Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest and most populous urban centre, home to roughly 20 million people in the metropolitan area alone. The capital of Sao Paulo State and the country’s unofficial business capital, the city is also known for its effervescent culture, with myriad entertainment options and a colourful nightlife. Highlight attractions of the city include: the Avenida Paulista, with its commercial epicentre presenting a wide array of shops, restaurants, bookstores and art exhibitions; Bixiga, a ‘little Italy’ known for its theatre scene and vibrant nightlife; the Chinatown district of Liberdade; and Ibirapuera Park, popular for its walking and jogging trails, three museums, free concerts and gorgeous Japanese garden.
Situated in the Minas Gerais State of Brazil, about 330 kilometres from Belo Horizonte, Sao Roque de Minas is known as the main gateway to the magnificent Serra da Canastra National Park, one of the largest in the country. The park offers a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts to explore with its enthralling caves; spectacular waterfalls and several series of rapids; and Cerrado and Atlantic Forests. Make sure to visit the 60-storey-high Casca d'Anta Waterfall, which features lovely natural pools of clear waters at the top. Lucky hikers may spot giant armadillos, maned wolves, giant anteaters, and other animals. Food lovers will delight in the chance to try the full-bodied, spicy Canasta Cheese made in the area, which has recently been given a title of cultural heritage.
Inland in southeastern Brazil lies the quaint, culturally-rich state of Minas Gerais. The state’s capital, Belo Horizonte, boasts some excellent sights - such as the Pampulha Art Museum and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, both of which were designed by modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer. Most visitors will want to experience the ‘soul’ of Minas Gerais, which can be found on the Trail of Tiradentes. This route takes in the towns of Congonhas, Ouro Preto, Mariana and Tiradentes – all of which are famed for their cobblestone streets, well-preserved colonial architecture and excellent local cuisine. Don’t miss Aleijadinho’s masterpiece ‘Twelve Prophets’ at the sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas.
Located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Southern Pantanal boasts a landscape scattered with bustling cities, picturesque cattle ranches and pristine landscape encompassing the largest tropical wetland area in South America. Visitors to the region can begin the Southern Pantanal experience at Corumba, the largest town in the Pantanal and the region’s historic hub, then drive along the unpaved road of Estrada Parque, a popular wildlife route that is home to capybara, jacare, giant anteaters, anacondas and a variety of birdlife. For a taste of local cowboy culture, visit the cattle ranches of Aquidauana and Miranda to discover the cattle rides, music, and traditional leatherwork of the pantaneiro cowboys, and explore the incredible landscapes while kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the rivers and exploring the Maracajú Plateau and Serra mountain ranges.
Located in central Brazil, the vast and scenic state of Goias features a diverse but typical landscape of rugged tropical savanna, green hills and deep valleys, dotted with a number of charming little colonial towns. The region's picturesque surrounds are preserved in a series of extraordinarily beautiful natural parks. Chief among these is the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, which features the otherworldly Vale da Lua, as well as a number of waterfalls, canyons, valleys, natural swimming pools and an extensive network of hiking trails. The Emas National Park, boasting an incredible variety of the region's typical fauna and flora, is also certainly worth a visit. Other not-to-be-missed attractions include Pirenopolis' two fascinating museums - the Museu do Divino, with excellent exhibits of festival masks and costumes and the Museu das Bandeiras, occupying an old jail and showcasing an impressive collection of antique furniture.
