Belem, Brazil

when I tell people I’ve been to Brazil, this is not the city they’ve heard of. but it’s a wonderful mid-size city along the Amazon that hosts the UN Climate conferences. where you can go visit an old military fort and pick ripe mangos from city trees.

or go just excellent food: cassava (boiled, crepes), fresh fish, juices made from obscure Amazonian fruits, açaí, coconut cake. be sure to visit the big outdoor market.