Salvador is the only city in Brazil in the The New York Times Travel list of destinations.
Cidade Alta e Cidade baixa. Salvador da bahia. Foto: Uiler Costa
Salvador da Bahia was once again included in a select list of best destinations to visit in 2019. In December (2018) the city was named by National Geographic along with French Polynesia; Vevey, at Switzerland; Bisti / De-Na-Zin Desert in New Mexico and Fanjingshan in China. Now, Salvador has just been recommended among the 52 places to go in 2019, elected by The New York Times, being the only city chosen in Brazil. The article praises the country’s first capital as a city in renovation, appearing in 14th place in world destinations along with Puerto Rico, Hampi (India), Santa Barbara (California), Setouchi Islands (Japan), Azores (Portugal), New York (United States) and Lyon (France).
This list is annually made and combines destinations that are ambitious, intriguing and perhaps threatened. The New York Times recruits writers and photographers from around the world, as well as a group of publishers, designers and interactive experts that work to produce it. It is a real invitation to escape to the world.
Around here, the great star was the city’s downtown historic district. The article tells a bit about the vibrant cultural and musical life. Pelourinho, Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos Church, House of Carnival, the future facilities such as the Convention Center, Fera Palace Hotel and the newly opened Fasano Salvador were mentioned. They have also talked about Savador’s newly constructed metro line that conveniently links the city center and the expanding international airport.
Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos Church
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos. Foto: Fábio Marconi
Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos Church is definitely a peculiar church. In fact, one of the facts that have made of Salvador a choice was precisely the vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture in the Historic Center. We will start with this church because it delicately represents the natural religious syncretism of this city.
Dia de Santa Bárbara. Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.
The liturgy of the cults makes use of music inspired by candomblé houses, to the sound of atabaques. There, every Tuesday, they celebrate a catholic mass that has incorporated some of the African culture elements, such as songs and dances. Another important event is the Feast of Santa Barbara, which in syncretism celebrates Iansã. On December 4, the church is the focal point of the festivities that fill Pelourinho’s streets with people dressed in red clothes, smell of lavender and rose petals everywhere.
House of Carnival
Casa do Carnaval – fachada. Foto: Fábio Marconi
Nowadays, there is no way to be a tourist in Salvador without spending hours inside the House of Carnival. With much care and using technology and interactivity, the House of Carnival tells the story of the revelry in a visual and sensorial trip, with several thematic fragments of the party that is in the popular culture essence, social transformations and development of Bahian identity.
Fasano Salvador
Fasano Salvador. Rooftop Foto: Xico Diniz /Assessoria
Hotel Fasano Salvador was born from the harmonization between the Group’s sophisticated style and Salvador’s relaxed atmosphere. The building is a legitimate representative of Art Deco style, which for 45 years housed the first headquarters of the newspaper A Tarde, bringing a recognized architectural value. The building is an emblematic construction from the 30’s, in Castro Alves Square, one of the most popular symbols of Bahia’s capital.
Fasano Salvador. Restaurante Foto Humberto Vieira Filho/ Assessoria
Also open to passers-by, the Fasano Restaurant gastronomic experience brings the Italian-origin culture legacy that takes the signature of the restaurateur Rogério Fasano. In the menu, there are also local Bahian dishes signed by nothing less than Tereza Paim. Fasano Salvador promotes the city’s Historic Center even further, contributing to its revitalization, where restoration works were done by the Municipal Secretary of Culture and Tourism (SECULT) with a Mário Leal Foundation project.
Fera Palace Hotel
Fera Palace Hotel. Foto: Assessoria
Fera Palace Hotel is “an Art Deco gem” indeed, as The Times’ staff said. Designed by the renowned Danish architect Adam Kurdahl, it had the original architecture preserved after the renovation. The impeccable décor, gentle and helpful service, sophisticated drinks and a wonderful PR are placing the Fera Palace Hotel on the list of the coolest programming in the city.
Fera Palace Hotel. Foto: Assessoria
Fera Palace brings a sophisticated and funky hotel concept to the Historic Center overlooking All Saints Bay, considered by many the place to see the most beautiful sunset of the city. The restaurant and bar are also open for those who are not staying in the hotel, making it a charming destination for locals and visitors.
Barra Lighthouse
Farol da Barra visto de cima. Foto: Uiler Costa
Far from the historical center mentioned in the article, but part of the most visited tourist spots in Salvador, Barra Lighthouse is more and more charming. Besides housing the Nautical Museum of Bahia, which has a historical collection formed by objects from different eras, it has now a charming café: Farol Café & Wine Bar.
Farol Café & Wine Bar. Foto: Amanda Oliveira.
Besides the tasty quiches, saltenhas, pies and the coffee part with cakes and brigadeiros, it also has a good wine list. At the top of the lighthouse we have a 360º view of Salvador and from the patio the visitor has a 180 ° view of All Saints Bay. It is in this pleasant place that MPB shows, acoustic sound, jazz, plays and dance performances are happening and the return of the Folkloric Show is already scheduled.
You have this whole year ahead to visit Salvador da Bahia. For those who have never come or for those who always visit, every season brings good surprises. Get mixed in this new and charming city.
Pôr do Sol. Barra. Salvador Bahia Foto Amanda Oliveira.
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