Next year is big for Brazil, between hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the return of Carnival across the country in early February. Holidaymakers can also look beyond the big cities for authentic experiences that people often miss. Brazil’s Tourism Board Embratur’s International Markets Coordinator, Alisson Andrade, spoke to GB News about everything you should add to your bucket list when visiting the South American country.He said: “Brazil has the perfect match for what the British are looking for in terms of holidays. We’ve got nature, the most biodiverse country in the world is Brazil, in terms of species of animals and plants. “We’ve got a very unique culture, as Brazil is one country politically, but many countries internally. We call it ‘Brazils’, like many ‘Brazils’ inside. “British travellers can have the best combination of nature and culture in Brazil, and we’re a very welcoming country, welcoming people from abroad and showing them the authentic Brazil. This is the greatest differential we have as a country. Our vibe and our energy are unique.”We have Rio de Janeiro, which is the gateway to Brazil. We call it a postcard city, known as the Marvellous City. It has a very strong tradition of football, and it’s home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and so on.”People can also go to São Paulo, which is the largest city in Brazil and the economic hub of our country. It is a very interesting city for gastronomy — with very good food — and also for culture, with many interesting museums.”I would also highlight the whole series in the North East. It is a very special region, with warm water, very welcoming people, traditional foods, and it’s on the shore of Brazil. The three cities in the North East are Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza. All three are big cities, but around them you can go to the beach, and you can enjoy good gastronomy. They’re very authentic Brazilian experiences in this region.”Other recommendations included Brasília, which offers striking 1960s architecture and easy access to the waterfalls and hiking trails of Chapada dos Veadeiros, while Belo Horizonte is worth visiting for its colonial history and traditional cuisine, including pão de queijo. Further south, Porto Alegre provides a base for exploring Brazil’s impressive Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza canyons, with opportunities for hiking and adventure activities, Mr Andrade explained.He also opened up about the world-famous Carnival celebrations. The expert said: “Everyone knows about the parade in Rio. This is very popular, and I recommend people go there. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We celebrate Carnival everywhere in Brazil, from very small towns to big cities. “We want to show other places in Brazil where you can celebrate Carnival and combine this with your vacation. More specifically, Salvador. In Salvador, you can enjoy the street Carnival, and you can also get a taste of the African roots in Brazil.”It’s the most African city outside Africa. So the traditions of food, music and so on, from Africa, you can find in Brazil and Salvador.”It’s a massive party on the streets where we have these big trucks with the bands playing, and thousands and thousands of people following these, enjoying and dancing all the time, 24 hours a day on the street. So it’s massive in Salvador.”Of course, you can take the opportunity to enjoy the beach. Salvador has a very beautiful shore. You can go to the northern part of Salvador, the region of Praia do Forte, and go to very laid-back, small hotels and enjoy a peaceful and beautiful place. After dancing a lot at Carnival, you can rest.”Brazil’s Carnival celebrations extend far beyond Rio, with Recife and Olinda also offering lively street parties, traditional frevo dancing and colourful costumes. Taking place during the country’s sunny summer in February, the festivities can be paired with a relaxing beach break or a trip to the Amazon and Pantanal wetlands, where visitors can enjoy safaris and spot an incredible variety of wildlife.