Source: TravelVideo.tv (press release)
NEW YORK, NY, January, 2010 - Brazil is appearing on lots of “top places to go” lists for 2010. News that the country will be hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016 has put the destination front and center in the American media.
Yet to many travelers, Brazil is unknown territory. It’s a huge country - the fifth largest in the world - spanning some 3.2 million square miles and encompassing 26 states and the district capital of Brasilia. Its 4,655-mile coastline boasts thousands of secluded beaches and luxurious or laid-back resorts. How can American travelers figure out where to go?The members of the Brazil Tour Operators Association (BTOA) can help. These 25 tour operators are all seasoned travel professionals - many accredited by IATA - and all are recognized experts about the country.
Calling Brazil, the “sleeping giant,” Adam Carter, President of BTOA explains. “Because Brazil is such a vast country it’s important that first-time visitors work with a professional travel counselor.”
Almost every first-time visitor wants to see Rio de Janeiro. Next on the list: two of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders: Iguassu Falls and the Amazon. Other itineraries might include Bahia, Brasilia or SÃo Paulo.
Spectacularly-sited between towering mountains and lush natural parks and surrounded by turquoise water and miles of white sand beaches, Rio de Janeiro is a feast for the eyes and the senses. This sophisticated city is known for its sizzling nightlife, world-class dining and its infectious party atmosphere - and not just during Carnival. Other major draws: balmy breezes air all year round and some 55 miles of beautiful white sand beaches.
This Cidade Maravilhosa is especially dramatic when viewed from the 1,300-foot PÃo de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) or the 2,330-foot Corcovado with its 98-foot statue of Christ.
“Rio is a must for any first time visitor,” says BTOA’s Vice President Jose Gherardi. “And I’m not just saying that because I am a Carioca myself. Of course, Americans visitors will feel right at home anywhere in Brazil. They will find a fascinating mix of cultures, centuries-old architecture, incredible natural beauty, fabulous beaches, great food and friendly people,” Gherardi continues.
This winter BTOA members are offering some excellent and well-priced packages for first-time visitors that include Rio, Iguassu Falls and other not-to-miss spots. One of the world’s most stunning natural wonders, the Cataratas do Iguaçu comprise 275 interlinking cataracts that extend for more than a mile and a half. The most impressive is the 490-foot-wide Devil’s Throat that plunges 269 feet. Several packages include visits to the Amazon, the world’s largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest. Here, some 1.4 billion acres are home to the world’s largest collection of plants and animals - some 15,000 animal species alone. Visitors can see monkeys, wild boar, sloth, dolphins, and caiman, but jaguars are very elusive. And the mighty Amazon River that runs through it has over one thousand tributaries - several larger than the Mississippi - with its catchment basin holding up to one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. Manaus is the hub of the Amazon region. Brasilia, the country’s modern capital, has stunning architecture by native son Oscar Niemeyer, while SÃo Paulo draws visitors for its cultural events, excellent restaurants and non-stop nightlife. Bahia has some 560 miles of palm-fringed beaches and an incredibly vibrant culture thanks to its Afro-Brazilian heritage. Its capital, Salvador boasts the largest collection of colonial architecture in South America. With one of the country’s richest cultural mixes, festivals abound and music and dance are everywhere.
From now through December 18, 2010, Fredson Travel is offering “Brazil Fabulous Trio I,” a 10-day, nine-night itinerary to Rio, Iguassu and the Amazon for $1,299 per person, double occupancy or $2,299 single occupancy. The package includes accommodations in three-star properties including taxes (Astoria Copacabana, Best Western Galli and Amazon Ecopark Lodge;) daily Brazilian breakfast; private airport transfers; full-day tour of Rio, half-day visit to Iguassu Falls and all activities at the Amazon Ecopark Lodge; English-speaking guides, and entrance fees. Not available during Carnival, February 12-17. Contact: 1-800-626-8422 or go to www.Fredson.com
Just Brazil Vacations by HOTUR’s “Rio for First Timers,” is a six-day, five-night package for $1,859 per person, double occupancy available from January 15 to April 30. The package includes roundtrip airfare from Miami; five nights at the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel or similar, daily Brazilian breakfast; hotel taxes; half day tours of Sugar Loaf or Corcovado; a full-day tropical island excursion; visit to the jeweler H. Stern, and roundtrip airport transfers. Airport taxes are not included. Call: 1-877-468-8707 or go to www.justbrazil.com.
SITA World Tours’ “Affordable Brazil” is a seven-day, six-night package to Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls and SÃo Paulo that costs from $1,595 per person double occupancy and from $2,145 single occupancy. Available through December 27, 2010, the package includes six nights’ accommodations at three-star hotels including taxes (Golden Tulip Regente, Mabu Thermas Hotel and Blue Tree Towers Paulista;) daily continental breakfast; roundtrip airport transfers; sightseeing in Rio, tour of SÃo Paulo and visit to Iguassu Falls; English-speaking guides, and entrance fees. Not available during Carnival. Call: 1-800-421-5643 or go to www.sitatours.com.
The “Best of Brazil” package offered by Tourlite International is a 14-day, 12-night package that visits Rio, Manaus, the Amazon jungle, Brasilia, Bahia and Iguassu Falls and costs $2,269 per person, double occupancy and $3,489 single occupancy. The land-only package features accommodations at five- and four-star hotels (Golden Tulip Continental, Tropical, Ariau Jungle Tower, Kubitschek Plaza, Vila Gale and Bourbon;) daily Brazilian breakfast and all meals at the Amazon lodge; roundtrip airport transfers; half-day tours of Rio, Brasilia, Bahia and Iguassu Falls and two days touring the Amazon; English-speaking guides, and entrance fees. Available now through December 9, 2010, Tourlite’s “Best of Brazil” may also be booked during Carnival, but prices are higher. (Air-inclusive packages from Miami and New York for the above dates are $3,969 per person, double occupancy and $4,459 single occupancy and taxes are extra.) Call 1-800-272-7600 or go to www.tourlite.com.
All packages are subject to availability and some are not available during Carnival or are priced higher.
About the Brazil Tour Operators Association
The Brazil Tour Operators Association aims to heighten visibility among North American travelers for all the destinations in Brazil.
BTOA’s 25 active members are: AAT American Adventure Tours; Abreu Tours; Air Projects; American Express Vacations; Avanti Destinations; Borello Travel and Tours; Brazil Nuts Tours; Brazilian Vacation Center; BROL/Brazil Online Travel; Chanteclair Travel; Cox & Kings USA; Discover Brazil Tours; Dumonde Travel, Fredson Travel; Globus; HOTUR - Just Brazil Vacations; Latour Latin America; Marnella Tours; Pan American Travel Services; SITA World Tours; Skyline Travel Specialists; South America.Travel; Tourlite International; VIP Tour Group, and Visit Brazil Tours.
Americans traveling to Brazil do need visas, and agents can learn more from the Brazil Tour Operators Association.