Florianópolis, Brasil
The fabulous capital of Santa Catarina state in Brazil’s vibrant south, Florianópolis has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, a perfect place for the Royal Holiday member who wants to experience the best Brazil has to offer. Located on an island just off the Santa Catarina coast, Florianópolis’ comfortable subtropical climate has made it the perfect home-away-from-home for many travelers, and it remains popular with tourists both in Brazil and around the world. Royal Holiday travelers have two options for staying in Florianópolis, which enables any member to enjoy the history and glamour of this unique getaway.
Families and groups of friends will do well to check out the flexible options at the Hotel Ingleses Praia, a handsome collection of deluxe studio and 2-bedroom ambassador suites. With its direct access to Ingleses beach, as well as its many family-friendly features like equipment rentals and handicap-accessible amenities, the Hotel Ingleses Praia makes the perfect home base during any stay in the city. Royal Holiday members looking for a romantic getaway may instead choose the comfortable units at Jurerê Beach Village, set along Jurerê International and within easy walking distance of everything the district has to offer. While parents will appreciate the supervised playground, all travelers will enjoy the fully equipped rooms with kitchenettes. Jurerê Beach Village also offers guests access to a heated pool, dry and wet saunas, and a variety of on-site restaurant and bars, making it a completely luxurious resort experience.
Florianópolis’ history stretches back more than 4,000 years, when the Ilha de Santa Catarina, or Saint Catherine Island, was inhabited by the Carijós tribe of the Tupi people. The island was settled by Portuguese colonists in the late 1600s, and by the mid-1700s, colonists from Madeira Island and the Azores Archipelago had arrived, leaving their mark on the island’s culture. Today, Azorean culture and cuisine continues to dominate Florianópolis, with nearby fishing villages like Ribeirão da Ilha and Santo Antônio de Lisboa remaining virtually untouched by the rise of tourism in the 20th century. Royal Holiday members looking to learn more about the region’s history will do well to visit the Ribeirão Eco Museum to learn more about the Azorean colonial period, while those interested in more ancient history will want to see the extensive collection of archaeological treasures at the Homem do Sambaqui Museum, one of Brazil’s finest. Others will enjoy a trip to one of the four forts on the island that were built in the 1700s to repel Spanish invaders.
Of course, Florianópolis has far more to offer than history; its present holds endless excitement. A mecca for adventure sports, the city is one of the best places to learn how to parasail and hang-glide. Many travelers seek out guides at Conceição Lagoon, while Royal Holiday members looking to get in the water instead of flying above it may want to visit the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, where extraordinary diving opportunities can be found. Brava Beach and Jurerê International will satisfy any beachlover’s needs, while those looking to beat the crowds may want to take the hike to Lagoinha do Leste. After the sun sets, however, Florianópolis shows its true colors; the city’s vibrant nightlife includes exciting beach clubs, dance-all-night DJ extravaganzas, and world-class restaurants and bars.