The city of Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia and was also Brazil's capital until 1763.  It is divided into two parts. The Lower City is at sea level and contains the old port and the commercial district where visitors will find a complete and  varied assortment of Brazilian arts and crafts at the Mercado Modelo. 
A familiar sight at the Mercado Modelo is the "baiana", usually an older woman  dressed in the traditional white, pleated dresses of colonial Bahia who sells coconut sweets and spicy “Vatapá's”, “acarajé's” and “xinxins” from a tray that she carries to the market on the head.  

The “Lower City” is also the best  place to witness a demonstration of “Capoeira”, a martial art developed by African slaves in Brazil, originally as a form of combat and later as a type of dance and folklore tradition. Practitioners compete to the rhythm of the “berimbaus”, a local percussion instrument made with a cord stretched tight  across a wooden bow.  The 'Upper City' can be reached by stone steps,  alleyways or the famous Lacerda Elevator. This part of the city contains the old government buildings, the residential districts, museums, churches and much of the newer architecture. 

Salvador is located 1,058 miles from Rio de Janeiro, 1,225 miles from São Paulo and 1,304 miles from Brasília. Access to Salvador is easily, either by car or by plane. It is only a two-hour flight from Rio. The airport is new and modern and International flights from Europe and the United States also make regular stops in Salvador. 

Churches - Salvador is said to have 365 churches, one for each day of the year.  That is something of an exaggeration, but the number and variety of churches in the city is truly amazing.  All of them are impressive and historically significant, and each one is distinctly different from the others. A few of the most important are the Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi with its sumptuous altar covered in gold leaf dating from 1581, Our Lord of Bonfim Church, Aflitos Church and Our Lady of Rosário Church (both 17th century), Boqueirão Church, the Basilica Cathedral, Lapa Church, Boa Viagem Church, Conceição da Praia Church, Desterro Convent and Graça  Church (1577). 

Itaparica - The Itaparica Island is a paradise located only 40 minutes from Salvador by ferryboats. There are several fine hotels with a wide selection  of tours and activities as well as deserted beaches with palm trees and calm waters.

Praia do Forte - Praia do Forte is another tropical paradise located approx. 70 Km up the coast from Salvador and definitely worth a visit. Virgin Atlantic jungle forest and kilometers of wide, deserted beach, shaded by palm trees.

Costa do Sauipe - Costa do Sauipe is located 113 Km from Salvador, up the coast. It is a drive of approx. one and a half hour along the "Coconut highway". In Sauipe one finds Bahia' s newest tourist resort area, very well structured with modern hotels, golf course, tennis courses, etc. and all facilities available one could possibly desire!