Brazil is on my bucket list but I was overwhelmed by the planning. The huge country is rich with options—from natural wonders to major metropolises to world-renowned beaches. How was I going to fit everything into a week in Brazil? I decided to believe Abercrombie & Kent With my trip.
The company has created luxury trips for over 60 years. It has a staff of 3,000 worldwide, including local guides as well as 24/7 emergency support. I reached out and spoke with a person about creating an itinerary tailored to my needs when I discovered that the company’s traditional group trips did not align with my vision. They created a personalized itinerary for my dream Brazil trip with the help of their local guides. I was able to enjoy my top destinations and activities in a relaxed pace.
All the stress just disappeared after I approved my customized itinerary. A&K took care of everything, including plane tickets, hotels, reservations, and guides. A few weeks before my adventure, I received a package with two orange A&K luggage tags and a letter assuring me I was in good hands.
São Paulo
As soon as I stepped out of the plane, the guided experience began. São Paulo. At the gate, I was greeted by an airport attendant Clarissa, my first local guide, escorted and assisted me at various security checkpoints when my jet-lagged mind couldn’t remember my Duolingo Portuguese. Clarissa was my first guide and the process was painless. I had little time in São Paulo, but with my guide and personal driver, I made the most of it. The schedule was flexible because it was a custom-made journey. It was originally supposed to be a visit to the Football Museum, or soccer for Americans. But I am not a huge sports fan. Clarissa was able to swap the football museum with a visit to an art gallery and the bohemian Vila Madalena neighborhood. I enjoyed walking through the colorful Beco do Batman, and the amazing view from the top. São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP).
My one regret is I didn’t stay longer in São Paulo, if nothing else than to have more time at my hotel, the Rosewood São Paulo. The property is itself a destination. It’s easy to mistake it for an art gallery, as it is located in the historic Cidade Matarazzo. The hotel had a wonderful art gallery that featured Brazilian artists from all over the country. Many details paid homage to Brazilian cultural heritage.
Leaving São Paulo, I was once again met at the airport by an attendant who handled my luggage, escorted me through a priority security line (one of my favorite perks of booking through A&K), and took me to a reserved area of a lounge. As soon as it was time for my flight, they took me directly to my gate. They also arranged to have me skip the security line.
Iguazú Falls
Landing in Foz do Iguaçu was a breeze. Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) was easy to navigate, and I found my guide, Marcos, almost instantly. Originally, I was scheduled to visit the Argentinian part of Iguazú Falls He had not only checked traffic but also the queue at the border. He worked with my driver to change my itinerary. Marcos took me to the Brazilian side on the first day, and then the Argentinian. The Brazilian side, with its breathtaking views, easy route, and boat ride under the waterfalls, was my favourite. This was something I wasn’t prepared for. Marcos was prepared with multiple ponchos for the boat trip and the wet views. He had planned and packed for me. He shared the history of the falls with me and offered to take my photo. It’s great to travel alone, but I often find myself out of the picture. This wasn’t a problem on an A&K trip.
Argentinian views were unique, with less mist and more wildlife to be seen. Capuchin monkeys are a good example. My guide switched out my tickets and guided me to less-crowded paths when we had to take a train around the falls.
The elegant atmosphere of the evenings was my favorite. Hotel das Cataratas. With impeccable service, this property is the only one in Brazil’s Iguazú National Park. Right in front of the property, the trail leads to the falls. The park is closed to the general public after 4 pm. Guests are allowed special access. The path was so much more beautiful after the crowds left. It was amazing to see the falls at dusk.
Rio de Janeiro
The moment I arrived in RioI knew that I was in excellent hands. Sergio, my local guide, was as excited about the city as me. We stopped for lunch on the way. AssadorIn this traditional Brazilian steakhouse, they will continue to put meat on your dish until you pay. Sergio told the driver to stop at Sergio’s favorite photo spots near the water on the way. He offered to photograph me, and I was grateful for that. We then went to a samba class, where I was able to see how a top team of samba dancers created their secret look for the Carnival next year. This experience was a journey through Carnival’s history and how it is currently done. After the visit, I was taken to a closet where I could try on clothes and learn a samba. After a long day, I returned to my hotel. Hotel Fasano Rio de JaneiroThe chic boutique accommodation offers a stunning view of Copacabana Beach.
It was my favorite day of the trip. We started off by visiting A&K’s philanthropic project with Favela Experience The Vidigal community. The group that works on social impact with locals is a good place to start. sustainable businesses I can help them to navigate the red tape. I met a number of passionate, savvy and creative individuals who want to see their community grow. They included gardeners as well as podcasters, dancers and artists.
Sugarloaf was the next mountain I tackled. The cable car lines to reach the summit took hours. Of course, some people will stand in line but never ride the cable car to the top. But I wasn’t worried, as A&K had provided me with a fast pass. On the way up, I was able to skip every line. A live DJ set was played at the halfway point while people danced to the beautiful Rio skyline. I was able to plan my visit around the sunset, and not have to worry about waiting times or hurrying to the next location.
Sergio was the only one with whom I spent that evening. Even though I enjoy solo travel, going out at night by yourself as a woman can be a risky game. I felt more secure with a guide. We explored the local area Botecos (pubs), trendy bar cocktail and rooftop bars. Rio is not complete without a few caipirinhas.
Salvador
Connor, my guide in Salvador, greeted me. While we were having a coffee at the stop, every guide who was waiting to pick up someone chatted with Connor and assured me that I would be getting a top-notch service. The same thing happened when he took me on a walking tour through Salvador. He knew everybody, and everyone loved his. He took me to hidden restaurants, galleries and local artists that I wouldn’t have found on my own. He introduced me to amazing locals and gave me tips about where the beach with the most daylight is, or the best place to view the drumline we happened upon. One of them was a local restaurateur, who gave me a tour of his building on a whim. It had an amazing view of Salvador.
The next day Connor was equally helpful. He helped me navigate a busy local market that I would have been lost in if he hadn’t guided me. He was able to translate for me in a cooking course and even convinced owners to add an extra lesson about caipirinhas. He changed my itinerary when I said that I was interested in a secret record store because he knew its owner. Connor led me to a quieter market and directed me to shops where I could buy all my souvenirs. Cachaça? He knew the place. Coffee? He had a man.
Connor made sure that I always got back to my hotel in time for the sunset, no matter how busy my days were. Fasano SalvadorThe view from the rooftop of the hotel is one of the best in the whole city. Each day I would enjoy caipirinhas as the sun dropped below the horizon.
As my trip came to a close, I flew back to São Paulo to transfer to my international flight. Once again, I was met by airport staff who assisted me with my luggage, helped me select the perfect bottle of cachaça from the duty-free store, and then escorted me into the lounge, where I waited until they picked me up right before boarding. I left Brazil with many stories and a bag of souvenirs.
