Describe who you are in 3 sentences:
My name is Natalia Ball, I have a blog called The Edit by Natalia Ball where I write about travel and combine it with a little bit of fashion. I have grown up in many different places; primarily Brazil, Uruguay, and London. I am travel obsessed and love to find all the best things to do in every place I go, and find what the local people like to do.
What is your relation to this city?
Trancoso is a quaint little fisherman’s village that has been a beach destination for many Brazilians who like to be within nature, not harming the environment, and have a paradise by the forest and sea. So I have been coming here for many years since I was a child with my family to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Best experience?
There are so many incredible experiences to be had, my favourite has got to be taking horses down the beach which goes on for 7 hours and exploring all the little rivers that meet the sea, and spending time on deserted bits of beach which you would never see unless you took the horses there.
Weirdest experience?
Trancoso attracts a lot of hippies, and people that essentially just travel from beach to beach and have crazy stories to tell. So my weirdest experience is probably any of the many conversations I’ve had with them and hearing about their crazy stories. (one included a moose’s head)
Your top 3 hangout spots?
Uxua Beach during the day, Praia do Espelho to explore, and dinner at Capim Santo where there is a live band always singing some great old school tunes and the food is fantastic.
Favourite restaurants?
Capim Santo, Maritaca, Los Negros.
Best date place?
Dinner at Uxua, or a full day of beaches from Trancoso to Praia do Espelho to Caraiva by boat
Best Sunday spot?
Uxua’s Beach! Food is fantastic, and it is one of the most relaxing places to spend a day at the beach.
If you were to live in another place, where would that be and why?
To be honest I love living in Paris and I don’t think I would change it (for now anyways) but I would love to have a house in Trancoso so that I could spend my time when not working, there relaxing in the sun.
Where is your escape place from this city?
Trancoso is the best escape, but unfortunately a 10 hour flight to Sao Paulo, a connecting flight to Porto Seguro and then a 2 hour car ride practically all on dirt roads. Not the easiest city escape but well worth it!
Best 5 local advices?
1. Horseback riding along the beach
2. Mountain biking through the forest and above the cliffs
3. Surfing in different beaches
4. A caipirinha at one of the many bars in the Quadrado (main square)
5. Take a trip to Caraiva & Praia do Espelho for the day.
