North Eastern Brazil is an exotic and enticing heartland of colonial history, Afro-Brazilian culture, of sugar cane plantations and coastal cuisine. Here can be experienced some of Brazil's most spectacular and least-touristy Carnivals, full of acrobatic dancing and swaying to the frenetic sounds of upbeat frevo music.

The coastline, too, is hugely alluring, with long stretches of empty, white sand beach fringed by a beautiful blue-green sea. The stunning archipelago of Fernando de Noronha is also easily accessible, for further isolation and seaside charms. Spending a few days by the northeast coast is a perfect way to wind down at the end of an extended Brazil tour or, indeed, as a luxury holiday in its own right.

Travelling in this region offers a glimpse of an unspoilt and diverse side of Brazil seen by few visitors. While Bahia is perhaps the best-known destination in North Eastern Brazil, there's plenty more to see and do in its neighbouring provinces, such as Pernambuco, Paraíba and Maranhao. Much of North Eastern Brazil is characterised by the dramatic and semi-arid sertão, which gives way to fertile coastal strips. These in turn lead to those wonderfully idyllic Atlantic Ocean beaches.