The Banana Tree beach house

The Banana Tree is a spacious beach house on the popular island of Florianopolis in southern Brazil.The house has 4 double room upstairs, two of which have access to a large balcony (with a very comfortable hammock!). We love to sit here and watch the sun set over the bay. Downstairs is a kitchin and utility room, and a large communal lounge and dining area with veranda doors leading to a large patio and barbecue area, garden and boat ramp. <BR>Kayaks and boogie boards are available to use.

The immediate neighbourhood - Sambaqui

The village of Sambaqui lies along the coast of the north west of the island, and offers a welcome respite from the busier tourist resorts. The neighbourhood’s Azorean roots can be traced through the many interesting and colourful buildings. The small beaches along the coast are mainly used by locals, and offer stunning views across the bay to the mainland, with the famous bridge of Florianopolis city visible in the distance. Sambaqui grew up around a fishing village and as a consequence, the quality of food in its many seafood restaurants is unsurpassed. From The Banana Tree, there are 10 excellent and very individual restaurants within 10 minutes walk – and many more if you are happy to take a longer evening stroll. Despite their number, all the restaurants offer peaceful surroundings and spacious terraces with superb views of the bay.

Florianopolis

A short flight from Sao Paulo is the island of Sta Caterina, known to locals by the name of its capital city Florianopolis, or Floripa for short. The island is principally known for its beaches – one for every day of the month, with some to spare! Its coastline offers a variety to suit all demands. The northern beaches, lined with cafes and bars, offer shallow, calm waters suitable for swimming, and attract families and tourists in search of a good sunbathing spot. The wilder atlantic coast, with its large windswept bays is mecca for not only for surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers, but for lovers of dramatic scenery. Locals head to the west of the island, overlooking the bay between the island and city, to catch the sunset over a capirinia and a plate of oysters in one of the many excellent seafood restaurants.<BR><BR>For those who do not want to spend everyday on the beach, there is a huge range of activities to enjoy, from hiking to horse-riding to hang-gliding. The island boasts a variety of terrains, including swampland, farmland and hills. Florianopolis also makes a good base from which to explore the nearby mountain ranges and waterfalls of Sta Caterina.<BR>