Many Philadelphia Eagles fans are getting ready to follow the Birds to São Paulo this fall for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, and local Brazilian expats were happy to share their insider travel tips with them, writes Regan Stephens for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The first important detail is that the game is the day before Brazil’s Independence Day, which means that you will get a chance to have even more fun than expected. 

“It’s a major holiday in Brazil, with parades and celebrations,” said expat Paula Strader. 

Among the best places to sleep and stay in the city are Rosewood São Paulo (rooms start at $800), which is just steps from the bustling Avenida Paulista, and Palacio Tangara (rooms start at $587), which is in Burle Marx park, one of São Paulo’s urban oases. 

For food, head to Nagayama, in the trendy Itaim Bibi neighborhood. Also make sure to experience Brazilian pizza culture, born from the country’s long history of Italian immigration. 

For souvenirs and gifts, a visit to Mercado Municipal de São Paulo, a public market, is a must. 

Read more travel tips to São Paulo in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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