PROGRAM

Thu 17 Sep 11:30 – Departure form Sydney Airport flying LATAM AIRLINES to Rio de Janeiro, via Santiago,
16.30 – Same day arrival and transfer to hotel located on the ocean front of the premium district of Ipanema.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Rio de Janeiro: Botafogo Bay and Sugar Loaf

Fri 18 Sep Morning at leisure. Relax or stroll along the elegant seaside promenade of Ipanema.
14.00 – Guided orientation in the Ipanema district and adjacent Lake Rodrigo de Freitas.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sat 19 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Corcovado Peak, a spectacular granite mountain (800m high) overlooking Rio de Janeiro and its beautiful bay. Once we reach the bottom of the peak we get to the top by way of a very scenic cog train.
11.30 – Departure from Corcovado and return to hotel.
14.00 – Departure for Sugar Loaf, the famous hall-mark of Rio: a giant granite rock (300m high) dominating the entrance into the huge Guanabara Bay. Cable car to Hurca Hill and second cable car to the top of the Sugar Loaf.
17.00 – Departure from Sugar Loaf and return to hotel.
19.30 – An unforgettable optional dinner ! ! An unparalleled stylish feast, with unique features not to be found anywhere in the world!

Parati features a well preserved Portuguese Colonial Architecture

Sun 20 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Parati. This is one of the most scenic journeys along the southern coast. The road unwinds between high rising mountains, covered with forests, and splendid beaches flanked by hundreds of islands. Parati is one of the best preserved colonial towns in Brazil, so much so that cars are not allowed in! !
11.00 – Arrival in Parati. Guided orientation in Parati, lunch/snack and time at leisure.
14.30 – Departure from Parati and return to Rio deJaneiro.
19.30 – Optional dinner in spectacular restaurant overlooking the Bay of Botafogo, with Sugar Loaf in the background.
22.00 – Return to hotel or optional show of typical Brazilian music and dance.

Mon 21 Sep Late morning flight to Curitiba, the capital of the southern state of Paraná. Afternoon arrival and transfer to hotel.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Tue 22 Sep 08.30 – Guided orientation of Curitiba on foot covering the main highlights of the city centre. Curitiba is located on a plateau at 900m and enjoys a very mild climate. Afternoon at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

A scenic road links Curitiba (at 900m) to Paranaguá (at sea level) through a mountain range with peaks of 2000m

Wed 23 Sep 08.30 – Departure for the historic town of Paranaguá set on the Atlantic coastline. This drive – along a picturesque country road – unwinds through a spectacular mountain range. Late morning arrival and local orientation. Time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure and return to Curitiba by way of a modern freeway.
17.00 – Arrival at the hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 24 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Vila Velha, where thousands of years of erosion have sculptured the mountains into incredible shapes. Local sightseeing and scenic walk. After lunch/snack we go back to Curitiba, but before returning to the hotel we drive to some prominent districts of the city and we also stop at a park featuring the early historic homes of the first settlers.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Sao Bento do Sul – German influence is clearly shown in the main mall and our charming hotel

Fri 25 Sep 08.30 – Departure for the town of Sao Bento do Sul, located on a plateau at 860m in the State of Santa Catarina. Early afternoon arrival.
15.00 – Local orientation on foot covering the main highlights of this town originally founded more than 200 years ago by German settlers.
19.30 – Local dinner (included).

Sao Francisco do Sul is one of the best preserved historical towns in Brazil

Sat 26 Sep 08.30 – Transfer to railway station where we board an historic steam train for a scenic journey through unspoilt mountains and valleys to reach the town of Corupá at 200m above sea level. Local sightseeing and lunch. Return to Sao Bento do Sul by way of an impeccable mountain road which climbs back to the town altitude of 860m.
18.30 – Arrival at the hotel.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

A scenic steam train travels through mountains and valleys to the town of Corupá (above)

Sun 27 Sep 08.30 – Scenic downhill drive to Barra do Sul which boasts a parkland by the sea with a host of attractions! A spectacular cable car , travelling 3 Km along the coastline is highly recommended. The cable car stops at an intermediate station with good facilities, a look-out and another major attraction: you can board an electric sled on rail for a ride through the Atlantic Forest. The cable car ends the journey on a beautiful beach with plenty of facilities.
15.30 – Departure from the parkland.
18.00 – Arrival back in Sao Bento do Sul.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Mon 28 Sep 08.30 – Departure for the historic town of Sao Francisco do Sul, set on the banks of the beautiful Bay of Babitonga. This scenic downhill drive unwinds through the lush green countryside of the north eastern district of the State of Santa Catarina. Late morning arrival and local orientation in Sao Francisco do Sul which boasts more than 400 well preserved historic buildings, all of them classified as National Heritage. Time at leisure.
15.00 – Departure from Sao Francisco do Sul.
18.00 – Arrival back in Sao Bento do Sul.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

This picturesque road crosses the Serra do Mar mountain range from Sao Bento do Sul (at 860m) to the entry gate of Joinville almost at sea level

Tue 29 Sep 08.30 – Scenic drive across the Serra do Mar mountain range which lies in between Sao Bento do Sul and the Atlantic Ocean.
10.30 – Arrival at the city gate of Joinville (almost at sea level) which boasts an interesting Expo Centre. After a local visit we continue heading north to reach a picturesque country road flanked by green mountains and dotted with traditional farmlets and small lakes. Lunch in a picturesque country restaurant. After lunch, return to Sao Bento do Sul.
17.00 – Arrival back at the hotel.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Downtown Gramado

Wed 30 Sep 08.30 – Departure for Gramado, located in Rio Grande do Sul, which is Brazil southern most state. Gramado is a lovely town at 900m in a region famous for lush pastures, cattle and chocolate.
18.00 – Arrival at the hotel.
19.30 – Dinner at the hotel (included).

Thu 01 Oct 08.30 – Local sightseeing and visit to Lake Negro. Time at leisure in the beautiful garden setting of Gramado, graced by Tyrolean style architecture. Return to hotel.
15.45 – Visit to local chocolate factory and Canela Canyon.
17.30 – Return to hotel.
18.00 – “Café Colonial” (included): local specialty not to be missed!
19.30 – Optional dinner.

This steam train travels through the picturesque vineyards of Bento Gonçalves (above)

Fri 02 Oct 08.30 – Departure for the town of Bento Gonçalves. Scenic drive through some picturesque districts in the outskirts of Bento Gonçalves prior to entering the downtown area. Enjoy a visit to a local historic complex in a beautiful parkland and time for lunch.
14.00 – Scenic journey on a steam train across the picturesque undulated wine district of southern Brazil. One stop is made enroute with free wine tasting. Our coach will be at the arrival end of the journey (town of Carlos Barbosa) to pick up the group.
18.30 – Arrival back in Gramado.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Cable car at Caracol National Park

Sat 03 Oct 08.30 – Departure for Caracol National Park and Feradura Valley. Local cable car and scenic walk.
12.00 – Departure from Feradura and return to hotel.
15.00 – Departure for Serra Azul Ranch. Local sightseeing and return to Gramado.
19.30 – Optional dinner in typical restaurant with live show.

The town of Laguna

Sun 04 Oct 08.30 – Scenic drive from Gramado at 900m all the way down to the Atlantic Ocean. Then it’s onward, heading north along the coastline getting back into the State of Santa Catarina to reach Laguna.
17.00 – Arrival at the hotel on prime ocean front.
19.30 – Dinner in local restaurant (included).

Mon 05 Oct 08.30 – Short transfer to the historical downtown district and guided sightseeing covering the main highlights of Laguna. Local lunch/snack and return to hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

This spectacular road leads to the plateau of Bom Jardim da Serra at 1460m above sea level

Tue 06 Oct 08.30 – Very scenic drive along a winding road which climbs to the Plateau of Bom Jardim da Serra at 1460m above sea level, via the spectacular mountain chain of Serra do Rio Rastro. Local sightseeing and short drive to a scenic restaurant for a special lunch.
17.30 – Arrival back in Laguna.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

The picturesque unspoilt island of Anhatomirim and its old Portuguese Fortress

Wed 07 Oct 08.30 – Departure for the peninsula of Celso Ramos heading north along the coastline. Scenic drive along the peninsula. Local sightseeing and lunch by the sea in picturesque restaurant at Antenor Bay.
14.00 – Embarkation for the tiny hilly island of Anhatomirim, which was a fortress stronghold (during Portuguese colonial times). Visit to the scenic complex of fortress-buildings, built at different levels, with impressive sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean.
17.00 – Return to Antenor Bay.
18.30 – Arrival back in Laguna.
19.30 – Optional dinner.

Thu 08 Oct 08.30 – Departure for Curitiba Airport. Early afternoon arrival and mid/late afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro.

Fri 09 Oct 02.00 – LATAM AIRLINES flight back to Sydney via Santiago.

Sat 10 Oct 17.30 – Arrival at Sydney Airport.

Hotels

We believe that you are entitled to know exactly what you get for your money and that’s why we clearly state not only the number of stars but also the location of the hotels we use.

Unless you are in a rush tour, where you get to the hotel late at night and leave early morning, we do believe that a good location makes a world of difference to the quality of your holiday.