Iguaçu from both sides, and the colonial towns of Minas

Iguaçu Falls is best seen from Brazil for the panorama and from Argentina for the walkways over the water; cross the border for a day with your passport. Minas Gerais' colonial towns (Ouro Preto, Tiradentes) are baroque gold-rush cities with the country's best home cooking, a day from Rio or Belo Horizonte by bus. Salvador in Bahia is Afro-Brazilian culture, music, and the Pelourinho's painted streets; its Carnival is a street party rather than a parade.