Bezerros is a city in the interior of north-east Brazil. It is a one-hour car ride from Recife, the coastal capital of the the state of Pernambuco.

Many tourists head to Brazil just for the beaches, but take a visit to the interior and you will see the real Brazil. Bezerros is a good base for this. It is located between the lush topical coast and the dry Sertao, within a hilly dividing line between the two known as the Agreste.

The Serra Negra range of mountains offer spectacular views of the great dry plans that spread out beyond the hills, with lakes and caves where visitors can rock climb, trek, horseride or take a Jeep tour. Bezerros is the "Gateway to the Serra Negra"

The city offers other attractions. It is home of the Crentro de Artesanato do Pernambuco, with representations of the work of 220+ artists. The works tell a story of the folklore, legends and mythology from the region, expressed in many ways, and materials. Also in the region are the most famous artists of woodcut printing, the family of J Borges. The work is featured on the cover of popular literature, the Cordel (Chap Books). The Carnival here is also a great expression of creativity and one of the most popular in the interior. These three features make Bezerros the "Creative Capital of Pernambuco".

Carnival in Bezerros is also unique as it features the use of masks. Neighbours feed neighbours a corn porridge called Ángu during carnival. The masks save the greedy from embarrassment, allowing them to eat as much as they like. This gave rise to the name Papangu (eat Angu), and gives Bezerros the third claim to fame as "City of Papangu".

If all this is not enough, you can also take a walk around the cities markets, historic churches, well maintained squares and the old railway station, The railway was built by the British owned Great Western Brazilian Railway. Today the station houses the city museum and a museum of Papangu Carnival.

From Bezerros it is also possible to take short trips to Gravata (waterfalls, forest walks and horseriding), Bonito (the best waterfalls in the region) or Caruaru, home of earthenware sculptors and large craft markets. Caruaru also hosts the best São João Party in Pernambuco, during which Frevo, a music of the north-east and of carnival, can be heard.

recife.pearltravelguides.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Oficina Francisco Brennand is a sculpture garden, ceramic gallery and art gallery. The work is of 82-year-old Francisco Brennand, an internationally recognised sculptor, sometimes referred to as the Salvador Dahli of Brazil. His work is sensual, bordering on erotic, natural and mythological.

He travelled to Europe in 1949 and was influenced by Gaudi, Miro, Leger and Picasso.

The water gardens are by Brazil's most famous landscape artist Brule Marx, and the sculpture gallery is housed in an old ceramics factory. His painted art is housed in a new gallery. All are within a protected area of Atlantic forest on the outskirts of Recife.

If in the area this is a "must see". His work can also be found around the city of Recife, especially on a section of the reef in Recife Antigo, home to his sculpture park inaugurated in 2000 for the new millennium. It can be accessed by row boat from the quay side in Marco Zero square, the centrepoint of the city from where distances to all other cities are measured.

recifeguide.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/francisco-brennand-sculptor-of-sensual-natural-and-mythological-art/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Carneiros is not the most popular beach in Brazil, but that's a plus. It feels far more remote than it is because it is so unspoilt.

Long palm tree lined beaches, tropically warm shallow waters, natural reefs with pools full of tropical fish, river bank mud baths and rustic bars in the mangrove.

This paradise is a short distance from several other fantastic beaches, from Recife and from the World Heritage city Olinda with its charming colonial architecture that dates from the early 1500s.

If you want a tropical holiday at a fraction of the cost of more popular destinations, then this is your solution.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Recife is the capital on the northeast coast of Brazil and enjoys a tropical climate and 12 month summer. Being just 8° 06′south of the equator topical means hot, but the humidity is not too high and Recife benefits from onshore trade winds that make things more comfortable.

These great weather conditions can be enjoyed along the 190 km coastline of the state, and beyond in neighbouring states. Many beaches are protected from the Atlantic ocean by reefs that create natural swimming pools at several points during low tide. It is these reefs that gave the city of Recife its name.

Sea temperatures make you feel you are in a tropical aquarium. Often a mask and snorkel are all you need to enjoy the abundant ocean life. The region also offers good deep sea diving experiences for the more adventurous.

Recife and nearby Olinda are amongst the oldest cities in Brazil and its Portuguese, Dutch and colonial past are still much in evidence. Olinda is a hill top town established by the Portuguese in 1534 and Recife is the nearby port that was developed by the Dutch. Sugar made Recife the richest city in Brazil and its position was maintained for several years with the addition of the cotton industry. These industries were largely dependent upon the slave trade giving Brazil its African influence. There is also a significant Jewish influence. They controlled fifty percent of the sugar industry, and Recife is home to the first synagogue in the Americas dating from 1641. It was from here that the first jews in New York originate.

Nearby is Porto de Galinhas, voted number one beach in Brazil by Brazilians. It is a perfect area that offers a mix of safe bathing, water sports and some of the best surf conditions in the country. The waters are an aquatic paradise teaming with ocean life. You can literally feed the fish here by hand.

All these influences make for a lively and diverse culture, most in evidence during carnival. Carnival here is the most authentic. Unlike carnival in Rio and Salvador, you don't spectate, you take part, and it is free.

The region is popular with Brazilian tourists from the south who come here in their winter months. There is no winter here in the northeast. Temperatues rarely fall below 26C. It is growing in popularity with foreign tourists but guides and information in English are hard to find. The most comprehensive guide in English is Recife Guide, a website with all you need to know. Recife Guide also offers Guided Tours and other services.

Almost certainly you will arrive by plane either on an international or national flight. There are direct scheduled flights from Europe (from Lisbon on TIP, or from Paris on TAM). Charter flights operate during high season, but usually as package holidays rather than flight only. I would strongly advise against a package holiday to Brazil. There are far better ways to experience the country.

Recifes international airport is the largest and most modern airport in the northeast. It serves the main tourist destinations in the region, Recife (10mins by car), Olinda (30mins) and Porto de Galinhas (1 1/2hrs).

Almost every type of accommodation is available, from hostel to five star hotel. A nice and very affordable option are beach guest houses called Pousadas. They vary in price and quality but most offer good clean accomodation with breakfast. At the moment the price range of accommodation is from R$26 (8 Euro) per night in a hostel, from R$100 (28 Euro) in a 3 star like hotel, and from R$300 (85Euro) in a luxury hotel. Prices may be higher in high season (Oct - Mar), or less in low season (Apr-Sep).

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends