Rio De Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre & Manaus

It's time for one of the biggest events on the Brazilian calendar: Carnival! Fernanda begins at the official Carnival parade, which is actually a very serious competition held at the Sambadrome, a purpose-built arena. Up early the next day, she travels to the north eastern city of Recife for a unique street celebration featuring huge, colourful puppets. Heading south to the port city of Porto Alegre, the cultural contrast is huge. The city is home to Brazilian cowboys, known as Gaúchos, who are responsible for the famous Brazilian barbecue and a special tea that comes in wooden gourds. Then it's on to Manaus, the biggest city in the Amazon. About 100 years ago it was one of the richest cities in the world due to its rubber trade. Beautiful buildings, including the Amazonas Theatre, were constructed back then using only the finest European materials. Its golden era lasted 30 years until a rubber seed was stolen and taken to Asia. Fernanda is also taken on a medicinal tour of indigenous fruits fresh from the Amazon rainforest.