Something I often notice when clients tell me they want to experience a new country is this:
Most people think visiting a country means going to the major cities.
And while big cities certainly have their place, they rarely tell the whole story.
The real soul of a country is often found in the smaller towns, the countryside, the regional traditions, the food, and the history that has been quietly preserved for generations.
Let me give you an example from a place very close to my heart.
In case you didn’t know, I’m originally from Brazil.
When people talk about visiting Brazil, they almost always think of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. And don’t get me wrong — seeing Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) overlooking Rio is absolutely a must.
As beautiful as this city is, it’s is not the soul of Brazil.
Brazil is an enormous country, and every region feels different — different cultures, different food, different architecture, and different stories.
I was actually born in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, and grew up in Curitiba, the capital of the state.
In southern Brazil, there are three states — Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul — and many of the towns there were shaped by European immigrants. Italians, Germans, and Polish families settled in these areas generations ago. My own family were Polish immigrants who came to Brazil while escaping Hitler.
In many small towns, you’ll still hear heritage languages spoken. My grandmother, for example, spoke mostly Polish.
One of my favourite places in southern Brazil is Blumenau. If you walked through the streets there, you might honestly think you were somewhere in Germany. It reminds me a little of Quebec City, where you suddenly feel like you’ve stepped into France while still being in North America.
Another extraordinary place is Foz do Iguaçu, home to the breathtaking Iguaçu Falls — located in the state where I was born.
If you think Niagara Falls is impressive (and it is), Iguaçu Falls is on another scale entirely. The falls stretch across three countries — Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay — creating one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.
Adriana’s Tip:
The Brazilian side offers the most panoramic fall views, while the Argentinian side lets you get incredibly close to the falls.
Then there’s Ilha Grande, a magical island paradise off Brazil’s Green Coast near Rio de Janeiro. It’s a preserved island with no cars, over 100 pristine beaches, lush Atlantic rainforest, and incredible marine life. You get around by boat or on foot along jungle trails.
It’s one of those places that feels untouched by time. Some people visit and fall so deeply in love with it that they start dreaming about selling everything and moving there permanently.
Another cultural gem is Salvador, Bahia.
Salvador was Brazil’s first colonial capital from 1549 to 1763 and became one of the most important cultural centers in the country. Portuguese, African, and Indigenous traditions blended there, creating a vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture you can still feel today.
The historic Pelourinho district, with its colorful colonial buildings and music in the streets, is one of the most culturally rich places in Brazil.
Salvador is also where Capoeira originated — the martial art that blends music, rhythm, and movement, which has now spread around the world.
Brazil’s history is complex and deeply layered. Many enslaved Africans were brought there centuries ago, and their influence shaped the culture, music, food, and traditions that define Brazil today.
I could talk about Brazil all day, but I’ll spare you that… for now.
What I really want to share with you is this:
When you visit a country for the first time, don’t stop at the big cities.
The small towns are where you truly feel a place.
If someone visits São Paulo and says they didn’t like Brazil, I always smile and say… you haven’t experienced Brazil yet.
(And for the record… I’m Brazilian and even I’m not a huge fan of São Paulo. 😄)
Travel is about discovering the layers of a destination — the hidden corners, the traditions, the stories that don’t always make it into the guidebooks.
And those are often the moments that stay with us the longest.
If Brazil — or anywhere else in the world — is on your bucket list, I’d be happy to help you design a trip that goes beyond the obvious and into the places that truly make a destination special.
After all, the best journeys are rarely just about where you go — they’re about what you discover along the way.
Happy Travels 💫✈️
