Natal is situated on the banks of the River Potengi, close to its estuary on the Atlantic Ocean, a sandy area, with dunes and coves protected by a cordon of reefs along the beach which follow the coast. In 1597 a fleet commanded by Jerônimo de Albuquerque arrived in the estuary, with the mission of founding a town and building a fort to secure Portugal’s possession. The Three Kings Fort was started in 1598. A town, which in 1599 was baptized Natal (Christmas) in honour of its foundation day, was constructed one league from the fort. The Tourist Centre, in the old gaol, contains artisan shops and a stage for folkloric spectacles. Visit to the largest Cashew tree in the world and Pirangi beach with the possibility of diving among the coral reefs.
Day 2 (Mon) - Natal / Pipa / João Pessoa
Pipa is a fishing village discovered by surfers in the 1970s. Pipa is one of the most frequented beaches in the state with bars and restaurants to liven the nightlife. The fishing village has incredible natural beauty with colourful half-submerged rocks, fine sands, and tepid transparent waters, not to mention the dolphins, which can be seen playing around the rocks. The spectacle starts while we are still on the road, near to neighbouring Tibau do Sul, with the unusual view of the lagoon emptying into the sea between the russet hillsides. The rectilinear splendour of Madeira Beach, the serene Bay of the Dolphins, where they can be seen at the end of the afternoon, and the tempestuous waves of Praia do Amor (Love Beach), the preference of lovers and surfers, are all unique. The Nature Reserve of Quarry Beach Marine Turtles is an ecological sanctuary.
Day 3 (Tues) – João Pessoa / Tour Histórico / Cabedelo (Areia Vermelha)
The third urban centre to be created in Brazil, João Pessoa registers in its history the presence of the French, Dutch and Portuguese. It is an important tourist centre in the Northeast, as besides having beautiful beaches, it is one of the cities with the most trees in the world. João Pessoa is the capital of the state of Paraíba. Ponta dos Seixas, next to White Cape, on Tambaú beach you will find the most easterly point of South America. Among its many baroque monuments, the Franciscan complex, which was started in 1589, stands out. Cabedelo owes its name to the fine-sand dunes which form on its beaches. From the colonial past, the church of Our Guiding Lady (16th Century) and the Santa Catarina Fort stand out. We would suggest a swim from The Island of Red Sand and the fantastic sunset from Jacaré.
Day 4 (Weds) – João Pessoa / Tambaba
After breakfast we continue on to our lodgings in Tambaba, a naturism beach on the Northeastern littoral. There are three beaches, but only one of them is governed by the ethics of the Tambaba naturists: one is only allowed to use it in the nude. Sexual relations are prohibited, as are photography, filming, the use by unaccompanied persons and gay couples. We enter another dimension where clothes, so coveted by us, become terribly disliked. Enjoy the agitated greenish sea the way we came into this world.
Day 5 (Thurs) – Tambaba / Carne de Vaca / Rio Goiana Estuary / Goiana
After breakfast raft to the natural pools at Pedra da Galé, formed in the coral reefs which divide the open sea from the soft calm waters, where you will have the chance to feed the colorful small fish. After lunch, we will navigate along the Goiana River, the ancient transportation for the sugar sacks fabricated in the region. The municipality of Goiana sprung up in 1570, on lands of the Seismarias de Diogo Dias, the flatlands alongside the River Capibaribe Mirin. Loding in the Carmelite complex (1666) with the churches of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Santa Teresa da Ordem Terceira do Carmo and a beautiful Cross sculptured from limestone. Dinner with Caboclinho folk dances in the convent.
Day 6 (Fri) – Goiana / Historic Tour / Aparauá
Morning visit the church of Our Lady of the Black’s Rosary, erected, probably, by Blacks in the XVI & XVII centuries and, the Sacred Art Museum in the Church of Amparo, which has a 2-metre high statue of Our Lady of Help, donated by the Princess Isabel. We will visit old mansions and constructions from those prosperous times. Lunch and a visit to Engenho Uruaé (Sec XVII), framed in our history with beautiful Mansions and Chapels. Afternoon treeking in the Atlantic Forest, attraction of the tour considered unmissable, sheltering 70 species of animals.
Day 7. (Sat) - Goiana / Igarassu / Itamaracá.
Igarassu, 39kms from Recife, located in the region where the first exploration during the Portuguese colonization took place. It is notable for its religious festivals, such as the Buscada (search) de St. Gonçalo do Amarante and for the Saints Cosme and Damião, whose church is the oldest still standing in Brazil (1535). We will visit the famous Itamaracá Island and the Orange Fort, from where we can cross over to Coroa do Avião to enjoy bathing sports and delicious seafood.
Day 8. (Sun) – Itamaracá / Historic Tour Recife / Olinda.
The years of Count Mauricio de Nassau’s government have gone down into history as the golden age of Dutch colonial rule. The talented politician and strategist transferred the seat of government from Olinda in 1637. A new city, Mauricea, sprung up, with paved streets, bridges and a level of urbanization previously unknown in Brazil. Two palaces crowned the labours of the administrator: Shipping, on the confluence of the Rivers Capibaribe and Beberibe, facing the sea, and Summer, outside the centre. The Governor-General surrounded himself with intellectuals, the painters Frans Prost and Albert Eckout being prominent amongst them. Then on to visit the Golden Chapel, the Synagogue, the Fort of Five Points, Sol and Aurora Streets, Brum Fort, the patio of São Pedro and Princesses’ Field. We suggest catamaran trip in Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers.
Av. Hélio
Falcão, 530 - Boa Viagem - Recife/PE - Brasil - 51021-070 | PABX: (55) 81-3328.6007 - rbm@rbmturismo.com.br
