Paraty 04 days/ 03 nights with breakfast. Tours under request. Parati was declared Historical Heritage in 1958 and it still maintains one of the most harmonious architectonic complexes in the country. The colonial houses maintain the characteristics of the city’s foundation in the 16th Century. And its streets – made of stone – call the attention of those who come from abroad. Most of these streets have two names, one official and the other popular. The main attractions are in the Historical Center, which covers practically the entire city, and which offers several places that are open for visitation, such as the old jail, a fort, museums, houses with arts and crafts, and churches. Parati was an important commercial center during the colonial period. In the 18th Century, its port was used to embark the gold brought from Minas Gerais over the old Gold Trail to the States of Rio de Janeiro. The following century, it served to export the coffee produced in the Paraíba Valley, located in the States of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The port lost importance with the laying of the railroad between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro at the end of the 19th Century, and the city went through a period when it was forgotten. Parati’s beauty was only rediscovered after the opening of new roads during the 1970s, and it became an internationally famous tourist point, offering good inns and excellent restaurants to its visitors. Parati is located in a bay with crystal clear, blue water. It also has many beaches – some of which are still without any urbanization, and fishing villages. For the more adventurous, there are boat excursions and excellent sites for diving at nearby islands. Events Carnival In Parati, the merrymakers enjoy the party in Masked Blocks and with mud. The Pinga Festival This is held every third weekend during the month of August. It has local cachaça (typical Brazilian sugar cane rum) tasting, music shows and stands with typical regional foods. Party of the Divine This is a tradition brought over from the Azores and Madeira during the 18th Century. The party is celebrated for ten days. There are processions and typical dances. It is always held 40 days after Easter – following the rituals of the Catholic Church; International Literary Fair This is held every July. It gathers national and international authors of every genre for the release and dissemination of new publications, and the re-edition of great successes. There are also debates and lectures about the theme. Attractions Historical Center The attractions are spread all over the city and should be seen on foot, since the main streets are closed to vehicle traffic in the Historical Center. The tour can begin with a visit to the outside of the old City Hall, built in the 19th Century. The Jail House – or simply the Patitiba Barracks -, built in the 18th Century is home to the library and the art museum. There is also the Culture House, from 1754, which has arts and crafts shops, a bookstore, space for holding events and an exhibit that tells the history of the city. The main churches are: the Mother Church of Our Lady of Remédios, from 1873, and adorned in neo-Classic style; the Church of Saint Rita dos Pardos Libertos, built in 1722, a postcard to the city and home to the Museum of Sacred Art; Our Lady of Pain, with its internal terraces made of laced work wood; and Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Benedict, which were raised by slave labor in 1725. Parati Bay This is one of the most beautiful locations along the Brazilian coastline. It belongs to the Grande Island bay and has calm, clear waters. These characteristics make the location an ideal destination for excursions and for water sports – such as diving and sailing. Diving With its calm, clear waters, Parati can be considered the capital of Brazilian diving. Since it is a “bay within the bay of Grande Island”, it is rarely necessary to suspend any trip to sea due to bad weather. Several diving operators work in the region, and Parati is the favorite place for baptizing first time divers. It is easy to rent clothes and equipment, get a boat, and even take a complete diving course. The most indicated locations for diving are the Catimbau, dos Ganchos, Comprida, dos Ratos, Meros and do Algodão Islands; and among the best beaches, there is the Praia Grande da Deserta. Marinas Parati is a privileged port for the water tourist. It has an ample marina structure and all necessary nautical services for your comfort and safety. Its islands and beaches are veritable invitations to navigation. Shopping Cachaça There are more than 300 brands of cachaça from several parts of Brazil, including the seven produced in the Parati mills.
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