L  A   D  A  T  C  O     T  O  U  R   S
	HOME	South America	Falkland Islands	Antarctica	Unique Destinations	Unique Experiences	Newsstand	e-mail

Church Altar

Salvador, Bahia Must Do's Salvador Bahia Gateway About Bahia Bahia's Hotels Must Do's Gastronomy Around & About Some Don'ts Shopping   Cultural stuff

"Must do's" include:

Visit the Pelourinho area with the largest and best preserved complex of colonial architecture in the Americas. Stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets lined with fine colonial houses painted in pastel shades of an age gone by. Salvador is famous for its many churches and the spectacularly ornate church of Sao Francisco is the finest example of Baroque churches in Brasil with its splendid golden interior.

Take a full day schooner cruise on Todos os Santos Bay. Enjoy sensational views as you cruise past the city to Frades (Monk's) Island where you'll anchor at a tranquil beach, swim in inviting waters or just relax in the sun or shade. Continue your cruise to Itaparica Island where you'll enjoy a walking tour of the colonial town and visit the mineral water springs with its legendary rejuvenating properties

The Bahia by Night show takes place in the 18th century colonial complex Solar do Unhao which had its own church, manor house and slave quarters. The show takes place in the old stockrooms and is a showcase of different African traditions still much alive in Bahia today. You'll see the sacred dances of the Candomble; the maculete, a stick and sword dance from the cane fields; the dance of the caboclo, an Amerindian hunting dance; capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exhubertant national dance. Dinner is buffet style with a wide variety of local and international dishes.

If time allows visit the Bonfim church. Built in 1754 it is a popular site for religious pilgrimage in Brasil. As you enter the church, boys and women will try to sell you a colorful ribbon printed with the words "Lembranca do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia" (Souvenir of Our Lord of Good Ending). According to legend, a friend should present you with the ribbon - you then tie it around your wrist in three knots (representing three wishes) and when the ribbon falls off, your wishes come true.