The history of the Irmandade da Boa Morte (Sisterhood of the Good Death), a religious confraternity devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin, is part of the history of mass importation of blacks from the African coast to the cane-growing Reconcavo region of Bahia. Iberian adventurers built beautiful towns in this area, one of them being Cachoeira, which was the second most important economic center in Bahia for three centuries. In a patriarchal society marked by racial and ethnic differences, the confraternity is made up exclusively of black women, which gives this Afro-Catholic manifestation - as some consider it - a significant role in the annals of African Diaspora history. Besides the gender and race of the confraternity's members, their status as former slaves and descendants of slaves is an important social characteristic without which it would be difficult to understand many aspects of the confraternity's religious commitments. The former slaves have demonstrated enormous adroitness in worshipping in the religion of those in power without letting go of their ancestral beliefs, as well as in the ways they defend the interests of their followers and represent them socially and politically.

Corcovado is what most people think of when they imagine Rio de Janeiro. Corcovado is a mountain that towers nearly 2,400 feet above the city, the summit acting as the base for the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, his arms outstretched to welcome all to the city spread out before him. Corcovado offers the most breathtaking view of Rio. The panorama stretches from Maracana and Guanabara Bay to the heart of Copacabana, Ipanema, and as far south as Leblon and the Botanical Gardens. From this vantage point the crazy-quilt geography of Rio is more easily grasped.

Sugarloaf Mountain is perhaps the most famous symbol of Rio de Janeiro. It's a thrill to take the cable car up the two stages, to Morro da Urca and then Sugarloaf itself. Sugarloaf Mountain is so steep that you'll never believe that you can actually make it. The biggest thrill is the view, which many say is the most romantic view in all of Rio. This view is undeniably magical and it will convince you (if you still need convincing) that Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

We can help you find the perfect Amazon River cruise! The most exploratory cruises travel the Upper Amazon River by expedition vessel and normally sail roundtrip from Iquitos, Peru to Manaus, Brazil (or vice versa), and visit ports like Letícia, Colômbia and Lago São Paulo. On these exciting journeys, you will sail along the Amazon River tributaries by Zodiac or even local canoes, and you are sure to spot exotic wildlife and a vast array of indigenous people.

Iguaçu Falls are considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world and are the most overwhelming and spectacular waterfalls in South America. The falls are over 3km wide and 80m high and their beauty is unsurpassed. They are also one of, if not the major natural attraction in Brazil. At the heart of this immense body of water is the Devil's Throat, where 14 separate falls join forces, pounding down the 90meter (350ft) cliffs in a deafening crescendo of sound and spray. Situated on the Rio Iguaçu, the border between Argentina and Brazil, the falls lie 19km (12miles) upstream from the confluence of the Rio Iguacu with the Rio Alto Parana. Bridges connect the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguacu with the Argentinian town of Puerto Iguaçu and the Paraguayan city of Cuidad del Este.

Where the dark waters of the Rio Negro join the lighter muddy waters of the Rio Solimoes a natural phenomenon is caused: the separate shades of water run side by side for a length of more than four miles (six km) without mixing. The separation is apparently caused by the difference in temperature, density and flow rate of the waters from each river: Rio Negro travels at about a mile (two km) per hour with a temperature of 72ºF (22ºC) while Rio Solimoes flows at between two and four miles (four and six km) per hour with a temperature of 82ºF (28ºC). This phenomenon has become a major tourist attraction in Brazil, best accessed by taking an hour's journey by boat from the floating docks in Manaus.