Carnival

Herein lies one of the most important things to all Brazilian people. Rio is world renowned for fantastic processions but Salvador is the most popular for the biggest party. This takes place in every corner of the city through to the beach. Officially only 4 days but drags out for two weeks, the build up being many weeks before and the after affects lingering for weeks after. Read more here.

Beaches

With so many beautiful beaches in Bahia, variable in both size and culture, there is a style for everyone. Salvador and around the city house the busiest beaches, though crowded, particularly on Sundays and holidays, is amazing for people watching, particularly if you like to watch beautiful people. Brazilians take great pride in their appearance and physique. Daily you will encounter the beaches full of joggers from 6 in the morning through until the evening dusk, football, of course, is played on every available space. Capoeira, the African dance that looks rather like a cross between kick-boxing and tai chi, is practised everywhere in Salvador, but particularly on the beach where men will stretch their worked out bodies proudly before cart-wheeling or triple back-flipping into the water - Brazilian men are like peacocks to an audience. It originated in Salvador during the slave trade and is still proudly practised today. I'm sure I don't have to mention the beautifully, lesser-clad women that can be spotted.

Tradesmen and women and children will sell their wares without being pushy, and really is a must to try the fresh fruit salad and smoked cheese and fresh fruit ice lollies. The background to all this activity will be the beat of percussion instruments, for music, backed up with the dancing and singing is a big part of Salvador life.

For a quieter scene, there are many beaches and resorts to the North and South of Salvador, the farm is North and an hour's drive from Praia do Forte.

View more photos of Bahia here

This is an old fishing village, different to Salvador in every way. It was the first eco-resort set up in Brazil, to preserve the turtles that at one time were caught for selling and profit, are now proudly protected on a site that can be visited by tourists. The beaches are quiet, unpopulated and lined with coconut palms. From the noise of the city, this is a quiet tranquil village, with only one street, which is free from vehicles and host to numerous chic clothes shops, condomble art work and craft shops. At night these combine with the candlelit restaurants that set a very romantic ambience. Again, always the sound of music not far away.

Praia do Forte is about an hour to one and a half hours away. It is becoming more popular with foreign tourists as well as Brazilians now and has many adventure trips to offer; these include, white water rafting, canoeing, snorkelling, quad biking, forest adventure trips, surfing and horseriding.

Chapata Diamante National Park (link to map)

This park offers such a diverse range of nature all in one area. It is approx. 7 hour drive from the farm so would need a few days visit. However, well worth it and there are many cheap pousadas to stay in. This park offers a diversity of nature in one area. One town specialises in trips to lakes, another to visit caves and a further town is the centre of flat top mountains with water falls and many beautiful orchids. The lifestyle there is one of Europeans looking for alternative lifestyles, who provide "wholesome" restaurants, apparently one man cooks fresh pizzas from his kitchen and turns his back yard into a dining area. So again, not sophisticated, but an experience!

Salvador Official Tourism Website