Colorful and Exotic: Salvador and Surroundings

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Salvador da Bahia

Flight to Salvador de Bahia. Pick-up at airport and transfer to Pousada Casas das Portas Velhas (www.casadasportasvelhas.com). A boutique hotel set in a classic colonial and contemporary styling, tastefully decorated rooms and facilities, and top service. Overnight.

Day 2

Salvador

After breakfast our guide will pick you up to visit Salvador's historic center. Salvador was the first capital of Brazil and for decades the economical, political and cultural center of country. The city, that today host a population of about 2.5 millions, is still showing reminiscences of its colonial heritage. More than 300 churches, fortresses from the 16^th and 17^th century, palaces and luxurious mansions are testimonials of the history. A variety of festivities of different religious groups, the syncretism is very characteristic, presents a special attraction. Promenade over the Pelourinho, the historical center that was taken under the monument protection act by the UNESCO in 1985. The name Pelourinho refers to the dowels on which the slaves were chained and flogged in the public. Alongside the more than 800 motley colored, restored residential mansions dating from the 17^th and 18^th century, bars, handicraft stores, museums and the following churches are worth seeing: the gold decorated Convento de São Francisco (1708-1723) at the Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco, the Catedral Basílica (1657-1672) at the Terreiro de Jesus, as well as the Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (1704-1796) at the Largo do Pelourinho, a church particularly built by and intended for slaves. Ride with the Elevador Lacerda, elevator from 1872, 72 m high, to the Cidade Baixa and visit of the handycraft fair Mercado Modelo.

The 18^th century architectonical complex of Solar do Unhão, originally comprehending the master house, chapel, slave quarters, warehouse and piers, is also most interesting. The Solar received and shipped the sugar cane that was harvested in the Reconcavo region. Today the Museum of Modern Art featuring Brazilian painters as Di Cavalcanti, Portinari, Tarsila de Amaral, makes also part of the complex. Also a great place for lunch, dinner or just a coffee-break Return to the Hotel for overnight.

Day 3

Santo Amaro and Cachoeira

Full day excursion to the historical towns of Santo Amaro and Cachoeira, which are located 116 km away from Salvador on the banks of the Paraguaçu river. During the sugar cane boom in the 19^th century, Cachoeira was the economic capital of Brazil and seat of the Bahian State government. Worth seeing are its historical buildings and churches: the Casa da Câmera e Cadeia (1698/1712), the former seat of government of Bahia, nowadays city hall, the Praça da Aclamação with the Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo (1695/1745), with its golden altar and Portuguese tiles, and the Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1693/1754). Lunch and promenade at the Fazenda Rial, surrounded by Atlantic rainforest, waterfalls, lakes and creeks. In the afternoon visit of the Dannemann Cultural Center in the cigar factory of Cachoeira. The manufacturing of the world famous Brasil cigar, alongside the Havana, recognized as the world's best, can be observed here. Of course, the products also can be purchased.
In the evening you return to Salvador. Overnight at Casa das Portas Velhas.

Day 4

Salvador

No plans for the morning. We suggest you go to the beach or check the many handicraft stores for typical souvenirs around Pelourinho.

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