Salvador, Brazil’s first capital, was once the glory of colonial Brazil and the second city in the Portuguese empire. Today it is a vibrant city with a beautiful historic centre (World Heritage Site), an “african soul” and a unique living culture of music, dance, tasty food and religious ceremonies. Salvador and the All Saints Bay are surrounded by a fertile crescent.

The rich soil and hot climate of the “Recôncavo Baiano” was perfect for planting sugar and tobacco. And so the toil of African slaves made this a region of opulent wealth for several centuries. When sugar prices declined and later slavery ended, fortunes were lost. The colonial towns and plantation estates like Cachoeira (centre of Candomblé) and Santo Amaro (hometown of Caetano Veloso, remained as if frozen in time.

The 250 km coast extending north from Salvador is called the Coconut Coast (Costa dos Coqueiros). Here you can enjoy beach life at places that range from the hippie village of Arembepe to the megaresort of Costa de Sauipe.

The headquarters of the TAMAR sea turtle project, one of Brazil’s most successful conservation projects are at Praia do Forte and it has a well equipped visitor centre and programs for tourists. A new base of the humpback whale project has been established as well and whalewatching excursions have started up.

There are also good birdwatching possibilities in mangroves and remaining forest fragments.

This year round destination is perfect for combining culture, nature and adventure with some great beaches (or visa versa).