Porto Alegre, Brazil

The capital of Rio Grande do Sul, PORTO ALEGRE , lies on the eastern bank of the Rio Guaiba, at the point where five rivers converge to form the Lagoa dos Patos , a giant freshwater lagoon navigable by even the largest of ships. Founded in 1755 as a Portuguese garrison to guard against Spanish encroachment into this part of the empire, it wasn't until Porto Alegre became the port for the export of beef that it developed into Brazil's leading commercial centre south of São Paulo.

With a rather uninteresting feel to it, like a cross between a southern European and a North American city, most people will be tempted to move straight on from Porto Alegre, unless they're waiting to make a transport connection. Fortunately the city has considerable life, if not much visible history, and you'll find many ways to occupy yourself, particularly if your visit coincides with one of the main festivals : Semana Farroupilha (Sept 13–20) features traditional local folk dancing and singing, while the highlight of Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (Feb 2) is a procession of fishing boats.