» Salvador,Witnessing Afro-Brazilian Culture in Salvador

Bahia is attached to its cultural traditions, like a half-caste child descendent of supersticious mother Africa and the dominant Europeans. Its magical energy is demonstrated in every corner, in every street, in its irresistible afro-brazilian hammering and the brigh art of its colonial monuments. An enchanted land searched by visitors from all over the world.

» The "Upper City" of Salvador

Through the stone paved streets or by famous Lacerda Elevator, one may reach the "Upper City", where the government buildings, fine residential districts, museums, churches and much of the newer architecture is located. This is Salvador, a perfect example of a harmonious relationship between old and new, preserving the architecture and innovating with new urban planning solutions. It's easy to move around in Salvador, from one historic attraction to another, along the beaches or the well-lit tree-lined avenues across the city's valleys. The Pelourinho or Pelô, as the colonial city is affectionately known, definitely worths a visit. It is one of the most important collection of Baroque colonial architecture in Latin America, appointed in the UNESCO's World Heritage site

» The "Lower City" of Salvador

Located at sea level next to the old port and the commercial district where visitors will find a complete and varied assortment of Brazilian arts and crafts at the Modelo Market, where the famous "baianas", usually older women, dressed in the traditional white, pleated dresses of colonial Bahia, sell their home-made coconut sweets and spicy "vatapás", "acarajés" and "xinxins" out of tray carried to the market on top of their own head. The "Lower City" is also the best place to witness a demonstration of "capoeira", a martial art developed by African slaves in Brazil, originally as a form of combat and later as a type of dance and folklore tradition. Practicing involves the rhythm of the "berimbaus", local percussion instruments, made with a wire cord stretched tight across a wooden bow.

» Praia do Forte Beach

In the village of Mata do São João, 85km (54 miles) from Salvador, you will visit Praia do Forte beach including the Sarapiranga Preserve, the fishing village, lighthouse, lagoon and the TAMAR Sea Turtle Preservation Project - the national program for the protection of marine turtles species linving in the Brazilian coast line. The name Tamar derives from the Portuguese words meaning sea turtle "Tartaruga Marinha".

» Todos os Santos Bay, the Schooner Cruise

Board on a schooner for a cruise in the All Saints Bay from where one can have an unforgettable view of the old part of the city of Salvador. Cruising across the bay, we'll pass by several islands, as the famous Frade island, surrounded by groves of palm trees, warm, crystal clear and calm waters. Views of Loreto,Tobar, da Viração, Costa de Fora e Ponta de Nossa Senhora and Paramana, the most popular among these beaches, before getting to Itaparica, the biggest island of All Saints Bay, with 240 km². The word Itaparica means "around the rocks" and the name comes from the barrier of corals laying 1km from the beaches towards the Atlantic ocean, creating a big natural swimming pool, with transparent warm blue water, excellent for swimming or diving.

» Cachoeira

The oldest farmland in Brazil: Cachoeira lies on the right bank of the Paraguaçu River, about 110km from Salvador. Important for its strategic location as a river port in the heart of the countryside where sugarcane is cultivated, it keeps remarkable cultural and artistic landmarks, such as the Irmandade da Boa Morte, the Sisterhood of Good Death, a worldwide recognized female organization composed of ancient African slaves, forming an ensemble that has been appointed as a National Monument.

» Salvador by Night

Passengers will be enchanted by the brilliant bahian night life, where music and folkloric manifest in their full magic spirit. We invite you for a regional dinner, including a variety of delicious typical plates and deserts. During dinner, an amazing folkloric show with be presented, featuring the famous "Capoeira" from African salves, the "Maculelê", an impressive dance performed with pieces of wood and big knifes, and the rhythms of the "Candomblé", the old Afro Brazilian dances related to religious divinities, specially cultivated in Bahia.

» Olodum Rehearsal

The Pelourinho echoes with the sounds of the "repique", "surdo" drums and timbales of the so many drumming troupes of Salvador. Olodum*, the most famous of samba-reggae groups is a powerful percussion ensemble that became internationally famous. We attend the rehearsal where the dances and songs for the coming Carnival are rehearsed. Later, just stroll around the streets where life music is presented in every corner. Ticket included. * subject to previous confirmation.

» Pelourinho by Night

A mammoth restoration of the historical PELOURINHO district resulted in a new lease of night life to this area, the largest complex of colonial architecture in the America's which also preserves the local culture. Dinner will be served in one of the finest typical restaurants in the area. After dinner, just stroll around the busy streets where many of bars offer live Brazilian music.

» African Oriented City Tour

Tracing the African roots of Salvador, we start at PELOURINHO, a symbol of the black movement in Bahian and home of many places of interest to those wishing to explore the bahian soul. Visit to the AFRO BRASILIAN Museum, with the history of the city's African origins, the Sociedade Protetora dos Desválidos (Society for Destitute), old fraternity founded in 1832 in order to help the slaves before the abolition, still active in the black community; the Church of OUR LADY OF ROSARY, famous church built in the colonial times, when black and white men would not share the same place, and then, CASA DO BENIN, featuring the heritage from afro-brazilian culture.

» More information: compass@compassbrazil.com