Product Description

Sao Paulo, the largest and arguably the most interesting city in South America, is a culturally diverse megalopolis. Among the 25th wealthiest cities in the world, it is South America's financial capital and Brazil's answer to the cosmopolitan destinations of the developed world. From the Japanese markets in the neighbourhood of Liberdade, to the Italian neighbourhood of Bexiga and the numerous Lebanese sweet-stalls and kosher delis, Sao Paulo offers visitors a fascinating tour of the ethnic groups that make up modern Brazil. The city's stunning architecture reflects Brazil's colonial roots and its never-ending zeal for modernity: Baroque churches mix with bold modernist landmarks designed by Brazil's greatest contemporary architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Sao Paulo attracts all manner of tourists: young, hip travellers visit the city for its great music, art and food scene; international business people descend on the financial capital for its conferences and expos; and wealthy fashionistas fly in by helicopter to frequent high-end boutiques.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129743 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
The Time Out guides, updated regularly by savvy locals, are still the best available for hipster travelers of any age The New York Times

About the Author
Editor Anna Katsnelson was a recent Fulbright scholar to Brazil. She has lived and travelled widely in Brazil and is writing her dissertation on Brazilian literature. She has contributed to Fodor's Brazil 2008 guide.

Customer Reviews

a disappointing read
I found this book quite annoying to read as a guide book and as a rule I would normally choose a lonely planet guide over a Time Out one every time, but they don't seem to do one. Although it seems to hold a lot of info there is no really succinct introductory section on the highlights to be had in SP to entice you to explore more of the book or the city itself which I am sure are there by the bucket load. Its district-based chapters are essentially just an endless listing of what's there but nothing leaps out and grabs you and urges you to get stuck in. It's as if they were afraid to give an opinion on anything other than shopping & nothing seems to get more than a few lines - if that. Generally I expect more from a City Guide - and sadly this fell short. Lonely Planet it ain't!