Recife 04 days/ 03 nights with breakfast. Other tours under request. The Brazilian entrance gate, Recife is the cultural and leisure heart of the Northeast, and the main theatrical, gastronomic and medical center of the region. With many attractions, Recife is unique. Just check it out: the harmonious contrast between old monuments and modern constructions; the scenery of rivers and a lot of bridges; the irresistible and beautiful Boa Viagem Beach, with its natural pools at the seashore inviting for a swim; the artistic and popular expressions; the hospitality of its people. Recife has an efficient tourist infrastructure, with hotels, restaurants, an exciting nightlife, travel agencies, international airport, harbor, integrated bus terminal, shopping centers and a series of other equipments and services for best assisting the visitor, besides the Convention Center of Pernambuco, one of the largest and best equipped in the country. Recife – always the best place to have unforgettable moments of leisure and culture, tostroll around, to relax close to nature, to eat well, to accomplish good businesses and to make new friends. The Capital of Pernambuco. And of your heart. Recife’s street Carnaval is considered one of the best and most joyous in Brazil. It starts on a Saturday with a Galo da Madrugada group parade and continues under the heat and hot February sun for three days, at the rhythm of frevo and maracatu (typical Brazilian dances). There are several tours around the city and its neighboring areas. There are rafts leaving Boa Viagem Beach and boat rides along the beautiful Pernambuco coast. Another excellent destination is Olinda [link para Olinda], a city granted the Heritage of Humanity, just a few miles away from Recife. The ocean waters are warm and the beaches are visited by tourists throughout the year. There are also several restaurants serving the best typical and international cuisine as well as modern and diversified hotel chains. At night, it is time for bars and outdoor shows, located in remodeled old buildings in Old Recife, another must stop. For scuba diving lovers, the city offers some must be seen places for underwater adventures. Recife is one the best destinations in the country in this segment, with many natural pools along its coast and a shipwreck yard with more than 30 boats. Submerged old embarkations, located in depths from nine to 58 meters, still keep some historical remains, as well as fish, algae and coral that have grown on them over time. In order for the tourist to explore all these underwater wonders, the city has an efficient support structure comprised of several qualified and experienced diving companies. Events Carnival Recife’s Carnival is internationally known and admired, attracting thousands of people every year. The party starts a week before the official date, with electric trios “shaking” the Boa Viagem district. On Friday, people take to the streets to enjoy themselves to the sound of frevo and to dance with maracatu, ciranda, caboclinhos, afoxé, reggae and manguebeat (cultural movement created in Recife during the 90s) groups. There are still many other entertainment poles spread out around the city, featuring local and national artists. One of the highlights is Saturday when more than one million people follow the Galo da Madrugada group. From Sunday to Monday, there is the Night of the Silent Drums, on the Pátio do Terço, where Maracatus honor slaves that died in prisons. Attractions Recife This was where Recife first started, the city”s initial settlement and, at present, its historical center. This important neighborhood displays several remodeled centenary constructions that have been used as bars, restaurants, theaters, museums, art galleries, shopping centers, as well as other architectonic complexes of priceless value. The first synagogue of the Americas is located on the blocks that form Old Recife, as it is also known. Built in the 17th century, Kahal Zur Istrael maintains some of its original characteristics, like flooring and walls, and it is a cultural center and small museum. Malakoff Tower was erected in the 19th century to serve as an astronomic observatory. At the Brum Fort, from 1630, there is the Military Museum, where one can find high quality bars, night clubs and restaurants, which is transforming the place into a night life pole. Churches Our Lady of Carmo Basílica and Convent It was built at the end of the 18th century. Its baroque style has an altar with gold engravings and crowns of gold and precious stones. One of the rooms is covered with Portuguese titles. Golden Chapel This is one of the most beautiful baroque style churches in the country. Built between the 18th and 19th century, it displays an altar with gold covered engravings and beautiful paintings on the ceiling. It is integrated to a complex of buildings erected by the Franciscans, and it also has a convent, with religious tiled panels and the Franciscan Museum of Sacred Art, with a collection of images and sacred objects. Saint Peter of Clerics Cathedral Built in 1782, it is a replica of the Great Santa Maria Sanctuary in Rome. Its altar is made of rosewood and the pulpit is engraved in gold. The main chapel”s wooden ceiling is sculpted with Saint Peters weapons and the image of the Twelve Apostles and the 4 evangelists.. Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black Men The church was erected by slaves in the 18th century, with its main wooden altar engraved in gold. The lateral altars display images from the 18th century. Holy Sacrament (Saint Anthony Mother Church) It is a baroque style church, from 1790, also known as Saint Anthony Mother Church, who is its patron. The interior is decorated with an enormous crystal chandelier and images of Saint Anthony and Saint Sebastian. Beache Boa Viagem, do Pina, Candeias and Piedade Recife”s beaches are urbanized and on the avenue along the coast one can find bars, restaurants and hotels. Boa Viagem Beach, the most popular, has natural pools of blue water, formed on the strip between the sand and the reefs. Bathing is recommended only in places protected by the reefs; surfing is prohibited in that area. Museums Northeastern Man Museum The broad collection describes Pernambuco culture starting from three main themes: the sugar-cane production cycle, the northeastern man”s life style and the folkloric and religious manifestations. Ricardo Brennand Institute Set up in a building that reproduces a medieval style, it has a collection of pieces from the Dutch domination period in Recife, as well as daggers and armors. Francisco Brennand Ceramic Shop Francisco Brennand, one of the most important names in contemporary sculptures in Brazil, displays his ceramic works in enormous open sheds, between monuments and gardens. It is set in an old brick factory that belonged to the sculptor’s family. Gilberto Freyre Foundation The farm house, from the 18th century, was Gilberto Freyre”s old residence. Artworks, arts and crafts, book collections and objects that belonged to the Pernambuco writer and sociologist are displayed there. Recife City Museum Set up in a room in Cinco Pontas Fort, it shows pictures, reproductions of old paintings and objects that describe Recife since the period of Dutch rule. Scuba diving San Martin Arreiro It sank 12 meters deep as it was leaving Port of Recife. Pirapama Two years after it collided with Vapor Bahia, it sank in 1889 six miles from Recife Port, to a depth of 23 meters. Vapor 48 It was an unknown shipwreck that sank 48 meters deep. It is richly inhabited by several sea species. Servermar X It was intentionally sunk 27 meters deep for scuba diving tourism. Alfama de Lisboa Am almost totally destroyed Portuguese galleon. It sunk 10 meters deep and it is possible to find porcelain pieces stuck to corals. Lupus It was intentionally sunk 37 meters deep for scuba diving tourism. B 18 This is a B18 aircraft that fell into the sea after an unsuccessful takeoff. There are still some bigger pieces of its structure. Vapor Bahia In March 1887 it collided with the Pirapama , sinking 12 miles from Itamaracá Island. It is 26 meters deep in one of the best scuba diving points in the country. Guararapes This cargo ship collided with a coral bank near Olinda, totally loaded, sinking only 8 meters deep. Vapor Flórida (Tow ship) It was an English steamer that sank during a storm in 1910. Several crew members died. It is located 12 miles from Recife Port and is 31 meters deep. Marte Tow ship intentionally sunk for scuba diving tourism. It is 32 meters deep. Shopping Arts and Crafts (ceramic, sisal, leather, wood, straw, bilro lace) Pernambuco Culture House Recife”s old Detention House was remodeled in 1975 and transformed into a regional culture center. Set up in old cells, one will find the Frevo Museum, arts and crafts stores, snack bars and tourist information stands. It is located on Rua Floriano Peixoto, in the Santo Antonio district. São José Market It is located on Praça D. Vital, in the São José district. Boa Viagem Arts and Crafts Fair It is located on Praça da Nossa Senhora de Boa Viagem. The fair is one of the oldest in the country, having, at present, 212 stands. Olinda They say that the name “Olinda” 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. Events Street carnival During the Carnival, one of the most vivacious feasts in the country takes place. Olinda citizens and tourists perambulate the narrow slanting streets dancing to the music of “frevo” and “maracatu” bands. The traditional mockery blocks and the famous giant dolls participate throughout the fun. On these days, Olinda becomes a vast stage for popular cultural manifestation. Holy Week It represents the end of lent, a forty-day period after carnival. Beautiful processions take place throughout the city. Iemanjá Feast (December) Female Orixa (Goddess) that personifies the sea. She is the mother of all Orixás, the Mistress of the Earth and Heavens. The Blue Walk, as the procession is called, is a cortege that conducts the figure of Iemanjá on an allegoric vehicle accompanied by the “Holy sons” and a large crowd leading the “Pot of Offerings”, which is deposited into the sea. Christmas (December) Our Lord of Bonfim Church (1758) and the Palace of Governors, where the “Palace Christmas” takes place with a Christmas presentation, pastoral events, folkloric dances and choirs, are the top visiting places of the Christmas festivities. Christmas Serenade (December) A group of singers and musicians accompanied by a large crowd walk through the streets of the High City playing Christmas carols and praises to Olinda. The serenade begins at the Sé Cathedral with a large number of guest choirs led by Olinda’s Martyr Saint Peter Choir. Revolinda (December) New Year’s celebration on the beaches, mostly concentrated on the Bairro Novo and Casa Caiada beaches. Great fireworks and much animation to celebrate the New Year. Attractions Churches Olinda holds churches rich in ornaments and carvings, as well as simple churches. Majority were built in the 16th and 17th centuries and display baroque (16th-17th Century European style) architecture and statues. Some deserve highlight such as the São bento Monastery with a gold plated altar, and the São Francisco Convent, which integrates a group of temples. The Sé Cathedral, on a location of privileged view, is the oldest of the city and one of the first to be built in Brazil. Art Studios Plastic artists have setup their studios throughout the city. Visitors are welcome. They are free to enter and admire the paintings, sculptures and ceramic works. Sacra Art Museum The building holds the rich religious art of Pernambuco State. Built before the arrival of the first bishop in 1976, it was rebuilt in the 19th century. The Palace also has two antiquate blocks, and twelve windows on the upper floor, built later on, with wooden balconies in 18th century style. The permanent collection was given by the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife, and later on refined. Today, it gathers religious pieces of the 16th century, including important specimens of the contemporaneous popular art. The museum currently develops an active program with courses, lectures and exhibitions that accompany the liturgical period and religious calendar. On the ground floor, an exhibition of photographic panels documenting the history, evolution and landscape of Olinda. Bairro Novo Beach With a 2.7 km extension, the beautiful and bustling beach of Bairro Novo is the most visited by tourists and with the best structure. Olinda has only 11 km of coastal area distributed into seven beaches, some of which are inaccessible for sea bathing due to the topography of the area yet highly attractive for contemplative leisure. Rua do Amparo This street is the cultural pole of the city’s historical sector with restaurants, inns, museums and art studios. Shopping Ribeira Market It is a building from the late 17th century with shops where one can buy local craftwork such as the typical “machê” paper (paper-pulp) masks. It holds sculpting, engraving and painting workshops as well. |