The two major Brazilian cities are located here: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Rio de Janeiro has the world wide famous beaches (Copacabana & Ipanema); São Paulo boast a large number of cultural attractions. The region also has two other beautiful states: Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo.

Perfect for: Couple, families and groups of all ages.

Best Time: All year round. In July in Paraty happens the FLIP (Paraty’s International Literary Event).

Minas Gerais

Belo Horizonte: The capital city of Minas Gerais – Beagá, as it is affectionately called has in store a little of everything one finds in the rest of the state. As it manages to preserve the simple tavern (boteco) culture of home made food it also makes room for more metropolitan and sothisphicated dining houses. The same is true with the overall tourist attractions: while the traditional Pampulha lagoon still catches the eye of the traveler a modern museum of contemporary art begins to attract ever more visitors every day.

Historic Towns of Minas Gerais: In the 17th century, the discovery of gold and precious stones in the lands that now is the territory of Minas Gerais boosted the construction of many colonial cities.

Ouro Preto/Mariana: Ouro Preto is the jewel in the crown and has the largest architectural heritage of Brazilian barroque (churches and sacred art) you only need of comfortable shoes to discovery everything and travel to the past. Travelling in the steam train to Mariana the oldest city in Minas Gerais you will find the oldest theater in the country. Another intersting atracction is the Gold Mine “da Passagem” abandoned since 1985.

Tiradentes/ São João Del Rey: Tiradentes is one the most prettiest colonial towns, in a valley with the blue Serra de São José as a backdrop. The town retains the magic quality of a different era, with quiet atmosphera , irregular cobblestone streets and colonial churchs. The towns are connected by old steam train railroad that winds its way alongside the Death River. The highlight of São João del Rey is the beautiful church of St Francis of Assis, with its impressive garden of imperial palm trees.

Rio de Janeiro

Angra dos Reis: The best Angra has to offer is at the seashore and in its luxury accommodation (private villas ad houses). Make the most of your day by sailling out on boat tours and having lunch in the picturesque restaurants located at islands, people says that the archipelago has more than 300 islands and countless beaches, the town of Angra lies in the hart of this paradise, some 130 klm south of Rio. This spectacular view, winds over mountainous terrain covered in lush Atlantic rain forest. Graceful coves and sandy beaches, little islands and crystal clear water make the journey a memorable occasion. A saveiro schooner waits at the dock to take visitors on a cruise of those many islands, stopping for a swim in the enticing turquoise blue waters.

Búzios : It is the most visited destination after the capital. Located on a rugged peninsula framed by green sea and white sand beaches, its natural beauty a rustic charm that contrasts with the international sophistication of its boutiques and restaurants. During the 1960′s, this peaceful fishing village became famous as an international resort.Its narrow streets are today lined with colonial inns, hotels, designer boutiques and countless restaurants.After dark, its streets bubble over with nightlife for all tastes. Its 23 beaches offer swimming conditions that vary from calm and warm to cold and rough. All around the peninsula, boats, launches, dinghies and yachts dot the horizon with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes.

Paraty: Paraty is one of Brazil’s most enchanting colonial towns, with its churches, cobblestone streets and pretty beaches are the highlights of this beautiful old town. In Paraty you will find all kinds of beach fun: natural pools, calm waters and good waves for surfing. After a day bathing under the sun it is worth paying a visit to the historic center.

Petrópolis: There is no place more imperial in Brazil than Petropolis. This city offers royal-class entertainment. Some of the best restaurants in the country hide away in the secluded montains of Rio de Janeiro, keeping company to the most charming hotels and inns. Besides the privileged gastronomy and hotel infrastructure the well preserved heritage take visitors back to the times of the Brazilian monarchy in the 19th century. One highlight among the architectural jewels is the imperial Museum former residential palace of Dom Pedro II, the last emperor of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro – Cariocas (people who born in Rio) like to say Rio is Brazil’s most beautiful city and there is a good chance they are right. A city of contrasts…. Contrasts of color, of life styles and dazzling scenery that will always fascinate and make one long to be there. Rio de Janeiro is a city sculptured in space that sits capriciously on a thin strip of land between the mountains and the sea. Its horizontal dimensions and hills provide a unique vertical perspective. Every segment of the landscape is different: on the ocean side of the city islands reflect the sun the other side is bounded by a forest with its lush greenery. Winding through the midst of all this, the city, with its avenues and skyscrapers. Rio is the capital of happiness, the sun washed city of Carnival, build around the most beautiful bay in the world.

São Paulo

Guarujá: Guaruja is the main tourist destination in the coastal area, offering a good variety of restaurants, exciting night life and a lot of entertainment alternatives. Guarujá with Santos and São Vicent formed a metropolitan area.

São Paulo : It is one of the fastest growing cities. With a population of around 10 million and an area of 1500 square km (3 times the size of Paris) it is the largest city in South American and the largest industrial center on the continent. This vast city of gleaming skyscrapers elevated freeways and enormous complexes has all come together fairly recently. Though founded in 1554, it was still a sleepy little town of 30,000 people as late as 1870. Coffee provided the first impetus for its meteoric growth and by 1960 its population had exceeded that of Rio. The increase in population was to a large extent, the result of well over one million Italian, half a million Portuguese, 400,000 Spanish and nearly 200,000 Japanese immigrants by the end of the 1930s. Many more from all over the world have arrived since the city is nothing if not cosmopolitan.