by Michael Eiseman, your guide to Brazil

With Delta now servicing direct flights in to Recife, Americans will soon flock to this exciting destination. Here are a few sights and excursions to consider when planning to visit this part of Brazil.

Porto de Galinhas offers beautiful beaches, sun and a lot of fun, close to Recife.  Great resorts such as the Nannai Resort offer great romantic bungalows just 33 miles south of Recife on 30 acres of paradise called Muro Alto Beach. The Hotel was conceived with ideals based on the preservation of the environment, climate and local culture. This setting is perfect for honeymoons; the hotel is one of the best options in South America for that special Luxury honeymoon experience. The atmosphere and design is very Brazilian, utilizing the best of Brazilian wood and exotic foliage. The Nannai receives architectural accolades for its unique layout and for having designed all the bungalows to be “in” the pool, which winds around the property like a giant serpent. The Nannai is an exciting resort option in Brazil for discerning international travelers looking for service, privacy, peace and relaxation, keeping them out of crowded routines. Staying true to these guidelines we have a growing interest from honeymooners worldwide.You can reach the hotel by private car or helicopter. The other local beaches of Porto de Galinhas are all scenic and worth visits by dune buggy, here are some of my favorites: Maracaipe, Ipojuca and Cupe.  Make sure to take a buggy tour during the low tide times, ask your hotel to time it just right so you can visit and walk on the reefs during low tide, one of the truly great treats of the area!

Fernanda de Noronha, with many paradisiacal beaches, very rich flora and fauna and incomparable landscapes is on the top of the list among the most visited and admired locations sought by tourists from Brazil and from all over the world.Pousada Maravilha occupies a privileged position with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean on the island of Fernando de Noronha. It is the perfect place for diving, surfing, wind sailing or simply relaxing by the sea in comfort and luxury. There are more spinner dolphins and sea turtles than people in Fernando de Noronha—Ibama (the Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency) limits visitors to this mountainous archipelago and national marine park 340 miles off the coast of Recife to an average of 700 a day. The result: its 16 immaculate beaches, set between craggy sea cliffs and the volcanic rock formations emerging from the translucent waters, are virtually deserted. Nearly everything and everyone (including UNESCO) on the seven-square-mile main island is geared toward preserving Noronha's abundant marine life and endemic land species. Pousada Maravilha was born under the same peaceful spirit. It is the first pousada to offer comfort and luxury still unknown in this forgotten island in the Atlantic. It operates in accordance with the strictest principles of environmental preservation, in perfect harmony with Nature. The architecture of Pousada Maravilha is neither imposing nor aggressive towards the surroundings: it mingles with the geography of the island. Cozy ambient is everywhere: in the lounge by the pool, and three bungalows; in the private restaurant, sauna and massage parlor. The pousada is totally integrated to the culture of environment preservation that guides the dwellers of Noronha. It is therefore a good choice to those who wish to venture diving in the rich marine ecosystem or those that simply wish to retire from the world and rest in paradise. In the Pousada, each detail was taken into consideration to offer you comfort. After all, details make all the difference, especially in your holidays. That's why even the texture of the sheets was in mind to please the most demanding tastes. If you wish to dive, surf, wind sail, enjoy Nature and the sea or just relax, your best choice is Pousada Maravilha, the home of comfort in the paradise of Noronha.

Olinda, the name originates from the words of a Portuguese Nobleman, Duarte Coelho, Pernambuco’s High Commissioner, when he searched for a place to establish a settlement. Upon finding a hill with a magnificent sea view and a natural harbor protected by reefs, he said: “ Oh, beautiful place to build a village”. (“Oh, beautiful”, translated from the Portuguese: “Oh, linda”, thus the name “Olinda”. Truth or legend, what matters is that the city is really quite beautiful. From its foundation on, the village prospered in trade and became wealthy. However, the Dutch invaded it in 1630. After setting the city on fire, they abandoned it and moved to Recife, then just a seaport. Only after the invaders were driven out in 1654 did the village’s reconstruction begin. Much was preserved from that time: part of the original urban layout, old baroque churches and houses. Together, they comprise an important architectural collection, making Olinda part of Humanity’s Cultural Heritage. They also set the scenario of one of the most original carnivals of the country in street games, music and dance. It is quite rewarding to go out on the streets of the city and admire the landscape blending with the sea blue, vegetation green and the beauty of historical buildings. It is a pleasurable place also for lovers of good restaurants, authentic craftwork and art studios.

Delta now flies direct from Atlanta to Pernambuco & Manaus. Delta Airlines operates daily flights in the route Atlanta-Manaus and four times a week between Atlanta-Recife-Fortaleza, scheduled to start in December.

Feel free to contact me personally if you wish to discuss this destination at 800.772.9188.