Need a beach holiday? Last minute offer on vacation rentals in Florianópolis

Cabin for rent steps away of the gorgeous Pantano do Sul beach, in the most preserved area of the Island.  

Contact us for details!

In Brazil for business? Find here tips of places to escape for the weekend.

You came to Brazil on business and have a very limited time to explore this gigantic country, besides the odd weekend off. At the same time, you feel it is a shame to not get to know a bit of the Brazil of your imagination, away from the big business cities.

SO...If you have only a weekend to spare, where would you go? 

Brazil is continental in size: you will not be able to do the Amazon or the Pantanal and would barely have time to unpack if you go to the Northeast coast but there are some 2-night or 3-night break destinations just over an hour’s flight from São Paulo (or even without flying if you are in business in Porto Alegre or Curitiba) that can show you some highlights as well as some hidden gems of Brazil.

Iguazu Falls, gorgeous beaches to relax, active adventures in the Southern canyons, a stunning train journey,  learning to surf, wine tasting ... Whatever makes you tick, you can do it in a Weekend Break.

Brazil Ecojourneys is a boutique tour operator, specializing in tailor-made tours. Consult us for these and other customised itineraries to make the most of your weekends in Brazil.

Make the most of the World Cup in South Brazil - Day trips from Porto Alegre & Curitiba

South Brazil has a lot to offer and some of the best attractions can be visited in a full day trip from the host cities,  Porto Alegre or Curitiba.

Porto Alegre is a pleasant enough city for a couple of days but if you are staying longer or have an interest in nature or wine, you should know that you can have great day trips from there.

The best Wine-producing region in Brazil is just 2-hours away from the city. We offer you a private trip that takes you behind the scenes to the small wineries that produce the best wines in the country.

For nature lovers, you can visit the largest canyons in the country in the Aparados da Serra National Park. Ideally you should stay at least one night, but it is possible to do it on a full-day too, if you don´t have the time.

In Curitiba, the Serra do Mar train journey is an unforgettable day trip that can easily be done in a spare day.

Check out this mini-guide from The Guardian for more information and tips  on the Southern capitals hosting the World Cup.

Availability is restricted- contact us and book now.

Gay Carnival 2014 in Florianopolis, Brazil

Florianopolis is the 3^rd major destination for gay tourists in Brazil and a favourite summer destination for Brazilians. During Carnival, Florianopolis is second only to Rio in the preference of Brazilian and South American gay men. 

In recent years major label parties and mega clubs moved their parties to Florianopolis helping to make it a big contender to be the biggest and hottest gay Carnival in Brazil.

Praia Mole beach is the hub, both at the sand stretch in front of Bar do Deca and at the hotel in front, packed with gay visitors from all over Brazil.

Gay girls concentrate in Lagoa, at the fun themed parties @ Caravana Fusion Food.

Downtown you have all the Gay & Lesbian clubs and bars favoured by the locals, as well as the street parties and traditional Carnival events such as Samba Schools Parade and the Pop Gay festival, a very camp Carnival costumes competition for drag queens. 

Floripa Carnival 2014 Schedule:

From 28 February to 8 March: Bars & Clubs open every night with Carnival specials

Saturday 1 March: Samba Schools Parade & Competition

Monday 3 March: Pop Gay Festival

Plan your trip in advance- quality accommodation (especially in Praia Mole) sells out early. Consult us now.

Read more about Gay & Lesbian Florianopolis in the international LGBT media:

Passport;

Spartacus Traveler;

ManAboutWorld; 

The Edge on The Net;
Curve Mag;

Spring Special- get Active in Floripa!

Spring is back in the Southern Hemisphere, opening the season for enjoying the outdoors. 

The Island of Santa Catarina, part of the city of Florianopolis, has 45% of its area covered in Atlantic Rainforest, making it an ideal place for outdoor activities. Coastal paths with dramatic scenery lead to deserted beaches. Inland, some trails opened by the original Azorean settlers still are the only link to isolated communities. Others cross nature reserves with lagoons and waterfalls, allowing for wildlife spotting specially bird life. Additionally, the nearby Serra do Tabuleiro State Park offers great opportunities for rafting.

To celebrate the new season, and taking advantage of the last month of low season rates, Brazil Ecojourneys is offering a last minute deal on its Active Florianopolis trip -a 5 days tour for rafting, biking and trekking your way around Floripa!

You can also learn to surf or kitesurf, Stand Up or sailing, sandboarding... Floripa is THE place for an active holiday!

From US$ 745.00 per person. Valid for the month of November. Consult us for more details!

Riding the Tropeiros Trail

Coxilhas, the typical rolling hills from Southern Brazil, are the land of old, historical cattle ranches. Many "Fazendas" here are inhabited since colonial times, when they were support bases for the gauchos that moved live troops (the “tropeiros”) from Rio Grande do Sul to Sao Paulo.

This off-the-beaten-track 8 days/7nights horse-riding trip takes you through a very remote area of Southern Brazil: Coxilha Rica, in the Santa Catarina highlands. A region  that offers a mix of beautiful scenery and authentic gaucho culture.

Depending on the itinerary, you will ride our amazing criollo horses inside the remains of the stone corridors that ran for hundreds of kilometres and were used by the tropeiros to avoid dispersion of the troops. In each Fazenda you will be welcomed with the warm hospitality of the gaucho and have the opportunity to try the typical local cuisine, and experience its lively culture.

 This is an adventure for true riders of all abilities!

The 2012-2013 riding season in Coxilha Rica starts in October.

Brazil Ecojourneys can offer spaces at the 28^th October to 4^th November departure at special last minute rates. Consult us!

Porto Alegre - a new gateway to Brazil

This week, TAP, the Portuguese airline, operated the first non-stop flight between Europe and South Brazil.

The 4 times a week flights between Lisbon and Porto Alegre , capital of Rio Grande do Sul, open a new entry point to Brazil and to a region that has been largely overlooked by most visitors to the country.

The most southern State in Brazil is well-known for its gaucho culture, the pampas and the Jesuit Missions but it has more to offer.

Porto Alegre, the capital of the State, is the entry point for the attractive wine region- an easy 2 hours drive- and also the best access to the dramatic canyons of the Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral National Parks- a 3 hours-drive through a newly built dual carriage way.

From Porto Alegre, there are direct flights to some of Brazil best natural attractions, such as Iguazu Falls, the beautiful beaches of Florianopolis and to Curitiba, starting point of the most scenic train ride in Brazil and the gateway to the World Biosphere Reserve of the Atlantic Rainforest.

In the next few blogs we will highlight Rio Grande do Sul's attractions and how Europeans can easily combine a visit to South Brazil to an itinerary to Argentina and Chile, places that also have daily direct flights from Porto Alegre.