Flights of Fancy

AMAZING Peru is spreading its wings in Latin America, with more planes, more pilots and a new office in Brazil. They are the first Latin American company offering private jets. The Latin America-based charter jet company announced today it has increased its fleet for its private flights throughout Latin America and worldwide.The company has planes based in Lima, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Quito, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Amazing Peru Private Jets has done business in Peru since 1975 and in the late 90's the luxury tour operator became the only Latin American private jet company. Amazing Peru pioneered the luxury adventure and private aviation in South America and today they are the world’s undisputed Latin America luxury-travel leader and the only Latin American private jet Company, offering award-winning "tours of a lifetime" by National Geographic.

Amazing Peru Private Jets primarily serves destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Europe.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Rio 2016: Half a million tourists expected in Brazil for Olympic Games

THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT has said it expects approximately 500,000 additional foreign visitors to come to #Rio de Janeiro for the #OlympicGames. The Central Bank of #Brazil estimates that the delegations and tourists in Rio for the games will leave behind revenue worth US$200 million. 

The bank says its estimate was made based on the statistics from the last three Olympics: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012, but it also noted that the expected windfall will be lower than the $900 million dollars of revenue seen nationwide as a result of the 2014 World Cup.

The bank said that while the Olympics would lead to a ‘small impact on tourism at first, they would contribute to more tourists coming to the country in the future, especially Rio de Janeiro.

It reported foreign tourists spent US$3.15 billion in Brazil in the first half of 2016, $210 million more than that in the same period last year.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: 80487073@N00/28698644086">JJ OO Rio de Janeiro 2016</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

Off to Rio?

HEADING to Rio for Olympic Games? The Latin American Travel Association offers these insider tips for visitors:

Best places to stay for Olympic excitement 

·        Copacabana district, famous for its three-mile beach, offers the chance to catch some of the Olympic highlights including beach volley ball, triathlons, marathons, and ocean swimming.

·        Ipanema, in southern Rio, will host the Olympic debut of rugby sevens.

·        Santa Teresa is Rio’s artistic hub on Santa Teresa Hill. Known for its winding, narrow streets, it’s a great spot to enjoy the city's creative side and gastronomy.

·        The Lapa district, known for its lively cultural scene and its concentration of bars and restaurants, should be on every Rio revellers list.

Where to head for a day trip

Two-and-a-half hours east of Rio, Buzios is an upscale fishing port with great restaurants, boutiques, and villas. It rose to fame after a visit in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot. Idea for snorkelling

Secret Rio

·        Tour operator Trailfinders suggests heading to Morro de Dois Irmaos, an iconic mountain at the end of Leblon Beach for a 40 minute hike to the top offering panoramic views of Rio.

·        The Brazil Tourist Board says the tropical forest of Floresta da Tijuca is a secret spot in Rio that deserves to be discovered by tourists.

·        For traditional food, travel company Chimu Adventures advises visitors to head to Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa, a bar known for its local cuisine.

·        For peace and tranquillity, travel company Jacada Travel recommends Parque Lage. It’s completely off the tourist radar. For a secluded beach, try the tranquil Praia Vermelha in the Urca district next to Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Where to shop

·        Every first Saturday of the month the Rio Antigo Fair takes place in Rua do Lavradio, with hundreds of stalls lining the street. Handicraft market Feira de Sao Cristovao takes place in the Luiz Gonzaga Centre in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood.

·        Rio Sul in Botafogo was the first shopping mall to be built in Rio de Janeiro. It’s close to the city's main tourist spots.

·        Barra Shopping is located in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood in Rio with more than 600 shops.

·        The Leblon shopping centre has top-name Brazilian and international brands, plus good restaurants and a cinema.

How to avoid the games

August and September are the best times to visit the Amazon Rainforest as the water level in the Amazon River is highest and the weather is mild and clear.

·        For a relaxed break, Trailfinders suggests Natal, Olinda or Recife in the North-East of Brazil offering a more local feel, great beaches, and authentic cuisine. South of Rio, Florianopolis has more of a European feel with good beaches and a chilled out vibe.

·        ChimuAdventures recommends travellers head to Trancoso in Bahia, or Jericoacoara in Ceara where the weather will be warm and the beaches almost  empty.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Risks in Rio

AS #BRAZIL prepares for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games (August 5-21) and Paralympic Games (September 7-18), there are growing concerns about multiple security challenges facing the country. 

A developing political crisis, economic downturn, and popular anger over corruption have fuelled rising civil unrest. Criminal activity is a major concern in many parts of #RiodeJaneiro, while Brazil’s status as a global hub for cyber-crime represents a further threat for corporate sponsors and companies represented at the Games. The recent outbreak of the Zika virus has also alarmed some travellers and pregnant visitors have been advised against non-essential travel to areas where the disease is prevalent.

With an effective understanding of the threat environment, areas to avoid, and proper planning, these risks can be mitigated. PGI Intelligence’s latest Risk Assessment for the #2016Olympics provides in-depth analysis of these issues, offering security and travel managers a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with travel to Rio. Included in the report are:

• Detailed analysis and mapping of hotspots for crime and civil unrest risks and threats to movement during the Games 
• Analysis of cyber-crime threats 
• Information on medical risks and healthcare providers, as well as standards of infrastructure and transport options in the city 
• A one-page pre-deployment travel briefing, highlighting key travel considerations and ‘keep safe’ advice that can be handed to travellers prior to departing for Brazil. 

For a look inside the report, go to: https://riskportal.pgitl.com/sites/default/files/PGI_Olympics_Risk_Assessment_SHORT_April_2016.pdf

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Paraty</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Brazil plans to scrap visa requirement during Olympic Games

BRAZIL'S tourism minister has submitted plans to cancel the requirement for a tourist visa in the 90 days prior to the #OlympicGames in #RiodeJaneiro next year, and for some time afterwards. 

Travellers from many countries are required to apply for a visa to enter #Brazil, including the US, which is Brazil's second-largest market.

‘This will be a very important thing for Brazilian tourism,’ said the minister, Henrique Eduardo Alves.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/17281186@N00/3023216433">Grand-Rio-18.JPG</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Up to 40% off for Rio Carnival lets

 BESPOKE BRAZIL, a specialist Brazil tour operator, is offering up to 40% off luxury apartments and penthouses in Rio de Janeiro during next month’s carnival -February 13-17. 

The agency has a range of properties throughout Rio, for couples, small groups or families.

Says Bespoke Brazil director Simon Williams: ‘If you thought the World Cup was fabulous, Rio Carnival will blow your socks off! The sheer energy of the Cariocas (the people from Rio) will overwhelm you and is totally infectious. It's a period when you cannot fail but have fun, whether it's joining in a local street party or simply sitting by the beach and emerging your senses in the colourful sights and sounds that surround you.

‘If you only visit Brazil once in your lifetime, do it at carnival time!’

www.bespokebrazil.com
http://rio-carnival.net

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: ''Orlando skyline' by The Floridian Boricua via Wikimedia Commons