VIP Tour Group’s Top Five Brazil Honeymoon Resort list for 2013

Planning a honeymoon in Brazil? Sorting through the possibilities simplifies with VIP Tour Group’s Top Five Brazil Honeymoon Resort list. You don’t have to wonder which of the resorts in Trancoso, Buzios, Florianopolis and others have the best beaches, best service, best suites and more.

Honeymoon planner and trip designer Renata Silva, an expert on Brazilian areas most suited for culture, beaches and romance, explains, “Brazil is such a large and wonderful country with a cornucopia of cultures and traditions. Our clients want more than just the beach; they want to immerse themselves in the people and culture of Brazil, while still finding that perfect bungalow.”

Evolved significantly from its simpler days, Brazil now boasts South America’s most distinctive and alluring luxury honeymoon resorts. You can explore honeymoon itineraries at viptourgroup.com; until then, here’s a Top Five list to consider.

1: Ponta dos Ganchos, Esmeralda Villa: Rated highest for service, ambiance, style and cuisine, this resort on a small point nestled between two charming fishing combines the warmth and personalized service of a guest house a high-end hotel’s sophisticated infrastructure. The staff numbers three per bungalow, with customized services per guest wishes. Location: Florianopolis, Santa Catarina; Price: $1,100-$3,200 nightly; Ideal season: November through March; Meals: breakfast included; gourmet restaurant on-site.

2: Nannai, Master Bungalow: Water is the primary appeal at this luxury Muro Alto Beach resort, less then an hour from Recife. Bali-style thatched bungalows, each with its own private pool or whirlpool, provides a special mood. Two master bungalows anchoring the ends of the property afford even more privacy than premium and super-luxe bungalows. Exploration options include the local reef and Porto de Galinhas village. Location: Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco; Price: $820-$1,200 nightly; Ideal season: November through March; Meals: breakfast included; afternoon snacks, dinner offered.

3: Txai Resort, Premium Bungalow: At the center of Bahia’s exotic coastline, Itacare is the gorgeous area that’s home to the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Lovingly run by on-site owners, Txai exemplifies attention to detail, from fresh flowers to expansive, open living areas in the stylish thatched bungalows. The palm-framed pool at Txai lies next to one of Brazil’s best beaches. Location: Just outside Itacare, Bahia; Price: $650-$1,300 nightly. Ideal season: July through November; Meals: Includes breakfast; gourmet restaurant on-site.

4: Pousada Maravilha, Bungalow: Home to one of Brazil’s most spectacular nature reserves and part of a stunning archipelago, this paradise island hideaway sits amidst waters renowned for scuba and snorkeling. With just eight bungalows nestled in the hillside, Maravilha offers comfortable privacy, fabulous views and spectacular sunsets. Location: Island of Fernando de Noronha, northeastern Brazil; Price: $950 -$1,350 nightly; Ideal season: July through November; Meals: breakfast included; gourmet restaurant on-site.

5: Insólito, Insólito Suite: Found alongside one of Búzios’ most beautiful beaches, Insólito boosts thematic rooms immersing you in Brazilian culture. Adding to the appeal, the resort offers design, landscaping and illumination by Anouk Barcat and Maneco Quinderé, with added décor by owner Emanuelle Meeus de Clermont-Tonnerre, a French businesswoman with a deep passion for Brazil. Location: Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Price: $750 -$1,150 nightly. Ideal season: November through March. Meals: breakfast included; gourmet restaurant on-site.

Bonus: For the perfect three-night honeymoon add-on, head to Fasano in Rio. The ideal Brazilian honeymoon combines one of the above resorts with a three day stay in Rio, “the Marvelous City.” VIP Tour Group loves Fasano, the Starck-styled boutique hotel sitting on the sexiest stretch of Ipanema Beach, for superior service and location. Chosen by Beyonce and Jay-Z as a desirable destination, Fasano Rio’s family ownership has more than a century’s experience in the Sao Paulo restaurant realm. The Fasano’s glass exterior, white marble rooftop pool and ultra-private beach exudes high-fashion glitz and glam on the seashore. Its Al Mare, named for the sea, serves Italian-inspired dishes of ocean bounty, including seared tuna with baked endive and a fish-based lasagna. Hotel Bar Baretto Londra - named for London, the owner’s favorite city - owes its popularity to its intimacy, low lighting, leather chairs, Argentine red brick and inclusion of the Union Jack. Dress code? Skimpy supermodel chic, naturally, as this is the land of Adriana Lima and Gisele Bunchen. For extra privacy, ask for one of the wide tables with oversized white cushions on the deep wooden terrace banquette.

As Brazil claims a bigger spotlight, with the upcoming 2014 Brazil World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio,VIP Tour Group stands ready for all special requests for Brazilian wonders.