News

April 30th, 2007

Castelinho38

Castelinho38 is a meeting point between art and hosting. The eclectic architecture of the castle and the functionality of its layout creates a successful fusion between history and modern times.

Hidden in the heart of Santa Teresa and surrounded by Mango trees and  Imperial Palms, Castelinho38 offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Just walking distance from the chaotic city center and around the corner from the best samba clubs of Rio, the guesthouse offers a priviledge view of the bohemian neighbourood, a sort of a tropical Montmartre.

The building, an original castle built in 1866 and then renovated in 2006, counts nine rooms all with high ceilings, big windows, queen size beds and Italian décor.

The structure holds art exhibitions, yoga and pilates classes, shiatsu massages, acupuncture therapy and offers a diverse range of services, from WI FI internet connection, to private city tours and beauty treatment.
The main hall can host art exhibitions, video projection and business conferences.

The Manager, Stefano Macchi, managed to fuse Italian style with Brazilian "tropicalismo", creating a high quality product that is ideal for couples, families and groups, either on holiday or business.

The staff is always available for travel advices, tips for day and night life and information about guided tours, transfer and airport pick up. For more information visit our site: www.castelinho38.com

It seems uncomprehensible that this kind of ilegal burning could happen so close to Corumbá where the Environmental Agencies are located. One must know, that the area is owned by cattle ranchers who burn their fields every year to provide new pasture at zero cost for them. At least this is what they think. The bill for the ongoing desertification of the Pantanal will be on the table in near future. For some the bill is due already.

We did report the case immediately to the authorities (IBAMA) but the damage was done once more.

Peter Rohmer/M.Volante

This beautiful shots of the shy Jaguar were made by our client William "Safaribill" Fleming on another succesful Jaguar Safari that we conducted in Brazil´s Pantanal. This time it was a big female of some 180-200 lbs which Bill came across on one of our night safaris. But there was more waiting for him and he took a good chance of: Maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus , Ocelot Leopardus pardalis, huge Marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus und Odocoileus dichotomus, Crab eating racoon  Procyon cancrivorus , Bush dog Speothos venaticus, Brown capuchin monkey Cebus apella , Howler monkeys Alouatta sp in not often seen positions and some very nice shots of cayman, capibaras and birds of prey.

To further improve our Wildlife Photo Safaris we are negociating with professional photographers who will guide our 2007 tours. Names and CV of these pros will be informed soonest.

Mai 5th, 2006

US-students on educational journey
in Brazil

In February 2006 we have been visited by a group of 16 students with their professors from the economic faculty of the University of Virginia. UVA. The voyage was themed “The Business of Saving Nature”.

For the 12-days journey we had organized a very diversified program, which included, amongst others, visits and lectures with governmental agencies such as the SDS (Secretariat for Sustainable Development in Amazonia) in Manaus, the CTA – Center for Environmental Technology of the Federal State of Rio de Janeiro, and Natura, a fast growing company producing natural cosmetics, in Sao Paulo. During a three-day-boat trip, on the Amazonas and Rio Negro rivers, caboclo settlements involved in sustainable development activities have been visited. Fascinating wildlife observations and nature activities aside, the tour provided the young people with an inside view of nature conservation activities in an environment that is of significant importance for the planets health.

On top of the informative part the group, of course, would not miss out on other typical Brazilian attractions like world famous drink Caipirinha, Churrasco, Copacabana beach, Corcovado mountain. It was a great experience. The group learned a lot and had a great time. The return flight to the cold USA therefore was felt as a necessary evil.

December 13th, 2005

Jaguar Photo Safaris
and Botanical Discoveries

As a matter of policy we, at Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions, try constantly to further enhance our special tours. Our aim is to address the experienced and demanding traveler, the expert and the amateur alike, interested to broaden their knowledge and making the ultimate experience on a well organized tour, guided by qualified specialists in their fields. Raising the standard of the tours to a maximum regarding content, logistics and improvements of travel comfort, where this is possible or recommendable, is the task in a country that lacks considerably of infra-structure.

In case of the Pantanal Jaguar Safari, our on-site partners keep us informed permanently about the of the jaguar population, like activities, physical and area expansion and moving radius. First hand information come in from experts at different locations. We are in contact with the staff of the jaguar research stations at Miranda region, get up to date in-put from our guides like Biologist Pedro Romero , and João Santori, a converted jaguar hunter. Also the fazendeiros (ranchers) themselves keep us posted of jaguar activities in their area.

New is that we will operate three jaguar safaris in 2006 with a limited number of four participants.

Our Botanical Discoveries tour already count with the cooperation of internationally renowned experts, like environmentalist and orchid specialist David Miller and Dr. Gerd Hatschbach, who is chief botanist at the renowned Museo Botânico of the Paraná State University in Curitiba. As hosts, both guarantee top tour content.

In 2006 we will operate two new destinations: in the Amazon and in the cerrado bush lands of the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Central Brazil. The last mentioned ecosystem offers alongside a breathtaking high plateau scenery with impressing table mountains, valleys, caves and waterfalls, a savannah vegetation rich in Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Ericaulaceae, Velloziaceae and medicinal plants. Your specialist guide there is Dr. Antonio Toscano, PhD from Kew Gardens and co-author of the book 'The Flora of the Pico das Almas' by Brian Stannard (Kew Gardens).

June 20th, 2005

Southern Cross Tours supports
social film project

"Camelô - street hawkers in Rio" is a social film project and a co-production of the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Fluminense), one of the most prestigious institutes in this particular field in Latin America, and the German University of Applied Sciences and Design of Mannheim.

As a travel operator Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions offers specialized tours of interesting natural and cultural content. Their programs give the experienced traveller the chance to have a glimps behind the curtain, helping thus to provide a realistic image of Brazil. The financial support makes the realization of this project possible and helps to promote young German and Brazilian filmmaking talents.

For more pictures please click hear

March 29th, 2005

Brazils National Parks

The newest List of Brazilian national parks issued by IBAMA, the enviromental authority includes:

Northern Region

Amazônia, Arauaia, Cabo Orange, Jaú, Monte Roraima, Pacaás Novos, Pico da Neblina, Serra da Mocidade, Serra do Divisor, Viruá.

Northeastern Region

Abrolhos, Chapada Diamantina, Fernando de Noronha, Lençóis Maranhenses, Serra da Capivara, Serra das Confusões, Sete Cidades, Ubajara, Descobrimento* (Bahia), Monte Pascoal* (Bahia), Pau-Brasil* (Espirito Santo).
*Last three mentioned form the recent-found corredor ecológico

Midwest Region

Brasília, Chapada dos Guimarães, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Emas, Pantanal Mato-Grossense.

Southeastern Region

Grande Sertão Veredas, Ilha Grande, Itatiaia, Restinga de Jurubatiba, Serra da Bocaina, Serra da Canastra, Serra do Caparaó, Serra do Cipó, Serra dos Órgãos, Tijuca.

Southern Region

Aparados da Serra, Iguaçu, Lagoa do Peixe, São Joaquim, Serra Geral, Superagüi.

September 23rd, 2003

Top Business Brazil
Background Idiomas

News Language School Background Idiomas

Want to travel in Brazil? Like to know the country and people off the tourist paths? We suggest you contact Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions and Background Idiomas!

Maybe you are about to take on a job down here or you wish to fix residence under the tropical sun? Then Brazil Business Consult and Background Idiomas is the best bet.

Whatever your intentions are, the cooperation with Background Idiomas, a language school under German management in Rio de Janeiro, offers the perfect synthesis of:

Speaking - travelling - working - living

• Qualified Portuguese courses, intensive and super intensive individual courses, special and immersion programs up to eight hours/day
• Experienced and dynamic teachers cater to the particular study goals of the student

For further information contact: annettesct@uol.com.br