Brazil is synonym of lush rainforests, sun-kissed beaches, magnificent colonial towns and incredible musical richness. As cities go, there aren't many other countries that offer so many opportunities for adventure and discovery.

We selected cities where football matches will take place and out of the treaded path, and yet with plenty to offer and render youth trip to Brazil an unforgettable one. Enjoy their rich cultural heritage, wonderful cuisine, marvelous music, vibrant urban landscapes, post-card like coastlines, exciting activity and fun night life.

Porto Alegre

Gauchos, Churrasco & Chimarrão

Following the Dutch team to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul? Well, just remember that the capital of the gauchos (cowboys of Southern Brazil) contrasts significantly to the rest of Brazil, not only in terms of weather but also culturally. So don't expect palms, beaches and samba everywhere, instead enjoy the best meat of the world: the famous churrasco, and get warm with a chimarrão (tea made of bitter mate)

If you plan to go there, don't miss:

Parque Farroupilha on Sundays, the place where every gaucho goes to drink chimarrão, play football or just walk through Brique da Redencão, the flea market. If you want to make friends, take the plunge and drink chimarrão with them!
The Iberê Camargo Museum, which preserves and promote the work of Brazilian painter Iberê Camargo. The building in itself is a wonderful work of art.
The chic neighborhood Moinhos de Vento offers a beautiful park, a shopping centre and good bars at night.
Wander in Cidade Baixa, this old neighburhood has cheerful bars and a great night live.

You will find the best churrasco at Galpaõ Criollo, order meat, drink chimarrão and enjoy the show.
If you are staying longer than 3 days in the south, visit Ilha de Santa Catarina in Florianopolis. It has a vibrant and varied coastline, from the calm, crowded bays of the north, to the wild, cliff-hugging beaches of the south. But it's not just the beaches that make this island so enchanting. A forest of protected pines shelters the east coast, while the dunes near Praia da Joaquina create a lunar landscape. The spine of mountains, luxuriant with the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic rainforest), drops precipitously down to the lovely Lagoa da Conceição.

Belo Horizonte

Mines, Cachaça and Football Stars

The state of Minas Gerais has been "the official provider "of many of the best football players of the country,
among which Pele and Alemão.

In Minas Gerais do not miss the opportunity to taste their cuisine, specially their sweets and the famous Minas cheese.

For a breathtaking view of Belo Horizonte, visit Santuário da Piedade, located in the mountain of the same name.

With a wide variety of bars there is something for everybody in this city. Enjoy a glass of cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice. Also known as aguardente, pinga, caninha or other names. Caipirinha is the most popular drink made with this spirit and is Brazil's national drink.

When in Belo Horizonte, save one day to visit the Inhotim Museum. Arguably the world's largest open-air contemporary art museum it offers several galleries and installations by renowned Brazilian and international artists. Inhotim sprawls over 3,000 acres of preserved native forest and gardens designed according to guidelines set by Burle Marx (1909-1994).

Make time to visit Ouro Preto a former colonial mining town with beautifully preserved Baroque architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it earned recognition during Brazil's Golden Age as a center for gold mining and prosperity in the 18th century.

Salvador

Beaches, Music and Night Life

Salvador, Bahia has plenty options to spend your time and have fun when you are not attending matches.It's the most festive city in Brazil, and the ideal place for party lovers. In each corner you will hear a different tune, somebody dancing and celebrating life. In Salvador, smiling is a good reason to smile again.

It's also the birthplace of rhythms like the samba, Axé, and the official city of de Capoeira. In addition Salvador is the birth town of music legends like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Ivete Sangalo, and many other internationally acclaimed artists.

While in Salvador, a visit to the neighborhood of Rio Vermelho is a must. With an incredible diversity of bars, restaurant, boites, and pubs, Rio Vermelho is the synthesis of the Baian diversity. The city also offers many accommodation possibilities for every budget.

The neighborhood of Barra is a great place to stroll and watch the sunset, as it is also a great choice for lodging. It is easily accessible and has a huge variety of charming small hotel where you will feel at home.

The beaches run along most the entire perimeter of the city. The best and most beautiful beaches are in Stella Mares , Flamengo Beach and Ipitanga. These are clean, beautiful and well serviced and the most suitable option for tourists. At the Flamengo beach in Salvador, check the Barraca do Lôro, a bar and restaurant on the beachfront. On Saturdays they have live music. The place also has great menu, very good service and beautiful and entertaining customers.

Brazilians love to go out for drinks and appetizers, better known as bolinhos. The best places are the botecos. Informal and unpretentious, these pubs specialize in cold beer and warm fritters. Botecos, are the ideal social space for all generations, open day and night for either a quick drink or coffee, or for groups socializing over snacks and a few cold beers.

Enjoy the famous Acarajé, a typical dish with strongly flavored ingredients such as pepper and palm oil . But do not be fooled! The dish is rich in fat, and though delicious, may not be well received by people who are not used to hot flavors.

Some of the most popular places in the city are:

Bars: Irish Pub, Casa da Mãe, Commons, Twist Pub.
Boite Gay: San Sebastian.
Have lunch at the seaside restaurant Pereira. Drink coconut water at Farol da Barra.
Museum of Modern Art Solar do Unhão features jazz, samba and other popular Brazilian at sunset time.
Next to the museum you will find Marina, a complex of bars and upscale restaurants and a beautiful view of All Saints Bay (Baia de Todos os Santos).

JUNE 2014