Buzios and the Costa Verde holidays

Head about three hours east from the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) of Rio de Janeiro and you’ll find yourself in the vicinity of stylish Buzios. Sometimes likened to a Brazilian Côte d’Azur, the region is brimming with trendy boutiques, lavish hotels and tasteful restaurants. However, it’s the 26 blonde-sand beaches which steal the limelight here and with so many to choose from, there’s one to suit every mood. Soak up the lively buzz of Geriba beach, well-loved by youngsters, or seek out a more secluded slice of sand on Azeda beach, surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky outcrops.

Venture out of Rio in the opposite direction to reach the Costa Verde, the coastline running from Itaguaí to Santos, and aptly named for the dense rainforest encasing the mountain sides. The coastal stretch is a jack-of-all-trades, boasting charming towns, golden beaches and colonial-era ports. Road trip along the Costa Verde to gain a full appreciation of your surroundings, or alternatively hop in a kayak to explore the coastline from the water. The historic Portuguese municipality of Paratay is a must-visit, with its well-maintained colonial centre and thriving cultural scene, hosting the famed Paratay Literature Festival each July.