Wish You Were Here: A trip to Brazil explores Rio and Paraty

In this post-pandemic era, Bay Area News Group readers have been making up for lost time with some pretty wonderful adventures. Just in the last year, they’ve explored rivers in Alaska, road-tripped through Tuscany and toured some of India’s most spectacular landmarks. Then they shared their travel stories and helpful tips, in case you’re interested in heading that way too.

The latest “Wish You Were Here” installment hails from Brazil.

Wish You Were Here

BRAZIL: San Rafael residents and avid travelers Howard and Evi Rachelson spent two weeks in Brazil — their 97th country — over new year’s. Traveling with their son Gadiel, who teaches at the American School in Mexico City, and his girlfriend, Rocio, they visited Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis and Paraty. “Rio is colorful, energetic, diversified, lively and musical, with glorious views everywhere,” Howard says. “The food is great and not expensive, and restaurants are ubiquitous. Ubers and taxis will take you everywhere.

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“Petropolis is a city designed in the 1850s by German immigrants to Brazil. The city is peaceful and safe, with interesting architecture, and it’s located in the jungly hills about an hour from Rio. Paraty — prounounced para chee — is a UN World Heritage site with big cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, large numbers of hotels and restaurants, and no automobiles in the city center.” This part of the coastline also has beautiful islands that can be reached by boat.

TRAVEL TIPS: “Everyone said be careful, but we felt no danger anywhere,” Howard says. “The main thing to take care of is your cellphone in the big cities. And don’t wear jewelry, even necklaces.”

Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to [email protected]. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers go there, too.

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