Carnaval in February 04
 

Hello all. I want to go to Carnaval in Rio for my 40th birthday with one other person. I also want to go to Salvador for a few days and the Amazon for a few days. Can anyone recommend a good travel agency? I have been attempting to correspond with brazilnuts but am having difficulty.

Also, I speak some Spanish. Do many Brazilians speak Spanish or should I rely on a Portugese phrase book?

Any comments or recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Try this link below, it looks like they have exactly what your looking for:
http://www.brazilspecial.net/menu/pa...ignature=Samba, Forest and Falls

Spanish is better than English. Portuguese and Spanish have many similar words but the accent is different. You have 4 months till Carnival, a good amount of time to get some tapes and brush up on some Portuguese. Boa sorte e Boa Viajem.

My sister planned her Brazilian Honey moon, with the company below, and loved the service. The owner, Laura speaks very good English, and I believe the staff also can communicate. laura's e-mail is [email protected]. I just ask for precaution, do not take any jewerly, or valuables. Besides that Brazil is a beautiful country. If you go to Salvador, you could stay in the Club Med. Laura got a special only Brazilian package price for my sister.

Boa Viagem, e divirta-se

I'm from Rio, any help u want just ask by e-mail ([email protected]).

An excellent option for booking an extended itinerary with 2 or 3 stops is to check with www.Brol.com

reservations in hotels for that days is an indispensable item. Try also some days with the carnaval at Salvador, the original carnaval in the true brazilian zone. Also visit Morro de sao Paulo near Salvador.

Carnaval in Salvador is the best! I think if you would like to watch the parade go to Rio, but if you'd like to be in the parade and dance w/ the locals, Salvador is the place to be. You have to purchase a t-shirt (called MORTALHA) that allows you to be in a group following a float - can be arranged by the hotel. The groups are surrounded by a "human rope", lots of very strong guys that make sure you are safe during the parade. It is fantastic! Be ready to dance for 6 to 8 hours in a roll, though!

Maura, you'll be fine with your Spanish if you speak sllowly. Brazilians usually don't speak the language but we do understand it well. If you haven't booked your hotel rooms so far do it now or you might be in trouble to find something. I don't reccomend the Club Med on carnival time since it's far from the city (on an island) and far from the main reason you'll be there: have fun! Nice hotels in Salvador include: Pestana, Sofitel Bahia, Transamerica - all well located.