The perfect spot for a nightcap on your Honeymoon in Brazil

On a summer’s day in Rio when temperatures can reach 40 degrees and feel like 50 due to the humidity, there’s nothing a Carioca likes more at the end of the day (or even in the morning) than a ‘cerveja estupidamente gelada’, that is, a freezing cold beer. Unlike beer in Europe, which is judged on its flavour, beer in Brazil is judged on its temperature; the colder the better. There may be ice floating in it, but a Carioca will still tell you that it is ‘too hot’.

If you find yourself in Rio on a day when the pavement might at any moment melt below your feet, it’s important to know the best place to find a frozen beer and perhaps, some accompanying nibbles – you will of course have the latest info to hand if you booked your holiday or Honeymoon through local experts Dehouche. The choice of establishments is baffling; add to this the rapidity with which these places fall in and out of favour as the fickle Carioca crowd change their allegiances with as much frequency as they do their other halves, and you realise that a guide book just won’t do. Ask luxury travel specialists Dehouche to organise your holiday however and you’ll be provided with an up to date bible of where to battle for a table and where to avoid at your utmost.

As Dehouche are based in Rio themselves they test out these places on a regular basis (demanding research indeed) drinking the bad beer so you don’t have to. Some current favourites include the traditional ‘Bracarense’. Situated in Rio’s most upscale neighbourhood, Leblon, ‘Bracarense’ is referred to as a ‘pé sujo’, which roughly translates as a ‘dirty drinking hole’. In any other neighbourhood, however, it would probably be considered a place worth dressing up for and you’d be a fool to pass up the tasty snacks with which to wash down your ice cold beer. Dehouche recommend the ‘bolinho de aipim com camarão e catupiry’ that’s manioc balls filled with prawn and cream cheese to you and me. Bustling in happy hour, the efficient waiting staff keep the ‘chopp’ (draught beer) flowing and you’ll soon find your thirst and appetite quenched.

If you’re not a beer lover however, fret not, as there are many other ways to cool down and tantalise your taste buds. It’s impossible to overlook the national beverage, cachaça, and its cocktail manifestation, caipirinha, available in an ever increasing range of fruit combinations. The charming ‘Da Graça’ in Horto, the leafy, tranquil neighbourhood hidden behind the botanical gardens, offers an impressive drinks menu including various tempting cocktail combinations from caipisake (a popular variation on caipirinha made with, you guessed it, sake, instead of cachaça) to the refreshing house mixture of vodka, mint liqueur and pineapple. Admire the eclectically decorated kitsch interior before making yourself comfortable amongst the cushions on the softly lit terrace, admiring the view of Christ the Redeemer. Calmly tucked away from the rush of Rio’s traffic, ‘Da Graça’ is a place to settle down for the evening and is a popular haunt for couples.

A relatively new addition to the Dehouche team’s drinking circuit is ‘Prima’ a ‘Bruschetteria’ in Leblon, where this Italian toastlike delicacy comes in an infinite number of guises, all of which are very pleasantly accompanied by a carafe of house wine. Dehouche can’t are keen to return and try the sparkling wine and limoncello cocktail.

Of course, despite their current popularity, Dehouche won’t guarantee that any of these establishments will still be functioning on your holiday to Brazil, so the best course of action is to ask Dehouche to organise things for you and they’ll make sure you receive the most up to date recommendations in Rio and anywhere else you might choose to visit across the South American continent.

Contact Brazil specialists Dehouche

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO

Honeymoon in the Pantanal Brazil's other great wilderness

Most people assume that the best place in Brazil to observe animals is the Amazon; they are sadly mistaken in this assessment - that honour belongs to the 140,000 square kilometre (54,000 square mile) Pantanal, which straddles the borders of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, but the majority of which lies in Brazil. The Pantanal is a tropical wetland and the world’s largest inland swamp; it is therefore a vital natural habitat that is home to an extraordinarily diverse range of flora and fauna. The huge inundation of water during the rainy season, and subsequent drainage during the dry season, allows a vast array of plants to thrive in the Pantanal, ranging from Amazonian rainforest plants to plants normally found on arid Bolivian savannahs; the ecosystem supports 3500 known plant species. It is also home to 1000 bird species, 400 different types of fish (including golden dourado, peacock bass and of course piranhas), 480 species of reptiles including caimans and 300 kinds of mammals like the giant river otters, howler monkey, crab eating fox and the illusive jaguar.

Another advantage that the Pantanal has over the Amazon is that it offers much higher standards of accommodation. There are plenty of Fazendas scattered throughout the region and some of these have been turned into very comfortable lodges. Rio based English travel company, Dehouche, book their clients into an utterly charming lodge deep in the Pantanal, which was only reachable by light aircraft from the city of Campo Grande. The flight itself was a great adventure and provided incredible views over this seemingly endless landscape. Upon arriving at the lodge we were greeted by the very hospitable owners, given a refreshing caipirinha and shown to our lovely bedroom. All food and drinks were included during our stay, as were all of the activities on offer - such as horse riding, canoeing, hiking and even astronomy, the clear night skies providing the most impressive views of the milky way that I have ever been fortunate enough to witness. When combined with Rio, the Iguacu Falls and the beaches of the Costa Verde, such as the itinerary that Dehouche put together for us, the Pantanal makes for a phenomenal honeymoon destination.

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts. Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO

Florianopolis is 'honeymoon island' in Brazil

Florianopolis is a city that straddles the mainland of southern Brazil and the island Ilha de Santa Catarina, a 45 km long island. It is this island people are generally referring to when they mention Florianopolis. Whether you are after rustic fishing villages and deserted beaches, international cuisine, world class watersports or buzzing nightclubs - or indeed all of the above! - then this is the ideal destination for your honeymoon or luxury vacation.

Upon arriving at the international airport it is essential to hire a car if you intend to discover several parts of this diverse island. I would recommend heading south to begin with, away from the majority of holiday makers. Even in high season, which effectively runs from New Year's Eve to Carnival, there will be very few other people on the delightfully secluded beaches. However, the real highlight here is the fresh seafood, and in particular the mouth watering oysters that are delivered straight from the ocean to your table. The only drawback of this part of the island is that it has no top quality accommodation, so after spending a day exploring the coves and fishing villages it is best to head up to the centre of the island.

There are lots of good hotels around the Lagoa de Conceicao. This is also where the best restaurants are located and it is therefore the ideal spot to stay for a couple of nights. Dehouche, the Rio based British run luxury tour operator compiles tailor made honeymoon itinerary, have access to a few very exclusive villas here that lead down onto the Lagoa. They can even organise for a boat to be moored at the pier for the duration one stays in the luxury villa. If windsurfing is your thing, then few places rival the opportunities provided by the Lagoa and it’s especially good for beginners, and the sea off Praia Mole should prove challenging for the experts.

Praia Mole is a beach on the East side of the island that always has good surf and is a favourite local hangout. There are several excellent bars along the beach and you can happily spend a couple of days relaxing in this mid section of the island.

For the final leg of the honeymoon, Dehouche recommended another 5 star villa by a beach to the North called Jurere Internacional, a town on the north west corner of the island. This is where the famed beach clubs of Florianopolis are located and afternoons are spent eating fresh seafood and sipping exotic cocktails while listening to world class DJs. Watching the sun go down in one of these incredible beach clubs is the ideal way to conclude a Brazilian honeymoon on the beautiful Ilha de Santa Catarina.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO

Brazil Honeymoons can be combined to include a wonderful experience of the Amazon

The mere mention of the name of the world’s largest rainforest conjures up exotic images of intrepid Victorian explorers venturing off into the unknown on great patriotic journeys to tropical lands. Although this once almost mythical jungle is obviously much more accessible these days, it still retains a great deal of mystery and is often referred to as the ‘last great wildernesses’. There are numerous tribes who have rarely come into contact with the modern world, and quite probably some who still never have. On most days fishermen land catches never before catalogued by science. This is not surprising when one considers the vast scale of the ecosystem: 5.5 million square kilometers’ or 1.4 billion acres, which is the equivalent to 5.6 billion tennis courts - a game played here might even tire out the great Roger Federer! It is well known that deforestation is a huge danger to the Amazon, which is why it is important when visiting this spectacular wilderness that you book your trip through accredited responsible travel agents, such as Dehouche Travel, a luxury British run agent based in Brazil. Fortunately the rate of deforestation appears to be slowing, but this is still a threat that we must all be aware of and take seriously.

The itineraries which Dehouche assemble are luxury trips and Honeymoons but do include the best of the Amazon and can involve staying 4 nights deep in the Rainforest. After spending several days on the beautiful island of Fernando de Noronha, fly into Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state and a city of 1.5 million souls. Here we went on a fascinating tour, which included a visit to the fabulous Opera House on the banks of the river. We then returned to the airport and boarded a seaplane for the flight of a lifetime over the Amazon; cruising at 600 feet we got a proper impression of the vast scale of the place, before touching down in style on a river beside our utterly remote jungle lodge. Our private chalet was rustic but very comfortable, and all food and activities were included during our stay. The activities ranged from kayaking to fishing for native piranhas to visiting native villages, and much more besides; one evening we went out with torches to try and spot caimans - reptiles which are indigenous to the Amazon.

When combined with a few days in Rio de Janeiro and a week on the glorious beaches of Brazil’s north east, as Dehouche did for our honeymoon itinerary, a trip to an Amazonian jungle lodge contributes to the honeymoon of a lifetime.

Contact for Details

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil
www.dehouche.com

Dehouche Travel, Dehouche, Brazil Honeymoon, Argentina Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Brazil, Honeymoon in Argentina, Honeymoon Destinations, Honeymoon in South America, IndSEO

The Little Known Green Spaces Of Rio De Janeiro

The international image of Rio tends to fall into one of three broad stereotypes. Firstly that of perhaps the world’s most famous city beaches – the broad sweep of Copacabana capped by Sugar Loaf or Ipanema’s surf culture, beach wear, and eponymous garotas, secondly the glitz, tail feathers, extravagant floats and tropical hedonism of carnaval and finally that other image perpetuated by the media of the city’s darker side of crime. All of which are to a greater or lesser extent misrepresentations of the real Rio de Janeiro, a multi faceted city with much to offer all types of visitor, from party minded backpackers, to cultural sight seers or honeymoon couples.

One aspect often overlooked in what is South America’s third largest metropolis, is the huge amount of greenery, mountains, jungle, open spaces, public parks and general natural beauty to be found in Rio. First of all the city is home to the world’s largest urban forest, the Floresta da Tijuca, a huge swathe of Atlantic rainforest dividing the city in two, the size of which can only really be appreciated from the peak of one of Rio’s many mountains, the famous Corcovado or the even higher Pedra da Gavea. The forest offers many outdoor pursuits unimaginable right in the middle of a city this size - treks to waterfalls, mountain biking, rock climbing, or perhaps a hike to the top of the Pedra Bonita to hang glide down over the forest and the city landing on Sao Conrado beach, a truly unforgettable honeymoon experience for the more active minded.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Rio’s botanical garden offers another natural haven from the city. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, the Jardim Botanico takes up a 140 hectare plot of prime real estate at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain. Its grand palm tree lined avenues, lawns shaded by tropical fruit trees, and tranquil lily ponds offer an idyllic environment for a romantic stroll to escape the afternoon sun and summer crowds of the city beaches.

Contact

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

Paraty A Haven for Romantics and Culture Vultures!

Though this year’s line up may not yet be confirmed, there’s every reason to start getting excited about this year’s FLIP. (Paraty’s International Literary Festival) The annual event sees the streets of this charming historical town come alive with literature lovers, locally and internationally acclaimed authors, playwrights, journalists, composers and the odd Honeymoon couple who melt into the sheer romanticism of the setting.

Previous years have seen the likes of Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Jeffrey Eugenides, Colm Toíbín, Jeanette Winterson and J. M. Coetzee making appearances. Add to this already eclectic mix of international talent, local literary stars such as Ruy Castro and Jorge Amado, top with musical performances from the likes of Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso and it’s a recipe difficult to resist.

As the festival is held in ‘winter’ when the temperature is a pleasant average of 22 degrees centigrade, events can be held comfortably throughout the day without any need to take refuge from the midday sun (as can be the case in summer). The only downside being that this leaves little time to take full advantage of the many other attractions on offer in this delightful town. Local luxury travel experts Dehouche recommend arriving a few days early or staying a few days later in order to do so.
Situated about four hours drive south of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty was founded in 1667 and is today a world heritage site, celebrated for its colourful colonial architecture. Once a busy Port on the sugar & gold route from Minas Gerais, the historical centre’s cobbled streets remain car free to this day and are a joy to explore on foot.

In addition to its architectural splendour, it’s difficult to ignore the natural beauty the town is surrounded by. Every day, a flurry of boats leave the port bound for the many islands in the bay, making several stops for you to dive right in to the inviting turquoise waters. The awesome backdrop of Atlantic rainforest also conceals several beautiful waterfalls and Dehouche defy you not to succumb to the allure of a visit to the refreshing waters of nearby ‘Pedra Branca’ on a hot day.
After dark, return to the centre where the streets are lit with soft lamplight and the town takes on new golden hues as locals and visitors spill in and out of bars and restaurants soaking up the atmosphere of the festival.

Unsurprisingly, early booking is essential as hotels and guest houses quickly start filling once the dates of the festival are confirmed. Paraty is not short of options in terms of accommodation, so ask local luxury holiday specialists Dehouche for inside advice.

Contact Dehouche for details

Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

A tailor made luxury Honeymoon in Argentina by Dehouche

The Honeymoon begins in a stylish luxury lodge ideally placed in the heart of Argentina’s wine region, surrounded by award winning producers of Malbec and Torrontes varietals. Stay in a spacious suite with four poster bed, a private plunge pool and a large secluded deck area affording fantastic views of the snow capped Andes on the horizon. The hotel also has a full spa service (including a crushed Malbec scrub). It almost goes without saying that there is a great wine cellar from which one can sample award winning wines. From here Dehouche arrange visits to the excellent Bodegas close by, as well as perhaps some white water rafting, cycling and horse riding depending on how adventurous the Honeymoon couple want to be.

After four nights relaxing in wine country it’s time for some city slicking and no city is more fun whilst being so inherently charming as the city of Buenos Aires, European in appearance but with a real South American feel, it is a joy to explore - well preserved historic districts coupled with an excellent nightlife and a relaxed café culture. Honeymooners will have a tailored and extensively researched recommendations on the best restaurants bars and nightclubs and of course a dedicated 24 hour Dehouche concierge on hand and local to the city. As befitting a Honeymoon the accommodation is very special indeed a large suite with private sun deck in a tucked away boutique hotel perfectly located in the chic tree lined streets of the Palermo Viejo district where all the best bars, restaurants and shopping are to be found. The Dehouche local guide Diana will join you for a custom made tour of the city based on your requirements, making sure that everything is done at your pace including all the important sights as well as some little known hideaways off the beaten track.

It’s now time to enjoy some more of that famous wine and so it’s off to the lesser known wine region of Salta which is a picturesque region of rolling hills and vineyards. The secluded ranch, owned by actor Robert Duvall is the perfect spot for a honeymoon to conclude; nicknamed ‘Salta la Linda’ or ‘Salta the beautiful’ by locals and tourists alike. The Ranch operates a hands off yet courteous service, resulting in a truly relaxed atmosphere. For the adventurous this environment provides the perfect platform for some fantastic hiking and climbing in the mountains and exhilarating rafting on the rivers all of which can be easily arranged. The ranch offers transport to the city of Salta for any exploring or shopping for some souvenirs to take home, and there is also a spa on hand to relax in, welcome respite after roaming the mountains or the aisles, or indeed sampling some of the local nectar. A perfect Honeymoon in Argentina’s wonderful wine regions!

Contact Dehouche


Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com

A luxurious Honeymoon in Argentina by Dehouche Travel

Arriving in Argentina you will be met in arrivals in Corrientes by your pilot who will bring you by light aircraft across the stunning landscape of Esteros del Iberá, landing on a grass runway next to the Estancia.

The Esteros del Iberá are one of Argentina’s hidden secrets, a vast swathe of wetlands teeming with abundant animal life. This estancia, originally built in the 18th Century, is part of a conservation and protection project with a resident biologist monitoring the area. The vast estate is allowed to grow wild save the immaculate gardens immediately surrounding the estancia. Without question this is perfect Honeymoon territory being so remote and is the complete opposite of a standard beach Honeymoon – here you are very far off track and in the wonderful wilderness.

The refurbishment of the estancia has been done with a remarkable attention to detail incorporating beautiful antiques and original prints and paintings. The excellent meals of hearty Argentine country food with a contemporary edge are prepared with fresh organic produce from the estancia’s large garden and are simply delicious.

Activities here depend on the Honeymoon couple’s likes and interests but can include trips to the local lagoon (which you navigate by speedboat, stopping for a romantic barbecue at sunset), light aircraft flights across the wetlands and trips across the savannah with an Argentine gaucho on one of the 12 beautiful Criollo horses. The light aircraft remains at the Estancia during your stay and is available for further flight to another two Estancias in this area.

After four days spent on safari at the estancia it’s time to leave and head to the Iguacu falls. Made up of some 275 separate falls that cascade over a precipice 3km wide Foz do Iguacu is, without question, one of the world‘s great natural wonders. Located on the border of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, their beauty and sheer magnificence really are indescribable. Our guide Wilson will arrive to give you an on-foot tour of the Argentinean side before you board a power-boat to get up close to the falls to fully experience this amazing phenomenon. Your luxury hotel is the only hotel actually based within the national park of the falls, a charming hacienda style lodge set amongst tranquil gardens. Fitting of a luxury Honeymoon Dehouche will select one of their favourite rooms decorated in the colonial era with high ceilings and king size four post bed the view from the large windows even allows for glimpses of the waterfall behind the tropical palms.

The next location on this dream Argentinean Honeymoon is the unspoilt land of Patagonia in the South a perfect Honeymoon location to enjoy the outdoor life and to soak up the breathtaking beauty of Patagonian landscapes. Trips can again be organised in these splendid surrounds including horse riding, 4x4 excursions, hiking and fishing. Accommodation is in a luxurious lodge set in the expansive and beautiful grounds of the local estancia which covers over 20,000 hectares, the perfect place to take a couple of horses out and get lost for a few hours. The activities are excellent and can be tailor-made exactly to the couples’ requirements – a wonderful end to a fantastic Honeymoon in Argentina.

Contact Dehouche


Mr P Irvine
Dehouche S.A,
Rua Joao Lira, 95
Leblon 22430-210
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Tel: +55 21 2512 3895
Tel US: 0800 690 6899,
Tel UK: 0871 284 7770
info@dehouche.com
http://www.dehouche.com