Not even the serious financial crisis suffered by Iceland in 2008 affected its capital, Reykjavik. Surrounded by wild and vivid nature that includes rigorous winters, glaciers and active volcanos, the capital of Iceland is the perfect destination for nature lovers.

Therefore, we’ve prepared some tips for incredible tours in this beautiful city that offers both natural and urban contacts.

The first unmissable program is a horseback tour of the volcanic landscape. When temperatures are more amenable for outdoor activities, this tour presents the effects of volcanic activity on the island. One can observe the various colors of the local soil, as well as rock formations created by erupting volcanos. And everything is even better when seen from horseback.

Next, the great adventure is in the south of Reykjavik, in the Vatnajokull National Park. There’s a tour for the exploration of the park offered by local tourist agencies. By day, you explore the various and incredible ice caves in the park, and by night you look for the famous Northern Lights, visible in the winter sky, especially in areas not polluted visually by urban lights.

Lastly, here’s a tip for warmer summer days: a dive into the Silfra fissure. This fissure was formed during the separation of the North American and the Eurasian continents, which caused a rift in the tectonic plate. On that site, a very rich marine life was formed, and it can be explored by snorkeling and scuba diving in the warmer months of the year.

However, don’t think that Reykjavik is only a destination for exploring nature. The town has a bustling cultural life, as well as excellent gastronomic options, and beautiful architecture to be admired. Therefore, it’s a complete tourist destination.

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The capital of the state of Para, Belem, developed along the margins of Guaruja Bay, after the arrival of the Portuguese in 1616, which explains why it is cosmopolitan, is a port, and has beautiful architecture, being known at the time as “Paris in America”. Due to its equatorial climate, and influenced by the Amazon Forest, it is the rainiest capital in Brazil. This gives an even more pleasant touch to the traditional façades of the mansions and churches of the colonial period, blended with the modern buildings that emerged due to the plan for enhancing the value of space in the city, with the resulting vertical growth.

A cultural, political and economic model for the region, which includes all of the state of Para, and the states of Amapa and Tocantins, Belem is the second most visited city in Amazonia, due to its various offers of culture and leisure. Besides the world famous Cirio de Nazare (Taper of Our Lady of Nazareth), Belem is the venue for several fairs: the FITA – Feira Internacional de Turismo da Amazonia (International Tourism Fair of Amazonia); the Feira Amazonica do Livro (Amazonian Book Fair); and the Feira Supernorte (Supernorth Fair) – considered the major business event in the North of Brazil – besides fashion events, such as the Belem Fashion Days and the Amazonia Fashion Week.

Cirio de Nazare

The biggest Christian procession on the planet, in honor of Our Lady of Nazareth, the state’s patron saint, it moves the economy and tourism in the capital, receiving over 2 million people. The event is held on the second Sunday in October, on a march of 3.6km, from the Belem Cathedral to the Sanctuary of Nazareth Square.

Gastronomy

Belem’s rich cookery is presented in charming establishments and in public parks. It represents the popular tradition that every inhabitant of Para – and every tourist – should enjoy a good “tacaca” at 3:00 pm, just as the English enjoy their 5:00 o’clock tea. Therefore, you’ll find the dish in the main avenues and streets of the city. This exotic regional dish is served in a gourd, with a broth of “tucupi” with shrimp and manioc starch. Among drinks, you’ll find the “jambu cachaça”, which makes drinkers tremble and feel a slight numbness in their lips. Another typical drink, “bacun” juice, is ideal to accompany the “unha”, a crab delicacy. Not forgetting, of course, “maniçoba”, a soup made with shrimp and several regional spices.

Don’t forget to visit the “Ver-o-Peso”, the most famous open air market in town. There, you’ll find handicrafts, animals, articles for witchcraft, and several local foods, such as fruits, greens, manioc flour, Brazil nuts and fish. Also visit Portinho, in the historic district of Cidade Velha (Old City). There you’ll find fresh savories prepared with homemade pastry and delicious typical regional fillings.

Art

The Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Religious Art), inside the Igreja de Santo Alexandre (Church of Saint Alexander), has religious paintings and Baroque style items. The images of saints carved in wood deserve special attention.  As for local music, go to the Estação das Docas (Dock Station). In front of Shed 1, regional groups present shows of “carimbó” on Fridays, starting at 6:00 pm. On Sundays, there are more shows in the Praça da República (Republic Square), in a friendly ambiance where tourists and local inhabitants take children and pets.

Nature

A visit to the Parque Zoobotânico Emílio Goeldi (Zoobotanical Park), covering an area of 5.2hectares, is a must. There, you will see spectacular animals from the forests and rivers of Amazonia. Another good idea is a visit to the Mangal das Garças (Heron Mangrove), in the old center of Belem. This important ecological reserve holds hundreds of native species of animals and plants.

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The Lençois Maranhenses are one of the most exotic landscapes in the world. Throughout the year, there are two types of scenery there. During the dry season, there is a real desert, bathed by the ocean. In the rainy season, the classic and more familiar landscape can be seen, an incredible combination of dunes and green or blue lagoons, in a magnificent sequence.

The location is protected as a National Park, and its main point of entrance is Barreirinhas. This town has the best structure for receiving tourists, so its nightlife is lively, which may disturb those who seek peace and quiet.

The experience of exploring this incredible place can be a bit tiring. Due to its difficult terrain, a certain physical effort is needed in order to enjoy to the full all that the place has to offer. There are also some places that can only be reached by vehicles with four-wheel drives, or by boat, such as the Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) and the Lagoa Bonita (Pretty Lagoon).

The effort, however, is worthwhile. The landscape is completely unique. It took millions of years for a rare geological process to form the sequence of dunes, which, at first sight, seem to be unending. It is an incredible natural work of art, constantly renewed at the pleasure of the winds.

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Brazil is a country of continental dimensions, which provides a multitude of different destinations for tourism and visitation. Among them, one of the most beautiful places to visit is the northern region of the country, known mainly for the exuberance and natural diversity of the Amazon rainforest. However, little is known of how diverse and incredible is the cultural life and history in this region.

Our destination today is Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas. Historically, the city played an important role in the development process of Brazil, being one of the most important and rich Brazilian poles, mainly by the extraction of rubber, a material highly valued in the great centers in century XIX. Subsequently, the region became an important industrial pole for Brazil, which guaranteed local development.

In terms of history and culture, there are several landmarks in Manaus from times of historical importance. The main one of them is, of course, the Teatro Amazonas – erected in 1896, is the greatest sign of the Manauara wealth in the period of bonanza caused by rubber. Its vault is covered by more than 36,000 pieces of pottery from Alsace in Europe. Its staircase and columns are all in Italian carrara marble, which shows the sumptuousness and economic power that the city held in the period.

Also for those who like history, another must-see is the Rio Negro Palace, headquarters of the Amazonian government for more than eighty years. Its construction took almost a decade, and was officially inaugurated in 1911, being the seat of the executive power of the state until the year 1995. Since then, the building has become a museum and cultural center, with the purpose of preserving and sharing the most important period in the history of Manaus.

If your focus is the contact with nature, Manaus is the perfect gateway to the Amazon rainforest. There are several hotel options that offer guided tours to the local forest region. It is always important to remember, however, that the presence of the guide is essential – the Amazon rainforest is highly dense and difficult to access, and the presence of a trained and experienced professional is vital to make your adventure safe.

Manaus is a perfect destination for the traveler who wants a mix history, culture and nature in the same city. If this is your profile, you need to visit the capital of Amazonas as soon as possible.

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Boasting the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2013, which establishes the best responsible tourism destination on the planet, the name Bonito is self-explanatory to what tourists will find upon arriving in the city. In itineraries that are a true contemplation of nature, the city, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is marked by transparent waters of rivers, waterfalls, lagoons and rapids.

The main tourist city in the Serra da Bodoquena region, in Bonito, there are efficient public policies for the preservation of nature, in constantly evolving technologies and inspections. For where you look, it is possible to take a beautiful photo, be it in the sports walks and trails, or in visits to the waterfalls, caves and caves.

Get to know the recreation options at Bonito:

Pit: Located in the Valley of the Anhumas, 23km from Bonito, Abismo Anhumas has no less than 72 meters of vertical rappel descent, of course, watched closely by a team responsible for the safety of tourists. At the end of the cave, a great surprise: a deck installed on the crystal clear waters of the lake, inside the cave, from where it is possible to perform an unforgettable dive.

Diving: In addition to the already mentioned diving in Alhumas, Bonito offers divers options like Figueira Beach, where there is a lake with a boat and submerged planes. There is also diving at Rio de la Plata, with depth of 8 meters, as well as diving at Rio Formoso, with a sensational limestone formation.

Rappel: for those who are lovers or even for those who want to start in practice, Fazenda Boca da Onça offers the highest platform rappelling in the country. The incredible 90-meter descent is full of emotions, blessed by the sensational view of the Salobra River canyon and framed by rock walls sculpted by the force of water millions of years ago. The farm, located in the Serra da Bodoquena, is 55 km from Bonito.

Bike Tour: Departure in the morning at 07:30 or in the afternoon at 15:30, the Lobo Guará Bike Tour offers five types of cycle routes for all ages, from amateurs, 6 km away, even for professional cyclists, With 130 km of pedaling. The operator offers high quality imported bikes and itineraries for those who want to contemplate the beauties of the city. In addition, the tourist participates in a reforestation campaign that allows to plant a native seedling during the tour. The Bike Tour on the Rio Sucuri, located at Fazenda São Geraldo, in the Serra da Bodoquena, offers an incredible 2h cycle ride in the middle of the closed forest, contemplating the fauna and flora of the place.

The rapids in a float: have you ever imagined going down more than 1000 meters from a river like a fish? This is the proposal of the 40 minutes aboard an individual buoy of Boia Cross Cabanas, in a wonderful exploration of Rio Formoso. On the way, there are three waterfalls and two rapids amidst hundreds of fish and a remarkable underwater flora.

Arvorismo: the same Hotel Cabanas presents another great service to the tourists: the Arvorismo Cabins, circuit with 18 obstacles and 2 ziplines. For the safety of the participants, the route is made with one of the most modern wagon systems with continuous life cable. That is, you do not disconnect from the cables at any point in the ride.

Spas: There are several options for spas in Bonito. From the Balneário Municipal – with the crystalline waters of the Rio Formoso and the contact with the local fish – passing through Balneário da Ilha Bonita and arriving at Balneário do Sol – that besides a magical nature provides a rich infrastructure with restaurants and sports practices.

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