The pool at Casas Brancas

The tranquil town of Búzios, about a two-hour drive northeast of Rio de Janeiro, is one of South America's tourism jewels. With a historic harbour and an active nightlife, locals and visitors alike enjoy strolls along the waterfront while sampling the many exotic flavours of Brazilian ice cream made from fruits that grow nowhere else in the world.

Casas Brancas is full of tasteful touches of whimsical decor

To take the idyll home at night, a stay at boutique hotel Casas Brancas will further reinforce the sensuality and beauty of the place. Casas Brancas, which means 'white houses' in Portuguese, is in fact an agglomeration of several large homes located on the most prime real estate in town, right on the curve of the esplanade with spectacular views over the bay and the colonial-style architecture. Casas Brancas is owned by the Bebbiano family, whose own white house became the basis for the hotel. Their house was turned into a hotel and was an immediate success; after all, it's not often a beachfront mansion is made available to guests. This success brought a need to expand; luckily, the neighbours were not averse to selling up. If ever there were a pin-up boy for the Brazilian hospitality industry, Casas Brancas General Manager Santiago Bebbiano is it. As dashing as he is capable, Santiago grew up in the hotel when it was his family home and has taken the reins in overseeing its daily operations. With only thirty-two rooms (and a few more coming online soon), Casas Brancas offers the kind of personalised attention expected in a highest-quality hotel.

These fishermen never stop working

With an upsurge in small yet luxurious properties taking hold in Rio and Brazil's largest city, So Paulo, it is pleasing to find a hotel with the savoir-faire of sophisticated management team located in a casual village where the most stressful decisions include which direction to face the chaise longue and what delicious aspect of Brazilian cuisine needs to be explored next. The two-level stone terrace is the centre of Casas Brancas social life, with guests enjoying the pool, fountain, calm, and restaurant, all offering stupendous views of the bay.

Casas Brancas night view

Búzios became famous in the 1960's thanks to the presence of one Brigitte Bardot, who did for this town what she did for Saint-Tropez in France. Indeed, Búzios is often called the Saint-Tropez of Brazil; the similarities are evident. While the town is peaceful in general, there are bastions of fun to be had on and off the main drag where chic bars and restaurants spill out onto the footpaths and street. As if there is any doubt, be assured that Brazilians certainly know how to have a good time.

The tranquil harbour of Buzios

The Brazilian airline Gol is actively expanding services to Brazil's smaller airports in order to bypass the congestion at those serving the country's major cities. Though Rio de Janeiro's international airport is not far away, a more convenient option is to fly into the airport of Cabo Frio, tiny and therefore a breeze for arrival and departure. Gol offers seasonal nonstop flights from Buenos Aires to Búzios, making for convenient connections for travellers flying from Australia via the Pacific or from Asia via Europe and the Atlantic.

Kick back and relax you're-in-Brazil