Salvador, Bahia

Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia. Bahia's strong sense of cultural identity, with African, Native Brazilian and European influences, has made Bahia a mystical land with a rich folk culture. People of African descent have contributed greatly and continue to contribute in the preservation of this cultural panorama. Samba was first danced in Bahia, plus a series of games that have been assimilated and preserved to this day. Not only are the most well-known cultural manifestations significant, such as capoeira-an Afro-Brazilian martial art practiced to music, a warrior's dance; Candomblé-an animist religion with roots in West Africa; samba de roda-a type of samba dance in a circle; and afoxé-an African rhythm with a strong influence on many Afro-Carnival groups.

The Pelourinho or Pelô, as the colonial city is affectionately known, is definitely worth a visit. It is the largest collection of Baroque colonial architecture in Latin America, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The topography of Salvador is uneven and most neighborhoods are located on the crests of the city's many hills. There used to be only one way to get from one place to another, the curvy, narrow roads that connected each of these high points, which, as the city grew, became insufficient. Today a network of wide "valley avenues" crisscrosses the region, easing the traffic burden on city roads. From inside the modern, multi-colored office buildings in many parts of Salvador, it is possible to see the turquoise blue waters of a tropical city blessed by the sun, whose people are fun-loving and hospitable.

Day 1 - arrive Salvador, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Then enjoy a historical city tour. We start in the modern suburb of Barra at the mouth of the Bay with its famous lighthouse and make our way slowly by car or coach to the old historical section of town, the Pelourinho area with the largest and the best preserved complex colonial architecture in the Americas. We stroll through the narrow, bustling streets lined with buildings in pastel shades of an age gone by. We visit the church of S. Francisco (U$ 1.00 entrance fee not included) with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior and the Pelourinho Square, the heart of the old town. This tour shows two distinct aspects of Salvador, the new and the old, concentrating on the early expansion of the city. It ends at Mercado Modelo, a thriving market of local artifacts.This is Salvador, a perfect example of a harmonious relationship between old and new, preserving the architecture and innovating with new urban planning solutions. The Pelourinho or Pelô, as the colonial city is affectionately known, is one of the most important collections of Baroque colonial architecture in Latin America, appointed in the UNESCO's World Heritage site.

Day 2 - breakfast, then "lower city" tour. The lower city tour takes us to the quiet waters of the Itapagipe Peninsula where the first holiday residences were built. Now, a peaceful family district, life moves at a slower pace than the bustling upper city. Fishermen fish from dug out canoes, locals collect shellfish at low tide, schooners are at anchor, all protected by the famous Bonfim church, one of the most important churches of pilgrimage in Brazil. We continue to Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city.
In the evening enjoy a marvelous evening of folk dancing and a traditional Bahian dinner - Passengers will be enchanted by the brilliant bahian night life, where music and folkloric manifest in their full magic spirit. We invite you for a regional dinner, including a variety of delicious typical plates and deserts. During dinner, an amazing folkloric show with be presented, featuring the famous "Capoeira" from African salves, the "Maculelê", an impressive dance performed with pieces of wood and big knifes, and the rhythms of the "Candomblé", the old afro-brazilian dances related to religious divinities, specially cultivated in Bahia. (for 2-3 people, we price for dinner, then show after)

Day 3 - breakfast, then you will be transferred to the airport or extend your time

2008 Price per person in US$:

Hotel	Single	Double	Triple
Convento do Carmo 5*	$1295	$744	$616
Pestana 5*	$685	$439	$362
Bluetree Park 4*	$631	$412	$355
Vila Gale 4*	$575	$394	$332
Pousada do Pilar 3*	$539	$401	$336

These prices include transfer in, standard rooms in hotels with breakfasts, group tours, transfer out with driver. We can price for private tours and upgraded rooms. Prices change for major holidays and special occassions. The hotels have many rate categories and we used prices valid for much of the year in order to simplify the chart. At some times of year, rates may be lower.

Here are other tour options:

New! Bus tours from Salvador to Fortaleza and vice versa

Full Day Schooner Cruise
Board on a schooner for a cruise in the All Saints Bay from where one can have an unforgettable view of the old part of the city of Salvador. Cruising across the bay, we'll pass by several islands, as the famous Frade island, surrounded by groves of palm trees, warm, crystal clear and calm waters. Views of Loreto, Tobar, da Viração, Costa de Fora e Ponta de Nossa Senhora and Paramana, the most popular among these beaches, before getting to Itaparica, the biggest island of All Saints Bay, with 240 km². The word Itaparica means "around the rocks" and the name comes from the barrier of corals laying 1km from the beaches towards the Atlantic ocean, creating a big natural swimming pool, with transparent warm blue water, excellent for swimming or diving. We will have lunch here. $64 per person . 2008 = $96

African Oriented City Tour:
Tracing the African roots of Salvador, we start at PELOURINHO, a symbol of the black movement in Bahia and home of many places of interest to those wishing to explore the bahian soul. Visit to the AFRO BRASILIAN Museum, with the history of the city's African origins, the Sociedade Protetora dos Desválidos ( Society for Destituted), old fraternity founded in 1832 in order to help the slaves before the abolition, still active in the black community; the Church of OUR LADY OF ROSARY, famous church built in the colonial times, when black and white men would not share the same place, and then, CASA DO BENIN, featuring the heritage from afro-brazilian culture. 2008 = $139 for 1, $76 each for 2, $57 each for 3, $49 each for 4 +

Pelourinho by Night:
A mammouth restoration of the historical PELOURINHO district resulted in a new lease of night life to this area, the largest complex of colonial architecture in the America’s which also preserves the local culture. Dinner will be served in one of the finest typical restaurants in the area. After dinner, just stroll around the busy streets where many bars offer live Brazilian music. (from most city hotels). 2008 = $102 each for 2, $77 each for 3, $76 for 4-7

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Brazil

Salvador and Bahia

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