Some of Brazil's most valuable treasures are waiting for you on this tour. Brazil's magnificient cities have so much to offer, and the beaches possess a beauty that are unrivalled throughout the world (we can prove it!). You'll get to soak them all up in this well-designed tour that will take you to the real nuggets of Brazil. Ascend a skyscraper in grand S㯠Paulo; bask in the beauty of and history of Ilha Bela, scour the deserted islands off of Paraty and get lost on the the idyllic paradise of Ilha Grande. We'll have time to experience fabulous Rio in all of its glory, tour stately Petropolis and visit the quaint Finnish colony of Penedo. Lush national parks like the Itatatiaia and breathtaking vistas await you on this tour. Please read on....

Day 1 - Depart from Miami or New York

Day 2- Rio de Janeiro - After arriving at the airport, we will be escorted to our hotel located at the world-famous Copacabana Beach. After checking in at the hotel, we will enjoy a full day getting to know this marvelous city. You'll have the morning to rest and refresh. Around midday we'll depart for a city tour, going downtown to visit the Cathedral, built by the Portuguese in the 1700s in Baroque style. Next, we'll tour the beaches of Copacabana, Flamengo and Ipanema (as mentioned in the famous Bossa Nova hit "Girl from Ipanema") and the Samb󤲯mo, where Carnaval celebrations are held. Travel up to Sugar Loaf on the cable car where you'll have a stupendous view of this beautiful city and the sea below. Sugar Loaf (known locally as P㯠de A纣ar) is a famous landmark seen on numerous postcards. It was first spotted on January 1, 1502 by Portuguese navigator Andr頍 Gon硬ves, who was mapping the coast of Brazil. Guanabara Bay was mistaken for a river, and the association of the date of the siting and "river" led to the name Rio de Janeiro, or January River. In the evening, go out on the town, or we can organize a group to head to the Plataforma to catch dinner and a Samba show (the city's best one, we might add) or a typical Brazilian dance place like Forro na Lagoa. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 3 - Rio - Petropolis - Penedo (41 mi. / 66 km) - Not far from Rio is the city of Petropolis. Set in the mountains, imperial Petropolis was once the seat of Brazil's Royal Family. Horse-drawn carriages still ply the cobblestone streets of the city. We'll have a look at Quitandinha Palace, the summer residence of Dom Pedro II, Brazil's last emperor, who ruled until 1889. The Palace is now a museum displaying the crown jewels, paintings and furniture of the Brazilian empire. The Igreja Luterana (Lutheran Church) is also a wondrous sight to behold. Dozens of fine restaurants are located within the city center. Afterwards we'll drive to Penedo, originally a Finnish settlement founded in the 1920s. Although there are few full-blooded Finns left, the town regularly celebrates its Finnish heritage. Penedo is situated within the Itatatiaia National Park in the northwest of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Penedo.

Day 4 - Penedo - AM visit to the Itatatiaia National Park where we'll go on a very scenic mountain hike and have a beautiful view of the Serra da Mantiqueira from the trail. After this we will go to a trout (forel) farm where we will have the chance to actually fish for our own lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the artist city of Visconde de Mauᠷhere we'll see waterfalls and the many lakes surrounding this village. In the evening, you may want to try out a Finnish sauna! Overnight in Penedo.

Day 5 - Penedo - Ilhabela - Drive on one of the most beautiful roads of Brazil. We will take a very scenic route passing through the Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar towards Ilhabela. After a stop in Boi絣anga Beach, we take a ferry trip, arriving at Ilhabela (beautiful island) around noon. The biggest island on the Brazilian coast, Ilhabela's environmentally sensitive areas were declared a state park in 1977, and the cultural treasures of the city were also afforded protection. Relax or go to enjoy Praia das Conchas, a park with a beautiful beach with the chance to go snorkeling. At night there are several nice restaurants, bars and live music where you can meet locals. Overnight in Ilhabela.

Day 6 - Ilha Bela - Today we visit the historical city center, including the colonial church Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, built in 1803 from rocks, shells and whale oil(!). Later you can go on a boat trip around the island, stopping at the various beaches to swim or snorkel, or take a trail to the waterfalls, passing through tropical rainforest. The more adventurous can walk a 4-hour-trail through the State Park on the island, through the rainforest and seeing several waterfalls (there are over 360 waterfalls on the island), to Praia de Bonete, a bay once used by pirates as a hideout. Return by boat. There are also several high peaks to hike up, such as Baepi, S㯠Sebasti㯠 and Papagaio Peak. Overnight in Ilhabela.

Day 7 - Ilhabela - Parati - We continue our way along the coast with stunning views of the shoreline along the way. Towards late morning, we arrive in Ubatuba, a city situated in a preserved area where the mountains of the Serra do Mar meet the ocean. After a marvelous trip along several bays (99 mi. or 160 km total) we will arrive in Paraty, one of the most famous villages on the Brazilian coast. An important city during the age of gold, you can observe striking 17th century architecture in the colonial section of town; no cars are allowed here, and deliveries to stores are made by donkey-drawn carts. Stroll the narrow cobblestone streets and feel the 17th century spirit. Founded in the 1660s, Parati was a major point of export for gold and diamonds mined in Brazil's interior. Parati was designated by UNESCO as a so-called World Heritage site. At night, take in some of the many different bars and restaurants of this charming city. Overnight in Paraty.

Day 8- Parati - The surroundings of Parati should not be overlooked. There are over 300 beaches and 65 islands around the city. Wander the untouched village of Trindade, where you can enjoy deserted beaches and the waterfalls not far from the beach. Or, enjoy a pleasant visit to some of the many untouched and deserted islands of the coast of Parati by boat, stopping at a few islands to swim and discover the islands by foot.

Day 9 - Parati - Angra dos Reis - Ilha Grande (90 km + boat) - Leaving Parati, we will stop at an Indian (Guaran�village where we will see how this tribe lives nowadays, combining their old traditions and modern life. From here we will drive through the National Park of Serra da Bocaina to arrive in Angra dos Reis, a coastal getaway for the rich and famous. (Brazil's only nuclear power plant is located here, and yes, it is safe). Today's final destination is Ilha Grande, a beautifully preserved island. Since there are no roads and cars on the island, we'll take an invigorating stroll here. We'll walk through Vila do Abra㯠to get to the hotel. You'll have the evening free to get to know the street art and markets of this quiet village.

Day 10 - Ilha Grande - Today we will get to know the highlights of this truly dreamy island. Explorer Amerigo Vespucci said that if heaven on earth exists, it must not be far from Ilha Grande! Take a boat trip to the southern tip of the island, or walk the trails, seeing on the way the ruins of the Lazareto Prison, or for the more adventurous, hike to the peak, known as the Pico do Papagaio (Parrot's Peak) from which you have a marvelous view of the entire island. Local wildlife includes monkeys, parrots, hummingbirds and colorful butterflies. At the end of the day you can admire the sunset from a boat enjoying a drink. Overnight on Ilha Grande.

Day 11 - Ilha Grande - Angra - Rio de Janeiro (125 mi. / 200 km) - After a morning boat trip from the island, we will head for Rio de Janeiro, situated in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, where the Serra das Araras reaches the sea. Night free in Rio de Janeiro. Optional tours available upon request.

Day 12 - Rio de Janeiro - Today, you'll have a day at leisure to enjoy the famous Copacabana or Ipanema Beach. Towards the end of the day, we will transfer to Rio's International Airport to board to our returning fly to the US.
Here are the Varig's returning flight schedules:

Day 13 - Arrival at your final destination.