I am a Brazil Travel Specialist with over 20 years experience working exclusively with the Brazilian travel industry. My interest and love of all things Brazilian began during my flute and music studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachussets in the late 70s. Many Brazilian students attended this famous international jazz school, and I felt drawn to the friendly and outgoing nature of these talented classmates which inspired an intense immersion in everything Brazilian including the music, Portuguese language, literature, history, art, politics and the wonderful cuisine. I was completely fascinated by the novels of Brazil's famous writer Jorge Amado (Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands), never imagining that 17 years later I would find myself spending the day with him at his home in Bahia.

In the early 80s, after a strong desire to live and work in Brazil, I was offered a position with a large charter company called International Weekends. I was sent to Rio de Janeiro to manage their inbound charter air program receiving weekly groups from the United States. During this working hands on experience I was completely immersed into the Brazilian culture and found myself fluent in Portuguese after one year. Working with large groups of travelers from the United States quickly became a challenging and educational way to learn a great deal about the Brazilian Travel Industry and everything that it has to offer.

Upon returning to the United States, I began developing special interest itineraries to Brazil for Kontik-Franstur S.A. in New York City. A few years later, I was offered the position as Official Travel Coordinator of NGOs for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development - The Earth Summit which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was the largest conference of its type which also included a meeting of the largest number of Heads of State. During this period many of my clients were scientists, environmentalists and politicians from all over the world, many who had a great interest in visiting the Amazon region before or after their participation at the Earth Summit. The Amazon State Tourism Authority sponsored a visit for me prior to the conference and I was able to research many of the tourist options for travelers. During this trip I discovered an amazing tree-top lodge called Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, and decided that this was the perfect option for my Earth Summit clients. Ariau is the only place where tourists can get up close with the regions abundant flora and fauna since the entire eco-resort is built at canopy level. There are also approximately 5 miles of sturdy canopy walk-ways to explore the rainforest. I felt that someday I would enjoy specializing in this particular lodge and the Amazon Region. I also appreciated the sustainable development aspect of the entire operation as a beautiful contribution to the environment. In 1995 I began representing Ariau in the United States and have enjoyed this immensely ever since.

In 1997 the great Latin American writer Isabel Allende asked me to design and arrange an itinerary for her visit to Brazil including the Amazon, Rio, and Bahia. It was during this trip with Isabel where I found myself visiting Jorge Amado in his home in Bahia. What a thrill it was to spend the day with two great Latin American writers as well as Amado's wife Zelia Gattai, a great writer in her own right, and their dear friend - Caribe' considered one of the greatest Brazilian Artists of all times. Caribe's famous mural stretches across the International Arrival's Building of JFK Airport.

Over the years I have also had the pleasure to know and work with the great ethnobotanist - Dr. Mark Plotkin, author of "Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice", and featured in the Oscar nominated Imax documentary "Amazon." Nothing can compare with the educational experience of accompanying Dr. Plotkin on a trek through the Amazon Rainforest. Dr. Plotkin's vast knowledge of plant and wildlife never ceases to fascinate me.

Ariau has also given me the opportunity to bring National Geographic Photographers to the Amazon region as well as the Pantanal in Western Brazil. These trips have allowed me to see these regions through the eyes of some of the world's best nature photographers.

This past year I have planned programs for actress Susan Sarandon, George Tillman Jr. (director of Men of Honor, Soul Food), The Ralph Lauren Family among many others.

Jill is available for consultations and all aspects of travel planning to Brazil.
Please feel free to contact her at: Jill@AriauAmazonTowers.com or toll free in the US (888) 462-7428.