Educational Tours | EA Educational Advantage Tours

Brazil

Salvador, Praia do Forte, Guarajuba, Santo Amaro, & Cachoeira

 Thursday, February, 11 2016

Upon your arrival to Brazil this morning you will enjoy a guided tour of the city* introducing you to Salvador City before checking into your hotel. The oldest city in Brazil and its first capital, Salvador was a major post for the slave trade and is now a thriving center of Afro-Brazilian life. Salvador is considered the country’s soul and the birthplace of Brazilian culture. Starting along the bay, the tour continues through Salvador’s tree-lined streets to Pelourinho, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its spectacular and well preserved colonial architecture. Along the way, you will stop at the São Francisco Church*, with its extravagant gold leaf baroque designs, and the Largo do Pelourinho*, at the heart of the neighborhood.

Friday, February 12, 2016

This morning you will enjoy a tour to a local community*, deep in the heart of some of the most exclusive residential areas of Salvador, where you will be met by community leaders to be given a detailed explanation of the work being done within the community. Afterwards you may enjoy lunch at Odoya (free to those who submit their application and deposit by September 25, 2015). Odoyá is the salutation for Yemanjá the goddess of the sea and the most cherished of the orixás in the Candonmblé pantheon. This seafood restaurant offers traditional Bahian cuisine, fish and chicken dishes in front of the São Francisco church. After lunch you will visit a traditional capoeira school*, meet with the capoeira group leaders, learn of the history and philosophy, try your hands on the instruments and learn the basic movements.   After dinner you will enjoy a local folklore show by The Bahia Folklore Company* (Balé Folclórico da Bahia), one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Today you will enjoy an excursion along the scenic Coconut Highway which leads to Praia do Forte*, a fishing village 80 kms north of Salvador, home to some of the best beaches in Bahia. On arrival at Praia do Forte you may stroll through the village and may optionally choose to visit the headquarters of the TAMAR Project (entrance fee not included), the national sea turtle preservation project and one of Brazil´s most successful ecological programs. Afterwards, you will continue to Guarajuba beach* where you will have time to relax on the beach or swim in the calm warm waters of the South Atlantic ocean until you return to Salvador that evening.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Begin this morning with a Lower City tour* offering another perspective by bringing you to the quiet waters of the Itapagipe Peninsula where fishermen fish from dug-out canoes, locals collect shellfish at low tide, schooners lie at anchor, all protected by the famous Bonfim church, one of the most important churches of pilgrimage in Brazil and deeply syncretised with the Candomblé.   You will continue to the Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city and to the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local artifacts and souvenirs. After lunch an afternoon Soccer Game* is planned. (State and/or Regional Championship – subject to Championship schedule.) The two biggest state teams (Bahia and Vitória) are always the favorites for state championship.

Monday, February 15-16, 2016

Today you will enjoy an excursion to explore the western side of the All Saints´ Bay, stopping in the country market town of Santo Amaro*. This is the land of sugar cane plantations, peaceful colonial towns and busy country markets offering insight into the lifestyle of rural Brazil. Continue westwards through the rolling hills to Cachoeira*, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland in the valley of the Paraguaçu River. Candomblé plays an integral part in the life of the town, epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of slavery.   The Sisterhood of the Boa Morte* (Good Death, a reference to a death no longer a slave), where descendants of slaves parade through the town with a statue of the Madonna which is symbolically buried to assume into the heavens on the following day. Upon returning to the city you will transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to return to the United States on February 16^th with fond memories, amazing experiences and perhaps a souvenir or two from your South American adventure.

SPECIAL TOUR CONDITIONS: **The estimated tour price, pending airline confirmation, if payments are made by cash or check, is $3,595.00; otherwise, if paying by credit card, the estimated standard non-discounted price is $3,695.00.  Tour participation is based on triple occupancy and includes roundtrip airfare from Miami, point-to point transportation between cities while in Salvador, all breakfasts and dinners.  *Entrance fees and/or transportation marked with an asterisk are included in the tour price (Capoeira Workshop, Bahia by Night, Praia do Forte, Soccer Match, Cachoeira with visit to Boa Morte Sisterhood and a Historical and a Lower city tour) and may be subject to availability. Additional items may be offered optionally, are also subject to availability and are not included in the tour price.  A guaranteed single room may be available for a supplemental charge of $295.00. A guaranteed twin room may be available for a supplemental charge of $85.00. Included are the estimated applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes, fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and associated fees. If applicable, tax increases will be billed on a supplemental invoice. A minimum number of paying participants may be required to operate the tour. All tour participants must submit a signed application.  A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required and will reserve your space on this tour. The tour cost, including the initial deposit, is fully refundable if the tour does not operate. You may apply online by visiting www.EAtours.com and “student sign up”. The tour number for your group is 216160. A 2^nd payment of $1,000, will be due no later than 15 days after your initial payment. Final payments are due no later than 70 days before departure. Updated Tour details (hotels, day by day itinerary, flights, etc.) are scheduled to be released approximately four weeks prior to departure. 

Please submit your application and deposit online and $500 deposit to EA Tours by September 25, 2015 for a FREE ride on the London Eye!