If Jorge Amado's claim that "Brazil is the wonderful sum of every possible contradiction" is true, there can be no doubt that this is the ideal country in which to embark on an unforgettable adventure in search of unique and unrepeatable sensory experiences. This book has been designed primarily for those who see travelling as surrendering to a mysterious inner journey, as the creation of a fantastic treasure trove of emotions and feelings that can be difficult to describe in words. It aims to capture impressions that are hard to convey other than through stunning images and original stories in which history, landscapes and snapshots of everyday life merge into one. The introduction sheds light on key events which shaped this great country, a place where there seems to be room for everything and everyone, a tapestry in which past, present and future magically coexist is revealed. Few nations in the world can contend with Brazil when it comes to cultural heterogeneity and natural wealth. Encountering the sounds, smells, flavours, thousands of colours, varied fauna and lush flora of this country can be astonishing and of unparalleled intensity. Its ancient peoples and more recent immigrants are varied and many, reflecting the geographical backdrop. From the vast, lush Amazon rainforest to the mighty rivers broken up by steep waterfalls; from the untouched beaches and emerald waters of the Atlantic coast to the modern cities where life bustles relentlessly; from the colonial architecture that betrays a rich past to the desolation of the favelas, Brazil is an amazing succession of contradictory elements, of light and shade, of breath-taking spectacles and grandiose scenery alongside glimpses of intimate beauty. It is a kaleidoscope of colours and faces that are impossible to forget. Brazil is now a country focused on the future, with the 2014 Soccer World Cup providing impetus for the economy, which is expected to grow even stronger thanks to the significant influx of capital and the creation of new infrastructures. The 31st Olympic Games that will take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 will be an unmissable opportunity for the country's progress and growth. AUTHOR: Francesca Piana is a freelance journalist specialising in travel writing that encompasses the whole territory with a particular interest in anthropology, art, architecture and archaeology. She has written travel books and tourist guides for the major publishers in the field (Touring Club Italiano, Dove- RCS, Rough Guide/FuoriThema, Michelin, A. Mondadori). She has a knowledge of the culture of the Americas and in particular Latin America, where she has worked and travelled extensively.
