Fernando de NoronhaThe small archipelago of Fernando de Noronha isa delight for naturalists and divers and can bereached by air from either Recife or Natal. Lying350 kilometres off the coast of mainland Brazil,this is a protected national marine park that offerssome of the best beaches and diving in thecountry. Diving and snorkelling around the islandscan reveal a dazzling array of marine life. Turtles,sharks, stingrays, dolphins and multi-colouredtropical fish abound whilst on land birdwatcherswill be enchanted by the variety of speciesincluding several types of pelican and the red-footed booby. Flights to the islands are expensiveas is most accommodation but we can offersimple good value homestays. Visitor numbers arestrictly limited in order to preserve its pristine andunexploited environment.POUSADAMARAVILHA,FERNANDODENORONHAPousada Maravilha offers peaceful surroundingsand great attention to detail. With a reputation asthe best place to stay in the archipelago, this is awonderful place to while away the time on thisbeautiful island. It has a fabulous infinity pool, fromwhich the breathtaking view can be enjoyed.There is also a gym and spa.www.audleytravel.com/brazil ?01993 838 610 ?Brazil71BrasíliaBrasília rose from the unpopulated plains ofcentral Brazil in the shape of a soaring bird orplane, and took the title of capital city from Rio in 1960. Designed and built in under five years,Brasília is a late 1950s vision of the future inconcrete, a testament to retro-Brazilianarchitecture, in particular to the genius of OscarNiemeyer. Sights like the Metropolitan Cathedralwith its radiant stained glass interior, so designedbecause the architect believed dark interiors to betoo redolent of sin, and the Square of ThreePowers with its Congress, Judicial and Presidentialbuildings, are well worth a visit. Whether you end up loving or hating it, the city makes for afascinating 24 hour stopover.Coastline, near NatalBeach, Fernando de NoronhaPousada Maravilha, Fernando de NoronhaMetropolitan Cathedral, BrasíliaSunset, Genipabu sand dunesColonial houses, São LuisNatal architecture

Your stay here will be based in one of thefazenda-style lodges which have excellent guidesto accompany you on the various excursionsincluding day and evening jeep safaris, canoe tripsand horse riding.FAZENDABARRANCOALTO,PANTANALFazenda Barranco Alto is tucked away in thesouthern area of the Pantanal. The fazenda's landcontains more than 100 lakes, over 400 differentbirds and all sorts of mammals, as well asuntouched vegetation. For decades the fazendahas been a cattle ranch, and still is, however nowit also welcomes guests. Family-run, it has just four rooms and therefore offers an exclusiveexperience with plenty of wildlife spottingopportunities. All the activities of the farm arebased on sustainable principles. Hyacinth macaware seen daily, as well as trogon, jacamar, toucan,raptor and numerous other species.POUSADARIOMUTUM,PANTANALPousada Rio Mutum is located in the state ofMato Grosso in the northern Pantanal. It consistsof 16 simple air-conditioned apartments, eachwith hot water and a hammock on the veranda.The grounds are grassy and dotted with a varietyof local trees which are a haven for birds andanimals including macaw, paraqueet and Brazilianporcupine. The Mutum river flows steadily about100 metres from the lodge but during the wetseason it rises almost to the edge of the grounds.Chapada dos GuimarãesChapada dos Guimarães is a stunning nationalpark, popular with Brazilian visitors and growing in popularity with international travellers too asthe reputation of the northern Pantanal grows.The Chapada is about 800 metres higher than theenormous, flat plains of the Pantanal so it enjoyscooler temperatures which gives rise to differentflora and fauna. It is made up of stunning table-top mountains, ravines, caves, streams andwaterfalls and is a haven for walkers and naturelovers, especially birdwatchers. Chapada dosGuimarães is very easily combined with a stay inthe northern Pantanal and provides a totallycontrasting experience to the Pantanal's wetlands.The PantanalFor wildlife viewing, there are few better places inthe world than the Pantanal between April andSeptember. The animals and birds here are similarto those found in the nearby Amazon basin, butthey are much easier to spot due to the lack ofdense jungle. The Pantanal is an enormous area of seasonally flooded savannah lowlands andwetlands, which creates a fertile environment oflakes, streams and pond. Hyacinths and giantwater lilies rest on the lake surfaces, whilstbeneath the surface anacondas lurk amongst thefish that are darting away from the feet of jabirustorks. Capybara and caiman sun themselves onthe banks, and howler and capuchin monkeyschatter and swing from tree to tree, past thetoucans, macaws and parrots as they fan theiriridescent feathers. Other animals to which thisvast area is home include anteater, armadillo,otter, marmoset and even jaguar and puma. 72Capybara, PantanalLocal children, PantanalPousada Rio Mutum, Pantanal