A journey through the aesthetic pleasures of Brazil, from unique art installations to slick city skylines and sweeping tropical beaches. This adventure will take you from the UNESCO listed city of Ouro Preto to pastel-coloured Salvador and vibrant Rio. Along the way you will see art, architecture and unique culture; as well as relaxing on the golden sands of the Maraú Peninsular.
HERITAGE ART AND BEACHES
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the Baroque architecture and museums of Ouro Preto
- Visit the world-famous Inhotim contemporary art project
- Tour the colourful, vibrant districts and favelas of Salvador and Rio
- Four days on the coast at charming Butterfly House
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Ouro Preto
Connect from Sao Paulo or Rio to Belo Horizonte and transfer to Ouro Preto, the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city.
Overnight: Hotel Solar do Rosario
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Day 2 Explore Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto has managed to preserve its 18th Century Baroque architecture and was designated a World Heritage site in 1980. Today an expert local guide will escort you on a tour of the city.
Overnight: Hotel Solar do Rosario
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Day 3 Museums and churches
Today you will visit Sao Francisco de Assis Matriz do Pilar and Matriz de Antonio Dias churches, as well as the Museum of Mineralogy and the Opera House and Oratory Museum. After lunch, drive about 30 minutes to Mariana, the first official city of the state of Minas Gerais. Visit the Passagem gold mine, and if you wish explore the Matriz do Carmo, São Pedro, São Francisco de Assis and Carmo churches. You can also see the Town Council building and the Antonio Pereira imperial topaz mine before returning to your hotel in Ouro Preto.
Overnight: Hotel Solar do Rosario
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Day 4 Explore Inhotim
After breakfast you will be driven to the Inhotim Contemporary Art Centre - a two hour journey by road. Known around the world for its intriguing, beautiful art installations, the area covers 87 acres of gardens - parts of which were created by renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx - as well as works of art indoors and out. You will stay at a hotel close by in the town of Brumadinho.
Overnight: Hotel Ville de Montagne
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Day 5 Fly to Salvador
Head back to the airport at Belo Horizonte for the flight to the city of Salvador. You will be met and driven to the historic and vibrant district of Pelourinho, and will later be met by a guide for an orientation walk of the area around your hotel.
Overnight: Convento do Carmo
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Day 6 Explore the UNESCO Heritage city of Salvador
You will have a guided tour of the Centro Historico, now a national monument and protected by UNESCO. The Pelourinho is where the Portuguese built their fortified city, and survives as one of the Americas' most important architectural sites.
Overnight: Convento do Carmo
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Day 7 Travel to the Maraú Peninsular
Transfer back to the airport for the short flight to Ilheus. You will be met and driven to Butterfly House on the Maraú Peninsular, close to white sandy beaches and coral reefs. The property is bordered by a freshwater lake and World Heritage listed rainforest home to indigenous tribes.
Overnight: Butterfly House
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Day 8 - 11 Enjoy Butterfly House
Today is all about relaxing at the lodge, in one of only eight beautifully appointed villas, surrounded by eight acres of tropical gardens. Spend your days snorkelling, diving, bike riding, surfing, paddle boarding, exploring nature trails, whale watching and island hopping. The restaurant - part experimental kitchen and part living room - is at the heart of the house. Menus change according to the season and feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the sea and village plantations.
Overnight: Butterfly House
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Day 12 Travel to Rio
Transfer back to the airport at Ilheus for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival you will be met and driven to your hotel in Santa Teresa, the colonial district in the hills overlooking the city, beach and ocean.
Overnight: Hotel Santa Teresa
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Day 13 Explore Rio's sights
Today or tomorrow you will have the opportunity to visit Rio's iconic sites including Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain and the cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Overnight: Hotel Santa Teresa
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Day 14 Delve further into the city
Explore the lesser known sites of Rio by push bike along the flat beach roads from Copacabana to Leblon or take a Yoga class in the peaceful and impressive award winning Botanical Gardens. If you would like to learn more about Rio's favelas (the other side of Rio), perched perilously in the Rio mountains, a visit to a kite workshop is a wonderful way to get to know the communities.
Overnight: Hotel Santa Teresa
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Day 15 Travel home
You will be driven to the airport for your return flight home.
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
Currency
| Low | £ 3,620 | $ 4,917 |
| Mid | £ 3,827 | $ 5,198 |
| High | £ 4,965 | $ 6,744 |
BOOKING NOTES
- per person for land arrangements, based on two people sharing a room.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast.
- Private transfers throughout.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
- Internal flights where detailed in the itinerary.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
