According to Bloomberg, when “destinations are in the midst of an evolution — buzzing with new hotels and restaurants setting standards, or filled with new cultural attractions — you can expect a spark of electricity in the air… and the alchemy of being in the right place at the right time is exactly what turns a good vacation into an excellent one.”
In a list of 22 cities that meet these criteria is Salvador, the capital of the State of Bahia, Brazil.
While São Paulo is busy expanding the boundaries of a modern megalopolis, one of Brazil’s most laid-back colonial cities is 
heading in the opposite direction. With a population of 2.6 million along the relaxed coast of Bahia, Salvador is emerging from a five-year historical preservation effort led by the government. Its once-abandoned downtown, filled with kaleidoscopic baroque buildings over 400 years old, is buzzing again. The core of the country’s slave trade during the colonial era, Salvador remains the pulsating heart of Afro-Brazilian musical culture: An animated choir and a live percussion band accompany the mass at the Church of Our Lady of 
Rosário dos Pretos, and jam sessions explode every Saturday at sunset outside the city’s seaside Museum of Modern Art (MAM-BA).
African ingredients are also very popular in the cuisine, such as dendê, coconut milk, ginger, and pepper. Acarajé, caruru, and vatapá are world-famous typical dishes served on Bahian trays.
The rhythm of Capoeira – a Brazilian martial art similar to a dance – the aromas and flavors of local delights, religious syncretism, and the cultural melting pot are just a few samples of the joie-de-vivre of a people surrounded by natural beauty who truly understand the meaning of the word “alive.”
The first capital of Brazil also has an important historical center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pelourinho, with Brazilian baroque churches and ancient mansions.
There are over 300 churches in Salvador. One of them is the 
Church of Saint Francis, which stands out for its grandeur. Another important landmark in the city is the Church of Senhor do Bonfim, one of the most important symbols of Bahian religious syncretism.
Salvador is also a great starting point for those looking to venture into the Coconut Coast, Dendê Coast, or Chapada Diamantina. Bahia is home to breathtaking natural reserves and a wide range of charming bed & breakfasts and resorts with excellent infrastructure.
And don’t forget the sparkling beaches.
Salvador is at its most vibrant during the summer, from December to April, and avoid the rainy months of June and July.
Source: Bloomberg and VisitBrazil