Alternative Brazil

Today, we will collect you from the hotel for a visit to the incredible open-air museum of Inhotim. Inhotim one of the country's greatest cultural and natural treasures, combining art and botany, with art exhibitions, sculptures, drawings, photographs and videos of various national and international artists, as well as more than 40 gardens in mixed vegetation of Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (a biome in Brazil, similar to savannahs).  

The city is fascinating in many other ways, surrounded by three mountains, called Serras da Moeda, da Calçada and do Rola Moça, which offers a stunning landscape. The Serra da Moeda is great for adventure sports, where it is possible to jump from hang gliding, paragliding and even strolling in balloons. The Serra do Rola Moça State Park is the third-largest urban park in the country, with the Mirante Morro do Veados, which offers an excellent view of Brumadinho and a spectacular sunset. Following tracks of diverse vegetation, you can find rare species of orchids, cedars, “jacarandas”, and “jequitibás”. Piedade do Paraopeba, is one of the oldest settlements in Minas Gerais, with historical buildings, 18th-century churches, old houses and diverse handicrafts. This is the birthplace of the famous Cachaça, the vital ingredient of a caipirinha. The Cachaças Route, allows visitors to learn about the different stages of production and ageing of artisanal cachaça and allows a tasting of this unique beverage.

In the afternoon we will continue on to Ouro Preto, where we will spend the evening.

Ouro Preto is the masterpiece of colonial architecture in Brazil and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The city was the centre of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. During the same period, liberation movements were initiated here, inspired by the American Revolution. Ouro Preto will take us back in time, passing by beautiful churches, such as Church of Pilar and Church of Saint Francis of Assis, a great example of the Brazilian religious architecture with its sculptures and soapstone carved by Aleijadinho, as well as the Opera House, the School Museum of Minas Gerais, with a complete mineralogical collection, and Oratory Museum, an interesting site with details of the history of Brazil and Minas Gerais.

Mariana is a picturesque village founded in 1711. Its cobbled streets invite visitors to stroll around its churches, museums and monuments to enjoy the exquisite colonial architecture.  

Today we will head to Congonhas, is a historical town with fabulous baroque buildings such as the famous 6 Chapels and 12 Prophets Statues. Congonhas was an important city during the gold rush and now hosts beautiful baroque sculptures made by Aleijadinho, the renowned Brazilian artist of that period. We will then continue on to São João del Rey, another influential, founded in 1703 when gold was discovered. It is another example of colonial architecture and religious traditions. As we walk through streets, it is possible to hear church bells and admire the constructions with some of the best examples of colonial architecture.

In the afternoon we will take part in a traditional cooking class to learn how to make the typical Brazilian cheese bread (Pão de queijo) ...mmmmmmmm!! 

After breakfast, we will head to Ibitopeca. This private reserve is on the border of the State Park and is also a sustainability project, where nature rules. Parrots fly above the rainforest, cool rivers run through green valleys and caves, and when the sun goes down, the sky is bright with stars. The community inhabiting this reserve is an 18th-century farmhouse of Fazenda do Engenho, one of Brazil’s finest examples of colonial architecture that has been sensitively restored to its elegant beauty. Now called Engenho Lodge, its eight suites, several remote houses spread across the vast reserve, and some super-private lofts in nearby villages. Wherever you choose to stay, you'll find its unique design mixing local, rustic heritage and 21st-century amenities. 

The reserve offers a variety of activities you may enjoy during your stay: -

• Yoga every morning
• Stand up paddle 
• Bird watching 
• Viewpoints for an unforgettable sunset and sunrise
• Meditation 
• Multisport sand court
• Pizza Festival
• Live music
• Presentation of Companhia do Sol theatre company 
• Local tradition interaction
• Amazing trails and waterfalls 

After breakfast, we will leave the reserve for the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. 

Rio de Janeiro is world-famous for its Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Mount Corcovado, for the Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak with cable cars to its summit. The city is also known for its sprawling favelas (shanty towns), its raucous Carnaval, samba, and general party vibe.

A picturesque district of Rio, Santa Teresa is as culturally and historically important as Rio, with its well-preserved characteristics of the Old Rio. Boasting big houses and historical constructions, it tells stories of times gone by, has many handicraft galleries and the traditional trolley, known as “bondinho”. Bohemian artists influenced the district and gave it's cultural and architectural charms. 

Rio’s downtown has a mixture of antique and modern architecture as it has historical constructions together with new buildings. Walking along its streets a great way to discover the interesting stories of the city.  We will also visit the São Bento Monastery, Candelaria Church, XV Square, Travessa do Comércio (street market), Imperial Palace, French-Brazil House, Ouvidor Street and Gonçalves Dias Street, where the traditional Colombo Café and the Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre are located. The tour continues to Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral. 

The new Port Region includes a visit Museu do Amanhã, a museum focused on ecology and technology, and Museu de Arte do Rio (Rio Art Museum), dedicated to the art and visual culture. Both museums are located at Mauá square, the Boulevard Olímpico (Olympic Boulevard), created for the Olympic Games in 2016. Along the Boulevard, we can see the colourful "Etnias" (Ethnicities), a giant mural painted by the artist Eduardo Kobra.

Today we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the magnificent Christ the Redeemer, the iconic statue on top of Corcovado Hill and one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. The Corcovado Hill is part of the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world. On arrival at the top of Corcovado Hill, it is possible to admire breathtaking views of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Botanical Garden. We will then head to the famous Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain), an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The journey to the top is made in glass cable cars. The first cable car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, with its fantastic views over the bay. We will then take a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf, offering a 360° view of the entire city including Botafogo, Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Hill and Rio’s downtown. 

In the evening we will enjoy a Rio by night tour. Rio de Janeiro has a lively nightlife full of energy, music, dance, good food and drinks along its streets. We can enjoy the night at Lapa, a neighbourhood that combines preserved historical buildings and streets with a lively artistic centre reflecting Brazilian’s values and traditions.

Enjoy your final morning in Brazil by walking along the famous Copacabana beach before your private car comes to collect you to head to the Airport for your departing flight, or next exciting destination!