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Brazil Colonial Treasures

11 Days | A Signature Luxury Journey

11 Days

Brazil Colonial Treasures

Welcome to Brazil!

11 Day Sample Journey

Trip at a Glance

Day 1

Arrival into Salvador, Brazil. Discover Salvador’s beautiful colonial architecture and history

Day 2

Enjoy a visit to the seaside towns of Praia de Guarajuba and Praia do Forte

Day 3

Immerse yourself in the local culture during a market visit and cooking class. Take in a private percussion workshop

Day 4

Fly to Belo Horizonte, drive to the colonial gem of Ouro Preto

Day 5

Discover Ouro Preto and visit the historic mining town of Mariana

Day 6

Head out to visit the quaint towns of Congonhas do Campo and Sao Joao del Rey. Take a historic locomotive train ride to Tiradentes

Day 7

Take in the local culture during a walking tour of Tiradentes

Day 8

Drive to Rio de Janeiro, en-route stop for a visit in the mountain retreat town of Petropolis

Day 9

Soak up the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro during a full day exploration, including a visit to Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer statue

Day 10

Gain insight into the local culinary scene, visit historic Rio, and enjoy the beautiful views during your cable car ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain

Day 11

Depart Brazil

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Day 1: ARRIVE SALVADOR

Welcome to Brazil!

Your signature luxury journey begins with a stay in Salvador.

The best way to visit the Historical Center of Salvador, considered a National Heritage and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, is on foot, taking your time unraveling the mysteries of this city rich in contrasts, history, and beauty.

Visit the Municipal Square, which affords one of the most beautiful views of the city: Terreiro de Jesus square. This is where the magnificent Basilica Cathedral and the former School of Medicine are located along with the famous church of San Francisco, with its baroque style and fully gold leafed interior. The visit ends at Pelourinho, surrounded by the Casa de Jorge Amado Foundation and the Rosário dos Pretos Church – one of the greatest expressions of Bahian syncretism. Walking through the Historical Center is a journey through time and feelings. Music, colors, and the smells of Bahian street food are always present, providing an unforgettable experience.

  • Accommodations: Hotel Fasano Salvador
  • Meals Included: None Today
Day 2: SALVADOR

Head out on a full day exploration to the seaside towns of Praia de Guarajuba and Praia do Forte

A trip to Salvador of Bahia would not be complete without a visit to the stunning coconut coastline of Praia do Forte in Bahia. Enjoy a day at Praia do Forte and Praia de Guarajuba, the most charming villages in the region. Soak in the local culture by walking alongside the boardwalk to explore the many craft shops and small family owned artisan stores. Head over to visit the Tamar Project’s headquarters with its marine species; Garcia D’Ávila Castle; and the Jubarte Whale Institute. Enjoy a typical lunch at one of the beachside restaurants. There will be time to relax or take a refreshing dip in the ocean before returning to Salvador.

  • Accommodations: Hotel Fasano Salvador
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Today
Day 3: SALVADOR

Immerse yourself in the local culture during a market visit, cooking experience and a private percussion workshop

Learn to cook traditional Brazilian dishes during this culinary experience in Salvador. With your local guide and a chef, visit the market and learn about the best type of ingredients to use for traditional recipes such as moqueca, or fish stew, or any other meat of your choice.

Stop by a local produce vendor to choose vegetables for the stew and fruit to use in capirinhas, a traditional Brazilian drink made with sugar cane liquor. Back at the chef’s house, engage in friendly, informal conversation about the history and culture of Salvador. Learn the secrets behind making a perfect stew, then sit down to eat with your new friends.

Head over to a local music studio and participate in a Brazilian percussion workshop. Get to know the rhythms and beats that provide the backdrop for Bahia’s famous Carnival celebrations. Listen to the music that is essential in the Samba de Roda and the Candomblé ceremony. Learn about the percussion’s roots in the African continent and how the tradition has transitioned in modern Brazil.

  • Accommodations: Hotel Fasano Salvador
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Today
Day 4: SALVADOR / OURO PRETO

Fly to Belo Horizonte, then continue to Ouro Preto

Arrive in Ouro Preto, settle into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

  • Accommodations: Solar de Rosario
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 5: OURO PRETO

Discover Ouro Preto and visit the historic mining town of Mariana

Spend the day getting enlightened on the local history and architecture of the region. Ouro Preto is known for its beautiful baroque facades, intricately designed churches, and winding cobbled stone streets. You will be amazed by its incredible architecture and will clearly see why Ouro Preto was Brazil’s first UNESCO world heritage site. Its picturesque streets are filled with hidden gems, making this a perfect place to explore.

Head to Mariana, founded in 1696, one of the state’s earliest settlements and its first capital. The Minas Gerais Square is in the center of the municipality of Mariana and is part of the Cultural Heritage of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

It is surrounded by important historical monuments of the colonial period, was part of the gold route and today is an important tourist spot of the municipality. Visit the largest gold mine open to the world, the Passage Mine holds secrets and mysteries that enchant everyone. The descent into the underground galleries is done in an unusual way, through a trolley. The course is 315 meters long and reaches 120 meters deep, where you can see a beautiful lake with crystalline waters, formed by the aquifers that flooded miles of tunnels when they stopped being pumped. The scenery inside the mine impresses everyone, with its galleries, halls, and columns. There is also no way to forget the human side, the sacrifice of those who have dug the insides of the mountain in search of riches.

  • Accommodations: Solar de Rosario
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 6: OURO PRETO / TIRADENTES

Travel to Tiradentes, en-route visit the colonial towns of Congonhas do Campo and Sao Joao del Rey

Congonhas do Campo is well known for the town’s important works from the Golden Age of Brazil. The main points of interest are Aleijadinho’s sculptural masterpieces of the twelve Prophets, carved in soapstone and his sculptural representation of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross), done in polychromatic woodwork. The set of life-sized sculptures is Brazil’s greatest artistic treasure.

Head to São João del Rei, visiting the beautiful churches of Pilar (1721), Carmo (1733) and São Francisco de Assis (1749). Get a glimpse into the history and local architecture as you explore the main square.

Next, head to the local train station, where you will board a historic steam locomotive for your trip to Tiradentes.

  • Accommodations: Solar de Pontes
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 7: TIRADENTES

Take in the local culture during a walking tour of Tiradentes

Arguably the most important square in Curitiba, Tiradentes Square (Praça Tiradentes) is home to many of the city’s well-known sites, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Light. Among the trees and statues in the square, you can walk over a glass-protected piece of the square’s original pavement, constructed in the first half of the 19th century. Thanks to the special lighting within the glass flooring, the spot is especially beautiful come nightfall. The Cross of Christ and a historic monolith can also be found in the center of Praça Tiradentes. The former was a symbol of the Military Order of the Christ, instituted by King Denis of Portugal in the 14th century, and represented the legal power of Portugal over the land and the settlement of Curitiba in 1693. According to legend the spot also marks the place where Indigenous Chief Tindiquera of the Tingui Tribe once chose to settle his people.

  • Accommodations: Solar de Pontes
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 8: TIRADENTES / RIO DE JANEIRO

Drive to Rio de Janeiro, en-route stop for a visit in the mountain retreat town of Petropolis

Popular in summer when the coast became hot and muggy, Petrópolis was the mountain getaway for Brazil’s imperial court. Nestled about 3,000 feet high in the Serra dos Órgãos range, the city still serves as a heat-beating retreat for the nearby residents of Rio de Janeiro. Known as the Imperial City, Petrópolis offers a juxtaposition between the rain forest, filled with European alpine architecture, and the Imperial Museum, a grand building that would not be out of place in Austria.

Other attractions include the cathedral, with excellent views from its steps, and the glasshouse (Palácio de Cristal), imported from France for Princesa Isabel’s orchids. Stop by to see bustling Rua 16 de Março, the place to go for eateries, and Rua Teresa is all about clothing shops. You can enjoy lunch on your own before heading to Rio.

  • Accommodations: Belmond Copacabana Palace
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 9: RIO DE JANEIRO

Soak up the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro during a city exploration, including a visit to Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer statue

Situated atop a mountain, at a height of 2,329 feet above sea level, is the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the world’s best-known and most-visited monuments and now considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Following a scenic drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, you arrive at the foot of the hill from where you will embark on a small train. Upon reaching the top, experience a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why it is known as the “Marvelous City!”

The charming district of Santa Teresa is one of the most original of the city due to its unique hillside geography, history, and the alternative urban lifestyle it offers. This picturesque neighborhood that began as the site of a Carmelite convent (still here) in the 18th Century is home today to some of Brazil’s most vibrant artists – many of whom open their home studios to the public. Rio’s elegance and colorful artistic side are expressed in Santa Teresa’s lush flowers; large, elegant old houses; winding streets and breathtaking views.  Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local Churrascaria.

  • Accommodations: Belmond Copacabana Palace
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Today
Day 10: RIO DE JANEIRO

Gain insight into the local culinary scene, visit historic Rio, and enjoy the beautiful views during your cable car ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain

Discover the Culinary Soul of Old Rio. Brazil and its cuisine are a wild and sometimes baffling stew of influences and cultures. Start the day with a visit to the street market where you have good opportunities to see and experience the day by day of the locals and to do a food & fruit tasting.

Head to downtown, where you will see the influence from the French architecture among Banco do Brasil Cultural Center and Casa Franca-Brasil (France-Brasil Foundation) and the Casa Franca-Brasil, designed by the famous French architect Grandjean de Montigny. Marechal Floriano Square, also known as Cinelandia, concentrates the best of late 18th century French-style architecture in Rio de Janeiro. Moving through the historic port area, we stop at iconic botequims – lively, old-fashioned watering holes where locals take their lunch – for classic Rio bar food and a taste of cachaça, the sugar cane spirit that is Brazil’s national drink.

Continue to Sugar Loaf Mountain, rising up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. Take a two-stop cable ride to enjoy the beautiful views of the city. The first cable car takes you to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 705 feet above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its islands. The second cable car takes you to the top, at 1,300 feet and offers a 360-degree view of the entire city, the Southern beaches, Corcovado, and Niteroi Bridge lie in front of you.

  • Accommodations: Belmond Copacabana Palace
  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
Day 11: DEPART BRAZIL

Transfer to airport

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight from Brazil.

  • Meals Included: Breakfast Today
FOR TRIP PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Contact a Brazil Travel Specialist

Desire a perfect trip? With the help of our travel specialists, this journey can be customized around your specific interests, tastes and preferences. We will provide helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

CONTACT US ABOUT THIS TRIP
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