Lake Arbor Travel Presents BRAZIL Afro-Brazilian Culture Tour RIO DE JANEIRO And SALVADOR, BAHIA APRIL 3 – 12, 2019 $3,999.00 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Lakearbortravel.com -- 301-390-1639, [email protected] ITINERARY Wednesday, April 3: Depart United States Depart Washington Reagan National Airport or Miami, FL International Airport. Thursday, April 4: Arrive Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Arrive in Rio de Janeiro. After clearing Immigration, we will be met and transferred to the Hilton Rio De Janeiro Copacabana beachfront hotel. Relax until the Welcome Dinner in a trendy restaurant. Meal: Dinner Friday, April 5: Full Day Tour of Rio and Backstage of Carnival Tour takes us to the famous Christ the Redeemer Statue, via train, through the lush Tijuca Forest. At 2,100 feet above sea level, the statue has been a landmark of the city since 1931. Upon descending, we drive through the artistic Santa Teresa area towards downtown Rio to visit the pyramid-shaped Catholic Cathedral, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church and The Black Museum. The Church was the center of African and Afro-Brazilian religious, social and political life. Next, we will visit the backstage of Rio’s Carnival Parade and understand what happens behind the scenes during this famous celebration (this is so much fun!). Your day ends in the famous Pedra do Sal, also called Little Africa, which was the center of the most important African community village in Rio, and has been the cradle of Samba for over a century. Enjoy a typical roda de samba (casual meeting of samba players) that takes place here on Fridays. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Saturday, April 6: Sugar Loaf Mountain and Rio By Night Start your day with a visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain by taking two cable cars to get to the summit, where you will find out why Rio carries the nickname of ‘Marvelous City.’ Return to your hotel to enjoy the afternoon at the beach sipping Brazil’s official drink, the caipirinha. Enjoy a typical steakhouse dinner, followed by an amazing Folklore Show broadcasting the immense diversity of the Brazilian culture and the gorgeous carnival costumes. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Sunday, April 7: Beach Day and Hippie Market On Sundays, the Rio boardwalk becomes a big recreational area and its beaches a meeting point. Also on Sunday stroll the famed Hippie Market in Ipanema for two hours. An open-air market where one can find all kinds of crafts, souvenirs, original paintings, jewelry, etc. Enjoy a casual and relaxing day on the beach in this fun place. Meal: Breakfast Monday, April 8: Flight to Salvador, Bahia and Tour Transfer to airport for our flight to Salvador, Bahia. After arrival and check in at La Villa Bahia Hotel nestled in the heart of the Pelourinho, depart on a short walking tour starting at the Municipal Square and visit the Sao Francisco Church famous for its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior, the Pelourinho Square, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary ~ the famous Black Church built with meager resources over a period of 100 years and a stop at the intimate Bahian Gastronomy Museum, which focuses on the African influence on Bahia cuisine. We will then visit the Candomble Worship Houses to interact with the Sisters to understand how traditions and secrets pass from generation to generation. The tour ends at the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local artifacts and souvenirs. In the evening, have dinner at a local restaurant and stroll to the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre where the Bale Folclorico da Bahian Company presents a show of song and dance steeped in African traditions. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Tuesday, April 9: African Culture Tour After breakfast, depart on a panoramic tour of the city, visiting the neighborhoods of Rio Vermelho, Barra, Monserrat and the Itapagipe Peninsula. Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy Salvador at your own pace. Tuesday nights have always been a busy night in the historical Pelourinho Square ~ a mass is celebrated accompanied by a choir and musicians in what is the most joyous religious celebrations in the city resulting in an open-air concert in the heart of the historic area. Dress comfortably, mix with the crowd and have fun like a local! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Wednesday, April 10: Tour of Cachoeira This morning, we drive north to Cachoeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a thriving culture grounded in African traditions so visible in local art traditions, mainly wood sculpting. African religious traditions are epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of slavery. Hear a lecture on the sisterhood and see a presentation of Samba de Roda, a variation of this typical Brazilian dance that was originated in this area. A casual dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Thursday, April 11: Return to United States Depart Salvador for the United States, arriving on Friday, April 12. Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1556, the city of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Colony of Brazil in 1776. With the arrival of the Portuguese royal family in 1808, the city became the main cultural, political and economic center of the Portuguese empire. When the republic was proclaimed in 1889, Rio was confirmed as the country’s capital, which it remained until 1960, when the new capital, Brasilia, was founded. Rio, famous for the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, is situated on a 15-mile strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea, bordered on one side by the blue sea and on the other by verdant hills. Also famous for its raucous Carnival festival, featuring parade floats, flamboyant costumes and samba dancers is the world’s largest. Its almost 8 million locals, the Cariocas, are relaxed and high-spirited people. That is just the way Rio is! With Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado blessing the city and Sugar Loaf, one of the most famous postcards of the country. Salvador, the capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, was the first capital of colonial Brazil from 1549 until 1763, being one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. Famous for being the most African city in the Americas with strong African roots and traditions found in its cuisine, religion, music and arts, the city is also known as the ‘land of happiness’ due to the kindness of its people, and the many popular festivals and celebrations that take over its streets throughout the year. Hundreds of thousands attend Carnival in Salvador ~ some say it’s more spectacular than Rio’s! Stroll the Pelourinho neighborhood with its cobblestone streets opening onto large squares and colorful buildings. If you enjoy culture, food, music, arts and a laid back environment, Salvador is your place. GET YOUR BRAZIL ON!! Single Supplement: $950.00 Included: Ø Roundtrip air from Washington, DC National Airport or Miami International Airport to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Ø Roundtrip air from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador, Bahia Ø 4 Nights Ocean Front Hotel Accommodations at the Hilton Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel Ø 4 Nights Deluxe Hotel Accommodations at the Historic La Villa Bahia Hotel in Salvador, Bahia Ø Meals mentioned in the Itinerary Ø Airport/hotel transfers and tours outlined in Itinerary Ø Deluxe air-conditioned private vehicles with licensed English-speaking guides Ø Porterage at hotel (1 piece of luggage per person) Ø Hotel service charges and taxes Ø Gratuities to guide, driver and restaurants included in Itinerary Not Included: § Beverages at meals § Brazil Tourist Visa required for U.S. Passport holders (can be obtained on-line) § Trip Cancellation Insurance, www.allianztravelinsurance.com, Travel Agency ID: F030217 § Early hotel check-in or late hotel check-out charges *****PASSPORT MUST BE VALID THROUGH OCTOBER 2019***** A deposit of $800.00 is due August 15, 2018 to reserve your space; $500.00 is due on the 10th of the month until balance is paid. Final payment due February 3, 2019. Limited availability. Cancellation Policy: Lake Arbor Travel undertakes to protect clients whenever possible from cancellation fees being enforced, however, the following conditions apply prior to departure: $800.00 is nonrefundable up to 180 days of travel; $1,600.00 is nonrefundable 90-65 days of travel; 100% is nonrefundable if canceled within 64 days of travel, or no-show. NOTE: Prior to completion of the full payment of airline tickets, there is a potential for a price increase due to fuel surcharges and increases in government-levied taxes and fees. Contact: Toni Hillman, Lake Arbor Travel, [email protected], 301-390-1639, lakearbortravel.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESERVATION FORM – Complete, detach and mail to: Ms. Toni Hillman, Lake Arbor Travel, 102 Dauntly Street, #100, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 Please make checks payable to: Lake Arbor Travel Reserve my space to celebrate: Afro-Brazilian Culture Tour, April 3-12, 2019 My deposit of $ _______________ is enclosed ($800.00 per person is required by August 15, 2018) PLEASE ENCLOSE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT PICTURE PAGE. E-mail address Name (As it appears on Passport) Date of Birth Street City & State ZIP Telephone: Home Office Cell Name of Roommate Hotel Bedding: ___1 Bed; ___ 2 Beds .