One of Brazil’s most fascinating cities is Salvador da Bahia, often referred to as Bahia or Salvador. Here you can find impressive colonial architecture, art galleries, baroque churches and beautiful beaches. Salvador, Brazil’s third largest city, embraces a mixture of African, Portuguese and Amerindian cultures, most evident in their dance, music, and cuisine. The city’s cuisine utilizes typical African ingredients such as palm oil, peanuts and coconut milk. Several other colorful African traditions displayed around Salvador are capoeira (an African-Brazilian martial arts dance) and the lively candomble ceremony (a religious blend of African and Catholic influences). This mix of cultural flair makes it a very delightful destination for both Brazilians and tourists alike.

Salvador is the capoeira center of Brazil, which makes it the best place to learn. The ritual mock combat of two fighters engaged in rapid-fire precision lunges, kicks and punches is an awe-inspiring sight. Other capoeristas circle around the fighters in a roda; they keep time by clapping, singing and banging on drums. Fighters may change places with people in the roda every now and then.

The origins of capoeira are said to be rooted in everything from Angolan foot-fighting, Japanese martial arts, or from the native Brazilians themselves. We know that somewhere along the way, African plantation slaves modified the dance-fights, adding African chants, rhythms and instruments.

Today's capoeira is very exotic, and certain to impress. The acrobatic jumps and gymnastic floor moves in capoeira have heavily influenced modern-day breakdancing. The cardiologic benefits haven't gone unnoticed, and capoeira is cropping up in fitness classes and health clubs around the world.

In addition to Portuguese group language classes participants receive 2 hours/week of Capoeira classes. These will be held in the afternoons after the language classes. The classes cover theoretical aspects as well as practical application.

• 2 Capoeira classes per week

Participants: Mostly from U.S. and Europe. Majority of students are in early 20's and 30's.

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