The perfect spot for a nightcap on your Honeymoon in Brazil

On a summer’s day in Rio when temperatures can reach 40 degrees and feel like 50 due to the humidity, there’s nothing a Carioca likes more at the end of the day (or even in the morning) than a ‘cerveja estupidamente gelada’, that is, a freezing cold beer. Unlike beer in Europe, which is judged on its flavour, beer in Brazil is judged on its temperature; the colder the better. There may be ice floating in it, but a Carioca will still tell you that it is ‘too hot’.

If you find yourself in Rio on a day when the pavement might at any moment melt below your feet, it’s important to know the best place to find a frozen beer and perhaps, some accompanying nibbles – you will of course have the latest info to hand if you booked your holiday or Honeymoon through local experts Dehouche. The choice of establishments is baffling; add to this the rapidity with which these places fall in and out of favour as the fickle Carioca crowd change their allegiances with as much frequency as they do their other halves, and you realise that a guide book just won’t do. Ask luxury travel specialists Dehouche to organise your holiday however and you’ll be provided with an up to date bible of where to battle for a table and where to avoid at your utmost.

As Dehouche are based in Rio themselves they test out these places on a regular basis (demanding research indeed) drinking the bad beer so you don’t have to. Some current favourites include the traditional ‘Bracarense’. Situated in Rio’s most upscale neighbourhood, Leblon, ‘Bracarense’ is referred to as a ‘pé sujo’, which roughly translates as a ‘dirty drinking hole’. In any other neighbourhood, however, it would probably be considered a place worth dressing up for and you’d be a fool to pass up the tasty snacks with which to wash down your ice cold beer. Dehouche recommend the ‘bolinho de aipim com camarão e catupiry’ that’s manioc balls filled with prawn and cream cheese to you and me. Bustling in happy hour, the efficient waiting staff keep the ‘chopp’ (draught beer) flowing and you’ll soon find your thirst and appetite quenched.

If you’re not a beer lover however, fret not, as there are many other ways to cool down and tantalise your taste buds. It’s impossible to overlook the national beverage, cachaça, and its cocktail manifestation, caipirinha, available in an ever increasing range of fruit combinations. The charming ‘Da Graça’ in Horto, the leafy, tranquil neighbourhood hidden behind the botanical gardens, offers an impressive drinks menu including various tempting cocktail combinations from caipisake (a popular variation on caipirinha made with, you guessed it, sake, instead of cachaça) to the refreshing house mixture of vodka, mint liqueur and pineapple. Admire the eclectically decorated kitsch interior before making yourself comfortable amongst the cushions on the softly lit terrace, admiring the view of Christ the Redeemer. Calmly tucked away from the rush of Rio’s traffic, ‘Da Graça’ is a place to settle down for the evening and is a popular haunt for couples.

A relatively new addition to the Dehouche team’s drinking circuit is ‘Prima’ a ‘Bruschetteria’ in Leblon, where this Italian toastlike delicacy comes in an infinite number of guises, all of which are very pleasantly accompanied by a carafe of house wine. Dehouche can’t are keen to return and try the sparkling wine and limoncello cocktail.

Of course, despite their current popularity, Dehouche won’t guarantee that any of these establishments will still be functioning on your holiday to Brazil, so the best course of action is to ask Dehouche to organise things for you and they’ll make sure you receive the most up to date recommendations in Rio and anywhere else you might choose to visit across the South American continent.

Contact Brazil specialists Dehouche


Dehouche Travel, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO

Our Honeymoon was fabulous in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Most people when heading to Brazil combine Rio and the beaches of Bahia, but my new wife and I decided to be more adventurous and get away from the majority of other tourists by heading to the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. This is where the majority of European settlers to Brazil headed a century or two ago, attracted by the beautiful beaches and countryside, as well as the less severe climate.

We used the travel company, Dehouche, who consist of Brits, Americans, Brazilains and Argentineans in their head office in Rio. We asked for the honeymoon to be spent in three different destinations. We started off on the Ilha de Santa Catarina, which is more commonly known as Florianopolis. Here we stayed in an incredible villa above the lagoon in the centre of the island. We had a private chef who cooked everything that we asked for to order, not to mention a very well stocked wine cellar with some wonderful value Uruguayan and Argentine bottles. But the best aspect was the boat that was moored at the pier at the bottom of our garden, which was at our disposal for the duration of our stay. The captain took us out of the lagoon via a channel to the sea and we then cruised around the beautiful surrounding islands.

The next stop was on the mainland, in the laidback beach village of Praia da Pipa. Here we stayed in a charming pousada with wonderful sea views. The watersports on offer were excellent - particularly the surfing and kite surfing. We spent the evenings sampling the many lively bars and restaurants – this was a lovely contrast from the busyness of Floripa!

Our final location was Fernando de Noronha a superb island that has consistently been named as one of the world’s best. The service here was certainly the most attentive that I have ever experienced and the accommodation was flawless, our suite had it’s own lap pool, Jacuzzi and sauna - not to mention stunning sea views. On our final evening the staff took us to a private island and prepared the most incredible romantic dinner for us. This really was the ultimate way to end the perfect honeymoon - well done Dehouche we shall return!

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Niteroi a great day out when on Honeymoon in Rio!

Most visitors to Rio are blissfully unaware that a whole other city lies across the other side of the bay of Guanabara. Most Cariocas (Rio natives) will tell you that the best thing about this city, Niterói, is the view of Rio. But that view is quite something.

Let local experts Dehouche organise your luxury holiday or Honeymoon to Brazil and ask for a personalised city tour. Your local guide will whisk you around the sights of Rio with plenty of time left to discover what lies ‘on the other side of the bay’. To reach Niterói, you can either take a boat from Rio’s business district (as many commuters do) or drive over the 12km bridge that spans the neck of the bay. During rush hour traffic on the bridge can grind to a standstill, but Dehouche’s insider knowledge means you won’t find yourself stuck in one of Rio’s famous jams.

Aside from the view of Rio (which is undeniably spectacular) perhaps the other most striking thing about Niteroi is the imprint the acclaimed Brazilian architect Niemeyer has left on the city. Born and raised in Rio, Niemeyer rose to international fame in the late 1940s and became involved in many international projects, including the design of the UN headquarters in New York. Exiled during the military dictatorship that began in 1964, Niemeyer spent twenty outside his native Brazil, only to return in 1985. It was then eleven years later in 1996, at the age of 89, that he created what many consider his greatest work.

Poised on an outcrop of rock, the spaceship like MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art) enjoys an unrivalled panoramic view of the marvellous city and the bay of Guanabara. Admiring this unique creation from below, the wind whipping the water from the pool beneath across the forecourt, the onlooker is instilled with a sense of other worldliness and is captivated, awestruck by the scenery beyond.

Niemeyer’s claims that his love of curves, so evident in his work, takes its inspiration from those found in nature, from the mountains of his native city to the famed Brazilian female form found on its beaches. With his very muse as his backdrop, he seems to have created a masterpiece.

For some, entering the museum is not necessary, as enough pleasure can be taken from simply standing outside. Nevertheless, the museum does have a viewing gallery, offering several new perspectives on which to ponder the landscape. The museum pieces themselves however, are too often overlooked, upstaged by the museum building itself and its spectacular setting.

At the end of a visit to Niteroi one should really head back to Rio on a speedboat bound for the small neighbourhood of Urca below the famous Sugar Loaf mountain. It’s like a little fishing village and locals sit along the harbour wall and are served some of Rios freshest seafood snack and glasses of delicious draught beer – the perfect end to a great day of your Honeymoon.

Let Dehouche organise your holiday to Brazil and make sure you don’t miss a day trip to Niteroi!

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Minas

What do you think of when you think of Brazil? Beaches thronging with beautiful people? Outrageous Carnival costumes? Deserted, unspoilt beaches? The seductive beat of Samba? Beaches backed by lush tropical rainforest? Being blessed with 7000km of coastline, much of which enjoys what most Europeans would consider year round summer weather, it’s perhaps difficult not to think of beaches when you think of Brazil.

What do you think of when you think of Brazil? Beaches thronging with beautiful people? Outrageous Carnival costumes? Deserted, unspoilt beaches? The seductive beat of Samba? Beaches backed by lush tropical rainforest? Being blessed with 7000km of coastline, much of which enjoys what most Europeans or Americans would consider year round warm summer weather it is difficult not to think just of beaches when you think of Brazil.

However, it’s too easy to overlook the many other treasures this vast country has concealed within. Venture slightly inland from the state of Rio de Janeiro and you will discover the lesser known state of ‘Minas Gerais’; deservedly considered the gastronomic capital of Brazil and larger than the entire country of France, yet surprisingly absent from the itinerary of many international visitors.

Minas is the country’s largest producer of cheese and luxury travel experts Dehouche can assure you that once you’ve tried the ‘Pao de Queijo’ (Brazilian cheese bread) to be found in Minas, you’ll no longer be content with that made in any other state of Brazil.

The state of Minas Gerais (or General Mines) began to be populated in the late seventeenth century when colonists flocked here in search of gold. Exploiting the region and the slaves they had brought from Africa, they mined for minerals and beautiful towns were built on the fruits of others labour.

Particularly well preserved examples of the unique ‘Barroco Mineiro’ style that developed during this period are the towns of Ouro Preto, Diamantina, Sabara, Tiradentes and São João del Rei, nestled amongst the Mineiro mountains. It may sound remote, but if you’re looking to genuinely escape on your honeymoon or well earned holiday, locally based Dehouche can easily arrange flights and transfers here from other destinations in Brazil.

Let your private driver navigate the winding roads and descend peacefully upon an oasis of tradition and unspoilt splendour. Take your time enjoying the culinary delights this region is famed for, explore the abundance of richly decorated churches and marvel at the oeuvre of renowned Aleijadinho.

Wandering up and down the steep, cobbled streets of these picturesque towns it’s difficult to imagine the suffering and sacrifice that went into their construction. However, for those who are interested, there are many museums dedicated to telling the stories of centuries gone by.

One particular gem of the region must be ‘Ouro Preto’, which at the height of mining exploration was the capital of the state itself and is today still an important university town with many ‘republicas’ or university halls of residence scattered about. Needless to say, the town enjoys quite a vibrant nightlife as a result. Today, Minas is perhaps better known for its festivities and carnival celebrations, which focus around traditional street parties, quite unlike the carefully choreographed samba shows of Rio. Minas may lack the glamour of Rio and the pace of life may seem trapped in time compared to that of São Paulo, but it’s more than testament to the fact that there is not one Brazil, but many.

Naomi Orton
Dehouche SA
Leblon
Rio de Janeiro 22430 210 - RJ
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Fax: +55 21 2512 3458
E-mail: naomi.orton@dehouche.com
Website: http://www.dehouche.com

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Honeymoon in the Pantanal Brazil's other great wilderness

Most people assume that the best place in Brazil to observe animals is the Amazon; they are sadly mistaken in this assessment - that honour belongs to the 140,000 square kilometre (54,000 square mile) Pantanal, which straddles the borders of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, but the majority of which lies in Brazil. The Pantanal is a tropical wetland and the world’s largest inland swamp; it is therefore a vital natural habitat that is home to an extraordinarily diverse range of flora and fauna. The huge inundation of water during the rainy season, and subsequent drainage during the dry season, allows a vast array of plants to thrive in the Pantanal, ranging from Amazonian rainforest plants to plants normally found on arid Bolivian savannahs; the ecosystem supports 3500 known plant species. It is also home to 1000 bird species, 400 different types of fish (including golden dourado, peacock bass and of course piranhas), 480 species of reptiles including caimans and 300 kinds of mammals like the giant river otters, howler monkey, crab eating fox and the illusive jaguar.

Another advantage that the Pantanal has over the Amazon is that it offers much higher standards of accommodation. There are plenty of Fazendas scattered throughout the region and some of these have been turned into very comfortable lodges. Rio based English travel company, Dehouche, book their clients into an utterly charming lodge deep in the Pantanal, which was only reachable by light aircraft from the city of Campo Grande. The flight itself was a great adventure and provided incredible views over this seemingly endless landscape. Upon arriving at the lodge we were greeted by the very hospitable owners, given a refreshing caipirinha and shown to our lovely bedroom. All food and drinks were included during our stay, as were all of the activities on offer - such as horse riding, canoeing, hiking and even astronomy, the clear night skies providing the most impressive views of the milky way that I have ever been fortunate enough to witness. When combined with Rio, the Iguacu Falls and the beaches of the Costa Verde, such as the itinerary that Dehouche put together for us, the Pantanal makes for a phenomenal honeymoon destination.

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts. Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

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Florianopolis is 'honeymoon island' in Brazil!

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts.

Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

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A Brazil Honeymoon is not for shopping, well unless you visit Sao Paulo!

Shopping centres are to São Paulo what beaches are to Rio; a place to pass endless hours of leisure time, meeting friends, drinking beer and discovering potential new love interests. That’s not say that Paulistanos don’t take shopping seriously. São Paulo is the undisputed capital of shopping in Latin America and quite possibly a contender for the world title.

However, to the uninitiated, it’s difficult to know where to start in this megatropolis, especially if you don’t have excesses of time, so why not let luxury travel specialists Dehouche arrange a tailor made tour with a local guide and get straight to the boutiques worshipped by the locals themselves.

São Paulo is home to the shopping mecca of ‘Daslu’, sandwiched between a super highway and a shantytown with a helipad on the roof, this ode to consumerism, where a t-shirt easily costs more than the country’s minimum wage, has to some extent become a symbol of the economic injustice in Brazil and in recent years, shrouded in controversy due to allegations of tax evasion.

Nevertheless, a visit here is quite a unique experience, if only to ponder at the absurdity of it all. The exclusive home of Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Valentino in Brazil and frequented by the likes of Gisele Bundchen and Brazilian football star Ronaldo, the only possible way to arrive is by private car or taxi (or of course, helicopter) Let the doormen sweep you inside the revered ‘villa’ and so your journey into another world begins. The $50 million mansion is home to 120 designer boutiques and is renowned for its service; staff float unobtrusively yet attentively, something quite unique in a country anyone working on commission will traditionally pounce upon you the moment you enter the shop.

Certainly, this approach seems to appeal to Brazil’s elite who have made Sampa their home and ‘Daslu’ their stomping ground; however, if you’re not willing to pay $2000 for a pair of jeans, jump back in your limo and let Dehouche’s guide show you where you can get retail therapy at a more earthly price visiting up and coming designers actually in their studios and getting first bibs on items bound fr the European boutiques – the Dehouche shopping expert Luiza knows how to haggle and get the best bargain in the best craft shops too – time to start worrying about excess baggage!

Contact Dehouche to arrange your luxury holiday and let them arrange accommodation, transfers and insights into one of the world’s most fascinating cultures.


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Florianopolis is 'honeymoon island' in Brazil

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts. Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

Contact for details

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

Our Honeymoon was fabulous in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Most people when heading to Brazil combine Rio and the beaches of Bahia, but my new wife and I decided to be more adventurous and get away from the majority of other tourists by heading to the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. This is where the majority of European settlers to Brazil headed a century or two ago, attracted by the beautiful beaches and countryside, as well as the less severe climate.

We used the travel company, Dehouche, who consist of Brits, Americans, Brazilains and Argentineans in their head office in Rio. We asked for the honeymoon to be spent in three different destinations. We started off on the Ilha de Santa Catarina, which is more commonly known as Florianopolis. Here we stayed in an incredible villa above the lagoon in the centre of the island. We had a private chef who cooked everything that we asked for to order, not to mention a very well stocked wine cellar with some wonderful value Uruguayan and Argentine bottles. But the best aspect was the boat that was moored at the pier at the bottom of our garden, which was at our disposal for the duration of our stay. The captain took us out of the lagoon via a channel to the sea and we then cruised around the beautiful surrounding islands.

The next stop was on the mainland, in the laidback beach village of Praia da Pipa. Here we stayed in a charming pousada with wonderful sea views. The watersports on offer were excellent - particularly the surfing and kite surfing. We spent the evenings sampling the many lively bars and restaurants – this was a lovely contrast from the busyness of Floripa!

Our final location was Fernando de Noronha a superb island that has consistently been named as one of the world’s best. The service here was certainly the most attentive that I have ever experienced and the accommodation was flawless, our suite had it’s own lap pool, Jacuzzi and sauna - not to mention stunning sea views. On our final evening the staff took us to a private island and prepared the most incredible romantic dinner for us. This really was the ultimate way to end the perfect honeymoon - well done Dehouche we shall return!

Contact Dehouche Travel for details

Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

Paraty A Haven for Romantics and Culture Vultures!

Though this year’s line up may not yet be confirmed, there’s every reason to start getting excited about this year’s FLIP. (Paraty’s International Literary Festival) The annual event sees the streets of this charming historical town come alive with literature lovers, locally and internationally acclaimed authors, playwrights, journalists, composers and the odd Honeymoon couple who melt into the sheer romanticism of the setting.

Previous years have seen the likes of Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Jeffrey Eugenides, Colm Toíbín, Jeanette Winterson and J. M. Coetzee making appearances. Add to this already eclectic mix of international talent, local literary stars such as Ruy Castro and Jorge Amado, top with musical performances from the likes of Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso and it’s a recipe difficult to resist.

As the festival is held in ‘winter’ when the temperature is a pleasant average of 22 degrees centigrade, events can be held comfortably throughout the day without any need to take refuge from the midday sun (as can be the case in summer). The only downside being that this leaves little time to take full advantage of the many other attractions on offer in this delightful town. Local luxury travel experts Dehouche recommend arriving a few days early or staying a few days later in order to do so.

Situated about four hours drive south of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty was founded in 1667 and is today a world heritage site, celebrated for its colourful colonial architecture. Once a busy Port on the sugar & gold route from Minas Gerais, the historical centre’s cobbled streets remain car free to this day and are a joy to explore on foot.

In addition to its architectural splendour, it’s difficult to ignore the natural beauty the town is surrounded by. Every day, a flurry of boats leave the port bound for the many islands in the bay, making several stops for you to dive right in to the inviting turquoise waters. The awesome backdrop of Atlantic rainforest also conceals several beautiful waterfalls and Dehouche defy you not to succumb to the allure of a visit to the refreshing waters of nearby ‘Pedra Branca’ on a hot day.

After dark, return to the centre where the streets are lit with soft lamplight and the town takes on new golden hues as locals and visitors spill in and out of bars and restaurants soaking up the atmosphere of the festival.

Unsurprisingly, early booking is essential as hotels and guest houses quickly start filling once the dates of the festival are confirmed. Paraty is not short of options in terms of accommodation, so ask local luxury holiday specialists Dehouche for inside advice.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

The Little Known Green Spaces Of Rio De Janeiro

The international image of Rio tends to fall into one of three broad stereotypes. Firstly that of perhaps the world’s most famous city beaches – the broad sweep of Copacabana capped by Sugar Loaf or Ipanema’s surf culture, beach wear, and eponymous garotas, secondly the glitz, tail feathers, extravagant floats and tropical hedonism of carnaval and finally that other image perpetuated by the media of the city’s darker side of crime. All of which are to a greater or lesser extent misrepresentations of the real Rio de Janeiro, a multi faceted city with much to offer all types of visitor, from party minded backpackers, to cultural sight seers or honeymoon couples.

One aspect often overlooked in what is South America’s third largest metropolis, is the huge amount of greenery, mountains, jungle, open spaces, public parks and general natural beauty to be found in Rio. First of all the city is home to the world’s largest urban forest, the Floresta da Tijuca, a huge swathe of Atlantic rainforest dividing the city in two, the size of which can only really be appreciated from the peak of one of Rio’s many mountains, the famous Corcovado or the even higher Pedra da Gavea. The forest offers many outdoor pursuits unimaginable right in the middle of a city this size - treks to waterfalls, mountain biking, rock climbing, or perhaps a hike to the top of the Pedra Bonita to hang glide down over the forest and the city landing on Sao Conrado beach, a truly unforgettable honeymoon experience for the more active minded.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Rio’s botanical garden offers another natural haven from the city. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, the Jardim Botanico takes up a 140 hectare plot of prime real estate at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain. Its grand palm tree lined avenues, lawns shaded by tropical fruit trees, and tranquil lily ponds offer an idyllic environment for a romantic stroll to escape the afternoon sun and summer crowds of the city beaches.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
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Luxury honeymoon in Bahia state, Brazil's tropical North East

A wonderful Brazilian Honeymoon begins in the stunning Chapada Diamantina National Park. Deep in the interior of Bahia lies a land of underground rivers, cacti and table-top mountains. Breathtaking hikes and mountain-bike trips are contrasted with dips into the many crystal clear streams and pools that are safe to drink from while swimming. The landscape is like something out of Lord of the Rings and the pace of life is easy to relax into. There are underground caves to explore and for the more adventurous, scuba diving deep into the caves is an option as is floating down the underground rivers. Based in a charming colonial village nestling in this unspoilt landscape one can explore this stunning region with a great fun English-speaking guide, Marcio is one of Dehouche Travel’s excellent team on the ground. Despite the small sleepy town being in the middle of nowhere there are some excellent restaurants dotted around, often it is really excellent home-cooking - a favourite recommendation has just 3 tables. Stay in a delightful converted colonial house, which is full of antique furniture and comfortable nooks to relax and unwind in.

Then return to Salvador the vibrant capital city of Bahia, where there’s a lot to do in a couple of days, from watching the impromptu displays of capoeira (the slave's athletic fight/dance routine) to attending Candomble rituals (this is an African religion that has deep roots in Salvador). The itinerary should be planned by Dehouche so that Honeymooners spend a Tuesday night in town, when the samba drums come out en masse – Pelourinho the historic old town turns into a street party with the best Bahian music, food and dance on every street.

Accomodation is quite sublime, set in a quiet side street, but walking distance from the heart of the historic centre and best restaurants. The hotel is a romantic old mansion house that effortlessly combines modern design features with colonial architecture. Suites are large and with four poster beds and boast a terrace that looks out across the famous Bay of all Saints.

A final destination on a perfect Brazilian honeymoon is a truly stunning location where couples can enjoy perfect unspoilt beaches, where palms and white sand meet the warm turquoise water, a genuine unspoilt tropical island paradise. Dehouche provide a speedboat that enables a fabulous day out on the sea an unforgettable journey around the islands, visiting natural swimming pools on sandy outcrops of the reef almost a mile offshore, where floating bars serve fresh fish and wonderful caipirinhas, unwind in the clear turquoise water where little tropical fish can clearly be seen. For lunch visit local character Guido who always has a fresh supply of lobster if one arrives early his family own an open-air restaurant on the beach that is an absolute must visit barbequed lobster and delicious Bahian specialties are to die for. The afternoon can be spent on deserted beaches, or swooshing up the river by speedboat to one of the first colonial towns in Brazil. As the sun sets the speedboat will drop the luck Honeymooners back at their beach front cabana. The team on the concierge on the ground can advise all the best things to see and do from where to see the dolphins playing in the bay as the sun sets, to where to get a view from the top of the island out across the bay and of course all the best restaurants and bars. Honeymooners stay in a wonderfully charming beach cabana right on the beach with an upstairs bedroom affording views straight out to sea, delicious breakfasts are served on the private veranda. This is an idyllic place to relax and forms a wonderful finale to a Brazilian honeymoon.

Fabulous Honeymoon in Argentina and Brazil!

South America is one of the few continents in the world where in a single trip honeymoon couples can combine such diverse experiences as dramatic snow covered mountain scenery, tropical beaches and any range of environments in from some of the driest desert in the world to the planet’s most biologically diverse wetlands.

In the months of July through to September, after a stay in one of Buenos Aires’s chicest boutique hotels - with everything laid on by local luxury tour operator Dehouche from personal shoppers to an exclusive private dinner and wine tasting with an owner of one of Argentina’s top bodegas, couples might start their luxury honeymoon by flying down to the resort of Bariloche in the picturesque Lake District for five days skiing. With its dramatic scenery, uncrowded pistes and perfect dry snow conditions, the Andes have it all, you can experience world-class heli-skiing or learn to ski powder for the first time – tailored for any level of skier and with your own personal pilot and guide. At the end of a day skiing some of the driest powder you can find in the world, you will be rewarded with a satisfying Argentine steak and can retire to your cosy mountain lodge with a roaring fire and thick duvets. Wake the next morning to a breath-taking view of jagged peaks from every window.

Travelling into Brazil via the incomparable Iguaçu falls only for a stop over though to see the best bits – no need to share your honeymoon with the heaving masses, Dehouche clients often skip straight to the best beaches of Brazil’s northeast. The season dictates where to maximise sun, and in August they would recommend the trendy beach village of Praia da Pipa. Dehouche clients stay in surely one of the best hotel rooms in Brazil - a luxury colonial style chalet set among landscaped gardens and jungle, 5 minutes walk from one of the most stunning beaches on the coast. The waters of this dramatic coast line, north of Bahia, are frequented by rare marine turtles and dolphins, which you can spot from the beach. Natural swimming pools in the reefs and crystalline waters make for excellent snorkeling. Dehouche arrange for clients to have a speedboat at their disposal for the chance to swim with dolphins in the Baia dos Golfinhos, or stopping at deserted beaches to eat fresh oysters at a rustic waterside bar in a mangrove lined lagoon.

Luxury Honeymoon to Brazil and Uruguay

You will begin your honeymoon on the Costa Verde, the beautiful stretch of coastline between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. You stay in a unique location where the pousada is top quality, yet you are in a genuine fishing village where the locals are wonderfully friendly. The rainforest stretches down to meet the beach to create a very romantic setting. This location is perfect for a mix of beach relaxation together with a glimpse of unspoilt Brazil with some fantastic natural pursuits on the mainland and nearby islands. There are countless islands dotted around the idyllic bay, many with bars and restaurants on. This makes for a fantastic genuine Brazilian honeymoon experience where you get a real feel for the people and culture of the country. The Pousada where you stay is set up high on the hill with wonderful views out across the bay and out to sea. With over 360 secluded islands in the broader bay area ones time can be spent on the countless superb beaches and islands of the area accessed by boat or jeep. There is never a shortage of things to do: enjoying the sunset at a beach restaurant on one of the many uninhabited islands, stunning jungle treks, swimming in waterfalls, or chilling out in refreshing natural pools.

If you are after culture, nearby is the enchanting colonial town of Parati - which is a UNESCO world heritage site due to the entirety of its colonial architecture and the charm of it’s cobbled streets. This is the perfect place for fine dining and antique shopping. We’ll make sure you access the best the area has to offer.

For the Uruguayan leg of your luxury honeymoon in South America you will fly down to Punta del Este. When fashionable people talk about Punta Del Este what they normally mean is José Ignacio, which is a small fishing village that has become popular with the rich and stylish for its laid back and unpretentious atmosphere. This is the current hotspot of South America where Hollywood stars and fashion moguls mix with the unperturbed locals. The village, which you can explore down dusty tracks, has a very relaxed atmosphere. There is a unique mixture of high quality restaurants and laidback lowkey bars.

The beach is just 40 yards from the hotel and it is beautiful and unspoilt; a great place to relax, there are also many activities to get involved in, from kite surfing to windsurfing and horse riding along the beach. You will stay in a stylish hotel, which is one of only two in the village. It has a beautiful pool area with a wet bar. The service is excellent, all of these factors combined make this the perfect spot to end your South American honeymoon.

Luxury Honeymoon - getting off track in Brazil by Dehouche Travel

The small state of Alagoas boasts arguably the most pristine coastline of all Brazil, with endless miles of empty beaches. Picturesque drives north of the state capital, the only signs of civilisation are sleepy fishing villages. The sea here is warm and crystal clear and the reefs form many natural swimming pools of turquoise for you to enjoy as the tide goes out. Alternatively, you can simply lrelax with a drink on the paradisiacal beach just a few yards away from your private villa. This is where you can truly kick back, relax and enjoy the easy-going, Brazilian pace of life

The luxury boutique hotel contains only nine villas spaced out in landscaped gardens, you stay in our favourite, just a few paces from the beach with views from the breezy veranda right out to sea. When it comes to getting away from it all on an deserted Brazilian beach whilst enjoying modern comforts then this hotel is the dream location. For a rustic beach villa it is rather well equipped with DVD player, surround sound, Jacuzzi and high cotton count linen on your king size bed. The restaurant is excellent and breakfast is a special treat. Nothing is too much for the friendly staff here who will deliver meals to your room and refreshing drinks to your chosen spot on the beach.

Next, you move inland to the beautiful Brazilian interior and the state of Minas Gerais. Your expansive hacienda is set in an incredible Brazilian landscape of mountains, waterfalls and forests for you to explore and has an endless list of activities for you to partake in, including fly-fishing, horse riding, mountaineering, hiking and canoeing. It is an all-inclusive arrangement (though don’t let that term throw you off) the few lucky guests receive three delicious home cooked meals every day and are free to take from the kitchen & larder as they please, all food and drink including beer and spirits are included in the rate. This is getting away from it all par excellence!

The Fazenda or farmhouse has a grand dining room, a library to unwind in and tables for cards after dinner. The 5 bedroom suites are 500 sq. Ft upwards and have large, comfortable beds, linen sheets, slate and marble bathrooms from the region and are individually decorated, each with its own unique, secluded outdoor area. A focal point to the property is the covered outdoor sitting room, with an array of tropical plants and water features, that leads on to a vast slate lined swimming pool fed with running spring water. Beneath is a private underground cinema and beyond is a croquet lawn set in a beautiful ten-acre garden full of mature fruit and nut trees, whilst set to the side of the Fazenda are the large and well equipped stables, home to local Criollo horses.

A superb breakfast is presented on the large veranda each morning, from which you watch parakeets fluttering around the orange trees that produced the juice you are drinking. The estate produces its own organic food, estate-bottled honey, sugar, jams, hot pepper sauce etc. Lunch can be enjoyed relaxing by the pool; however, you may prefer to pick a secluded spot on the estate (perhaps a tranquil waterfall or stream) for a picnic; appearing by horseback at the time you specify, staff will lay out an abundant spread of roast meats, breads, fresh salads, ice cold drinks and silver utensils for you to enjoy at your leisure. Dinner is served in the dining room and is always a merry occasion, whole sizzling roasts are standard fare, showing the owner’s passion for excellence in this most idyllic and remote location.