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The lesser-known regions of Abruzzo, Parma, and Sicily come alive through the expertise of author Elizabeth Minchilli.

Before you hit the counter at Café Brasil, let us introduce you to some of Houston‘s cleanest ingredients. Local cheese artisans the Houston Dairymaids provide the cheese. Pizza dough, pastries, and breads are made in-house. And the eggs are laid by nearby, free-range hens. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve arrived for breakfast (try the daily quiche), lunch (sample from cheese and charcuterie plates), or dinner (there’s a multitude of pizzas)—it’s a safe bet that whatever you order didn’t have to travel far to make it to your plate.

If you’ve never had Brazilian churrasco-style barbecue, you’re in for a treat at Brasil Steak House. The restaurant serves juicy, flame-grilled cuts of meat table-side—sliced fresh from a skewer. Tap your feet to live music, sip on a caçhaca-spiked fruit cocktail, and enjoy a night in Brazil.

In the leafy and hilly Santa Teresa residential area, Tucum Brasil Arte Indigena sells quality indigenous arts and crafts, from jewelry pieces like beaded bracelets to housewares and hammocks that make great gifts. The concept is for shoppers to learn about Brazil’s original inhabitants along the way.

Angra do Heroísmo, the first capital of the Azores, is the archipelago’s oldest city. This historic settlement, which dates back to 1450, is filled with beautiful colonial-era Portuguese architecture such as the Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo and was one of the earliest UNESCO World Heritage sites to be so designated. Other highlights include the lush Duke of Terceira Garden; the 400-year-old São João Baptista fort, just south of the city on a promontory at the foot of the volcanic Monte Brasil; and, for an impressively comprehensive look at the city’s history, the Museum of Angra do Heroísmo, housed in a 17th-century convent.

The highlight of the whole Chapada Diamantina area, for me, was the Poco Encantado, a water filled cavern that you must visit during certain times to catch the sunlight hitting the mineral-laden water, creating the mesmerizing blueish hue and one very tricky optical illusion. There is a little spelunking involved but the small descent is well worth it! Colin Roohan traveled to Brasil in partnership with EMBRATUR, Adventure.com , and LATAM as a part of AFAR’s partnership with The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more information on Colin’s journey, visit the USTOA blog.

If you spend any time at all in Chapada Diamantina National Park, I certainly recommend trying to watch the sunset from atop Pai Inacio Hill. It is a short hike with a little bouldering involved but the rewarding views make it all worthwhile. I was truly astonished to see such beautiful rock formations in this part of the country. You can find multiple trek leaders leaving from Lencois, I suggest trying to find a trip provider that includes a sunset viewing as part of a day-trip. Colin Roohan traveled to Brasil in partnership with EMBRATUR, Adventure.com , and LATAM as a part of AFAR’s partnership with The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), whose members provide travelers with unparalleled access, insider knowledge, and peace-of-mind to destinations across the globe. For more information on Colin’s journey, visit the USTOA blog.