All eyes will turn to sultry Rio de Janeiro when it hosts the 2016 Olympic Games, but right now Brazil’s white-hot destination may be the northeastern state of Bahia. With its distinctive African-influenced flavors, cultural diversity, palm-fringed beaches and a new crop of chic hotels, the region is fast emerging as a jet-set playground.
In the village of Trancoso, a hideaway that gets more fashionable by the minute, the Dutch designer Wilbert Das (longtime creative director of the Diesel label) opened Uxua Casa Hotel (www.uxua.com) using recycled materials including old roof tiles and abandoned fishing boats. The hotel’s colorful casas and lush gardens were a canvas for the 2010 Pirelli calendar, shot by the bad-boy photographer Terry Richardson. Speaking of the town’s rising cachet, a luxury Fasano resort — with 30 beachfront villas, a restaurant and a spa — is in the works.
In Salvador, known for its pulsing street carnival and the historic Pelourinho district, head to one of the city’s boutique lodgings. Zank (www.zankhotel.com.br) recently opened in the residential Rio Vermelho section and seamlessly blends modern and classic styles, with exceptional views of the Atlantic Ocean just steps away. Nearby is the Pestana Bahia Lodge (www.pestana.com), with a hilltop infinity pool and sunny sea-view rooms. While there, don’t miss “The Kiss” and “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodin, on temporary view at the Palacete das Artes (palacetedasartesrodinbahia.blogspot.com), which opened a gallery devoted to the French sculptor.
— Paola Singer
Read full story here
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
It's Not Too Soon To Plan For The 2016 Summer Olympics?
If you're Brazilian, or, a Cariocaphile (a Rio lover) then you've already started the countdown for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Back in October, we were down in the "Marvelous City" and right smack in the middle of Copacabana Beach with the rest of Rio for the world announcement. Don't worry, our writer Shira Levine cased the joint to check things out for those of you considering getting your Olympic Games on in, uhhh six and half years.
Based on how utterly psyched Brazilians, tourists in Brazil, and everyone on Twitter responded to the news that Rio would be hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, it might be wise to get samba steppin' now to book that hotel stay and flight.
And good news to Southerners! As of Dec. 15, US Airways brought it with the Brazil-bound convenience and began direct service to Rio from its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. So now you have a flight option, but what about a hotel? Never fear, we've pulled together some options below.
Brazil is one of the few economies that's grown during our global economic recession. By 2016 expect a completely reinvented Summer Games-ready Rio. Rio scored a $14.2 billion Olympic budget and has reportedly $60.3 billion in public and private investments. The city plans to develop an additional 14,000 hotel rooms to the currently 28,000 hotel rooms already lining the 50 miles of beaches. Yes, that's a lot of housekeeping.
As of now, those gunning for Carioca-style joie de vivre, can have their pick of our favorite fancypants hotels in Rio. Yes, they will cost you a pretty Brazilian Real whether your visit is for an overnight stay, a dip in the pool, or, a few caipirinhas.
Read More here
Based on how utterly psyched Brazilians, tourists in Brazil, and everyone on Twitter responded to the news that Rio would be hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, it might be wise to get samba steppin' now to book that hotel stay and flight.
And good news to Southerners! As of Dec. 15, US Airways brought it with the Brazil-bound convenience and began direct service to Rio from its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. So now you have a flight option, but what about a hotel? Never fear, we've pulled together some options below.
Brazil is one of the few economies that's grown during our global economic recession. By 2016 expect a completely reinvented Summer Games-ready Rio. Rio scored a $14.2 billion Olympic budget and has reportedly $60.3 billion in public and private investments. The city plans to develop an additional 14,000 hotel rooms to the currently 28,000 hotel rooms already lining the 50 miles of beaches. Yes, that's a lot of housekeeping.
As of now, those gunning for Carioca-style joie de vivre, can have their pick of our favorite fancypants hotels in Rio. Yes, they will cost you a pretty Brazilian Real whether your visit is for an overnight stay, a dip in the pool, or, a few caipirinhas.
Read More here
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
