Tuesday May 15, 2012
Bahia, one of the top touristic destinations in Brazil, will be showcasing its many attractions during the 1st Tourism Fair of Bahia (I Salão Baiano de Turismo), taking place May 17-19 at Centro de Convenções da Bahia in Salvador.
Preparations are under way at the Convention Center for the event with a 120-square-meter area featuring the state's 13 travel routes; shows representing the best of regional music; food courts and concept restaurants serving typical culinary; and workshops on crucial themes for Bahia and Brazil tourism at large, including FIFA World Cup 2014.
A particularly interesting workshop for international visitors will be the one with Brazil travel pros Ricardo Freire of Viaje na Viagem, Alison McGowan of Hidden Pousadas Brazil and photographer Tony Galvez. The theme of the workshop is "The Independent Traveler".
Another highlight at the Salão will be the presentation of a study carried out by the Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (Fipe), the largest study of its kind ever, based on 17,000 questionnaires applied in 44 Bahia touristic destinations and revealing the latest on the state's tourism statistics.
The study will be presented by Fipe coordinator Wilson Rabahy. According to Bahia Tourism Secretary Domingos Leonelli, the document follows up on studies carried out between June 2008 and June 2009. "We are building a solid database for the implementation of an economic observatory for Bahia tourism," he said in a press release.
The study shows that tourism in Bahia is on the rise. Some of the strongest trends in local travel will be widely showcased at the fair, among them Ethnic Tourism.
I've been invited to the Fair by Bahiatursa and am looking forward to the event, a press trip to Morro de São Paulo and meetings with the other travel buffs, including reunions with Alison McGowan and colleagues I met during a recent press trip to Chapada Diamantina. I'll have updates soon!
I Salão Baiano de Turismo:
Centro de Convenções da Bahia
Salvador-BA
May 17-19, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Open to the public; admission free. Present a photo ID for sign-up.
Upcoming Event in Bahia:
Tuesday May 15, 2012
Two of the world's best-known sun and beach destinations are to become sister cities (or twin towns) today. Paraty, on the Southeastern coast of Brazil, and Capri, the main town on Capri Island, Italy, will become officially connected during a ceremony at 5 p.m. today at the Sala Consiliare del Comune di Capri.
The event is taking place during the Italy-Brazil Moment, a celebration of the friendship and cultural ties between the two countries.
Capri Mayor Ciro Lembo, Paraty Mayor José́ Carlos Porto Neto, the rector of Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Ricardo Vieiralves de Castro, and Maurizio Siniscalco, a lawyer who promoted the initiative and is an honorary citizen of Capri, will attend the ceremony.
The official relationship between the two cities - a gemellaggio culturale, in Italian - will reinforce their cultural, artistic, technical, scientific, commercial and touristic ties.
Among the many traits in common which lure tourists to Capri and Paraty are their scenic beaches and sea escapes, quaint architecture, and charming hotels and restaurants.
Capri-Paraty, Sister Cities:
Photo of Paraty by Patricia Ribeiro.
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Thursday May 10, 2012
Brazil's largest culinary event is Brasil Sabor (May 3-June 3, 2012), a sort of Restaurant Month promoted by Abrasel, the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants, and with participating restaurants from all over the country. This year's edition is celebrating the Italy-Brazil Moment.
This year's slogan, "Quem tem boca vai a Roma", is a saying meaning, literally, "If you've got a mouth you'll get to Rome", and which applies to every situation in which you get the information you need by asking.
Portuguese speakers will do better in finding the information they need to choose participating restaurants in Brasil Sabor, since the event's official website is, unfortunately, still not available in other languages.
Italian restaurants are a natural choice for this year's theme and one of the top picks - lucky you if you're in Ceará - is Trattoria do Alfio. Italian chef Alfio De Santis, who said in this TV interview that his real name is Giuseppe Franco De Santis, is a living legend in Brazil culinary and a trailblazer in Fortaleza's Italian cuisine who started out in the 1980s with La Trattoria on Iracema Beach.
In 2007 he opened this cozy place serving his famous homemade pasta in the Varjota district, where he works surrounded by his children and loyal employees. For the festival, he's serving Fettuccine ai Gamberi (R$ 35,90, photo), pasta with shrimp, refried in olive oil and garlic.
Brasil Sabor 2012
Trattoria do Alfio:
Rua Prof. Dias da Rocha 303
Fortaleza - Ceará
Phone: 55-85-3082-2522
Wheelchair-accessible
Photo courtesy of Abrasel Ceará
Thursday May 10, 2012
The pros know: Barra da Tijuca, Arpoador and Canto do Recreio are some of the best spots for surfing in Rio. That's why they're hosting one of the city's top surfing events - the Billabong Rio Pro 2012, which started yesterday at Arpoador, between Ipanema and Copacabana.
If you're in Rio today, head on to the beach or to the Arpoador Rock, which affords a pretty amazing view of the beach and the competition.
Keep up with the next rounds on the Billabong Rio Pro 2012, which also has many photos of the event. There are also lots of great photos on the Riotur Flickr. Take note of the mild, sunny weather in Rio: fall is a wonderful time to visit, and despite some special events like this one, still low season and therefore more affordable.
Hone Your Surfing Skills:
Photos of Billabong Rio Pro 2012 by Alexandre Macieira/Riotur
