Colonial Brazil
8 days/7 nights
from Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro (or vice versa)
Belo Horizonte – Ouro Preto – Mariana – Congonhas –
São João del Rei – Tiradentes – Petrópolis – Rio de Janeiro
Day 1: Transfer CNF Airport – Hotel
Day 2: City Tour Belo Horizonte
Day 3: Belo Horizonte – Mariana – Ouro Preto
On the way to Ouro Preto, we visit the city of Mariana
Day 4: City Tour Ouro Preto
Brazilian breakfast buffet. Full-day tour through Ouro Preto, the center of the 18th-century gold rush. The once magical wealth made possible the construction of this picture book city. Today still, 30’000 inhabitants live here. Ouro Preto charms visitors with five museums, 13 hilltop churches, picturesque streets, beautiful squares and colonial country houses. UNESCO has declared Ouro Preto a World Heritage Site because of its historical treasures. Return to the pousada later in the afternoon.
-
- Congonhas
-
- Tiradentes
Day 5: Ouro Preto – Congonhas – Tiradentes – São João del Rei
Brazilian breakfast buffet. Transfer to Congonhas. In this well-known historic city in the state of Minas Gerais is the “Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos”. The church houses many ornate sculptures, including the twelve prophets. He is under the security of the homeland. 13:00 Departure by train (only possible on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from São João del Rei to Tiradentes.
-
- Petrópolis
-
- São João del Rei
Day 6: Tiradentes
City walk in the morning to Tiradentes. This old gold mining town lies between two mountain ranges. Its old town with churches, museums and beautiful villas is worth a visit. Tiradentes takes its name from the famous “puller of teeth” (Tiradentes) Joaquim Jose Silva Xavier, at the origin of a coup against the Portuguese monarchy, without success. Among the local attractions of the city, one of the most beautiful churches of Brazil, the “Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio,” and the museum “Museu do Padre Toledo”, the furniture and exhibitions of religious art. In the shops of Tiradentes, you can buy authentic antiques, woodwork and silver jewelry.
Day 7: Tiradentes – Petrópolis
In Petrópolis, the former summer residence of the Brazilian emperors, we visit the city center and the museum (closed on Mondays). The city was built by German-speaking immigrants and therefore seems surprisingly European.
Day 8: Petrópolis – Rio de Janeiro
Departure after breakfast. End of services at the hotel in Rio de Janeiro or GIG / SDU airport.