Each itinerary is carefully planned to feature a selection of Brazil's natural, cultural and historic highlights. These include a guided tour of Rio de Janeiro, a cable-car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain, a visit to the statue of Christ the Redeemer which overlooks Rio and a stunning rainforest journey. Our goal is to choose activities that will be enjoyed by all, but our programme also includes sufficient free time for our customers to explore each destination for themselves.

We choose only accommodation which meets our stringent criteria for convenience of location, quality of comfort, service and amenities whilst representing excellent value for money. Great Rail Journeys is the UK's longest-established specialist rail tour operator and our customers benefit from the reassurance that we are members of ATOL, AITO, and ABTA and that any flights we provide are, where applicable, protected by the CAA.

Occupying almost half of the land mass that constitutes South America, Brazil is the fifth largest country on earth. To the north, west and south Brazil is bordered by all of the other South American countries barring Ecuador and Chile, whilst the country's long eastern coastline - famed for possessing some of the world's finest beaches - faces the South Atlantic Ocean.

Brazil is also the world's largest Portuguese-speaking nation; a consequence of the arrival of nobleman and explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral who claimed the country for Portugal in 1500 and established a colony which would remain in power until 1822 when Brazil achieved independence.

Generally speaking Brazil enjoys a tropical and subtropical climate which means it is suitable for visiting, dependent on the region, at any time of year. Winter falls between June and August when average temperatures range between 13 and 18OC (55 and 64OF). In summer, the three-month period between December and February, temperatures can swelter anywhere between 30 and 40OC (86 and 104OF) in the southern regions around Rio de Janeiro with northern, rain-forested areas slightly cooler. Rainfall, in varying degrees, can occur at any time of year but is heaviest in the winter months.

Brazil is renowned for its coffee, and this is the preferred national beverage, whilst the caipirinha, made by mixing a sugar cane spirit called cachaça with fresh lime, brown sugar and ice, is the national cocktail. Should you choose to dine at your own choice of restaurant in Brazil you may find that it operates on a 'por kilo' basis. At these buffet-style restaurants you may choose as much of whichever food you prefer, but the price you pay is based upon the total weight of your plate rather than for each individual item on it.