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sizzle, sun and football: why the eyes of the world are on brazil

by Sarah Pratt

When it comes to sports-driven fun in a beautiful landscape, it doesn't get much better than Brazil. With nearly 4,500 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline at your disposal, beach time isn't just a pleasant distraction, it's serious business. In fact, millions of people from all over the world visit each year, and tourism drives the country's economy.

Brazil is poised for an even bigger influx of tourism over the next few years, thanks to the FIFA World Cup Tournament in 2014 and the Summer Olympics set to take place in Rio De Janeiro in 2016. Brazil is the place to be for football and monumental sporting events. It's a great place to watch the best sport in the world, but don't miss out on the other attractions Brazil has to offer.

Three Reasons You Should Go to Brazil

Sure, if you're taking a trip to Brazil for football, that's your main goal. However, there are many other reasons to visit:

The Food: If you've never had feijoada, Brazil's national dish, you're missing out. Feijoada is a rich, filling stew made from pork, beef, beans and a few vegetables thrown in for good measure. There are a multitude of ways to prepare it, and it seems that every Brazilian family has its own style. In fact, Brazilian cuisine is a scrumptious hodge-podge of flavors introduced by a variety of cultures and ethnicities, ranging from mild to spicy, simple to complex. Along the coast of Brazil is also where you can find some of the world's best seafood dishes, such as moqueca and vatapa, two types of Brazilian fish stew.

The Culture: Brazil's diverse ethnic mix includes elements of Portuguese, Italian, African, European, South American and Asian, which makes the country colorful, vibrant and exciting. Major cities such as Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo have music, art, architecture and festivities to thrill and delight your soul. Whether you're into the wild fun of Rio's Carnival, participating in the sports enthusiasm of a football game (of course), or sight-seeing around places like the Escadaria Selaron mosaic steps in Rio, there's something for everyone to experience in Brazil.

The People: The people of Brazil have long been known as friendly, warm and generous. Music punctuates nearly every aspect of Brazilian life, but unless you're dancing to an upbeat salsa tune at one of the many dance clubs around the country, you may find yourself slowing down to match Brazil's less frazzled pace. The people are the heart and soul of a culture, and Brazil certainly has plenty of both.

Commencing Travel Preparations in 3... 2...1...

Check your passport to make sure it hasn't expired. If you don't have one, allow ample time before your departure date for the Department of State to process your paperwork (you can have it expedited, but it will still take a couple of weeks for your passport to arrive).
Get traveler's checks, which are easily replaceable if stolen or lost. Credit cards and cash, however, are not.

Credit cards also contain valuable information about your identification, as does your driver's license and Social Security card. If your wallet is taken by a pickpocket, they can steal your identity and make your life very unpleasant. Lifelock Identity Protection can ensure this doesn't happen by monitoring your personal information while you're away.

Brazil's spirit is catching on, so what are you waiting for? Go experience the culture (and the football) for yourself.


Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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