The Brazilian North East & Caruaru

This is Brazil’s nearest point to Africa, same climate different beaches, music to blow your mind and yes, a carnival thrown in for good measure

The nearest point to both Africa and Europe are the coasts of Paraiba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte which alongside Bahia houses the real heart of Brazil. The clay figures, a legacy of the great folk artist Mestre Vitalino and gruff voices singing over forro characterise this part of the country, it’s here that Luiz Gonzaga perfected his baritone delivery

This section of the north east is a social interpretation of the footballer Garrincha, it is a mesmeric explosion of colour and flair with the unexpected thrown in. Olinda, João Pessoa and Natal all contain picturesque old towns acting as a beacon of Portuguese enterprise so far from Lisbon

The carnivals along this coast are for the connoisseurs and the complete equal of the one thrown by the Cariocas in Rio plus the beaches are some of the best in the world, not just Brazil!