The interior of the north-eastern state of Bahía is scenically alluring and historically interesting. This is plantation country: cotton and sugar were cultivated here in Portuguese colonial times and thousands of African slaves worked on them, resulting in today’s eclectic culture in this exotic region of Brazil. Beyond the plantations are forested hills punctuated by Lost World-like tablelands, remote and sparsely populated, separated by rushing rivers and tumbling waterfalls, and criss-crossed with delightful hikes.

Move on to Fernando de Noronha, the natural tropical beauty of which is protected by the Brazilian government. Some the world’s best diving sites are to be found here, and the snorkelling off the rugged bays is equally spell-binding.