Silversea Luxury Cruises A ILHEUS (Bahia)

Discover a region of great environmental and historical significance in Brazil on this half-day tour of the Atlantic Forest. This forest houses one of the richest areas in biodiversity of the country, and also of greatest arboreal biodiversity on the planet, according to a study conducted by scientists from the Cacao Research Center and the New York Botanical Garden. The Atlantic Forest is also considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Visit is to the Floresta Viva Project, run by the Arapyaú Institute, which operates in identifying opportunities and directs financial and strategic resources to initiatives that work for the environmental education and sustainable development of the region.

Learn about the Atlantic Forest biome during your light trekking, and also by watching the activity of planting some endemic species. The living forest nursery of the Institute produces up to 100,000 seedlings per year, including endangered species of the Atlantic Forest, leaving a beneficial footprint on this important natural resource.

On your way to the forest, stop at the pier-belvedere near the village of Serra Grande (big hill) for a breathtaking view and to learn about the local social development and environmental education in the village of Serra Grande as you enjoy your local snack and drink.

Return to pier (45 minutes).

Enjoy a tour filled with historical sites and cultural expression that is the essence of the city of Ilheus. Make a short drive to visit the Historic Center of Ilhéus, and its main destination, the Saint Sebastian Cathedral. Built in 1967, this cathedral boasts striking neoclassical architecture. After learning about the cathedral's importance to the city, watch a cultural performance out in front of this important site.

Follow your specialist guide to Vesuvio bar, the city Theater, and reach the Jorge Amado cultural house to relive the famous author's novels. The cultural house keeps some of the objects from this well-known writer who helped to create the identity of Bahia through all his published novels. A variety of characters from his writing lived in the city of Ilheus, and your tour passes some of the sites where they used to go, such as the Bataclan - the cabaret from Jorge Amado's novel Gabriela.

At the cabaret, watch a performance and taste a cocoa drink and the Nacib's quibe (a popular snack from the novel Gabriela). Continuing on a short walk, meet your bus and go along the historical 2 de Julho Avenue, passing by the distinctive Christ statue and the beautiful view of Pontal Bay to reach the Artisan's Marketplace.

Enjoy some time for browsing and shopping before making the short return trip to the pier.

On this delightful half-day tour with a local guide, learn about the history of the rise, decline and rejuvenation of cocoa production in Bahia, arriving today to discover the industry's renewal through the implementation of new techniques.

The city of Ilhéus lived its peak of wealth thanks to the planting of the "fruit of the gods" discovered by the Maya civilization, which eventually became the monoculture of the region in the past century. This region was the world leader for cocoa production in the 1930s. After a plague decimated the plantations in the late 1980s, it took a new direction with selective production of high-quality almonds for the making of fine chocolates and bring a whole new horizon to those farms. In this authentic experience, find out how the main ingredient of the world's most desired delicacy is produced together while also helping preserve the the Atlantic Forest.

From the pier drive 40 minutes towards the cacao farm and upon arrival, take a 2-hour visit of the farm. Sights include the farm plantation and the production area where you can learn about the cabruca system, that is native vegetation cultivated in a sustainable way. Discover the process for the fermentation and drying of almonds.

Next, visit the chocolates factory, where chocolate tablets and bonbons are manufactured, where it is time to taste some of the cocoa products!

Return to the ship.