When the people of São Paulo need a break from their city they often travel to one place: Ilhabela. It is an island located only some minutes (approximately 7 km) by ferry from São Sebastião. How many people go there in summertime can be easily seen when you follow the waiting line for the ferry boat: It winds through São Sebastião in an enormous length.
Continue reading “The Possibility of an Island”Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel
When arriving in São Sebastião, belonging to São Paulo, I was in trouble finding my hotel, the Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel. As the name suggests, it might be on an island (ilha). I entered the street adress into my navigation system and was led to a strange place within São Sebastião.
Continue reading “Ilha de Toque Toque boutique hotel”Praça de Sé
A good starting point for a visit to São Paulo is the Praça de Sé – the historic center of the city. It is a nice place surrounded by palms, often crowded and it has seen mighty demonstrations (like for free elections in 1984) in the past. You can get here easily by metro, using the station naturally called Sé.
Continue reading “Praça de Sé”Parque do Ibirapuera
If you need to relax a bit, São Paulos equivalent to the Central Park, the Parque do Ibirapuera might be the place for you. It is a 160 hectare park with ponds, woods and lawns where you can relax, do some sports or look out for art.
Continue reading “Parque do Ibirapuera”Museums in São Paulo
There a quite some museums in São Paulo (like the Museu da Imagem e do Som, MIS; or the Museu da Casa brasileira), but because of limited time I only had the possibility to visit two of them: The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) and the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM). At least the MASP has to be put on your shortlist.
Continue reading “Museums in São Paulo”With a taxi to Paraguay
I was at the triangle Brazil / Argentina / Paraguay, I had my hotel in Brazil and visited the Brazilian side of the falls. And I went to Argentina to see las cataratas from there. How to get to Paraguay? It would be possible to walk over the bridge and the border, but the temperatures were to high for such a hike.
Continue reading “With a taxi to Paraguay”Parque das Aves
When entering the rain forest around Foz do Iguaçu you will mostly don’t see too many animals. Having a look at the birds and reptiles living at this spot is possible when visiting the Parque das Aves in Foz do Iguaçu.
Continue reading “Parque das Aves”The Brazilian view on the Falls
The Brazilian part of Cataratas do Iguaçu is smaller then the Argentinian side. It is also part of a National park preserving the area. It is mainly one route leading you from an entry point along the river directly under the falls. It is an easy walk but if you don’t like to get wet (at normal Brazilian temperatures absolutely no problem) you have to prepare.
Continue reading “The Brazilian view on the Falls”Don’t cry for me Argentina
Going to the Argentinian side of the falls means leaving Brazil and therefore you first have to wait at border control. And receive a nice stamp within your passport. The Cataratas del Iguazú are part of a state park which is often pretty much crowded. We had the chance to go directly to the Sheraton hotel within the park and walk from there.
Continue reading “Don’t cry for me Argentina”Hotel Pietro Angelo
Foz do Iguaçu is a town, built solely for tourism. There is also the giant Itaipu embankment dam, so there are some electrity workers around – but most people in Foz do Iguaçu are living from tourism. The Hotel Pietro Angelo is in the center of the town.
Continue reading “Hotel Pietro Angelo”