Beautiful colonial Olinda - a gem in the northeast of Brazil

The most pictures here from google

It is a city in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco. It's set around a tree-covered hill 6km north of Recife.

Olinda features a number of major tourist attractions, such as a historic downtown area (World Heritage Site), churches, and the Carnival of Olinda, a popular street party, very similar to traditional Portuguese carnivals, with the addition of African influenced dances. In Olinda, admission to Carnival is free. All the festivities are celebrated on the streets, and there are no bleachers or roping. 

There are hundreds of small musical groups (sometimes featuring a single performer) in many genres.

The main outlook of the city is the Alto da Sé where you can admire the historic buildings and the ocean. Located here is the Seminary, with its Brazilian Jesuit architecture whilst nearby are the Palace of the Governors, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Eufrasio Barbosa Market.

Besides its natural beauty, Olinda is also one of Brazil's main cultural centers. Declared in 1982 a Historical and Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by the UNESCO, Olinda relives the magnificence of the past every year during the Rio-style Carnival, on the rhythms of frevo, maracatu and others rhythms.

Frevo dancers

Carnival

The main economic activities in Olinda are based in tourism, commerce, transportation industry and artcraft. The tourist sector has a boom every Carnival when thousands of people are in the old historic town center. (wikipedia).

With twisting streets of colorful old houses and gorgeous vistas over tree tops, church towers and red-tile roofs, this is one of the best-preserved and prettiest colonial towns in Brazil. 

Walking around the cobbled streets, stopping in front of each beautifully colored house, snapping pictures at every corner is very pleasant. Olinda is photographic heaven.

The impressive historical buildings pair well with the cultural diversity of the town which can be seen everywhere, whilst the fabulous lookouts onto the ocean, the handicraft markets and its rich cuisine will delight visitors.

For arts and crafts, Olinda is considered an open air museum bringing together an historic site with more than 80 artists’ studios of national and international reputation whilst throughout the Cidade Alta there are numerous stalls of local artisans selling carvings, sculptures and embroideries.

If you are visiting the north-east of Brazil on holiday then Olinda is a must see.

Photo by Flickr MCM Photography

Brazil - State of Alagoas

Let's get to know today the State of Alagoas.

It consists of 102 municipalities and its most populous cities are Maceió, Arapiraca, Palmeira dos Índios, Rio Largo, Penedo, União dos Palmares, São Miguel dos Campos, Santana do Ipanema, Delmiro Gouveia, Coruripe, Marechal Deodoro , Campo Alegre and Pilar (Alagoas)

Penultimate Brazilian State in area ( just little longer than Sergipe) and 16th in population, is a major producer of cane sugar and coconut-of-baía of the Country and has its agriculture-based economy. Land of the mussels, shellfish of ponds serving food to the population of the coast, and coconut water. Alagoas also has one of the richest folklore of the Country.

 Population: in 2011 it was 936 608 inhabitants

Maceió (Portuguese pronunciation: [masejˈjɔ]) is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil. The name "maceió" is of Indian origin, and designates the naturally spontaneous courses of water which flow out of the soil. Most maceiós flow to the sea, but some get trapped and form lakes ("lagoas", in Portuguese).

There are plenty of maceiós and lakes in this part of Brazil; because of this, the city was named Maceió, and the State, Alagoas. The new Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport connects Maceió with many Brazilian cities and also operates some international flights. The city is home to the Federal University of Alagoas.

 History 

The city began in an old sugar mill and plantation complex around the 19th century. Its development started with the arrival of ships taking wood from Jaraguá bay.

With the installation of the sugar mills, Maceió started to export sugar, then tobacco, coconut, leather, and some spices. Prosperity made it possible for the settlement to become a village on December 5, 1815. Thanks to its continued growth, Maceió became the capital of the Alagoas Province on December 9, 1839.

Maceió is also a port city and due to its port development about 200 years ago it changed from a village into a city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macei%C3%B3

Maceió view (Photo Flickr by Pousada do Turista)

Maceió is a city that is always cheerful and where you have fun, eat well and rest when you prefer. It would be impossible to list all the leisure options available in Maceió, where nature and good weather are considered the major tourist attractions of the city, but we will highlight the most searched for by our visitors.

We highlight some related to our fantastic nature:

- Numerous beaches for surfing.

- Places to methods of fishing in the sea or in rivers and lakes.

- Diving

- Sailing and motor.

- Tours of fantastic riding.

- Hiking with amazing visuals.

- Simply enjoy the scenery on a network or in the shade of a coconut tree.

Maceió sea coast (Photo via Google)

Photo by Hugo Torres

Pajuçara Beach (Photo: Flickr by Jorge Brasil)

jangadas (Photo: Flickr by Jorge Brasil)

Photo Flickr by Pousada do Turista

Visiting Maceió and not navigate using wood raft to the natural pool, is like visiting Paris and not know the Eiffel Tower.

The pools are coral reefs located 2 km from the shore of the beach Pajuçara and the most fun and environmentally friendly to get there, it's going by raft, that glides in calm sea Pajuçara only with the help of the wind. The route lasts approximately 15 minutes...Arriving there the scenery is fascinating: a sea of ​​crystal clear in your waist's hight, minnows around you, and the best view of Maceió.

Natural pool (Photo: by Hugo Torres)

Natural pools in Pajuçara beach (Photo: Flickr by Adeildo Jr)

Maceió has about 270 sunny days per year.

handicraft (Photo: Flickr by Joselito Miranda)

"bilros" (this is how they make the lace filet)

handicraft lace filet

handicraft called maze

Salinas de Maceió (Photo via Google)

The sea itself is an attraction aside, since the warm waters acquire various shades along the coast, from the most transparent in the Maragogi and bluer in Maceió.

But the wealth of Alagoas is not just Sun and Sea: a mixture of black and indigenous races and rich cuisine brought worldwide recognition to the state.

Capricious hands of local artisans produce the most delicate filet lace, bobbin ("bilro" in Portuguese) and maze and even sculpt the most beautiful decorative pieces of wood and clay. The joyous dances, the cross ribbons and mirrors of the Warrior transmit to all the true spirit of Alagoas.

Undoubtedly, a very special place for those looking to travel, rest and play in direct contact with nature.