A CORSO WHAT?

According to the Oxford dictionary, a CORSO is:

1) (in Italy and some other Mediterranean countries) a social promenade.
       1.1) a street used for social promenades, or where races and parades were formerly held.

The Corso is a carnival attraction in Teresina, capital of the Piaui state, and is considered the world's largest event of its kind according to the Guinness Book: parade of theme floats and people in costumes.

This year it will be held on the 22nd of February and it will showcase 800 decorated trucks and an estimated audience of 300,000 people.

       Guide to the city (in Portuguese)

TRAVELING TO BRAZIL AT YEAR END?

High season in Brazil lasts from the week before Christmas until Carnaval (which falls sometime in Feb or early Mar, depending on the year). Flights and accommodations are more expensive and more likely to be full during this period. Book well ahead of time for accommodations during New Year's and Carnaval. This is the most fun time to travel -- towns and resorts are bustling as many Brazilians take their summer vacations, the weather's warm, and New Year's and Carnaval are fabulously entertaining. If you want to spend New Year's in Brazil, it's best to arrive after Christmas. The 25th is really a family affair, and most restaurants and shops will be closed.

Weather

As Brazil lies in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the exact opposite of what Northern Hemisphere residents are used to: summer is December through March and winter June through September. Within the country the climate varies considerably from region to region. In most of Brazil the summers are very hot. Temperatures can rise to 43°C (110°F) with high humidity. 

The Northeast (from Salvador north) is warm year-round, often with a pleasant breeze coming off the ocean. Temperatures hover between the upper 20s to mid-30s Celsius (low 80s and mid-90s Fahrenheit). 

As befits a rainforest, the Amazon is also hot and humid year-round, with temperatures hovering around the mid- to high 30s Celsius (mid-90s to low 100s Fahrenheit). The dry season lasts from June to December and is often called "summer" by the locals as it is hot and sunny. As the rivers recede, beaches and islands reappear. The wet season typically runs from December to May and is referred to as "winter." The humidity is higher in the rainy season, building up over the course of the day to produce a heavy downfall almost every afternoon. Even then, however, mornings and early afternoons can be clear and sunny.

The Pantanal is very hot in the rainy season, with temperatures climbing over the low 40s Celsius mark (100°F). Most of the rain falls December through March. The driest time of the year is May through October. In these winter months things cool down considerably, though nighttime temperatures will seldom drop below 20°C (68°F).

 Rio has very hot and humid summers -- 38°C (100°F) and 98% humidity are not uncommon. 

São Paulo has a similar climate to Rio's, hot in the summer.  

Holidays:
Brazil's biggest holidays are New Year's (JAN. 1) and Carnaval (March 1-5 / 2014).

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/brazil/707679#ixzz2mdZ4qvu0

Agito do Carnaval pelo Brasil afora

Os melhores locais para se divertir no Carnaval 2012 no Brasil são os seguintes:

 

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• Carnaval 2012 no Rio de Janeiro 

O Carnaval no Rio de Janeiro durará durante cinco dias, enchendo de alegria as ruas da cidade. O ponto alto da festa serão os desfiles dos grupos carnavalescos e os blocos carnavalescos.

• Carnaval 2012 em Salvador

O Carnaval de Salvador é uma das manifestações populares do Mundo e é dividida em 3 principais circuitos: Dodô (Barra-Ondina), Osmar (Barra Avenida-Campo Grande) e Batatinha (Centro Histórico). Os blocos mais procurados em Salvador são os seguintes: Camaleão, Nana Banana, Timbalada e Eva.

 

• Carnaval 2012 em Recife

Recife possui o maior bloco carnavalesco do mundo, o Galo da Madrugada, alem de apresentar formas diferentes de carnaval de rua, com desfiles de agremiações carnavalescas e apresentações de cantores e conjuntos musicais muito animados.

• Carnaval 2012 em Fortaleza

As principais atrações do Carnaval de Fortaleza são o parque temático Beach Park, o Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura, a Av Beira Mar com sua feira de artesanato, a Praia de Iracema, com a Ponte dos Ingleses e o famoso Pirata Bar e a Praia do Futuro com suas “barracas” de praia.

• Carnaval 2012 em Ouro Preto

O Carnaval de Ouro Preto é um dos carnavais mais concorridos do país, atraindo milhares de foliões em busca de muita diversão. Os destaques da cidade são os tradicionais blocos e os blocos das repúblicas estudantis, sempre animados e com grandes atrações. Outro atração do carnaval de Ouro Preto é o tradicional desfile das Escolas de Samba.

Carnaval 2012 em Florianópolis

No Carnaval, Florianópolis é invadida por blocos carnavalescos, reunindo moradores e turistas. A principal atração é o Bloco de Sujos, onde homens se vestem de mulher no centro de Florianópolis.

• Carnaval 2012 em Porto Seguro

O Carnaval em Porto Seguro conta sempre com a grandes atrações. A cidade promete muita animação na Passarela do Álcool, palco de grandes festas populares!

• Carnaval 2012 em Diamantina

Diamantina  apresenta atrações carnavalescas diversificadas como charangas, blocos caricatos, desfiles, shows, rodas de samba, raves,  entre outras. O destaque principal do Carnaval são as batucadas apresentadas no palco principal da Praça do Mercado Velho.

• Carnaval 2012 em Olinda

Em Olinda, no Carnaval, não faltam os famosos bonecões, frevo e maracatu, mistura que faz muito sucesso durante o Carnaval! Atualmente, há mais de 70 bonecos gigantes que desfilam durante os dias de folia na cidade das ladeiras.