Recife

Although somewhat off the beaten track, this ceramics workshop/museum is more than worth the price of admission. — Frommer's

One of the last buildings built duing the era of Dutch dominance, this military fort now houses the Museu da Cidade, where an array of maps and photos illustrates Recife's history. — Fodor's

The Museu do Homem do Nordeste, has anthropological exhibits on Northeastern life ranging from slave chains to Carnaval costumes, with good photos throughout. — Lonely Planet

Built between 1696 and 1724, this gem of Brazilian baroque, part of the Convento de Santo Antônio, owes its name to the huge quantities of gold covering its elaborately sculpted walls, altars and ceiling. — Lonely Planet

This former penitentiary has only barely changed since its prison days; the cells, still with their original numbers, are now occupied by souvenir shops. — Frommer's

This modern, interactive musuem is one of the new hot spots on Recife's cultural map. Regular live shows and cultural workshops add extra flavor to the top-class permanent exhibition. — Fodor's

The impressive private archive of Pernambucan collector Ricardo Brennand is displayed in a fairy-tale castle approximately 15 km (9 miles) north of Boa Viagem and surrounded by 77 hectares of forest. — Fodor's

This new, strikingly-red museum is a small and modern house of worship for frevo, the quintessential dance of the Recife Carnaval. — Lonely Planet

Praça da República contains a formal park with tall trees and a pretty fountain, and is including the Palácio do Campo das Princesas , seat of the Pernambuco state government. — Lonely Planet

The cathedral, completed in 1760, is best known for its 1701 German organ, built by Arp Schnitger. — Fodor's