Authentic Brazil

Experience Brazil’s Golden Age of coffee plantations and gold & diamond smuggling, coupled with its beautiful coastline. Head from the excitement of Rio de Janeiro to the historic towns of Minas Gerais and a historic fazenda in the Mantiqueira mountains. Staying at beautiful colonial-style boutique hotels throughout, this lovely itinerary will introduce you to the fascinating and evocative history of colonial Brazil.

1. Fly to Rio de Janeiro

2. Days 1-4: Rio de Janeiro

   Begin with three nights in the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro. Explore the city, taking in the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountains, spend time on the beach or even visit Rio’s world-famous Botanical Gardens while you are here. A city tour has been included, along with a cookery class to get you into the spirit of all things Brazilian – try your hand at creating the perfect moqueca, along with a delicious fruit caipirinha.

   Accommodation: Hotel Santa Teresa Rio MGallery by Sofitel (3 nights)

3. Days 4-7: Paraty

   Transfer by road to charming Paraty on the Emerald Coast for your first taste of Brazil's gold rush history. This historic city has perfectly preserved Brazil's unique colonial heritage with its delightful cobblestone streets and beautiful colonial buildings. Spending days exploring the nearby islands, sailing the emerald waters, fishing and dining on delicious seafood.

   Accommodation: Pousada Literaria (3 nights)

4. Days 7-9: Minas Gerais

   Fly to Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais and transfer to Ouro Preto, a magnificent colonial town built on gold and gemstones and filled with seventeenth and 18th century architecture, with exquisite baroque churches, narrow cobbled streets and an intangible atmosphere of bygone days. While here, stay two nights at the heritage hotel Pousada Solar do Rosario, and enjoy a private tour of Ouro Preto and the nearby colonial town of Mariana.

   Accommodation: Solar do Rosario (2 nights)

5. Days 9-11: Tiradentes, Brazil

   Continue to Tiradentes, a blissfully quiet and timeless colonial town in the hills, where life carries on at the same pace as it has for centuries. Stay two nights at the exquisite Pousada Solar da Ponte and soak in the town’s charming atmosphere, enjoying a full-day tour to learn about the history and culture of Tiradentes and the nearby towns.

   Accommodation: Solar da Ponte (2 nights)

6. Days 11-15: Ibitipoca, Brazil

   Finish up at the beautiful mountain retreat of Reserva do Ibitipoca, a traditional 18th-century fazenda hidden away amongst pristine forest where jaguars and ocelots still prowl and where there are wild orchids and rare muriqui monkeys to admire. While here, take a horse out and follow one of the forest trails, visit some of the charming local villages, hike to secret waterfalls or take in a relaxing spa treatment.

   Accommodation: Comuna do Ibitipoca (4 nights)

7. Fly home from Rio de Janeiro

• Cook with a local in Rio

  Uncover the secrets to Brazil's diverse and distinctive cuisine in this hands-on cookery class, learning how to prepare the perfect caipirinha, along with various other typical Brazilian dishes. Finish with an all important tasting session.

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• Paraty Private Boat Tour & Cachaça Distillery

  Located on Brazil's Emerald Coast, Paraty boasts a backdrop of forested mountains and the bay is peppered with beautiful islands and beaches, best explored by boat. Head out on a private tour and swim in natural pools before visiting a Cachaça distillery.

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• Walking & Riding Trails at Ibitipoca

  Enjoying the landscape and beauty of the surrounding Atlantic Forest is a highlight of a stay at Reserva do Ibitipoca and there are numerous trails which are ideal for exploring, either on foot or on horseback.

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Rio, Parati, Ouro Preto, Tiradentes & Ibitipoca