BRAZIL-The Land of Exotic Beauty

Apart from the allure of Rio at Carnival time, few Americans consider traveling to Brazil, and still fewer think of South America's largest country as a honeymoon destination. Yet there are few places in the world where you'll find a population so welcoming, or one that so revels in its vibrant and diverse culture.

Moreover, Brazil's overwhelming natural beauty is a siren song that lures romantics of all ages. The northern state of Bahia captures this spirit perhaps better than anywhere else in Brazil. Along hundreds of miles of coastline you'll find both secluded stretches of sand and beaches that pulse with hedonistic energy reminiscent of Rio's Copacabana.

Bahia's capital city, Salvador, has been celebrated by generations of Brazilian artists, poets and singers, many of whom call this region their home. Founded by Portuguese explorers in 1549 and the capital of Brazil for more than two centuries, Salvador retains much of its colonial beauty.

For a taste of Brazilian culture, attend a performance at Salvador's Teatro Castro Alves, which features ballet, theater and concerts by the nation's best-known singers. All will be in Portuguese, so it helps to know at least a smattering of Brazil's dominant language if you visit. The city's urban beaches, such as Barra, Piat, and Itapo, provide an ideal location to sip a caipirihna-Brazil's national drink and...

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