01 Carnaval • For a memorable experience, take in the most important of Brazil's festivals, celebrated in notably grand style in Rio, Salvador and Olinda.

02 Iguaçu Falls • The power and beauty of the falls is quite simply astonishing, only rivalled by the tranquillity of the Mata Atlântica behind.

03 Teatro Amazonas •If you can't attend one of the regular concerts, be sure to take a guided tour of this remarkable opera house, painstakingly built from materials brought from Europe.

04 Reggae bands • Keep your ears open for infectious reggae beats throughout the Northeast, whether in atmospheric bars or on the street.

05 Views from the Corcovado, Rio • Ascend the Corcovado mountain – where the image of Christ the Redeemer stands – for breathtaking views taking in the whole of Rio and Guanabara Bay.

06 The Jesuit missions • Admire the striking ruins of São Miguel in Brazil or combine a visit with other Jesuit missions in what is now Argentina and Paraguay.

07 Ouro Preto • Some truly remarkable Baroque churches are tucked away in the steep, narrow streets of this charming town.

08 Parque Nacional da Tijuca • This impressive expanse of Mata Atlântica is criss-crossed by shaded trails and features refreshing waterfalls and spectacular views across Rio.

09 River journeys • Take a slow boat along the Amazon for close-up views of the mighty river and its wildlife.

10 Visiting Rio's beaches • On weekends you can hang with locals who escape to Rio's sands to play sports, catch up on gossip or simply people-watch.

11 Trekking in the Chapada Diamantina • Explore the dramatic terrain of this enormous national park, which includes mesas, forest, river beaches, waterfalls and a kilometre-long grotto.

12 Brazilian Baroque art • Within this style, Aleijadinho's sculptures are remarkable, none more so than the Passion figures in Congonhas.

13 Theatro Municipal, Rio • If you can't catch a show inside Rio's sumptuous belle époque theatre, be sure to stop for lunch or a drink in its lavish, Assyrian-inspired café.

14 Northeast beaches • North of Salvador the coastline is stunning, with waters good for surfing or sailing in a traditional jangada, as well as fine white sand dunes like the ones at Jericoacoara.

15 Ilhabela • A playground for São Paulo's rich, this island boasts some of the area's most beautiful beaches, thanks to strictly enforced environmental protection laws.

16 The Pantanal • You'll be hard-pressed to not spot wildlife in the world's biggest inland swamp.

17 Pedra Azul • This massive stone mountain is renowned for the shade of blue it seems to turn at dawn and at sunset.

18 Churrascarias •Sample grilled meats of all kinds at these typical gaúcho barbecue houses.

19 Capoeira • Stop into a capoeira school, where you can watch the dance-like sparring of this distinctive martial art for free.

20 Parque Nacional Chapada dos Veadeiros • Head just a few hours north of Brasília to take in this spectacular wilderness area, dotted with striking geological formations, caves, waterfalls and hiking trails.

21 Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Niterói • Take a short ferry ride from Rio and spend some time at this spaceship-like museum, one of Oscar Niemeyer's architectural masterpieces.

22 Olinda • The cobbled streets of the city's historic centre offer up countless examples of beautiful colonial architecture.

23 Rio nightlife • A rather seedy inner-city bairro by day, Lapa at night pounds to infectious Brazilian rhythms, its nightclubs and bars teeming with locals and tourists alike.

24 Fazendas • Visit these impressive rural estates, relics of São Paulo's coffee-producing boom. The Fazenda Pinhal, near São Carlos, is among the best preserved.

25 Colonial Rio • There are more colonial churches in Rio than anywhere else in Brazil, and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro is quite simply the prettiest.

26 Florianópolis beaches • Head to the island capital of Santa Catarina state, where kilometres of beaches include treacherous surfing spots and calm waters for safe swimming.

27 Avenida Paulista, São Paulo • Get a sense of the city's impressive modern face through its major thoroughfare, lined with skyscrapers as well as opulent mansions.

28 Paraty • This picturesque spot remains one of Brazil's best-preserved colonial towns, and it's a great base from which to explore the surrounding Costa Verde.

29 Brazilian architecture • Whether it looks like a futuristic dream or a nightmare, Brazil's modern-day architecture is often otherworldly.

30 Markets • Walk through any market in Brazil to get a sense of the country's natural abundance. São Paulo's Mercado Municipal, crammed with produce from all over Brazil, is particularly impressive.

31 Candomblé celebrations • Usually identifiable by their white dress, followers of this popular Afro-Brazilian religious cult worship together in exuberant dance ceremonies as well as at fiestas.

32 The Aquário Natural • Snorkel among some thirty-odd species of fish in the crystalline waters of this marine sanctuary, or else spy on them from above in a glass-bottomed boat.