popular holiday resort for Brazilians from Rio and Sao Paulo who come to enjoy the beautiful beaches north and south to Arraial da Ajuda and Trancoso. The best beaches have "Barracas" with restaurant, bar, watersports and dancing all day to the music of Bahia, Axe, Lambada, Requebra, Forro or Pagode.

There a busy nightlife starting at thr main street "Passarela do Alcool" with a long row of street bars selling a lethal myriad of exotic fruit cocktails. The colonial houses along the seafront have been converted into numerous bars and restaurants before continuing the intense nightlife in the "Barracas" on the beach until the early hours of the morning.

Arraial d'Ajuda - Introduction

Across the River Buranhem, south of from Porto Seguro is the village of Arraial d'Ajuda, popular with younger, laidback visitors who want to enjoy the nightlife and idyllic beaches. The narrow unpaved streets are host to hippies living in perfect harmony with tourists looking for luxury. The norm is "fica a' vontade".

Arraial was "discovered" in the 70s by hippies doing the Arembeque route and the atmosphere has remained informal to the point that you go shopping wearing nothing but your bikini or you go out at night in shorts and a t-shirt. There is no timekeeping for anything: lunch is normally at dinner time and when it is time to sleep, the nightlife is just starting to warm up at moonlight by Praia do Mucuge and in the village.

Set high on a cliff, there are great views of the coastline from behind the church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (1549). The village has numerous restaurants, bars and small shops as well as a busy nightlife with parties every night on the beach or the main street "Broadway".

Wednesday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Early evening dance classes at the Academia de Ginastica Arraial: 18.00-19.30 – Lambada.  19.30-20.00 – Afro dance.

Evening free to go dancing in Arraial at Windy Point Parracho or Porto Seguro.

Thursday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Early evening dance classes at the Academia de Ginastica Arraial: 18.00-19.30 – Lambada.

19.30-20.30 – Forro.

Evening free to go dancing in Arraial or Porto Seguro.

Friday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Evening New Year’s Eve Dinner Party in Arraial and go dancing Lambada at Berg’s Party in Porto Seguro.      

Saturday

Morning & afternoon free to sleep, go to the beach, relax and recover.

Evening free to dance at Parracho in Arraial d'Ajuda.

Sunday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Early evening dance classes at the Academia de Ginastica Arraial: 18.00-19.30 – Capoeira.  19.30-20.30 Makulele, samba de roda, puxada de rede (Bahian folkloric dances).

Evening free to go dancing in Arraial or Porto Seguro.

Monday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Early evening dance classes at the Academia de Ginastica Arraial: 18.00-20.00 – Lambada.

Evening free to go dancing in Arraial or Porto Seguro.

Tuesday

Morning & afternoon free to go to the beach and relax.

Optional private classes with the teachers you most liked

Evening free to go dancing at Parracho in Arraial d'Ajuda.

NOTE:

Besides the dance classes organised for you everyday and included in this tour, you can dance everyday for free at sunset at numerous beach "Barracas" from 18.00 to 21.00.

Wednesday

Bus to Porto Seguro

Transfer to Porto Coach Station for the coach journey to Salvador. The coach has wide reclining seats, "leito" style with foot rest, air conditioning, pillow and blanket, mineral water and toilet facilities. The journey takes approximately 10 hours and makes a stop to relax and eat.

On arrival you will be taken to Pousada Boqueirao.

Regular Public Shared Coach Service

Salvador da Bahia

Pousada do Boqueirao

Tourist Class

Three Nights

The Pousada do Boqueirao is a cosy, family owned guesthouse located in the heart of Salvador's historic centre.  Located nearby are museums, churches, restaurants and the famous Pelourinho district.

The pousada has 12 rooms with private facilities.  There is a charming living room with TV, balcony and sea view. Telephone and fax services are available at the reception.

Double Occupancy - Standard Room ()

Salvador Da Bahia – Introduction

Salvador is the heart of Afro-Brazilian music, religion, food and customs, brought from the West coast of Africa by the slaves who were forced to work the sugar cane plantations and fused with the Portuguese traditions and culture. The city is a fascinating melting pot of these diverse cultures.

Thursday

Excursion

Morning walking tour of the old Colonial district of Salvador, the Pelourinho and including the churches of Sao Francisco and Nossa Senhora do Bonfim.

Evening dance classes with teachers from Bale Folclorico da Bahia: 18.00-20.00 – Axe and Afro dance.

Friday

Morning & afternoon at Praia do Forte.

Evening 19.00 show with Bale Folclorico da Bahia at SENAC. Dinner and watch bands’ rehearsals, such as Olodum and Timbalada in Pelouinho.

Saturday

Bus to Maceio

Transfer to Salvador Coach Station at approximately 1000 for the coach journey to Maceio The coach has wide reclining seats, "leito" style with foot rest, air conditioning, pillow and blanket, mineral water and toilet facilities.

The journey takes approximately 8 hours and makes a stop to relax and eat.

On arrival you will be taken to Pajucara Othon Hotel.

Regular Public Shared Coach Service

Maceio

Pajucara Othon Hotel

Tourist Class

Two Night

The Pajucara Othon Hotel is a non-descript, tourist class, comfortable hotel located on the main beach of Pajucara where all the “jangada” rafts are. We will use it mainly as a base to stay the night. It has 115 rooms with air conditioning, mini bar, safe and private facilities.

Double Occupancy - Standard Room ()

Maceio – Introduction

Maceio is famous for the rafts that take you out to sea at low tide to enjoy the shallow reefs. The city itself is a quiet provincial town with a long beach, fishermen and the reef. Out main reason to visit is to be with Karina and attend her excellent school. Karina lived in London for several years where she was one of the best Lambada dancers and teachers. Many people learned to dance Lambada with her. Having returned to Brazil she opened a dance school where she has a dance group.

Sunday

Morning dance classes with Karina at her dance school: 11.00-12.30 – Lambada.  13.00-14.00 – Forro.

Afternoon free to go to the beach, relax and maybe take a raft out to the reef.

Evening party and show with Karina’s dance group and teachers.

Monday

Departure Transfer

You will be taken from your hotel to Maceio Airport in time for the flight to Rio de Janeiro.

Flight: Maceio to Rio de Janeiro

Depart Maceio Airport on the TAME Airlines flight JJ2397 to Rio de Janeiro.  The flight departs at 1515 and arrives at 1940.

Economy Class ()

Arrival Transfer

On arrival at Rio de Janeiro Airport, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met  taken to the Hotel South America Copacabana for four nights

Private Service ()

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro - Introduction

Rio is famed for the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, its fabulous stretches of beaches, the Sugar Loaf Mountain and is known as 'cidade maravilhosa' - the marvellous city by the Brazilians.  The city's setting is stunning: flanked to the east by the Bay of Guanabara and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean, Rio extends between the enormous granite peaks and wide sandy beaches. The 'Cariocas', residents of Rio are a lively people and the city is constantly buzzing with life.

South American Copacabana Hotel

Tourist Class

Four Nights

Tourist Class Hotel, three blocks from Copacabana Beach and within walking distance of Ipanema. Ideal for mingling into the local life, restaurants, shops and life of the local residents, the "Cariocas".  All rooms are fully air-conditioned, with telephone, TV and en suite bathroom.

For photographs and additional information please refer to the Veloso Tours brochure page 40 and our website: http://www.veloso.com/riodejaneiro

Double Occupancy - Standard Room ()

Tuesday

Jaime Aroxa is the most famous dancer, choreographer and teacher in Brasil. He can teach any Brazilian dance and his speciality is Samba and Samba de Gafieira (a mixture of Samba, Bolero and Tango)

His school is simply the best in the whole of Brasil. All dance teachers are fully qualified and are absolutely fantastic teachers and dancers; probably the best you will ever have.

Be prepared to work hard, enjoy yourself and learn lots of new steps and styles.

Morning dance classes at the Jaime Aroxa Dance School in Botafogo: 11.00-12.15 – Gafieira.  12.30-13.45 – Lambada/Zouk. 

Afternoon dance classes at the Jaime Aroxa Dance School in Botafogo: 14.45-16.00 – Consciencia corporal (Body Expression class).  16.00-17.15 Samba.

Evening 20.00-23.00 party and show with Jaime’s dance group.

Wednesday

Excursion

Full day walking tour of Rio accompanied by our local guide to first visit the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain from where you can admire the spectacular view of Rio de Janeiro, the beautiful bay, the lagoon, the famous Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches and the massive granite peaks that dwarf the tall buildings.

From here we drive through the Tijuca Forest and down to the charming Santa Teresa area, one of the bohemian areas of Rio where writers and artists came, seduced by majestic views of the harbour, Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado. After a stop for a coffee we go to the main city centre by old tram which is still one of the principal ways of transport in this area. Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil for over 200 years and the old centre is now the busy commercial district.

We visit the old bohemian area, the Palace of the Monarchy and view the traditional Portuguese colonial architecture. We stop for lunch at the oldest coffee shop in Rio, once frequented by the "High Society", before meeting our driver at the Cathedral and drive back to the hotel along the beautiful Flamengo Park from where we enjoy the last spectacular views of the Sugar Loaf and The Christ the Redeemer.

Private Service ()

Dance

Return to the hotel, relax for a little and dance the night away from 22.00 onwards at one of the numerous bars & nightclubs in the district of Lapa, transport and entrance fee included.

Private Service ()

Thursday

Dance classes with Luis and Adriana Floriao, as well as Elaine and Adilho, famous Lambada/Zouk teachers in Rio.

Morning 11.00-13.30 – Lambada with Elaine.

Afternoon 14.30-16.00 – Lambada with Adilho.  16.00-17.30 – Lambada with Luis and Adriana.

Evening 20.00-23.00 party with teachers and students, shows with teachers.

Friday

Morning & afternoon free to explore Rio further or to take any private classes that you wish.

Departure Transfer

You will be taken from your hotel to Maceio Airport in time for the flight to Rio de Janeiro.

Flight: Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo

Depart Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport on the TAME  flight JJ3916 to Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport.  The flight departs at 1115 and arrives at 1206.

Economy Class ()

Excursion

Saturday

Full day walking tour of Sao Paulo including the Museum Ipiranga celebrating the cry for freedom “Grito do Ipiranga” that prompted Brasilian Independence, the Museum “Paulista” that recounts the entrepeneurial history, the mumerous battles, wars and genocide that were characteristic of the early years of the Portuguese conquest. Later we will visit modern Sao Paulo including the Museum of Contemporary art and the trendy, super chic area of Jardins America, Europa and Oscar Freire Street.

Private Service ()

Dancing

Return to the hotel, relax for a little and dance the night away at some of the clubs in Sao Paulo

Departure Transfer

Sunday

You will be taken from your hotel to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in time for your flight.