Good time for tickets!

I have booked my trip to Rio and got excellent air fare! I recommend you try to book as soon as possible. Airlines are trying to get people to fly, so if you know that you are attending, this is a good time to buy.

I have also booked my hotel and paid my registration. So now it is time to start planning the fun part. I will start posting about where to go and what to do when you are in Rio and where to travel in Brazil if you are taking some time off.

If you have 2 to 4 days to travel, I recommend you stay in the state of Rio and travel to the beaches towns located 2 to 3 hours from Rio. I have three favorite spots, Buzios, Ilha Grande and Paraty.

Buzios is about 180 km East of Rio. I usually take the bus Viação 1001 at Rio Bus Station and two hours later arrive in paradise. But there are also tours (vans) from the hotels in Rio. Sometimes tours are a bit more expensive, but more convenient and worth the extra money. I have been going to the Buzios and Cabo Frio area since I was a kid. Cabo Frio is the largest city in the Costa do Sol (Sun´s Coast), so it is a bit hectic, but charming and beautiful. Buzios is even more charming and beaches are fantastic. Water is not warm in this area of Brazil. So, don´t expect warm Caribbean waters, but beaches are as paradiasic, or even more exotic if you consider the mixing of cultures. You can read about Buzios and book hotels, etc, here (click). The beach above is Azeda, one of my favorites.

*******NEW******

Blumar Events is offering a few packages to visit areas around Rio and even the Amazon. I highly recommend that you check them here www.blumar.com.br/astronomia2009 click on the left Pre & Post Tours.