Don't try to overextend yourself. Be sure to plan a few days in Rio de Janeiro, where you will get a feel for the culture and soak up some rays on one of the world's most famous beaches. If you want to escape the big city, make like Brigit Bardot and dodge the paparazzi on the way up the coast to Buzios. More...

If you have two weeks in Brazil, you're still just going to be scratching the surface of one of the greatest places on earth, but you'll have the flexibility to get out and do more than most people, or choose to stay in one place a little longer if it really tickles your fancy. Use our one-week recommendations, but also consider adding the following locations to your itinerary more...

You’re going to feel as if you’ve won the lottery, by the time your trip is over. Feel free to use our recommendations for shorter visits combined with these other Brazilian hotspots. Remember, you don’t have to do everything in one trip, and it’s best to relax a little bit and let your whims take you where they may. Besides, it’s always best to leave something undone on a vacation so you have a reason to return in the future. more...

You're in trouble. You're better off sending letters or emails to all your friends and family telling them you're never coming home, because by the end of your stay, you won't want to go back to whatever life you were living at home. Here, the sun is warm, the people are friendly, and the beer is cold. It's a good life, if you can get it...