The Museum of Quai Branly is a hybrid museum mixing post-colonial and postmodern. The museum is an attempt to merge art and ethnography. It is neither the Louvre nor the Musée de l’Homme. Quai Branly plays a role in transmission not only of knowledge, but also of testimony and emotion, offering visitors a choice of possibilities for taking part in a dialogue of cultures.

The museum boasts with an unusual profile from Jean Nouvel’s sienna-toned cubes piercing the postured exterior to the anti-gravitational plant wall by Patrick Blanc,. Entering through a Jurassic garden, the visitor commences on a winding tour through Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

Shows, music salons, master classes… the museum of Quai Branly is ready to transport you to all four corners of the world, from Morocco to Brazil, from India to Mexico, to discover other cultures and unique artists. As well as a school for documentary filmmaking in the tradition of the direct cinema of Jean Rouch, Richard Leacock and Fred Wiseman, Varan proposes an evening of screenings every three months at the museum.

The gallery installation (one critic dubbed the spotlit cases “monster lighting”) can be disorienting, swiftly shifting between tribes and continents with hidden text panels and interactive stations. That said, the 3,500 objects (out of a total 30,000) on permanent display are incredible. With a little perseverance, you might actually learn about them.

Getting there: The location of the museum Rue 37 Quai Branl 75007 Paris and there is easy access to the museum, by car/metro/bus. Entry to the museum is via rue de l’Université or via Quai Branly.

Livraria da Vila Library is built on a very narrow plot in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The place is a unique bookstore and library. Livraria da Vila offers comfort with translated into the composition of low-ceiling spaces, dark tones, indirect lighting and floor to ceiling shelves. Whichever direction one looks at, there are books without a pretentious feel, allowing customers to browse or even read at ease in the couches and easy chairs scattered around the stories.

The library has various space. The inclusion of the basement level allowed for an entire floor exclusive for children, in addition to a small auditorium, to hold courses and lectures whilst the voids connecting one floor to the next invite customers to enter and explore the store.

The architect is Isay Weinfeld. The Livraria da Vila stocks thousands of culture, fiction and theory titles: most are in Portuguese, with the notable exception of the extensive, English-led art and design sections.

Rio de Janeiro has budgeted $US10.7 million for further permanent construction at the site, and an additional $US9.6 million for temporary construction to get the venue ready for the Games. International Olympic Committee members shocked everyone at the Bella Convention Centre in the Danish capital by eliminating favorites Chicago in the first voting round. Rio de Janeiro received 66 votes compared to Madrid’s 32 in the final round of voting.

The Blue Tree Park hotel is located by a lake in Sao Paulo, Brasilia. The hotel is modern, clean and nicely located in the Paulista area of the city, just one block off Avienda Paulista. Shopping malls, international and Brazilian Restaurants, parks, museums, discos and other features can be easily reached from the hotel.

200 suites has, they are well kept, spacious and staff helpful and speaking English. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Guest rooms feature verandas, room safes, telephones, cable TVs, minibars, and air conditioning.

The hotel has a variety of facilities and services that are sure to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers. Sushi bar at the hotel lobby!

Guests can dine at the in-house restaurant that serves a wide variety of international cuisine.

The hotel offers outdoor swimming pool, fitness/ gum, dry and wet sauna, and exercise room.

Brazil is a country that can show many different cultures, landscapes and attractions. Now we are inviting you to enjoy us with archipelago Fernando de Noronha, renowned for its white sand beaches and aquamarine clear water. It consists of 20 small islands – the main island is so small that can be driven from end to end in about ten minutes. But here are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world … as Brazilians simply refer to it as “paradise”. 

Noronha has sixteen beaches – five of them are of restricted access, to prevent damages to the environment. Fernando de Noronha was discovered by the Amerigo Vespucci in 1503 and the beaches are as beautiful as they were 500 years ago. In some of them there are natural pools formed by water trapped among the reefs.
 

The island is one of the most important ecologic sanctuaries in the world, and without doubt, the most beautiful marine park in Brazil. With a bit more than 2,000 inhabitants, the access to and permanence in the island is strictly controlled, for preservation purposes. Upon arrival you are required to pay a conservation tax that increases progressively with the length of the visit. No more than 400 visitors can visit the island at a time. 

Fernando de Noronha is among the best (in South America) places perfect for diving. Also some of the beaches offer great surfing and incredible snorkeling opportunities. The submarine surface has a steep slope, which allows for a deeper view into the sea waters. Dolphins, Rays, Sharks, and thousands of tropical fish fill the seas of the marine preserve. You can spot sea turtles, huge schools of tropical fish, and even sharks if you’re lucky. 

Canaima National Park is stretches in south-eastern Venezuela that borders Brazil and Guyana. The amazing cascade of El Sapo Falls is located inside the jungle in Canaima National Park. The waterfalls are 40 m high and 120 m wide, that forms a curtain that invites us to walk behind it. The sensation of being trapped within millions of liters of water is unique. At the top of the cascade you will have opportunity to take fantastic pictures. In 1994, Canaima National Park became part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located on one of the most exotic Caribbean beaches. 1.5 miles from Playa del Carmen and 35 minutes from the airport. Surrounded by 35,000 m2 /42,000 sq. yards of lush gardens.

The resort is so well maintained and absolutely spotless in cleanliness. The rooms were very nice and spacious. This spectacular hotel boasts 400 elegant junior suites. 400 stylish rooms, beautifully appointed with dark wooden furnishings and details in tropical colors. All rooms have balconies, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and liquor dispensers.

Hotel amenities include the beach access, continental breakfast room service, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, children’s swimming pool, children’s playground, hairdresser, fitness center, sauna, spa, beauty salon, shop and tennis courts.

Magnificent spa that features a variety of treatments, beauty salon and relaxing massages.

The restaurants cater to international tastes and include Japanese fare at Yashimi, Brazilian specialties at Botafogo and a new a La Carte restaurant called the Krystal Dining Room.

Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital is not typical vacation destination – this is a city of contrasts. Its people, landscapes, crafts and interesting history are some of its main attractions. Located on the hills overlooking the Paraguay River, it enjoys tourisms with scenic cruises and its unique flora and fauna. Popular attraction is Asuncion’s botanical gardens, which feature more than 100 species of tropical plants.

Among its distinctive features, typical balconies in building’s facades are the witnesses that still remain from former times and histories. The major attractions are the Museum of Fine Arts, displaying South American artwork, 19th century cathedral, and Pantheon of Heroes, housing the entombed remains of many fallen heroes of some of Paraguay’s wars.
 

Asuncion is also principal shopping and business center for Paraguay, which lies between Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. Calle Palma is the main shopping street in the city and is a popular tourist hotspot with a charming blend of international restaurants, cafes, shops and museums. Towards the city centre, public buildings, banks, hawkers selling anything under the sun, theatres, pubs and art galleries are among other attractions. Asuncion offers a wide variety of indigenous crafts such as leather, carved wood and Paraguayan lace.

Papagaio is a private island with just 20 stand-alone bungalows set in a forest of palms and fruit trees. It lies at the southern tip of Santa Caterina Island, some 30 km from Florianopolis, the island capital of Santa Caterina State in southern Brazil. Photo: Felipe Terra.

Two things make Papagaio really special. Firstly, most of it is a protected nature reserve that consist the Atlantic Rainforest State Park of Serra do Tabuleiro and offshore Brazil’s rights sanctuary. Secondly besides having all the delights of a super-tranquil tropic sanctuary, including its own delicious oysters, Papagaio has its own petroglyphs. Photo: Carol Luz

Papagaio also has a third attitude: its ready access to the history and the sophistication of nearby Florianopolis with its 17th century fishing villages, jungle-covered hills, emerald lagoons and 40 sugar-soft beaches, full of bijou clubs and glamorous people. From Papagaio you get the best of every world laid at your feet. Photo: Marcio Marques

When to go: July to November, when the whales and penguins are on snow. Ilha do Papagaio was recently acclaimed in the Guardian newspaper as ”the stuff of fantasy”.

Located in the central business district, it is one of Macau’s tallest buildings with 52- storey. Grand Lisboa is a well-known city landmark and often is definite as the most luxuries casino and hotel in Asia. Just only for your information, the project amounts to US$375 million. At night, the building is as a kaleidoscope with 1.2 million light colors diodes on its surface.

The hotel’s design was inspired by the Chinese and Brazilian culture. The building is shaped like a giant yellow lotus flower (the symbol of Buddhist) combined with the distinctive headdress plumes of exotic carnival dancers.

The Grand Lisboa Hotel has 200 tables, 300 guest rooms and 40 floors. The complex often is acclaimed as a perfect mix of traditional hospitality and world-class facilities, including: spa and fitness center, hair salon, an outdoor pool, a center with high-speed Internet access, a conference room. Room Rates- 180-260 euro for standard single room.

The capital of Brazil – Brasilia, is the only city in the world built in the 20th century. In 1987 the city was awarded of World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a masterpiece of modernist architecture. The city attracts architecture fans worldwide.

The most famous sculpture is “Dois Candangos” by Bruno Giorgi, part of the Monumental area of Brasilia. This 25-foot-tall bronze sculpture depicts two abstract elongated figures holding poles. The statue has become the symbol of Brasilia and represents the pioneering spirit of the workers who built the city.

The idea that Brazilian cuisine can hold its own is slowly taking hold in Sao Paulo, thanks to a new generation of chefs looking outward for technique but inward for ingredients and tradition. At D.O.M., the chef Alex Atala was vaulted to international fame for using Brazilian ingredients in majestically executed contemporary dishes. A gel with green tomatoes, coriander seeds, Peruvian corn and aromatic herbs.

Dalva e Dito focuses on simple dishes that Brazilians would have typically grown up on, like a prato feito of rice, beans and meat.

The name D.O.M., which stands for Dominus Optimo Maximo, signifies Mr. Atala’s desire to have the “home” of the “best” and “greatest” cooking.

Priprioca-milk pudding with lime ravioli and ouro banana at D.O.M.

Ana Luiza Trajano is the chef at Brasil a Gosto, an elegant restaurant that unloads an avalanche of flavors, textures and experiences without intimidating.

Tapioca crisps with an accompanying creamy coconut-and-crab mix is a starter at Brasil a Gosto.

Miami is a world of man -made islands and the original polo fields are new golf courses – Miami first make a loud at the beginning of the 20th century. Many times I wrote about Miami but this time I will mention some other interesting facts. I love Miami in part for all its flashy invention. In my opinion the big constructions are adding some serious substance to this subtropical city.

I suggest you this time exploring Miami on a two-day bike tour visiting city streets, galleries, delicious drives, one stop Haitian voodoo shops. You can covered 40 miles and 11 islands and used up an entire tube of sunblock.

One of my favorites building in Miami is Bacardi Building north to downtown Miami, at Biscyne and Northest 21st. This building is the greater example of how the International style meets the subtropics. I’m a modernist and I reckon we should protect the buildings of the past, but also the new architecture should reflect our own times and aspirations.

A fantastic way to experience Miami cultural diversity is through its culinary culture. Just north of downtown it’s Enriqueta, a delicious little Cuban spot with hundreds of fun and mostly family-run restaurants. There are incredible Cuban Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Brazilian and Argentine food. Miami has an extraordinary influence of cultures, but you have to get out of South Beach to feel it. The botanicas in Little Haiti are just an example for getting a sense of rich Haitian culture here.

For the first time, there is massive residential development in the downtown area that will transform what was once a dark working center into a great downtown. In addition to Museum Park (the new Miami Art Museum/Museum of Science complex) and the Performing Arts Center, over the next several years we will see a new Frank Gehry Soundspace for the New World Symphony and new Herzog & de Meuron and Enrique Norten buildings here in Miami Beach.

This beautiful eco-park was once a contaminated brownfield in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The park was designed by Levisky Arquitetos Associados and spill across 130,000-square-foot site, which was previously the home to a garbage incinerator. The team clean-up the area and tried to minimize soil excavation by building a deck, that floats three feet above the ground.

The place is called Victor Civita Plaza, which also features solar panels, the vast use of reclaimed wood and retro-fitted museum. The archeologists found forgotten artifacts and use as evidence of past events.  The deck’s elevation literally exposes the history of the landscape as a reclaimed site. It is constructed of Brazilian hardwood that was sourced from distributors that follow stringent rules on extraction and reforestation.

The construction of the project takes advantage of the its history to encourage visitors to think about the past and present ecology of the site. Through exhibit panels, they are able to get a grasp on various efforts taken to make the space cleaner, healthier — and ultimately, more sustainable.

Recreation makes the space a priceless amenity for neighboring communities in this dense urban area. A covered amphitheater offers music events while a community center offers eco-centric workshops. And integrating these spaces into thoughtful design and educational planning, the team have made this site capable of actively improving the social and environmental health of the surrounding neighborhoods.