Historical Brazil

Today we will head out on a tour of Cachoeira, which means “waterfall” in English. This region is famous for its tobacco, cotton and sugar production and today is a thriving economic hub in brazil. We will learn more about Cachoeira’s intricate history and more about its important Baroque architectural heritage in Bahia. We will visit the well-preserved colonial architecture; including Igreja Matriz and the Ordem Terceira do Carmo churches.

After breakfast, we will head to The Salvador Airport for a connecting flight to Recife. Our guide will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel for the evening.

Today we will visit Recife and Olinda, famous for their incredible carnivals. Recife is known as the Brazilian Venice. We will pass through Marco Zero, Parque 13 de Maio, Government Palace, Santa Isabel Theatre, The Culture House and seafront of the famous beach of Boa Viagem. We will return to João Pessoa after a beautiful day full of history! Olinda is a UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage of Humanity site. We will walk along the beautiful beaches and visit the Alto da Sé, with its historical monuments, museums and churches, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.  In the evening we will take a flight to Sao Luis and head to our hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, we will head out on a visit to Alcantara. Originally founded by French explorers, The Portuguese took control of the village in 1646.  Part of the Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area is found here and is a protected area of wetlands, home to many different plant and animal species. We will return to Sáo Luis in the evening.

In the morning, we will be picked up from the hotel to go to the airport in Sao Luis for our flight to Belo Horizonte, then our onward journey to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ouro Preto. Ouro Preto meaning “black gold” was the central city of the Brazilian gold rush in the 18th century.

After breakfast, we will head out on a tour of Ouro Preto and Mariana. With the decline in gold production in the 19th century, Ouro Preto’s influence was lessened. However, we can still appreciate many churches, bridges and fountains give us an idea of the prosperity of the city in times gone by and the exceptional artwork of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. Mariana was also historically important in the “golden age” and The cathedral of Mariana “Catedral da Sé” is particularly interesting, it houses an old Arp Schnitger organ from Germany painted with Chinese symbols. The organ was imported to Brazil from Hamburg in the 18th century, and even now there is a weekly concert that takes place on Friday and Sunday at lunchtime. We will then head for lunch at a local restaurant and head back to the pousada for the evening.

Today, we will visit Congonhas which was a centre for the mining of iron, nickel, gold, and other minerals. The town is dominated by the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, dating back to 1773, which consists of a church, several small chapels, and 18th-century-style gardens; it was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985. The churchyard is renowned for its impressive soapstone statues of the 12 prophets, carved by Aleijadinho. We will have lunch at a local restaurant then head off to Tiradentes. Tiradentes is like stepping back in time. A colonial town, joined by cobbled streets, white brick buildings and terracotta roofs. The town is named after its most famous resident, who was decapitated after a failed plot, during the gold rush, but now even has his own national holiday!

After breakfast, we will leave Tiradentes for Petropolis. Petrópolis was founded in 1845 by Bavarian immigrants with the permission of the Brazilian emperor of the time, Pedro ll, after whom it was named. The emperor was attracted by the areas relatively cool climate and held court there during the warmer months. His possessions remain in the ornate royal palace, which is now a state Museum. Petrópolis served as the state capital from 1894 until 1903. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will head to Rio for early evening.

Today we will get to know the famous city of Rio de Janeiro and visit its important sites of the Corcovado, (Christ the Redeemer) and The Sugar Loaf mountain as well as a visit to the colonial downtown area. We will enjoy a barbecue lunch before heading back to the centre for a free afternoon and evening to absorb the Rio atmosphere to the full!

After breakfast, we will head to Paraty. On arrival, we will have a tour of the historical centre and wander its narrow cobbled streets to enjoy its colonial vibe. We will then experience a traditional dinner at a local restaurant, before heading to our hotel for the evening.

Today we will enjoy the experience of a schooner ride with lunch on board. With its wild, untouched beaches and islands, Paraty Bay is one of the most beautiful places of the Brazilian coast. Its crystal clear, calm waters and its colourful shoals of fish, are perfect for snorkelling and diving.

Today is our final day and we will head back to the city of Rio. We will drop you off at the airport if you have an onward flight, or you can hang around in the Brazilian party capital, as long as you wish!