Salvador, Brazil

Where practice I even begin? You know how people have spirit animals? Well, I recollect I accept a spirit city, and that's 100% Salvador, Brazil!

Never having heard much almost Salvador prior to my trip, I went in blind. I knew it was north of Rio and that it was on the water, but other than those 2 nuggets, I didn't know what to look.

Salvador blew me away me in so many means. The urban center, people, color, architecture, food, oh it was nigh too much to take in. I never wanted to go out. It's often times described as Brazil's uppercase of happiness because of it'south amazing outdoor celebrations and the biggest political party of all… carnival! Once the uppercase of Brazil, Salvador is likewise referred to as Bahia, every bit it sits correct on the Bay and was a fundamental part of aircraft dorsum in the solar day. Yous tin can feel the energy and vibrant energy of this urban center the second y'all step into town. Heavily influenced by the African population, Salvador is a melting pot of cultures.

Salvador, Brazil. City by the bay

We had the well-nigh amazing tour guide of all times, Connor, who was a wealth of noesis and showed us an amazing fourth dimension. From walking city tours to traditional African dance, we covered Salvador from tiptop to lesser thanks to Connors knowledge of the urban center. (Seriously guys, if you go visit, yous MUST meet Connor. He's beyond awesome)

We checked in our hotel Pestana Convento practise Carmo, an one-time monastery that's since been converted into a posh hotel but outside of the main boondocks square. It's a cute building that'south played host to a handful of hollywoods who'south who when they visit Bahia. Right adjacent to our hotel is a beautiful old church building, one of hundreds that dot the urban center from left to correct. Take a peek off any rooftop patio and yous'll see a dozen churches in any management alongside various streets and alleyways that are lined with multicolored houses ranging from pinkish to blue to yellowish.

Bahia has an epic food scene and stunning local marketplace, where the locals get to choice up their produce! Stalls were lined with fruits and vegetables I've never even seen, allow alone heard of! Vendors were happy to share samples of their favorite products and I tasted my way through the entire market. I just wish I would have been able to take some of the produce dwelling to use in my kitchen. I would accept gladly stayed and wandered effectually that market for hours.

Thanks in large part to the astonishing foods available, Salvador was truly one of the nigh remarkable food cities I've always experienced. I can't even function properly when I reminisce back to those few days! So instead, I'm saving an entire mail of the food I ate while there…

Also – exist sure to check out the Only In South America website! Particularly since they are giving away a trip merely like the one I was almost recently on! Just select the Brazil tab and have at it! You lot've got a few more weeks to enter! In the concurrently, here'due south a look into the glorious town of Salvador…

Salvador, Brazil. City by the bay