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Rio de Janeiro BUNDESLAND “und Umgebung”
Rio de Janeiro - Petrópolis - Saquarema - Búzios/Cabo Frio - Paraty
This 11 day stay includes various events , excursions and small round trips of several days’ duration,
in the state of Rio de Janeiro,
and can be realized already with a minimum2 participants !!!
Arrival Day:
After your arrival at the airport in RIO DE JANEIRO , where we will be waiting for you, we will take you to SAQUAREMA ,
where you will spend the following days in a wonderful resort complex, about 2 miles from the ocean.
You will relax surrounded by unspoiled nature and replenish your energies with delicious meals.
 
 
2. Day
During a 3 hour accompanied tour, we will familiarize you with the town of Saquarema, its various beaches, and the geographical peculiarities
of this wonderful Atlantic coastal region. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity for a prolonged stay at the beach.
Supper is prepared by Dona Elsa :-)
3. Day
After breakfast we offer the opportunity for a 3 hour long, accompanied, ecological forest hike , through the MATA ATLANTICA
which is situated in the coastal range of the Serra do Mar, about 4 miles away as the crow flies. You will experience
many vistas and insights. In the afternoon you have the choice of a swim and relaxing at the ample pool or enjoying the nearby beach.
Supper in a charming restaurant in the town of Saquarema.
4. Day
After breakfast a combined all day excursion of Cabo Frio and Buzios.
The trip starts with Cabo Frio , a city with a history of over 500 years,… because in the year of 1500, Amerigo Vespucci,
during the first sailings of the Brazilian coast, erected a trading post here, to trade with the local Guarani Indios.
Here, amongst other things, you will experience the snow white sand dunes,
 
And the historical Forte (fortress), near the connection of the ocean and the Lagoa (lake) de Araruama, which was constructed on a rock in the ocean, to ward off pirates and enemies.
The Portuguese did not construct their settlements along the Atlantic coast, because of the ever present threat of pirates,
rather they chose the inland coast of the immense lake with its circumference of about 50 miles. Here they also found ideal conditions
for the construction of numerous saline ponds for the production of salt, of which many are still in use today.
From Cabo Frio, we continue to Búzios,
….the peninsula which became famous in the ‘60s after various visits by Brigitte Bardot. We will drive to the highest look-out point,
from where you can observe the entire geography of this peninsula, with its numerous beaches and coves,
you will be impressed by the sheer beauty of this unique “spot on earth”.
From here we drive to the beautiful beach called Praia do Forno, where we have the opportunity for a swim and a snack.
Afterwards we drive to a spot called Armação de Buzios, - a picturesque local with its many shops, boutiques and fancy restaurants.
During holidays like Christmas, New Years, Carnival and Easter the place is invaded by the Brazilian Jet Set.
At around 05:00 p.m. we return to Saquarema.
5. Day
After breakfast, we travel to Rio in a one and a half hour drive, where you will spend 3 nights/incl. Breakfast in a 3 star hotel,
on Copacabana beach.
In the afternoon, after you have checked into your hotel room, we will show you also the historical part of this metropolis
on the Atlantic ocean and the Guanabara Bay, the “Cidade Maravilhosa”,…
the wonderful city, the city of the CARIOCA , as the locals call themselves .
In late afternoon we’ll ride up the sugar loaf, .. the PÃO DE AÇUCAR, to experience the breathtaking sunset.
An unforgettable experience! OPTIONAL: Sumptuous dinner in a fancy restaurant in Ipanema.
6. Day
 After breakfast we will drive to the Corcovado, where we will visit the Christ the Redeemer
statue, which was recently chosen as one of the new 7 wonders of the world,
at an altitude of 705 meters, with his spread out arms, blessing the city and its visitors.
Even before the election of as a new wonder, the statue was a meeting point of all nationalities.
The 360° round view – of the city at its feet, - the sugar loaf, with its “only” 1299 feet,
guarding the entrance of the BAHIA DA GUANABARA, and the vast spreading mountain ranges,
with the impressive Organ Peaks, leaves no doubt,
why this city, amongst so many, is called the most beautiful in the world !
After this impressive experience we drive through the “Floresta da Tijuca”, the world’s biggest
urban forest, to reach the ocean again on the west part of the city. This new part of the ever
growing Mega-City is systematically layed out,… and its luxurious mansions on the 12 milelong
beach of “Barra da Tijuca” could be just as well on the beaches in Florida. From here, we drive along all of Rio’s famous beaches, …
São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. Our sightseeing tour ends at your hotel. For the sunset,
we highly recommend to join the hundreds of Cariocas at the “Arpoador” (the harpooner) rock, at the beginning of Ipanema beach.
7. Day
This morning we will drive you inland to the coastal range “Serra do Mar”. During the very impressive 90 minute trip, we’ll be passing
through tropical vegetation reminding us of a botanical garden. We experience impressive vistas from various points on
this serpentine road, until we reach Petropolis at and altitude of 2700 feet. Due to the year-round mild and cool climate,
the two emperors of Brazil, Dom Pedro I and Dom Pedro II, had their summer residence built here by a German-descendant military
engineer. With time, the city of Petropolis started to develop, as more and more aristocrats and affluent person decided to spend
their summers here. The former emperor palace, the “Museu Imperial”, the city Cathedral with the mausoleums of the Imperial family,
and the crystal palace (Palacio de Cristal) are popular sightseeing destinations and visiting sites for Brazilian history. Now, you will also
belong to the group of visitors who are impressed by these amazing sites. But before, you have the opportunity to lunch in a restaurant,
now situated in a former historical building. In the afternoon, the return trip to RIO will be on a different mountain road,
but with equally breath taking views. Afterwards you may spend the evening to your own liking,..
of course we are more than happy to give you suggestions how to create it!
8. Day
After breakfast and some off-time to relax, we will bring you to the main bus terminal (Novo Rio), where you will board the 2 o’clock
COSTA VERDE bus to Paraty. The bus will make a 20 minute stop, at a roadhouse, during the 4 hour ride. After a 90 minute drive
through the suburbs of Rio and countryside, the bus reaches the coast at Itacuruçá, along which he will travel the next 2 and a half hours.
This road, built in the 60’s, also called the Rio-Santos road, is one of the most beautiful coastal roads, connecting Rio with
Angra dos Reis, Paraty and many more wonderful seaside resorts, all the way south, to the biggest sea port of Brazil, Santos,
in the state of São Paulo. Although tourism has been increasing incessantly, the area has managed to retain its originality. At your arrival
in Paraty at around 06:00 p.m., you will be picked up and brought to your pousada (Inn),…checked in.
Optional: your supper has been reserved by us, in one of the best restaurants in Paraty,..the Café Margarida.
  
9. Day
After breakfast, we take the time for a little stroll through the colonial part of town, which is closed for all traffic, and we’ll reach
the port in the western part of town, where you will board the ship, for which you were issued reserved tickets, to go on an
unforgettable cruise of 4 to 5 hour duration.
There will be several bathing stops to enjoy white sandy beaches
and crystal clear waters, surrounded only by exuberant nature, giving a south seas impression.
Around 02:00 p.m. lunch will be served on board. Return to the piers will be between 04:00 p.m.
and 05:00p.m. . You can either return directly to your Pousada, for a change of clothes, or stroll, an your way to the Pousada,
along the originally preserved streets, with its many shops and restaurants.
Paraty was declared cultural memorial by the UNESCO.
  
10. Day
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your Pousada by a car, for a sightseeing tour into the mountains, situated above the city.
You will have the opportunity for short hikes to various waterfalls, where you can, and should take a refreshing dip.
The water masses which drop in cascades are energetically positively charged and a veritable fountain of youth.
You will visit a former 17th century, grand manorial coffee plantation. These plantations served as lay over stations,
for the caravans which traveled between this most import sea port and the goldfields and mineral mines in the state of Minas Gerais.
The emperors Dom I and Dom II also made stops, with their escorts, here. Today you can visit a distillery (Cachaça Alambique) ,
a small museum of local history, and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, in the former administration building, prepared by Dona Hilda,
on her antique wood stove. The coffee is sweetened with natural unrefined sugar, “Rapadura”.
After the visit of another natural phenomenon, a particularly original, highly interesting waterfall, you will have the opportunity to visit a bromeliad
and orchid exhibition, before you are brought back to Paraty and your Pousada, in the afternoon.
11. Day
After breakfast or in the early afternoon, you will be driven to the bus terminal of Paraty, for your return trip to Rio, with the Costa Verde
(green coast) bus. In spite of the same route, you will enjoy beautiful vistas, missed on the way down.
Arrival at the “Rodoviaria Rio Novo” bus terminal, after approximately 4 hours. From here, it’s a short taxi ride to the International airport,
or your return flight home.
Optional: you can extend an additional day, for a stay in a Pousada situated in Trindade, directly on the beach, about 30 minutes by car from Paraty. The Robinson-Crusoe-type beaches with their unspoiled nature are a dream.
A hike through the coastal forest, with its unique and awesome vegetation, is offered. Let yourself be surprised!
The cost for this extra day, including transports and hike is EURO 110 per person in a dbl/room ... in sgl-room EURO 150
 
Prices – Per Person – for the “Basic-Round trip= 11 days:
nights/incl. breakfast/ Dbl-room EUR 1390,00 (without flights !!)
nights/incl. breakfast/ Sgl-room EUR 1690,00 (without flights !!)
Optional: After your return to Rio you have the opportunity to book a 3 day tour, from there, to the magnificent,
grandiose and impressive water falls of Iguaçu. Here you will be expected by our English speaking guide.
He will take you on an unforgettable tour
of the “Cataratas”, on the Brazilian as well the Argentine sides and a most interesting tour of the
immense hydro power plant Itaipu.
You will be accommodated (2 night/incl. breakfast) in the 4 star Rafain Palace Hotel.
The cost for this additional program, including the 2 domestic flights p.P. double in dbl-room EURO 770/ in sgl-room EURO 940
Services: Basic round trip = 11 days:
*4 nights - room and board in a Resort Hotel in Saquarema
*day tour to Cabo Frio and Buzios
*3 nights – room and breakfast, in the 3 star Windsor Martinique Copa Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana
*City tour Rio,…Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, Metropolitan Cathedral and the beach tour
*day tour to Petropolis etc.
*qualified English speaking guides
*on day 8 – transfer to bus terminal Rio Novo, bus ride to Paraty
*3 nights – room and breakfast, in a beautiful pousada in Paraty
*4 – 5 hours boat tour
*cross country hike: waterfalls, bromeliad exhibition and distillery
*bus ride from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro
*all excursions and visitations, including all entrance fees (including the entrance fees for the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf)
*all transfers in modern air conditioned vehicles.
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