Opened in 1954, during Sao Paulo's 400th anniversary, the Ibirapuera Park has a 1.6 million m² area and sports courts, bicycle racks and restaurants. The project was led by Oscar Niemeyer, the architect who created most of the buildings in Brasilia. It also involved several professionals, such as architects Ulhoa Cavalcanti and Zenon Lotufo, besides landscapers Burle Marx and Augusto Teixeira Mendes. The Ibirapuera has been elected "one of the 10 best urban parks in the world" by The Guardian, and it gathers athletes in the running lanes, soccer courts and open gym equipment. It also charms people looking for culture. The Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Contemporary Art Museum), the Museu de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Museum), the Museu Afro Brasil (Afro Brazil Museum), the Auditorio Ibirapuera (Ibirapuera Auditorium), the Pavilhão Japonês (Japanese Pavilion) and the Oca are all in the park. Take the time to also visit the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp), which is only 6 km away. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/ibirapuera-park.html

Rio de Janeiro is a city full of undiscovered places that make your eyes turn. The Stairs of Selarón (Escadaria Selaron) used to be one of them. A magical place, in the middle of a metropole, with nobody around. Just an occasional visitor. But not anymore. Right now the stairs, that functions as a bridge between the neighborhoods Lapa and Santa Teresa, is one of the most visited highlights in the city. Thousands of people pass by every day. But the magic still exists. The best time to visit the Stairs of Selarón is early morning before 10 am. After that time the tour agencies will arrive with loads of tourists until the end of the day. Of course, in low season – between April and Juni and September and November – you can get lucky during the day. Best spot is the upper part of the steps where you can find a more quiet corner with the Brazilian flag. https://www.gringo-rio.com/stairs-of-selaron/

Fortaleza Central Market is the largest market in the northeast. Visitors can find in the Central Market: leather goods (sandals, shoes, hats, bags and bags), lace and embroidery on clothing and bedding, table and bath, bobbin lace, t-shirts, mini-raft souvenirs, costume jewelry, gold jewelry and home furnishings. Regional products that delight the palate of tourists such as cachaça, liqueurs, nuts and cashew candy, are also for sale market. Restaurants offer typical northeastern foods. Stairs, ramps, and the elevator facilitate public access to the upper floors. Visit Fortaleza Central Market and become a character of this story! https://mercadocentraldefortaleza.com/

Iracema is the main character of a novel with the same name written by Brazilian writer José de Alencar. The novel tells the story of Iracema and Martim Soares Moreno; Moreno was one of the first Portuguese to come to explore Fortaleza (read History of Ceará), and Iracema would be his wife. Iracema became so associated with Fortaleza (hence the name of Iracema beach) that a few statues of her were built and are exhibited in the city. This one was sculpted in concrete by Corbiniano Lins, and displays Iracema, Martim Afonso, their son and their dog, sitting on a jangada. The artist preferred a modernist approach, which resulted in some corporal distortions, like disproportional thick legs and large breasts. Despite some criticisms, this Iracema has been in exposition since 1965, and was for a long time the most famous landmark of Fortaleza. http://www.visitfortaleza.com/travel/old-iracema-statue.html