Items related to Brazil:The Rough Guide

9780747101277: Brazil:The Rough Guide

Synopsis

Brazil, with 150 million people in an area roughly the size of the USA, is more a continent than a country. Few countries have greater variety to offer the traveller: the metropolis of Sao Paulo, a South American New York, Rio, the rolling "pampas" of the south, the rivers and forests of Amazonia and the tropical coastline and harsh interior of the northeast. This guide is more than just a list of what to see and where to stay, it also sets into contemporary context this array of physical, historical, cultural and popular diversity. From river travel on the Amazon, to how to get the most out of "Carnaval", from colonial churches to Brazilian music, this guide informs, advises and celebrates Brazil.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

Ask many travellers what their favourite travel guides are, and a good percentage are likely to say the DK Eyewitness Travel series. And just a glance at Brazil will show you why these books are held in such high esteem. As the flash at the bottom of the jacket says, these are the guides that show you what others only tell you, and it is that strikingly eye-catching (and utilitarian) format that really makes the series special. Take, for instance, the two pages here on the Parque do Ibirapuera: there is a colour layout of the grounds of the park, with colour miniphotos studded around the central image; the Hotel Unique, with its strange half-melon structure, the Oca do Ibirapuera, an amazing dome designed by Oscar Niemeyer which hosts the city's major international art exhibitions, and the giant Cleopatra's needle built to honour victims of political injustice. And these are only a handful of the highlights of the two pages – which is typical of the entire book.

Of course, Brazil has much more to offer than most holiday destinations: apart from the beaches, nightlife and the national parks, there some of the best galleries and museums in the world along with, it goes without saying, carnival. And the world's most famous carnival is treated to all the attention here the traveller could wish (as is soundtrack of carnival – the indelible sound of samba). Particularly useful here are the walks, scenic routes and thematic tours. If you're planning a trip to Brazil, you need look no further than this. --Barry Forshaw.

Review

Eyewitness wins hands down (The Mail on Sunday)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.