Brazil Diary

🇧🇷 Notes from São Paolo, Rio and Trancoso 🇧🇷

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My first trip to Brazil took place in 2013. It was a visit marked by a blur of sun, sound and a week-long of Carnaval festivities in Rio. Despite taking place over a decade ago, the journey left a lingering and long-lasting impression on me: the lively beaches activated into theaters of life, the sunsets melted into glowy evenings, and the streets always seemed to pulse with music, voices and stories. Between the unforgettable landscapes and lively atmosphere, there was no better place to combat the winter blues than Brazil.

FIRST STOP: 48-Hour Layover in São Paolo

STAY: Fasano Jardins

São Paolo is a city with relentless energy, but the Fasano Jardins is a rarefied oasis, polished without pretense, and elegantly understated. A highlight of the hotel is the indoor pool and spa featuring panoramic views of the city.

Since we only had 48 hours in the city, we spent the two days exploring Mid-century galleries and Brazilian-Modernist houses. Ceramic-tiled bathroom was a theme throughout the galleries in São Paolo.

Checking out an exhibition at Casa Zalszupin in a Matteau Set and Loewe Basket.

A visit to Casa de Vidro Lina Bo Bardi

Then there was Rio. We booked a tree house Airbnb in the middle of the rain forest during a tropical storm.

Wearing Dries Van Noten Knit Halter Body Suit

What I loved, more than anything, was Brazilian cuisine. One of our most memorable meals took place at Boteco Rainha in Rio, a charming eatery where we indulged in cured sausage doused with a side of Dijon mustard, broccoli rice and plantains in caramel.

SHOPPING: While in Rio, we stopped into my friend and talented jeweler Paola Vilas’s store in Rio on R. Rainha Guilhermina. Paola and I met a few years ago during Art Basel, and by no surprise, its Paola’s deep love for the arts is what fuels her designs. Paola’s jewelry is a fusion of sculpture, surrealism and modernist design. I ended up purchasing a gorgeous pair of Gal Earrings, a delicate set of shell earrings inspired by The late 16th-century Renaissance painting titled "Portrait of Gabrielle d'Estrées and her Sister as Cupid and Venus".

Last but not least, the highlight of our trip were the 8 days we spent in the town of Trancoso in Bahia, where we spent our days laying in the sun, swimming, reading, horse back riding, and learning essential Portuguese phrases.

Out and about at the Quadrodo. Wearing Sid Neigum Twist Cut-Out Dress, Loewe Espadrilles and Paula’s Ibiza Woven Bag

Left. Side of the road payapayas and mangos. Right. Fresh grilled fish and feijoada.

In Bahia you’ll quickly find that Havainas is the local unspoken yet official footwear of Brazilian beach towns, and for good reason. They handle the cobblestone and rough roads and terrain better than any foreign sandal brand.

Take me back to these 8 unspoiled days of sun, sea swims, and salt-rimmed drinks. For more of my Trancoso recommendations you can find a link to all my favorite restaurants and beach clubs on Google Maps.

Muito obrigado! Thank you for tuning in.