Salvador de Bahia is the oldest city in Brazil and its first capital. Salvador vibrant community of artists of all kinds draws from the region's African and Portuguese heritage, making the city the country’s soul and the birthplace of modern Brazilian culture. The local cuisine, music, dance and vibrant visual arts are all testaments to this pervasive African influence. As one of Brazil’s greatest historical destinations, the city is filled with colonial churches, homes and forts that reflect stunning Portuguese architecture from the Baroque period. Considered Brazil's most artistic city, Salvador has a lively art scene and its streets are filled with dance and music all year round, especially in Pelourinho, the city colonial core. Salvador is the capital of Bahia, the state known for its endless stretches of stunning beach along the Atlantic coast, dotted with charming resorts and inhabited by the most laid-back people in the country.
