Travel Tour: Modern Brazil 2023

São Paulo - Brasília - Rio de Janeiro

October 12-23, 2023

Docomomo US Modern Brazil is one in a series of exclusive modern architecture, art and design travel experiences. This eleven-day, ten-night trip features the work of Oscar Niemeyer, Lina Bo Bardi, Afonso Eduardo Reidy, Lucio Costa among others. 

Travelers will embrak on a journey through the history of modern architecture in Brazil. From its early sinuous and iconic Carioca School designs through its brutalist Paulista School period, guests will experience the 20th century through three of Brazil’s most important cities: São Paulo, Brasília and Rio de Janeiro. Highlights of the tour include the opportunity to visit many of Oscar Niemeyer’s most important works including Ibirapuera Park, Copan Building, Casa de Canoas, Oscar Niemeyer’s family home. Guests will enjoy two days exploring the country’s capital of Brasília with stops all along Brasília’s Monumental Axis including: Three Power Square, the National Congress, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Itamaraty Palace. In São Paulo, guests will visit the Lina Bo Bardi designed Glass House for a special curator’s tour in addition to a visit to Bo Bardi’s São Paulo Museum of Modern Art. In Rio, highlights include a visit to Park Guinle by Lúcio Costa, exterior view of the Ministry of Education and Culture building, in addition to two works by Afonso Eduardo Reidy: The Museum of Modern Art and the Pedregulho residential project. Modern Brazil offers a unique travel opportunity in a small group setting featuring access to modern homes and buildings considered off the beaten path or not ordinarily open to the public.

Modern Brazil will be led by Debora Barros AIA, LEED AP BD+C a registered architect in New York and Brazil, and an Associate at PBDW Architects, in New York City.

View the Modern Brazil brochure or register through Friendly Planet.

SCHEDULE

(Download PDF)

Day 1, Thursday Oct 12: Guests will board as a group from Miami. 

•  Guests will board as a group from Miami for an overnight flight to São Paulo.

Day 2 Friday, Oct 13: Morning arrival in São Paulo.

• After checking in to the hotel, guests will enjoy lunch and a visit to Oscar Niemeyer’s, Copan Building. This is a lightly programmed day to allow guests to reset after a long day of traveling.
• Accommodations: Hotel Renaissance São Paulo 

Lunch included.

Day 3 Saturday, Oct 14: São Paulo 

• We will start the day with a visit to the the FAU/USP School of Architecture designed by Vilanova Artigas and the Lina Bo Bardi designed Glass House. After lunch, we will visit Casa Vilamova Artigas and conclude the day with a special tour of the Sao Paulo Musuem of Art (MASP) by Lina Bo Bardi.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4 Sunday, Oct 15: São Paulo 

• Today guests will be treated to a morning bus tour of São Paulo city center including the Metropolitan Cathedral and a visit to the Santa Cruz Street House and Gardens designed by Gregori Warchavchik, considered one of the first expressions of modernism in Brazil. After lunch we will visit Ibirapuera Park and Auditorium designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 5 Monday, Oct 16: São Paulo

• This morning we will drive by a number of important projects including Casa da Rua Itapolis, the Louveira Residential Complex, the Prudencia Building and the IAB (Brazilian Institute of Architects building). After lunch guests will enjoy a guided tour of SESC Pompéia, a former metal drum factory adaptively reused as a multi-purpose center.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6 Tuesday, Oct 17: São Paulo to Brasília 

• Guests will travel this morning by air to the capital city of Brasília. After lunch guests will enjoy a bus tour along the Monumental Axis with a stop to the TV Tower and Oscar Niemeyer’s little church.
• Accommodations: Brasília Palace Hotel

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7 Wednesday, Oct 18: Brasília 

• Guests will enjoy a full day visiting Three Power Square, the National Congress and Itamaraty Palace. After lunch, the group will visit Alvorada’s Palace, the Superquadras.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 8 Thursday, Oct 19: Brasília to Rio de Janeiro

• After an early breakfast, guests will visit the the University of Brasilia Buildings, the Burle Marx Gardens and Military Sector and then head to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. In Rio, guests will visit many city center sites including Arco do Telles and Travessa do Comercio, the Imperial Palace, the Old Customs House and a stop at Confeitaria Colombo for afternoon tea.
• Accommodations: JW Marriot Hotel

Breakfast included.

Day 9 Friday, Oct 20: Rio de Janeiro

• On our first day in Rio, guests will be treated to a visit to the Roberto Burle Marx Cultural Center and home, and Park Guinle by Lucio Costa. After lunch the group will tour Oscar Niemeyer’s family home, Casa de Canoas.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10 Saturday, Oct 21: Rio de Janeiro 

• Today guests will visit designs by Afonso Eduardo Reidy: the Pedregulho Residential Complex, the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) and Flamengo Park with Lota de Macedo Soares and R. Burle Marx. Other visits include the recently opened Museum of Tomorrow designed by Santiago Calvatrava.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11 Sunday, Oct 22: Rio de Janeiro 

• This morning guests will have exterior visits to the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteroi by Oscar Niemeyer.
• Free afternoon in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 12 Monday, Oct 23: Rio de Janeiro to Miami

• After breakfast at the hotel, guests will have a free day before saying “tchau” to Rio de Janeiro and depart for the airport to Miami.

Breakfast included.
 

Rates

Program rate: $7295.00 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement $999 (limited availability)

Rate includes

• Round-trip flights Miami to Sao Paulo and Rio to Miami via LATAM Airways, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
• Airport transfers on arrival & departure
• Internal flights, ground transportation and transfers within Brazil
• Ten (10) nights’ accommodations in first class hotels & guaranteed early check-in on arrival day
• Twenty Four (24) meals: 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners
• Drinks (1 per person) for all lunches and dinners as included
• Tips for drivers, guides, or director
• Comprehensive educational land program as detailed
• Professional, English-speaking Brazilian guide for entire tour duration
• $192.00 - $326.00 Optional (recommended) comprehensive travel insurance

AIA Continuing Education Credits will be available.

Rate does not include

• Passports (required and must be valid for at least 6 months after date of return)
• Items of Personal Nature
• Drinks and meals other than those specifically included

Passenger Deposits

Passenger deposits are $500.00 per person. Passenger deposits are non-refundable, and cancellation and interruption coverage is strongly recommended in order to protect passengers against cancellation fees. 

Deadline for deposits June 14, 2023.

Airfare Credit:

Any travelers who wish to book their own international and internal flights, the airfare credit will be a $1,200 reduction from the tour price. Travelers who want to book their own international flights but want FRIENDLY PLANET to provide the inter-flights within Brazil, should make this request to group@friendlyplanet.com.

Final payments:

Final payments are due at 75 days prior to departure - July 29, 2023. Reservations received after this date will be on a request basis and must be accompanied by payment in full. Cancellations must be made in writing (fax, email or postal mail) and are subject to the following charges:

Cancellation Charges:

75+ days prior to departure      $600

74 – 45 days prior to departure $1000

44 – 30 days prior to departure $1700

29 – 10 days prior to departure $2300

9 – 0 days prior to departure     No refund

Scheduled flights:

1 LA8191 12OCT 4 MIAMI / SAO PAULO 2020 0535 +1

2 LA3006 17OCT 2 SAO PAULO / BRASILIA 1035 1220

3 LA3794 19OCT 4 BRASILIA / RIO 1305 1450

4 LA3371 23OCT 1 RIO / SAO PAULO 2000 2110

5 LA8190 23OCT SAO PAULO / MIAMI 2305 0620 +1