We stayed in São Paulo both before and after our trip to the Pantanal. It’s very much a working city, not a tourist destination, but it’s an exciting place to be with plenty of fabulous restaurants.
The Fasano
This is the most glamorous hotel we have ever stayed in. We loved the mid-century styling. We had a fantastic (though expensive) dinner in the restaurant and went on to enjoy jazz and cocktails in the Baretto bar.
A guided tour of the city
Our guide to São Paulo was knowledgeable and entertaining, although we were equally fascinated by his stories about living in London in the early 70s, driving around in a Mini Cooper, watching motor racing, befriending Emerson Fittipaldi and going to rock concerts to see all the big names.
The ‘old town’ in São Paulo is photogenic and historically important, but quite run down. It was good to be doing this part of the city with a guide. There was also quite a heavy police presence.
Meeting the Police: this chap was a friend of our guide and wanted to pose with us for a photo.
The Pátio do Colégio with numerous azulejos (Portuguese-style tiles) relating to the founding of the city.
Independence Park, with the Monument to the Independence of Brazil
Views from the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Universidade (MAC-USP).
Ibirapuera Park on a Sunday. The sculpute of people chasing a pig is called ‘A Pega do Porco’ by Ricardo Cipicchia.
Evening View
Around Jardins – a lovely area to wander. Even the sex shops are quite cool.
We walked from the Fasano to the Museu Afro Brasil in Ibirapuera Park – an amazing collection of artefacts (both historical and contemporary) from Africa and Brazil.
Our walk to the museum passed this lake and the massive Monument to the Bandeiras.
Peregrinamur 