How to Take a Dream Trip to Brazil With Abercrombie & Kent

Brazil has always been on my must-visit list, but when it came down to actual trip planning, I found it quite daunting. The huge country is rich with options—from natural wonders to major metropolises to world-renowned beaches. With only a week to spend in Brazil, how could I fit in everything I wanted to do? I decided to trust Abercrombie & Kent with my trip.

The company has been creating luxury trips for more than 60 years and has a global staff of 3,000, including local guides and 24/7 emergency support. When I found their traditional group trips didn’t align with my vision, I was able to reach out (and actually speak to a human) about creating a tailor-made itinerary that worked perfectly for me. With the help of their network of local guides, they created personalized recommendations to plan my dream trip to Brazil. I could enjoy all my priority destinations and activities at a comfortable pace.

After I approved my custom itinerary, all the stress just melted away. A&K took care of everything, including plane tickets, hotels, reservations, and guides. A few weeks before my adventure, I received a package with two orange A&K luggage tags and a letter assuring me I was in good hands. 

São Paulo

The guided experience started the second I stepped off the plane in São Paulo. I was met at the gate by an airport attendant who escorted me through various security points and helped when my jet-lagged brain couldn’t remember any of my Duolingo Portuguese. The process was quick and painless, and I was soon handed off to my first local guide, Clarissa. I had little time in São Paulo, but with my guide and personal driver, I made the most of it. Since it was a bespoke journey, I was able to tweak the schedule along the way. The first stop was supposed to be the Football Museum (soccer for us Americans), but I’m not a big sports fan. I let Clarissa know, and we swapped the football for a little more time in the bohemian neighborhood of Vila Madalena and at an art museum. I loved walking around the colorful Beco do Batman and seeing the incredible view from atop the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP).

My one regret is I didn’t stay longer in São Paulo, if nothing else than to have more time at my hotel, the Rosewood São Paulo. The property itself is a destination. Located in the historic Cidade Matarazzo, it’s easily mistaken for an art museum. In fact, I was able to take an art tour of the hotel, and it featured wonderful Brazilian artists representing an array of areas around the country. There were so many details paying homage to Brazilian culture.

Leaving São Paulo, I was once again met at the airport by an attendant who handled my luggage, escorted me through a priority security line (one of my favorite perks of booking through A&K), and took me to a reserved area of a lounge. When it was time to board my plane, they brought me to my gate and arranged for me to jump the line. 

Iguazú Falls

Landing in Foz do Iguaçu was a breeze. Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR) was easy to navigate, and I found my guide, Marcos, almost instantly. I had originally been scheduled to see the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls that day, but he had checked the traffic, and the line at the border was backed up. He simply worked with the driver to adjust my itinerary. Marcos showed me the Brazilian side of the falls on day one, followed by the Argentinian side the next day. The Brazilian side was my favorite; the views were breathtaking, the route was easy, and I even rode a boat underneath the falls. That was one thing I hadn’t fully prepared for. Luckily, Marcos had multiple ponchos at the ready for the boat ride and particularly wet viewpoints. He had done the planning and packing for me. He walked the entire path with me, sharing the history of the falls as well as offering to take my picture. I love traveling solo, but that often means I’m never in the picture. This wasn’t a problem on an A&K trip.

The Argentinian side offered unique views from the top of the falls with far less being drenched by mist and far more spotting wildlife, like capuchin monkeys. We had to catch a train to different areas around the falls, and my guide seamlessly swapped out tickets for better times and directed me to less crowded paths.

In the evenings, I enjoyed the elegant Hotel das Cataratas. With impeccable service, this property is the only one in Brazil’s Iguazú National Park. The trail to the falls begins right in front of the hotel. Guests have special access to the park after it closes to the public at 4 p.m. It was such a special experience to walk the path again after the crowds had left. Seeing the falls at sunset was unforgettable. 

Rio de Janeiro

From the moment I landed in Rio, I knew I was under excellent care. My local guide, Sergio, was just as enthusiastic about the city as I was. We started on our way to lunch at Assador, a traditional Brazilian steak house where they don’t stop putting meat on your plate until you ask to pay. On the way there, Sergio directed the driver to make pit stops at his favorite photo spots along the water. He offered to take pictures of me, which, as previously mentioned, I appreciated. After lunch, we headed to a samba school, and I saw the inner workings of a top samba team creating their secret look for next year’s Carnival. The experience took me through the history of Carnival as well as the current process for pulling off the giant undertaking. The visit was topped off with a quick jaunt into a closet to try on outfits and a surprise samba dance lesson. After this full day, I was escorted to my hotel: Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, a chic boutique stay with dreamy views of Copacabana Beach.

The next day in Rio was one of my favorites of the entire trip. We started off by visiting A&K’s philanthropic project with Favela Experience in the Vidigal community. The social impact group works with locals to start sustainable businesses and help them navigate red tape. I met numerous passionate, savvy, creative individuals who love their community and want to see it grow, including gardeners, podcasters, dancers, artists, and educators.

Later that afternoon, I tackled Sugarloaf Mountain. Lines to take the cable car up to the summit were hours long. Often, there are people who stand in line and never actually get to ride to the top. But I wasn’t worried, as A&K had provided me with a fast pass. I skipped every line on the way up and back down. At the halfway point, I enjoyed a live DJ set as people danced against the beautiful Rio skyline. The fast pass made it simple to time my visit right around sunset and never worry about wait times or rushing to the next spot. 

The evening was spent bar hopping with none other than Sergio. Again, I love solo travel, but going out at night alone as a woman is a tricky game and often comes with a lot of considerations. But having a tour guide accompany me created a sense of security. We explored local botecos (pubs), trendy cocktail bars, and rooftop bars. You simply can’t visit Rio without having a caipirinha or two.

Salvador

In Salvador, I was greeted by my guide, Connor. As we stopped for a coffee, every other guide waiting to pick someone up chatted with him and assured me I was getting top-tier service. This trend continued as he gave me a walking tour of Salvador. He knew everyone, and everyone loved him. He showed me local artists, small galleries, and hidden restaurants I would have missed on my own. Not only was he able to introduce me to other amazing locals, he gave me in-the-know tips like which beach gets the longest daylight and where to find the best viewpoint for watching the impromptu drum line we happened upon. One of these locals was a restaurateur who offered me a spur-of-the-moment tour of his building with an incredible view of Salvador. 

The next day, Connor was just as helpful. He guided me around a bustling local market, which I would have gotten lost in without help. He translated for me during a cooking class and even convinced the owners to throw in an extra lesson on caipirinhas. He switched up the itinerary to take me to a secluded record store when I mentioned interest because, of course, he knew the owner. Connor showed me one other market, one that was a bit calmer, and pointed me to the best shops to get all my souvenirs. Cachaça? He knew the place. Coffee? He had a guy. 

No matter how busy my day was, Connor always made sure I was back at my hotel for sunset. Fasano Salvador‘s rooftop view overlooking the harbor is the best in the city. To end each day, I enjoyed caipirinhas there as I watched the sun dip below the horizon. 

As my trip came to a close, I flew back to São Paulo to transfer to my international flight. Once again, I was met by airport staff who assisted me with my luggage, helped me select the perfect bottle of cachaça from the duty-free store, and then escorted me into the lounge, where I waited until they picked me up right before boarding. I left Brazil with a thousand stories, a bag full of souvenirs, and not a single worry.