Brazil Archives - Top Spot Travel

June 19, 2014 by jfalbelda

World Cup Fans Flock to Copacabana Beach, Brazil!

With the football World Cup in Brazil between now and the middle of June, fans from around the globe have descended on the South American country to experience the event, and no place has proved more popular than the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. As well as the 12 host venues across the country, fans are also able to enjoy the action from one of a number of fan parks around the 12 host cities – the most popular being on Copacabana Beach.

Beach in Rio

Nearly a million people watched Brazil open the tournament with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Croatia, creating one of the most colourful and exciting atmospheres in the history of the World Cup. Since then, though, Copacabana hasn’t been a place for just Brazilian fans to watch the games on the big screens, and visitors from all corners of the world have used the beach as their first option to experience the tournament.

While the beach is a cocktail of world flags, ranging from England, Australia, Korea and Ghana, the most commonly seen flags are that of some people’s favourites for the tournament, Argentina. Tens of thousands of Argentines have made the relatively short journey north to follow their team in Brazil over the next month, and those fans were rewarded after seeing their team open up with a 2-1 victory over Bosnia.

England fans always travel in numbers to support their team, and this World Cup in Brazil has been no different. While the inflated prices won’t go down well with the majority of England fans looking to enjoy a beer or Caipirinha as they watch the action, the picturesque surroundings will act as a decent consolation when their team make their inevitable early exit from the tournament over the next couple of weeks.

This has already been an extremely exciting World Cup thus far, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the tournament turns out!

June 5, 2014 by Jeremy

Where to Watch the World Cup in Brazil

As the opening kickoff for World Cup 2014 looms ever closer, football fanatics are traveling to South America’s biggest, most populated, and most lively country. While their choice of cities will be influenced by where their teams are playing, many consider themselves fans of the game in general, and thus, will be more flexible with regards to which host cities that they will visit.

Outside of the matches that will take place over the past month, these folks will be looking for extracurricular activities to keep themselves busy and entertained until the next game kicks off. With this in mind, we have listed three cities out of the twelve hosts that are the best places to watch the World Cup in Brazil, as they contain attractions that add value to a fan’s downtime in these cities.

While time spent in their football stadiums that will dominate much of the agenda, the highlights of the following cities will be truly what you will remember about your trip to Brazil.

1) Salvador

Salvador is home to the biggest Carnival in the world, so trust us: this city knows how to party! On top of this, Salvador also boasts some excellent urban beaches, with strips of sand suitable for swimming, and other rougher ones where surfers can catch some righteous waves. As far as games in Salvador are concerned, this boisterous burg will hosts games featuring: Spain vs. The Netherlands, June 13; Germany vs. Portugal, June 16; Switzerland vs. France, June 20; Bosnia vs. Iran, June 25, playoff matches, July 1 and July 5.

2) Manaus

Situated on the periphery of the Amazonian wilderness, Manaus derived its fortune in past decades from the rubber trade, as the trees that spawned a massive global commodity were discovered nearby. These days, Manaus makes much of its money as a staging point for adventures into the Amazon Basin, allowing those seeking to get in touch with the world’s most biodiverse forest environment a way to do so in a safe and efficient manner. Matches going down in Manaus during the World Cup include: England vs. Italy, June 14; Cameroon vs. Croatia, June 18; United States of America vs. Portugal, June 22; and Honduras vs. Switzerland, June 25.

3) Rio De Janeiro

We couldn’t write this article without acknowledging Brazil’s most famous city and centre of all of the biggest matches during the World Cup. Between games, the lively stretches of Copacabana will play host to hotly contested beach football and volleyball matches, as well as supporters just seeking to soak up a little sun amidst some of the most beautiful people in the world. You can also soar through the sky by launching a hang glider off the vertigo-inducing slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain, or just simply admire the Christ the Redeemer statue as he watches over Rio from above. In Rio, the games you can expect to see here include: Argentina vs. Bosnia, June 15; Spain vs. Chile, June 18; Belgium vs. Russia, June 22; Ecuador vs. France, June 25, playoff matches on June 28, July 4, and July 13 (the final!)

November 11, 2013 by jfalbelda

When to Go – Trip Ideas for Every Season

Need a little travel inspiration? If you have a few days off during a specific season but aren’t sure where to go, browse this list for our latest destination loves.

Autumn

The Northeastern United States: If you’re looking for autumnal scenery, this is the place to be. Every October, states like New York, Connecticut and Vermont are home to colorful displays of changing leaves, and the quaint local towns simply add to the vibe.

Germany: Some travelers swear by spring, but we think Germany is best in the fall. The weather is gorgeous, the crowds have thinned out, and spots like the Wine Route are particularly picturesque.

Scandinavia: Similar to Germany, Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway come to life in the fall months. You’ll see changing trees similar to those in the U.S., and the bright blue skies and chilly weather are romantic beyond compare.

Winter

Australia: It’s summer time and the living is easy. Thanks to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia’s summer lands during our winter months, which makes it the ideal spot to escape the most wet and dreary time.

French Polynesia: The islands that make up this South Pacific paradise are some of the world’s most beautiful. Head to tropical Tahiti or secluded Bora Bora to unwind in a palm-fringed setting. If you book your trip using travel rewards, you might even get airport lounge access so that you start the luxury before you even leave the airport.

Eastern Canada: This is where winters are at their most idyllic. If you’re in the mood for snowy mountains, ice-slicked landscapes and mugs of rich hot chocolate, head for spots like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Spring

The Western United States: This section of the States is often associated with its sub-tropical summers, but spring is among the most temperate times to explore the sights. Head to Los Angeles for breezy beach days, venture to Las Vegas for a slightly cooled-off vacation, or get to the Grand Canyon to experience one of the world’s wonders.

Japan: When the cherry blossoms spring to life, there’s no better place to be than in Japan. Kyoto is an especially good spot to peep the blooming trees, but you’ll find just as many cherry-lined treasures in bustling Tokyo.

Spain: Spring is a fantastic time to visit Europe in general, but Spain is particularly lovely this time of year. The weather is gorgeous, the cities are active, and there’s a relaxing lull just before the summer tourist rush begins.

Summer

The Andaman Islands: Summer is all about kicking back and letting your cares slip away, and India’s Andaman Islands are the perfect escape. Head to one of the more remote spots like Havelock for a truly off-the-grid experience.

Brazil: When it comes to summer spice, no place does it quite like Brazil. This South American country is a vibrant mish-mash of sights and sounds. Looking for the ultimate combination of city and beach breaks? Rio de Janeiro is the destination for you.

Iceland: Though many globe-trotters prefer the less-crowded Iceland winters, we still love visiting in the summer months. The atmosphere here is truly stunning: verdant hills, cascading waterfalls and sprawling ocean as far as the eye can see.