With our suggestions for trips and visits we would like to show you a side of Brazil that might be unknown to you until now but that in our view is interesting and authentic. An alternative and addition to your beach holiday!Sugar cane left its mark on the social, cultural and economical history of Pernambuco. You will have the opportunity to see the historical 'Engenhos' (sugar cane mills) and learn about the cultivation of sugar cane and its role in the economical development of Pernambuco.You'll get to know the daily life of the people in the villages, their customs and traditions and the variety of craftwork produced in our region.We'll travel on roads and tracks passing through towns and villages to secret places that can only be reached via hidden tracks – changing with the seasons, muddy in winter, dusty in summer.Unforgettable experiences, insights, smells and sounds await you!

An all-day trip to Caruaru, the biggest commercial centre in the interior with its various markets offering regional products, craftwork and much more – plenty to see, try, hear and smell. The soundtrack to this is authentically played 'forro', the music of the Northeast.In Alto da Moura we visit the artists in their ateliers where the famous clay figurines are manufactured and sold.

Trip to Passira

If you like hand-made embroideries, the town of Passira is the place to go! Here men and women produce expertly pieces in all forms and sizes and sell them at most reasonable prices.

This trip is a journey into the past following the 'Road of the historical engenhos' where you'll discover the roots of Brazil. The engenho Poço Comprido built in 1780 has recently been restaurated and turned into a museum. It is the only remaining example of an architecture where manor house and church were a unity. The exhibition of photography at the museum shows the history of the 'engenho' and the sugar cane industry.

Tracunhaem is the place "where the clay becomes a saint or a saucepan". Dozens of artists produce pottery that comes in all shapes – from religious objects and figurines to household items and decorative art. Here you can buy authentic craftwork from the Northeast at a good price.Lagoa do Carro is known for its hand-woven tapestry. The women artists produce beautiful carpets in bright colours with geometrical patterns or lavish flower designs. It is also the hometown of the "Museu de Cachaça" whose collection of more than 7000 bottles of different brands of the Brazilian national drink (distilled from sugar cane) made it into the Guiness Book. A great place to try and buy your personal selection!

An all-day trip full of history, arts and culture. From Olinda's hills you have a beautiful panoramic view over the sea and the town of Recife. Olinda is also famous for its numerous baroque churches and the vivid cultural life. You find a large variety of craftwork ranging from wooden statues to paintings, embroideries and other decorative objects.Recife, the capital of the state of Pernambuco, is a modern city with many facets. Here past and present are united by the restaurated historical old town around the "Praça da Republica" square and the beautiful Santa Isabel theatre, the old port that has been transformed into a leisure area with bars, restaurants and all kinds of events, and the famous city beach of Boa Viagem.