The Inhotim Institute, located in Brumadinho, is home to one of the largest foundations of contemporary art in Brazil and one of the largest outdoor art centers in Latin America. It was founded by the former mining magnate Bernardo Paz in 2004 to house his personal art collection but opened to the public a couple of years later.
Set in the remote and rugged Serra do Espinhaco mountains of eastern Brazil, the historic colonial town of Ouro Preto has been preserved as a national monument and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This bustling university town and popular tourist destination is known for its ancient churches, winding cobblestoned streets, charming town squares, red-tiled roofs, pretty fountains, and wonderful Baroque architecture. Visitors can explore the 18th-century St. Francis of Assisi Church, stroll through the ancient streets, and discover the many squares including Praca Tiradentes, the town’s main square lined with an array of shops and cafes.
Tiradentes is a picturesque colonial village in the Minas Province of Brazil, between Rio de Janiero and Belo Horizonte. The town boasts historic houses fringed with abundant flowers, set against the backdrop of beautiful blue mountains. Visitors can choose to travel to Tiradentes aboard the ‘Smoking Mary’ steam train from São João del Rei, and, once in the village, take horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets, and browse the array of quaint boutiques and antique stores. Nature lovers will relish the variety of hikes in the captivating natural surroundings, and history enthusiasts will be intrigued by the old Paracatu gold mine just outside the town.
Situated in the Brazillian state of Minas Gerais fringing the Atlantic Forest, the Ibitipoca Reserve consists of over 3000 hectares of biodiverse terrain. Previously pasture land, a conservation project was initiated over 30 years ago, focusing on reforestation with native species and reintroducing wildlife to the area. Today this landscape is known for its otherworldly beauty and is characterised by quartzite caverns, deep gorges, lush tropical forests, and cascading waterfalls. Visitors can look forward to discovering this wonderland with an array of wonderful activities, including taking a dip in the natural pool, exploring traditional villages and catching a glimpse of the critically endangered northern muriqui, a primate endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest, one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. Other popular activities include hiking, horse riding, and wildlife viewing.
