Once the capital of Portugal’s New World colony, today Salvador is the beating heart of the country’s Afro-Brazilian community and Brazil’s cultural capital. As the birthplace of Capoeira martial art and the distinctive Candomblé dance, Salvador is rich is Afro-Brazilian heritage which can also be enjoyed in its distinctive local cuisine. The rich culture of those brought as slaves from Africa has been preserved in Salvador – from music and religion to food, dance and martial-arts traditions. A stunning coastline lies right outside the city – the gateway to the tropical splendor of Bahia.