Jetsettersblog

Pernambuco, a sleepy state on Brazil’s northeast coast, is starting to attract Americans. Relatively undiscovered until now, Pernambuco has much to interest visitors including 116 miles of pristine coastline, charming 16th century architecture, delicious seafood and terrific toe-tapping music.

So while Rio has been getting the lion’s share of attention up to now, that may change as savvy travelers head for Recife and Porto de Galinhas.

Lying on two miles of white sand beach, the capital of Recife has a laidback vibe that recalls the Miami Beach of yesteryear. The city’s restaurants are rated second highest in the country.

The Portuguese settled in Pernambuco in the 1530s and with the riches from sugar cane built beautifully ornate churches.

Set on a hill next to Recife is Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage site with dozens of beautiful 16th and 17th century churches and monasteries.

Lining the town’s cobble stone streets are art galleries, restaurants, bars, boutiques and charming pousadas housed in centuries-old mansions. Just down the coast is Porto de Galinhas, its warm crystalline waters drawing surfers, divers and kite surfers.

Brazilians have voted it the country’s most beautiful beach for seven years in a row. Some 200 miles off the coast lies Fernando de Noronha, an island paradise for divers and ecotourists. And everywhere — in the beach bars and clubs — is the infectious beat of the local country music, called forró.

Members of the Brazil Tour Operators Association are offering special deals for the area this winter. From now through Dec. 19, Borello Travel & Tours is offering a seven day/six night Escape to the Beach package to Recife, Olinda and Porto de Galinhas that starts at $392 per person, double occupancy.

It includes three nights at the three-star Best Western Manibu in Recife; a full-day city tour that includes Olinda, a half-day cultural tour with a museum visit, a tour of an artist’s workshop and a catamaran sail, three nights at the three-star Armação Hotel in Porto de Galinhas, full Brazilian breakfast daily, roundtrip airport transfers and hotel taxes.

Borello Travel can arrange air from Miami for $661.70 and from New York for $682.70; both include $170.70 in taxes. From Jan. 4 to March 30, 2010, the cost of the package will be $598, per person, double.

Package is subject to availability, and prices are higher for the Carnival period (Feb. 12 to 17.)

For more information, call 800-405-3072 or visit www.borellotravel.com.

Just Brazil Vacations by Hotur is offering a six-day/five-night Pernambuco packages starting at $2,489 per person, double occupancy, Jan. 7 to March 30, 2010, which includes roundtrip airfare from Miami; six nights accommodations, with two nights in Recife at the five-star Atlante Plaza, two in Olinda at the Pousada Sete Colinas and one at the Nannai Beach Resort in Porto Galinhas; daily Brazilian breakfast, half-day city sightseeing in each city; a walking tour of historic Olinda; local tour guides; and hotel service charges and taxes.

Prices through Dec. 23 start at $2,799, per person, double occupancy.

Higher rates apply for Carnival.

For more information, call 877-468-8707 or visit Brazil.com”>www.JustBrazil.com

Brazil Nuts is offering a Delights of Olinda package for $995 per person double occupancy that includes roundtrip airfare from Miami to Recife, three nights at the charming Sete Colinas in Olinda, daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes and a private half-day sightseeing tour of Recife.

The package is available until Dec. 15 and from Jan. 3 to March 31, 2010. Prices are higher for the Carnival period. For more information, call 800-553-9959 or visit to www.brazilnuts.com

BTOA’s 24 active members are AAT American Adventure Tours; Abreu; Air Projects; American Express Vacations; Avanti Destinations; Borello Travel and Tours; Brazil Nuts Tours; Brazilian Vacation Center; BROL/Brazil Online Travel; Chanteclair; Cox & Kings USA; Discover Brazil Tours; Dumonde Travel, 4 Star South America Tours & Travel; Fredson Travel; Globus; HOTUR-Just Brazil Vacations; Marnella Tours; Pan American Travel Services; SITA World Tours; Skyline Travel Specialists; Tourlite International, VIP Tour Group; and Visit Brazil Tours.

For more information, email admin@braziltouroperators.org  or visit www.braziltouroperators.org