Salvador & Trancoso Tour

$2030

per person

In Salvador, The African influence can be felt by all five senses.

Learn traditional rhythms, dance, religion and cuisine. Anyone visiting Salvador will immediately discover why the state is called “the land of happiness”. Fringed by beaches, vast coconut plantations, majestic mountain ranges, Salvador’s local exuberance is expressed in an unbelievably rich folklore, which includes capoeira, candomble and samba-reggae. We spend three days exploring this historical destination in style.

Next, a short flight to Porto Seguro and the Hippy Chic Village of Trancoso. Trancoso is really 2 cities, the beaches or lower part where beach front resorts reside in tune with nature along side a river that flows into the sea and the upper cliff side Quadrado “square” where all the colonial looking shops, restaurants and pousadas make a “Chic Village”.

Brazil magazines call the Quadrado “hippy Chic”, Travel and Leisure calls it “Simple Rusticity”, maybe its both, but for certain it’s a seasonal playground for the Sao Paulo hot crowds during their summer (Dec – March) but really offers good climate year around and great beaches to kickback and relax, sip caipirinhas and eat great food. At night the lanterns and samba music fill the night, in the afternoon the shops close and the street vendors with their Hippy jewelry take center stage. In the evening stroll to the village “Quadrado” and join in the nightly festivities.

Summary of the Luxury Salvador & Trancoso Tour:

Day 1: Salvador da Bahia

Once you have arrived in Salvador da Bahia, a private guide will transfer you to the hotel. Later in the evening, your guide and driver will take you to see the “Bale Folclorico da Bahia”.

Day 2: Salvador da Bahia

Today, your private guide and driver await to take you on your first Salvador excursion, the African Oriented City Tour.

Day 3: Salvador da Bahia

In the morning, you will cruise to two of the 36 islands in the dazzling bay of All Saints. After dinner, take the opportunity to hear one of Salvador’s best Carnival Groups practice.

Day 4: Salvador, Porto Seguro & Trancoso

On day four, you’ll arrive in Porto Seguro, where you will take a ferry over the bay to the Village of Trancoso, here you will check into your bungalow.

Days 5-7: Trancoso

The next couple of days can include relaxation or you can go on exciting adventures.

Day 8: Departure from Salvador

In the afternoon, a private transfer will take to Porto Seguro for a flight to Salvador or Sao Paulo, where you will take an international connection flight home.

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8 Days

April

Brazil

Cultural Journeys

Departure

Salvador/Salvador
Include

Entry Fees

5 Star Accommodation

Personal Guide

Airport Transfers

Breakfast
Not Included

Departure Taxes

From Our Gallery

Day 1: Salvador da Bahia

Arrival in the lovely city of Salvador da Bahia! You'll be met at the airport by your private driver who will shuttle you in welcome comfort to your hotel. Check in and relax! Today you'll have an afternoon to walk around the neighborhood and breathe in the exotic aromas of spice and sea spray. You're really here! Tonight you'll begin a journey of the senses through a city that is considered by many to be the “Rome of the Black Diaspora”. Now that you have a “lay of the land”, you'll be met at the hotel by your private guide and driver who will take you to see the best show that Salvador has to offer, next to Carnival that is…the “Bale Folclorico da Bahia”. The internationally renowned, 38-member troupe performs folkloric dances of African origin, which include slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba, and dances that celebrate the city's famous Carnival. The troupe is famous for its passionate, frenetic style that captivates audiences and leaves them breathless in the aisles. The company made its debut in July of 1988, and, later that same year was awarded the prize, "Best Performance of the Year" by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture through the National Institute of Dance. Watching all that dancing really works up an appetite, eh? Great, because after the show, you'll be taken out to a traditional Bahian restaurant to sample some of the culinary delights that make Salvador famous.

Day 2: Salvador da Bahia

After a delicious breakfast you'll be met at the hotel by your knowledgeable private guide and your trusty driver. Together they'll share with you your first Salvador adventure, an African Oriented City Tour. The tour will begin in the lovely, tree shaded neighborhood of Barra at the mouth of the Bay of All Saints with its famous lighthouse; a proud symbol of the city. From there you'll visit the old historical section of town, an area called the Pelourinho (whipping post). Pelourinho has the largest and best preserved collection of colonial architecture in all the Americas. You'll stroll down the ancient, narrow, streets lined with pastel colored buildings, noble survivors of times long gone. You'll also visit the awe inspiring Sao Francisco Church with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior, an impressive testimony to both faith…and wealth. If you like, your guide can also show you the bustling Mercado Modelo in the lower city, where you can buy expertly made local artifacts. This tour will immerse you in two distinct aspects of Salvador, the new and the old, concentrating on the early expansion of the city and the ever present contributions of it's afro-descendants.

Day 3: Salvador da Bahia

After another delectable breakfast of fresh fruits, breads, cheese, of course, great Brazilian coffee, you'll board a majestic schooner and cruise to two of the 36 islands in the sparkling bay of All Saints. Your first stop will be at Frades Island. Here you'll have time to relax in the golden rays of the sun, or swim in the warm crystalline waters. Now its time to re-board the boat for the short crossing to the larger Itaparica Island for a freshly prepared lunch. After eating, more time to relax on the beach or, if you prefer, you can visit the charming colonial town of Itaparica. Time really flies when you're having fun, doesn't it? It's already time to return to Salvador. Crossing the bay you'll be taken by the tremendous views of the city. Do you like music? I mean the kinds of rhythms that make you shake with a pure energy that can only be called joy. Well, if you do, put on your dancing shoes because tonight after a delicious dinner you'll be taken to hear one of Salvador's best Carnival Groups practice. You know, it is said that when Bahians aren't celebrating they're practicing for a celebration. In this magnificent city of scents, sights, and sounds the party never really ends. Tonight you'll experience a little bit of Carnival and understand why no one in Brazil throws a better party than they do right here in Salvador!

Day 4: - Salvador, Porto Seguro & Trancoso

Arrive in Porto Seguro, private transfer by car will wait for you at the gate, depart over the bay by ferry and then up the coast about 45 mins. where we arrive in the Village of Trancoso, check in to our bungalows at our hotel. Open day at leisure.

Days 5-7: Trancoso

Over the next two days we enjoy long lazy hours beach combing, swimming, kayaking or just curling up in a hammock on a sun drenched verandah. The muted natural tones of the airy interiors counterpoint the vivid colors of the tropical gardens. Estrela’s native chef will indulge you in divine cuisine prepared from fresh local produce including fantastic seafood from an abundant daily catch. In the evening stroll to the village “Quadrado” and join in the nightly festivities. Optional activities include: Boating, Horse back riding, ultra-light flying, tennis, golf course, eco-tours through the Atlantic Rainforest, boat tours to Espelho and Curuipe beaches.

Day 8: Departure from Salvador

Open morning at leisure, afternoon private transfer to Porto Seguro, flight via Salvador or Sao Paulo then Int'l connection home.

$2030 is 4-Star pricing for bookings at Casa do Amarelindo, Pousada Etnia or similar. 5-Star pricing begins at $2190 for accommodations such as Villa Bahia, Villas de Trancoso or similar. VIP accommodations such as Convento do Carmo, Pousada Estrela D'Agua begin at $3080.