Brazil’s Coral Coast self-drive

Start your holiday in style with included VIP airport lounge access before your overnight flight to Recife.

Arrive in Recife where you'll be met and transferred to your chosen hotel in nearby Olinda. Spend some time freshening up before embarking on a guided afternoon tour of Recife and Olinda. Begin in the city of Recife, taking in the most important sites of the largest cultural centre in Northeast Brazil, including the sweeping sands of Boa Viagem Beach, the 17^th century Five Point Fortress, the Park of Sculptures and the Rua do Bom Jesus. Next you'll head to Olinda, the first capital of Pernambuco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you'll encounter old cobbled streets lined with colourful houses, ancient churches and monasteries along with a number of artisan workshops and an abundance of cafes and restaurants specialising in local delicacies.

Stay: Amparo Pousada (Superior)

Spend today at leisure further exploring Olinda, Recife and the surrounding region. An interesting excursion, which is well worth considering, is a cultural tour to the Ricardo Brennand Institute, located on the outskirts of the city. Originally built to house Brennand's own work, it's now home to an impressive collection of more than two thousand works by prominent artists from across the region and beyond.

Stay: Amparo Pousada (Superior)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will take you to the car hire depot where you'll collect your keys and begin your journey south to Salvador. Your first overnight stop will be the town of São Miguel dos Milagres, around three hours away. Break the journey with a stop at Carneiros Beach, known for its crystal clear water and gorgeous golden sand, framed by swaying palms. Here you'll find some excellent lunch options, including Bora Bora and Beijupira Restaurants, which both offer enticing menus of local specialities. Spend some time relaxing at the beach, enjoying a swim or a visit to a local church before continuing your journey to São Miguel dos Milagres where you'll spend the night.

Stay: Casa Acayu (Superior)

Today is free to explore the beaches and coastline near São Miguel dos Milagres. Patacho, one of the regions most secluded and quietest beaches is certainly a highlight, or perhaps walk the short distance to Tatuamanha River from where you can take a boat to see the local population of manatees.

Stay: Casa Acayu (Superior)

Breakfast & dinner included

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a morning spent relaxing on the beach. After lunch you'll drive around two hours to Barra de São Miguel, where you'll spend the next two nights.

Stay: Kenoa Resort (Superior)

Spend today on a relaxing rafting tour to the region's beautiful natural pools, or visit the oyster farm at Vila Palateia in the heart of the beautiful Ecological Reserve of Lagoa do Roteiro. This fascinating optional tour begins in the company of local fishermen who'll take you along flooded trails through mangrove swamps, keeping an eye out for local flora and fauna. Finally, you'll arrive at Ilha do Meio for the chance to taste fresh oysters and learn how they're cultivated.

Stay: Kenoa Resort (Superior)

Spend this morning enjoying the facilities at your hotel, departing at around 11 o'clock for the drive to Penedo via Foz do São Francisco. We recommend heading to the village of Piaçabuçu, from where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy two fantastic optional tours, firstly to the Dunes of São Francisco, followed by a boat trip to Foz do Velho Chico.

Stay: São Francisco (Superior)

After breakfast, enjoy a walk around the town of Penedo, once an important commercial centre in the São Francisco region and blessed with a wonderful collection of baroque churches. From Penedo you'll drive three hours south to Mangue Seco, travelling on a section of the highway that runs all the way from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul. We recommend having lunch before you begin the drive, as there are few places to stop along the route. Its also a good idea to pack a smaller overnight bag for your stay in Mangue Seco as there is no pavement to your beachfront hotel, making it difficult to transport heavy cases. Arrive in the village of Estancia and call Yves from O Forte Pousada who'll arrange to meet you at the car park in Pontal Village. From there you'll continue by boat to Mangue Seco.

Stay: O Forte Pousada (Superior)

Enjoy breakfast at your pousada before enjoying a morning buggy tour through the spectacular dunes of Mangue Seco and, if the weather's good, a boat tour to beautiful Ilha da Sogra, a neighbouring island not far from Mangue Seco. It's well worth ordering a lunchtime snack from the Pousada as there are no options for eating on the Ilha da Sogra.

Later on you'll continue your journey south to Praia do Forte. On arrival, check in and freshen up before enjoying a gentle seaside stroll prior to dinner. If you've time its also well worth paying a visit to the Projeto Tamar headquarters where, along with seeing the amazing conservation work being done there, you might witness the amazing site of baby turtles hatching and heading out to sea.

Stay: Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte (Superior) (minimum stay 5 nights during Jan-Feb & Jul)

Enjoy a day at leisure to enjoy Praia do Forte, spending a day relaxing on the beach, swimming in beautiful natural pools, or exploring the beautiful Sapiranga Reserve by quadricycle or Pojuca River by canoe. If you're in the region between July and October, there's also the chance to enjoy whale-watching excursions.

Stay: Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte (Superior) (minimum stay 5 nights during Jan-Feb & Jul)

The final stretch of your journey is a short one; just 60 kilometres from Praia do Forte to Salvador. Drop your hire car at Salavdor Airport and transfer to your chosen hotel. Contact the local office in Salvador prior to departure from Praia do Forte so they can arrange your transfer to be waiting for you.

Stay: Villa Bahia (Superior)

Spend today at leisure, exploring historic, colourful, characterful Salvador at your own pace. See the Mercado; the Lacerda Elevator, which connects the high and low cities (Cidade Alta and Cidade Baixa); visit Bonfim Church and try acarajé - a local Afro-Brazilian street food snack - in the Rio Vermelho neighbourhood.

Stay: Villa Bahia (Superior)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your overnight flight home.