Olympic Games Make Brazil More Affordable For Travelers: Wildland Adventures Shares Three Reasons To Plan A Brazil Adventure Now

Brazil has recently emerged on the world adventure travel radar as travelers have discovered all that it has to offer: a wide range of unique cultural experiences, captivating adventures and a paradise for wildlife seekers. And with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games quickly approaching, Wildland Adventures (http://www.wildland.com/) offers three ways active travelers can capitalize on the opportunities created by the international sporting event. 1. It just adds up: Brazil has temporarily lifted the mandatory $250 visa for US citizens this summer (through Sept.18), and, on top of that, the US Dollar is the strongest it’s ever been to the Brazilian Real. Add that to that the fact that roundtrip flights from the US to many of the most sought-after adventure destinations in Brazil are as low as $450 in July and August (including the Amazon and Pantanal), travelers can expect significant savings. Many of the popular adventure resorts still have availability for July and August. 2. Can you taste it? There is an emerging mouth-watering culinary scene in Brazil thanks to its being one of the word’s cultural melting pots. From churrascaria to feijoada, Brazil’s distinct tastes and flavors entice and satisfy even the most discerning gourmands. Brazil's history and culinary stage are inarguably intertwined. Sugar and coffee are vitally important crops while also being labor intensive, which fueled the African slave trade to Brazil and in turn, African culinary traditions as well. Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, is thought to be an African take on a traditional Portuguese dish. Another beloved Brazilian dish, acaraje, originally from Nigeria, has become a staple of Bahian street food and the use of dende (African palm oil) is one of the principal ingredients inmoqueca, an otherworldly classic Bahian stew. After the abolition of slavery, immigrants from Italy and Japan joined the Brazilian labor market and added their own influences to the melting pot of the Brazilian culinary scene. Pizza in Brazil can easily rival that of Naples and New York and is practically its own food group.  Unique ingredient additions find their way into the pizza ovens of Brazil's urban centers that include everything from soft catupiry or local minas cheese, cinnamon, bananas and even guava. 3. Where to go: With the huge crowds expected in Rio this summer, now is the perfect time to venture off the beaten path and explore the wilds of Brazil. Brazil offers many rare opportunities such as scouting for jaguars in the expansive wetlands of Brazil's Pantanal or swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon.  Active visitors can snorkel in crystal clear rivers and explore ancient caves in Bonito, or trek through mysterious valleys, past table top mountains and waterfalls in Salvador’s Chapada Diamantia. One can cruise on a private schooner past pirate coves on the Costa Verde in Paraty or gaze dumbstruck at Brazil’sIguassu Falls. Wildland Adventures has even pioneered a new activity where travelers are able to swim at the “Meeting of the Waters”, a natural phenomenon where the Negro River (originating in Colombia) meets the Solimões River (originating in Peru) to form the Amazon River. Wildland Adventures has recently expanded their trips to Brazil by venturing to new areas offering several unique explorations of 9 to 14 days. - Ultimate Jaguar and Wildlife Adventure is 14 days and explores Brazil's two largest and most famous regions of biodiversity: the Pantanal and the Amazon. - The 12-day Best of Brazil: Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguassu Falls itinerary explores the tropical rainforest of the Amazon and Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. - On the 13-day Brazil Family Adventure kids and parents kayak, snorkel, spot jaguars, hike, play in the surf and learn to cook while exploring Bonito, the Pantanal, Paraty and Rio de Janeiro. - Guests trek through the mysterious valleys, past tabletop mountains and waterfalls in Chapada Diamantia National Park on Wildland’s 14-day Brazil Trekking Adventure. - Into the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil (Costa Verde) focuses on the biodiversity of the Atlantic Rainforest. In the 9-day itinerary, guests will kayak along secluded beaches, search for wildlife and hidden waterfalls in mangrove forests and explore the colonial city of Paraty. Brazil and Zika: Is it safe to travel to affected regions? Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends special precautions only for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant: Pregnant women in any trimester or women trying to become pregnant should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first. Wildland Adventures urges all passengers to travel sensibly, and to take preventive measures against mosquito bites. Any passenger who is pregnant or think they may become pregnant during or prior to their trip should contact their doctor and potentially reconsider their trip in accordance with CDC/WHO advice. Kurt Kutay, Founding CEO/President, and Anne Kutay, Vice-President, established Wildland Adventures in 1986. As active managing directors they are continuously refining and evolving their Wild Style of travel. The ‘Wild Style’ is based on an ethic of sincerity, compassion and understanding that breaks down barriers of separation to build lasting intercultural, interpersonal, and environmental bonds designed to enhance rather than exploit the people and places where they travel. Rated byNational Geographic Adventure as the #1 Best ‘Do-it-all’ Outfitter on Earth and Fodor’s as one of the World’s Best Tour Specialists, Wildland Adventures offers more than 150 unique itineraries on seven continents in 45 countries.By fostering genuine connections to create personalized experiences their travelers, Wildland fosters a growing and vibrant community of enlightened and compassionate travelers. # # # Follow Wildland Adventures Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/wildlandadventures Twitter:          https://twitter.com/WildTravel YouTube:       https://www.youtube.com/wildtravel Google Plus:  https://plus.google.com/+wildlandadventures

Olympic Officials Claim No Major Zika Virus Risk For Tourists, Athletes

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Representatives for the Rio Olympics committee pointed to research carried out by health officials that assures athletes and visitors that the Zika virus will not be a major risk when the Olympic Games commence in August.

According to NBCNews.com, health officials for Rio 2016 say the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—known to carry the Zika virus—will be less active during the Olympic Games due to the cooler and drier weather in the region.

“It is worth knowing that the incidence of the mosquito that transmits the virus is extremely low in August and September, which is winter in Brazil and the period in which the Rio 2016 Games will take place,” Rio 2016's chief medical officer Dr. Joao Grangeiro said in a statement. “Furthermore, we have conducted 44 test events this year, the majority of them in the summer, the peak period for Zika. With more than 7,000 athletes, 8,000 volunteers and 2,000 staff participating, there was not a single case of contamination (infection).”

A recent study done at the University of Sao Paulo indicates that the Olympics “would result in no more than 16 additional cases of the disease.” In addition, the World Health Organization reported that moving or changing the 2016 Olympic Games would not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.

The Olympic committee is also working with locals to control the mosquito population, including daily patrols to eliminate standing water near the areas where the Games will take place. Officials still state that the best course of action is for visitors to protect themselves with longer clothing and insect repellents.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are still advising pregnant women or women thinking about becoming pregnant to avoid areas affected by the Zika virus due to the potential birth defects the disease can cause.

As of July 10th elite athletes including Jordan Spieth, LeBron James, Rory Mcllroy and Jason Day have withdrawn due to Zika concerns. 

By IMPACTING TRAVEL | DONALD WOOD 

Olympic Games Spark Interest In Amazon Cruises

Iberostar Amazon Cruise.

Olympics announce soccer matches to be held in Manaus, increasing tourism to the Amazon Region. Rainforest Cruises introduces Olympic Amazon cruise departures during the Olympics in Brazil, offering a two-for-one, accommodation and tours.

 

Rainforest Cruises introduces Olympic Amazon cruises departing from Manaus, the city to host three Olympic soccer matches. These Brazil cruises depart between the opening and closing ceremonies of the games in August 2016 and range from 2-10 days in length, offering an all-inclusive service on board.
 

Jeremy Clubb, owner of Rainforest Cruises, is excited to offer the opportunity to experience both, the thrill of the Olympics and the majesty of the Amazon rainforest.

"Similar to the World Cup, where we experienced a 130% increase in bookings, we forecast another spike in demand for Amazon Cruises during the Olympics. We noticed groups of friends and families would charter vessels as accommodation and to explore the Amazon - essentially a two for one."

- Jeremy Clubb
 

Manaus is the capital and largest city of the state of Amazonas, in Brazil. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Negro and Solimões, known as the Meeting of the Waters, making it the ideal starting point for an Amazon River Cruise. The city's spectacular Arena da Amazônia holds a capacity of 41,000 spectators. It was originally constructed for FIFA's World Cup in 2014.
 

On-board activities include expert talks from naturalists, nightly entertainment with a local flavour and dining on delicious Brazilian cuisine.
 

Some of the expeditions include are trips along the River Negro to a feeding spot of Pink River Dolphins; a visit to the Anavilhanas Archipelago, home to some of most beautiful and wild waterfalls in the whole region and Piranha fishing.
 

On-land adventures include guided jungle walks for wildlife spotting, traditional village visits and the chance to meet locals whose lives revolve around the Amazon River and rainforest.

Types of vessels vary from traditional wooden boats and classical schooners, to modern boats with swimming pools on board. Many cruises are family-friendly and ideal for group chartering.

 

Details:

• Prices range from $539 per person, 2-Day to $2,389 per person, 10-Day.
• Cruises include all accommodation, meals/beverages and bilingual naturalist guides.
• Cruises include daily jungle excursions and activities.
• Manaus Olympic soccer matches to be held in Arena da Amazônia on August 4, 7 and 9.

About Rainforest Cruises: Rainforest Cruises is a travel company specialising in Amazon river cruises and tours, providing the finest collection of cruises, at unbeatable prices in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Galapagos Islands and Panama. As South American travel experts, Rainforest Cruises has been featured in Fodor's Best Cruises for 2015, as well as many other top news sources: USA Today, NY Times, Travel & Leisure, Bloomberg, among others.

Contact Us for more information. 

Travelore Update: Zika Has Spread To 43 Countries

 

Getty images

Here's where Zika has spread around the world.

This article originally appeared on time.com.
The Zika virus is continuing to spread around the globe, as health responders scramble to contain outbreaks and understand the effects of the virus, including serious brain defects like microcephaly. The World Health Organization recently warned that there is potential for a “marked increase” in the number of infections, including in Europe and the U.S. After all, as experts like to say, the mosquito knows no border. To understand the scope of the virus, we’ve compiled all the countries that have been hit with Zika so far during this outbreak.

CDC

Brazilians Ready To Welcome The World To Rio de Janeiro

 

Millions of Brazilians are getting ready to line the streets and cheer the Olympic Flame around country.

 

Organizers of the 2016 Rio Olympics revealed the complete route of the Olympic Torch Relay that will begin on May 3rd and spread the spirit of the Games around Brazil. At a celebratory event alongside the organizing committee's headquarters, the first torchbearers and the uniform they will wear were also revealed.

The relay will visit 329 towns and cities across all five regions of Brazil, travelling 13,000 miles by road and 10,000 miles by air, and reaching 90 per cent of the country’s population. About 12,000 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame during the 95-day relay, which will be concluded during the opening ceremony at the Maracanã Stadium on August 5^th, when the Olympic cauldron will be lit. 

As well as the relay sections of the event in towns and cities, the torch will also be taken to some of the nation’s most stunning beauty spots, such as Fernando de Noronha and the Iguaçu Falls.

According to ancient tradition, the Olympic flame was lit at a ceremony in the Greek city of Olympia on April 21^st and will complete a short relay of Greece before being handed over to Brazil. With the announcement of the full Brazilian route, another 246 towns and cities have been confirmed alongside the 83 revealed when the torch was unveiled last July.

Olympic venues in Rio are on schedule to be open and tested prior to opening day, tickets are selling as they become available and the Olympics excitement is taking over the whole country. 

Brazil will be the first country in South America to host the Olympics Games. The country successfully hosted the 2014 World Cup, which set the stage to confirm that Brazil is the perfect place for major events. The Games will leave a huge legacy for both Rio and Brazil, and are starting to take shape.

Tourists from the Unites States, Canada, Japan and Australia who plan to visit Brazil between June 1^st and September 18^th, 2016 will be exempt from Brazilian visa. The measure will facilitate the entry of athletes and international tourists who wish to come to Brazil to accompany the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.

The visa waiver will benefit those who are in Brazil until September 18^th, 2016 (end date of the Paralympic Games), for a period of stay limited to 90 days, from the date of first entry in the country. The visitor does not need to provide proof of tickets to attend any of the Olympic events.

No other host city will have had such big transformational benefits from the Games as Rio. In addition to infrastructure, the Games also focus on education and citizenship. ´Transforma´, the Education Program of the Rio 2016 Committee, is being extended from 52 to 162 municipal schools. The program was included in the public policies of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall since 2014, and aims to promote the Olympic values among the basic education of students, introducing them to the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

The Rio 2016 Committee is also intensifying its relationship with society, in order to disseminate the principles of sport and the importance of sport practice, especially among young people, in Rio and throughout the country.

The 2016 Rio Olympic Games will take place from August 5^th to 21^st and will be followed by the Paralympic Games from September 7^th to 18^th.

For more information, please visit http://www.rio2016.com and http://www.brasil2016.gov.br

About Brazil Tourism: 

With its spectacular beaches, lush rainforests, rich culture, exotic cuisine and exciting nightlife, Brazil is one of the most compellingcountries to visit today.  Travelers are invited to explore Brazil’s incredible geographical diversity – from the wetlands to the beaches. With a beautiful, tropical climate, Brazil is an easily accessible, exotic get-away for couples, families and business travelers.  

For more information, go to VisitBrasil.com

C.D.C. Urges Pregnant Women To Avoid Travel To Olympics Over Zika Fears

Divers practiced this week in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. An estimated 500,000 people are expected to visit Brazil for the Games from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21, raising concerns about the spread of the Zika virus.CreditRicardo Moraes/Reuters

Health officials in the United States have advised pregnant women who are scheduled to attend the Olympic Games in Brazil to reconsider their plans because of the Zika virus epidemic.

In a travel advisory released on Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said women who are pregnant in any trimester should “consider not going to the Olympics.”

The agency also recommended, “If you have a male partner who goes to the Olympics, either use condoms or abstain from sex for the duration of your pregnancy.”

The C.D.C. issued special precautions for pregnant women who do decide to go to Brazil, as well as for women trying to become pregnant and men with pregnant partners. The C.D.C. said the precautions were necessary “because Zika virus infection in a pregnant woman is linked to a seriousbirth defect of the brain called microcephaly and miscarriage.”

“The Zika outbreak in Brazil is dynamic,” the C.D.C. said.

The agency said that pregnant women who choose to go to Brazil for the Olympic Games in August should first talk with their physician and then follow precautions to prevent mosquito bites, such as the use of specific insect repellent, covering exposed skin and staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms.

As many as 1.5 million people are believed to have contracted the Zika virus in Brazil, part of a larger outbreak that the World Health Organizationthis month declared an international public health emergency. Though Zika is not known to be fatal, it has been linked to microcephaly, a condition in which infants are born with small heads and brain damage.

More than 580 babies with microcephaly have been confirmed in Brazil, with an additional 4,100 cases under investigation, according to Reuters.

An estimated 500,000 people are expected to visit Brazil for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21. That potential influx hasraised concerns about Zika’s potential spread around the world. Some researchers believe that the virus arrived in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.

On Friday, the C.D.C. reported that nine pregnant women in the United States had tested positive for Zika, one of whom gave birth to a baby with microcephaly. Dr. Thomas Frieden, the agency’s director, said that scientists were still studying the connection between Zika and the birth defect. The agency’s website showed a total of 107 travel-related Zika cases reported in the United States, minus its territories, but as yet no locally acquired cases.

In the latest advisory, the C.D.C. also recommended that men who travel to the Olympics use condoms or abstain from sex with pregnant partners, advice it has already given to those traveling to areas affected by Zika because of reports that the virus can be sexually transmitted.

By ELI ROSENBERG, www.nytimes.com