Samba and adventure await in Brazil

You don’t need a plane ticket to visit Brazil [View in browser]( [facebook]( [instagram]( [TikTok]( PICTURE YOURSELF IN… Brazil [View of mountains and beach in Rio]( Samba your way through Brazil Truthfully, I’ve never been to Brazil. I’ve never felt the warm sands of Ipanema Beach under my toes or shielded my eyes from the sun as I gazed up at the Christ the Redeemer statue. But I’ve practiced samba moves (poorly) while playing “[Magalenha]( at full volume in my house, I’ve sipped my fair share of caipirinha and I’ve ordered my [first pair of Havaianas](. I went with a very bold print. Sometimes travel means enjoying a country from your couch. Learning about the culture, the music, and the food long before booking that flight is part of the fun. Creating a rough itinerary of the things to do, see and eat brings me one step closer to that dream trip. So when it’s time to pack my bags (and all my cute outfits), I’m ready. But for those of you ready to go right now, the sheer size of Brazil may feel a little overwhelming. Do you go to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro? How do you even begin to book a trip to the Amazon? [Elsewhere by Lonely Planet]( local expert Cris Leone’s itinerary will help chase the worries away and set you up for an amazing experience. [Alicia Johnson bio pic](   Alicia Johnson   Destination Editor, South America, Central America, Mexico and The Caribbean       [Church with mountains in the background, water in foreground](   FEATURED STORY 11 incredible places in Brazil you’ll never forget Don’t let the size of Brazil overwhelm you when planning an itinerary. Here's our list of the best places to visit. [Read more](   Immerse yourself Cris has some fantastic tips for an unforgettable Brazilian adventure. Take a safari boat tour to Pantanal National Park. Located between Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland and is filled with wildlife. Hop on an eco-friendly train to see Christ the Redeemer in Rio. Summit Corcovado Mountain and marvel at the 38m-tall (125ft) iconic Brazilian statue. Take a historical walking tour of Paraty. Admire Paraty’s colorful preserved structures as you learn of the town’s complicated history. Go diving around the Abrolhos Archipelago. Some of the best dive sites in Brazil are found here. Be on the lookout for eels, rays and turtles. Visit a Pataxó village in Porto Seguro, Trancoso. Hear the history, tour the grounds and experience the rituals of the Pataxó people.     Book a trip to Brazil with Cris Leone There’s nothing like having an expert, like Cris Leone, a person who understands and loves Brazil, to highlight the very best places to visit. [Waterfalls of Iguassu Falls]( [Book now](   Ask an insider Cris Leone is a multilingual travel expert based in São Paulo. What are your tips for planning a trip to Brazil? Brazil is a huge country. It’s impossible to see it all in a 10-day trip. So the most important thing to do before planning a trip to Brazil is to define the purpose of the trip. What do you expect to find in Brazil? For first-timers, I recommend the Amazon Rainforest, Iguazú Falls and Rio de Janeiro. What’s attracting the influx of visitors to Brazil? We have amazing beaches; the greatest rainforest in the world; the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna on the planet; unbelievable caves and mountains; a very peculiar history and culture; delicious exquisite food and the most warm-hearted, receptive and enthusiastic people on the planet. You are going to have a good time in Brazil. [Bio image] “The most important thing to do before planning a trip to Brazil is to define the purpose of the trip." – Cris Leone What are a few things anyone visiting Brazil must do? Talk to people. Brazilians love to talk, to meet new people, to share tips about the place they live. Sit at a bar (preferably by the beach) and try the appetizers. Join a samba party if you can come during Carnival. Visit the Amazon Rainforest. Its energy is something one cannot describe – you have to feel it. Describe the Brazilian food scene. Brazilian food mixes influences of the many people who came to the country throughout its history. The main sources are: Indigenous, Portuguese, African, Italian, Japanese, Syrian, Turkish, Palestinian and Egyptian. So, because of that, Brazilian food is very diverse, exquisite and tells our history. How hard is a samba class? Will I survive?! Oh dear! Well, samba is not difficult, but I cannot lie, it’s hard to learn. Yes, you’ll survive! The class is super fun, you will learn the basic moves… but you will have to practice it afterward to get the rhythm.   Love travel inspiration in your inbox? Share with a fellow travel-lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking [here](.   This email was sent to you by: Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 © 2023 Lonely Planet [Unsubscribe]( Policy](