I recently spent two weeks in the town Angra dos Reis, and I have to admit right away that this is my first truly negative travel blog post. Angra was just such a weird town to visit (and not in a good way). Despite being a popular tourist destination in the state of Rio de Janeiro...
As someone who has spent the past four months moving as slowly as possible from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I can guarantee that there are dozens if not hundreds of unique places to stop along the way. Perhaps the most popular halfway point is Paraty, a small town in the state of Rio de Janeiro recognized as a UNESCO...
If you’ve decided to visit the small town of Cunha in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, congratulations: you’re in for a treat! This small town offers stunning views and a relaxing getaway... In this post, I’ll feature five day trip options: a lavender farm, a couple of waterfalls, an even smaller town nearby, a hike, and a massive church...
Although there are dozens of interesting towns and cities within a three-hour driving radius of São Paulo, Cunha (pronounced “Kun-ya” or “Cuña”) is perhaps my favorite I’ve been to so far. This little village of only 22,000 residents is surrounded by rolling hills on all sides, and its best feature is undoubtedly its jaw-dropping views...
Have you ever visited a city or town where religious traditions are a major part of the local identity and culture? The question might evoke thoughts of historic cities in the Middle East or monasteries in Southeast Asia. But in this post, I’ll be introducing you to an incredible religious town for your next visit to Brazil...
Most travelers probably know that the world’s largest church is St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, but did you know that the second largest isn’t even in Europe at all? Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora Aparecida in São Paulo, Brazil is truly awe-inspiring...
Check out my travel wish list for the rest of the decade once it's safe for international tourism to resume! This list will help guide my own travel decisions for many years to come and might inspire you to add a country or two to your own list!
One of the surprising things about the beautiful beach town of Ubatuba is its impressive selection of restaurants. The vast majority of dining options in the city are family-owned, so there are countless unique dining experiences to choose from! This post will feature some of my favorites...
This is a follow-up to my previous post that documented my experience social distancing during the month of May. If you’re curious about what a modest and partial reopening has looked like in this corner of Brazil, grab a cup of coffee and read on...
Welcome to Caffeinated Excursions! In this post I’ll be sharing some of the best beaches in Ubatuba. This small beach town is one of my favorite destinations in Brazil so far, and I highly recommend visiting if you can! Ubatuba’s stunning beaches and beautiful mountain views make it the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature...