bres Blog on RealTravel

Salvador journal: Let the culture begin - Salvador

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:04:27 GMT

September 21st, 2007: Day 6

Salvador:

We hoped on a morning flight to Salvador and arrived mid afternoon. We took a cab to the tourist area of Pelourhino to get a hotel. Once we checked in we decided to head out and check out the area. We sat at a local sidewalk eatery and watched capoiera dancers and locals selling bracelets and necklaces to the tourist. All of the streets were cobblestone and the town had a teeny tiny feeling with all historic buildings. We walked around and checked out the shops and people watched before heading back to get ready for dinner. We headed to ...

Bariloche journal: Bring on the Snow

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:43:29 GMT

Bariloche

We woke up early in the morning and caught a flight to Bariloche; which arrived around 2pm. We walked around and checked out the town in search of a room since one was not booked. We decided upon Carlos V; which was filled with the kind of character I had been searching for. Once we were settled in we decided to walk the town; which reminded me of something that you would see in a movie. Surrounding the city was beautiful white-capped mountains and glistening water with perfect pebbles. There were beautiful log buildings in the town center where each day a farmers market was ...

Iguazu Falls journal: The point where 275 waterfalls meet as one.

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:20:28 GMT

September 25th, 2007: Day 10

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

After a long couple of flights and a hired car that illegally took us across the border we arrived in the small town of Iguazu falls. Our cab dropped us off in front of a hostel, but somehow we walked into the wrong door and ended up in a hotel that worked out pretty nicely. We walked around the town and got familiar with the area it reminded me of a small town in the Midwest because of how calm and quiet the area was. As we people watched we could tell that the majority of people were tourists. We stopped and got a ...

Buenos Aires journal: Back in the city

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:36:56 GMT

October 5th, 2007 Day 20

Buenos Aires, Argentina

We arrived in Buenos Aires around noon and headed to the Marriott in Plaza San Martin. Once we left the hotel we discovered it had begun to rain, but we still wanted to enjoy as much of this city as possible. We walked down Florida street; which is the pedestrian street of BA. We had lunch at an outdoor covered cafe so that we could both watch and listen to rain and watch as the people ran to hide from the rain. We continued onto the mall to enjoy the high ceilings and murals painted on the walls. After leaving the mall we headed ...

Mendoza journal: Wine, food, and lots of activities

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:28:41 GMT

October 3, 2007 Day 18

Mendoza, Argentina

We arrived in Mendoza around 9:30 am and walked all over downtown in search of the perfect hotel. After walking for a few hours, seeing tons of beautiful articheture, sculptures and making friends with a stray dog we checked into the Crillon hotel. Once we were settled we went to lunch at a local eatery called Giovani. The steak that we had at this location was the best that we had in the country. Once we finished lunch we headed over for our first tour of this trip; which was the bikes & wine tour. We were picked up and driven out to the ...

Sao Paulo journal: Our City tour - Sao Paulo

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:20:17 GMT

Arrived in Sao Paulo around 9 am and hopped in a cab to head to the Downtown SP Hostel. We stayed in a private room with a private bath and a good size. Once we got into our room we dropped our bags to head out into the city for the day. We did a full day walking tour that included things such as the praca de se and a few beautiful historical churches. At the praca de se they had a small band playing music that the locals sat and watched. There were people laying by the fountain enjoying the day and the sounds of the water as it splashed and continued to make the constant comforting sound. We ...

Rio de Janeiro journal: Rio de Janeiro

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:42:52 GMT

September 17th, 2007: Day 2

We woke up early and were ready to hit the new day. We took a walk through the park and around some more of the town before hopping on the subway and heading over to the financial district of Sao Paulo. Once we arrived to our destination we watched the streets of a busy Monday with people heading to and from work in business suits ready to conquer the day. For lunch we hit a small café and had our very first ham and cheese sandwich (on every menu) and watched locals drink teeny tiny shots of espresso. After lunch we headed back to the hostel to pack up ...

Iguazu Falls journal: Peaceful hotel with pleasant staff

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:01:59 GMT

The hotel isn't that exciting, but is perfect if you are looking to relax and have silence. They serve the Argentina breakfast of orange juice, tea, coffee and glazed croissants.

Argentina journal: Seeing Argentina 4 Cities in 10 days....

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:55:53 GMT

We started in the amazing waterfalls, fly to the glacier region, to a bus to the wine region, and ended in the city. We enjoyed a mix while we were here.

Praia do Forte journal: Our Favorite Vacation Spot-Praia do Forte

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:44:19 GMT

September 23rd, 2007: Day 8

Praia de Forte

We woke up and hopped on the bus to a city about an hour and half north called Praia de Forte. From the moment that we got off of the bus we loved it because the atmosphere just screamed of vacation. We stayed at the most adorable posada that had a hammock in the front area. We dropped our bags and headed out to conquer this town in about 36 hours. We took a walk down to the beach and decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants on the water. For this particular lunch we ordered the whole fried fish. The words I must use to describe it ...

Praia do Forte journal: Save the turtles

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:33:35 GMT

This was a nice set up of several animals that are or may begin to become extinct. There is entertainment for all ages.

Praia do Forte journal: Great breakfast and peaceful

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:31:20 GMT

The staff was friendly and the breakfast was delicious. The rooms were small, but perfect and peaceful for a getaway. This place was great.

Salvador journal: Great location and nice views

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:19:42 GMT

The hotel was extremely affordable and in a convenient location of Pelourhino close to all. The building was secured by a security and they had a fresh breakfast that was included.

Salvador journal: Delicious food and great service

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:19:41 GMT

The food was delicious and the service was tentative. There is an indoor area, outdoor area, and a patio that opens over the street.

Rio de Janeiro journal: Hidden low key hostel

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:03:52 GMT

The staff was unhelpful and not exactly what we were looking for. The rooms were small an uninviting for any downtime.

Sao Paulo journal: Our first hostel

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:11:20 GMT

We were checked in quickly and had no problems with our room. We actually got a huge room with 2 beds and there was plenty of hot water.

Brazil journal: Our travel up the coast of Brazil

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:11:19 GMT

We started in the big city and we ended in the beauty of the sun and fun.