Today I found out I need to be in Sao Paulo for business on Tuesday. I have booked flights so I have Sunday and Monday for sightseeing. Because of the short notice I have not been able to research anything, if you have any suggestions on things to do, I would appreciate it! The hotel we are staying at will be Mercure Sao Paulo Jardins (adjacent to Rua Augusta) or in that area.

If possible go to a samba school rehearsal--totally fantastic!

Visit the look-out on the roof at Banespa in the historical centre for an amazing view of one of the world's most enormous Megalopolis. If you like visiting museums the following are all great: MAM, MASP, MAC and Pinacoteca. The buffet lunch at MAM is particularly good.

Shopping is good with lots of small bars and boteco at Villa Madelena, CAS has fabulous shoes.

The Wallpaper guide to Sao Paulo is quite useful for some of the main sites.

Thanks, this will definitely keep me bust for 2 days!

I visited the following sites in Sao Paulo:

· the beautiful Museu do Ipiranga - the grounds are nice and the building is like a small palace.
· the huge Se Cathedral in the centre of the city.
· historic buildings in centre of Sao Paulo,
· the stunning view from Edificio Italia and
· the Japanese Brazilian neighbourhood of Liberdade - I really enjoyed this neighbourhood. It shows the diversity of modern Brazil.
· the modern financial centre of Avenida Paulista.

Personally I enjoyed the view of the city, the Liberdade neigbhourhood and Museu do Ipiranga a lot.

It pays to be cautious in the centre of Sao Paulo IMO.

Below is a link of my photo album if you are interested. The first part is Sao Paulo:


http://travel.webshots.com/album/560219069HJJFDh

Hope you enjoy your stay in Sao Paulo.

Your hotel is just round the corner from Oscar Fraira
a very lively and fashionable street in Sao Paulo . Go to
Santo Grao( Opposite Emilino Hotel) and have and nice coffee or a snack it is just lovely.In the evening you can go to Sky a famous Restaurent/Bar at a top floor .

The Oscar Feira street is the equivalent to SP's Rodeo Drive that is in Los Angeles. Go (even if you plan not to buy anything). Walking on this street and into some of the shops just to look at the creative talents and spirits of Brazilian designers is an experience unto itself.

To save time, take an organized tour for half a day. ...check websites for the information.

Here is a wonderful website for everything going on in Sao Paulo -
http://saopaulo.unlike.net/

Jill
www.SouthAmericanEscapes.com/blog