ITINERARY FOR THE
BLACK CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO BRAZIL!!
To RIO DE JANEIRO ...SALVADOR... SAO PAULO
July 22nd - August 1st 2005
MIAMI/SAO PAULO July 22nd: Depart Miami at 9:15PM (arrangements can be made from home city to Miami upon request).
SAO PAULO July 23rd: After our early morning arrival, we tour this great city of superlatives including the museums of Sacred Art, of Archaeology, and the Cathedral of St. Paul. All afternoon at leisure. Shopping here is an experience not to be missed. We find everything from elegant boutiques to modem shopping centers in the 3rd largest city of the world.There will be a Welcoming Mass sponsored by the Black Institute of Sao Paulo with its director Fr. Enes. Our pilgrim will form a choir in order to share Black American spirituals and gospel music with our Black Brazilian brothers and sisters.
SAO PAULO July 24th: A morning visit to Embu market, renowned for its ceramics, paintings, and leather items. We'll also visit the Jesuitico Rosario Sacred Art Museum. Lunch at Embu with jazz. We visit the Vivi Sambo School in the afternoon. An optional evening nightlife tour including dinner will be available.
SAO PAULO/SALVADOR July 25th: Our flight arrives in Bahia this morning and we transfer to the deluxe Sofitel Salvador Bahia with its ocean-front location. Brazil has the largest Black population outside of Africa, and Bahia is the center of Black culture for the 70 million Afro- Brazilians. A special tour of the more than 12 miles of superb beaches, among many Porto da Barra, Ondina, do Farol and the famous Itapua is included. Orientation before supper.
SALVADOR July 26th: Morning registration, Keynote and Opening Session, with welcome by the famous Afro-Brazilian Catholic liturgist, Bishop Gilio. An afternoon on-site cultural event, followed by an Afro-Brazilian Prayer Service before supper. Tonight there will be a Mass in San Salvador Church with a reception. Those who will not be attending the Conference are invited to join our "Historical Bahia Tour" this afternoon visiting the colonial architecture of the 18th century preserved to this day. You will have the opportunity to visit the Sao Francisco Church (1800), the Pelourinho , the Carno Church (1580) and many other interesting sights. The city of Bahia is famous for its 365 churches - that is one for each day of the year! There are 65 million Black Catholics in Brazil.
SALVADOR July 27th: Morning Keynote with Fr. Williams followed by workshops and Atabaque. There will be an afternoon on-site cultural event followed by a Prayer Service. There is an evening Cultural Event. Those who will not be attending the Conference are invited to join our all day ITAPARICA ISLAND TOUR. Itaparica is the biggest and the most famous of the islands in the bay.
SALVADOR July 28th: Today is a day shopping and personal excursions of revisiting the city highlights at the very colorful markets. However the best selection and prices are at Pelourino. An optional cost "Bahia By Night" tour starts with a panoramic ride to a beautiful 17th century colonial mansion, where you will enjoy a buffet dinner and be entertained with folk dancing and music. The show is a sample of the rich African heritage of the Bahian folklore with typical Afro-bahian colors and rhythms, as the Orixas and Xango dance; Maculele (slave folklore); the fishermen dance and the famous Capoeira fighting; closing with the contagious rhythm of the Samba and Carnival music.
SALVADOR/RIO DE JANIERO July 29th: Free day. An interesting alternative to a free day would be an optional cost excursion to Recife known as the "Venice of Brazil" Please inquire about this program which also includes baroque Olinda. A short evening flight brings us to Rio de Janeiro with its very rich history, and famous Carnival. Our accommodations are at the deluxe Othon Palace Hotel where we enjoy an ocean-front location across from Copacabana beach.
RIO DE JANEIRO July 30th: Rio de Janeiro is an endless parade of attractions, driven by its principal asset, the cariocas, as the residents of Rio are known. From the top of Corcovado mountain, where the Statue of Christ gives his open-armed blessing to the city, we see the sea, the mountains, the forest and the lakes a truly incomparable setting. Nothing can compare with the sights of Guanabara Bay, mirroring the heavens. The heart-shaped Lagoa is another mirror, reflecting the cariocas' justifiable pride in their pulsating city. Nature's bounty is everywhere, in the city that is home to the world's largest urban forest.
CITY TOUR AND SUGAR LOAF An exciting trip by cable car this morning up to the Sugar Loaf. The rare beauty of Rio de Janeiro is seen from this giant rock that guards the entrance of Guanabara bay. Continuing our tour, we will see the financial and commercial center of the city with its wide avenues, such as Rio Branco and Presidente Vargas. Downtown Rio is an interesting mixture of architectural styles and restored buildings of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
CORCOVADO AND BEACHES: This afternoon we take the scenic route to the top of the Corcovado Mountain, 2,329 feet high, crowned by the statue of Christ the Redeemer. After this unforgettable panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, the tour continues with a drive along the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. There will be an optional cost tour of a Samba School tonight.
RIO DE JANEIRO July 31st: After the Farewell Mass in the Cathedral this last day in Brazil will be free for personal excursions and shopping. Although there will be two optional cost excursions for those who wish to take additional organized tours. Time and schedule permitting we will visit the Slave Museum enroute to the airport this afternoon. Our flight departs Rio at 5:45PM
MIAMI August 1st: Early morning arrival for easy connections.
TOUR COST OF $2585.00 INCLUDES: Air transportation from Miami; accommodations at 5 star hotels basis sharing a twin-bed room; all breakfasts (Brazilian buffet); transfers between hotels and airports in Brazil; porterage of luggage at hotels and airports in Brazil; complete sightseeing as indicated (private coach with English speaking guide); and all taxes and service charges imposed by the hotels. For a single room the cost is an additional $538.00.
TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation between home cities & Miami (we will obtain the lowest fares between home cities and Miami for you upon request); departure taxes imposed by the USA and Brazil; lunch or dinner; and Brazilian visa.
EXTENSION IN RIO: For those who wish to spend a few extra days in Rio we will gladly make all your arrangements. No additional airfare for this extension providing it is booked before May 15th.
EXTENSION TO BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA & IGUASSU FALLS: Buenos Aires is a magnificent capital city with broad boulevards, sidewalk cafes seemingly everywhere, mansions and monuments. Iguassu Falls are more spectacular than Niagara. more thunderous than Victoria Falls and larger than both! Over 270 cascades form a 2 mile crescent where torrents of water plunge 230 feet to the basin. Upon request we will provide you with a detailed itinerary for this extension.
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