Serra Gaúcha 05 days/ 04 nights with breakfast. Visit to Gramado, Canela, Caxias Do Sul, Bento Gonçalves, Carlos Barbosa and Nova Petrópolis included. Other tours under request. Gramado Located on the north-eastern hills of Rio Grande do Sul and surrounded by deep valleys, Gramado shows its European style inherited from its colonizers. Located 126km from Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul State, is the stage for major events – such as the Film Festival and the Winter Festival – and boasts a schedule full of attractions to please all tastes. The charm of the streets and gardens embellished with countless hydrangeas in bloom, the details of the colonial architecture, the cozyness of the vast hotel network, the sophistication of the gastronomy, the quality of products and services, the hospitality within the people, the scent of nature, actually, everything in Gramado seems to conspire so that unique pleasant moments can be experienced. Joining the natural beauty with the Italian and German traditions – brought with the settlement – makes Gramado a destination that is more than charming and picturesque to visit and enjoy. There one can find all the reasons to feel good and want to return often. Events in Gramado Gramado Film Festival Main Brazilian event in the field and one of the most important in Latin America, the Gramado Film Festival happens annually since 1973, for six days in the month of August. Actors, directors, technicians and visitors give prestige to the competition, which shows dozens of films and offers prizes in two categories: Brazilian productions and Latin-American, Portuguese and Spanish films. The program also incudes short films, independent films, workshops and talks. The screenings are at the Festivals Palace – with capacity for 1,200 people – and at the Municipal Culture Center. Winter Festival This Festival brings together music, literature, crafts and cinema in Gramado. It happens between July 1st and September 20th, when the city becomes the capital of winter and culture. The schedule includes established events such as the Film Festival and the Book Fair, and also new events such as the Gramado Canta e Encanta project. Altogether there are over 50 musical shows. Colônia’s Party Event with food stalls and many other typical products, crafts, music and dance from the Italian and German communities. The Party happens every year, between the months of March and April. Attractions in Gramado Paragliding The sport is one of the hang gliding modalities and arrived in Brazil in 1989; a year later it could be seen in the skies of Rio Grande do Sul. Since then the techniques and gear have been evolving, allowing ever better performances. The greatest excitement of the flight is in the combination of the right techniques with the Nature factors. It is possible to fly without engine, for long distances, and at great heights – two or three thousand meters, for example. Mini World Miniature city with replicas of castles and homes in typical European style, mills, squares, railways and cascades. CTG Rodeio Velho Museum or Museum of the Gaúcho Serrano The only museum in the State dedicated exclusively to show the habits of the gaúcho serrano. It was organized by Lúcio and Cilda Petersen for 50 years, and brings rare pieces from the time of the Farroupilha Revolution and the so called Leather Era. There one can find exclusive crafts, such as the surrão, a leather storage for keeping cereals, the genuine boleadeira, the tirador, the badana, the soveu and many pieces made of Bolivian silver; all collected from the region of São Francisco de Paula, Bom Jesus, Lajeado Grande, Vacaria, Cambará, Canela and Gramado. In total there are over 1,500 objects registered. There are also viola players playing typical music from the highland gaúchos. Perfume Museum The first of this kind in the Country. There the visitor can know the world perfumery classics. The place has around 450 bottles of the main international perfumes, with data on the composition, manufacturer, history and curiosities. Besides the Museum, there is also a shop and a perfume factory. It also sells sachets, soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Santa Claus Village Created by Oscar Knorr in 1940, there’s a Santa’s House, a wood and the Vale dos Quilombos observatory. Shopping Colonial Furniture Shops in the city center and on the road to Canela. Crystals There are crystal pieces of all types, formats and sizes. Shop opens from 9am to 7pm. At the back there is a demonstration of crystal making. Chocolates At the city center, many factories and shops such as Caracol, Lugano, Planalto and Prawer sell the famous “Gramado chocolate” in bars, branches, bombons, truffles, liqueurs and different shapes for children. You must try them! Canela Known internationally for its European charm and a series of events it hosts, the city of Canelas enchants visitors with its German and Italian heritage. Flowers galore, colonial-style buildings, agreeable climate in the mountains, reinforced breakfasts, chocolates, and great cuisine. Everything in Canela has a special touch about it, reflecting the nature that blesses the region. Events in Canela nternational Puppet Theater Festival This event has the participation of national and international groups. There are presentations in theaters, at schools and on the streets. It lasts four days and is held annually between the months of June and August. Attractions in Canela Caracol Park The Caracol Waterfall, formed by the small stream with the same name, has a 131 meter (430 ft) freefall over basaltic rock formations, creating a scene of rare beauty. The Park is located 7 km (4.5 miles) from Canela and it has modern infrastructure, with a lookout, restaurant, leisure area, arts and crafts fair and ecology trails. Ferradura Park It is 6 km (3.75 miles) from Caracol Park, and it gets its name from the bend the Caí River makes there. It offers trails that last from 10 minutes to 3 hours, has three lookout points with panoramic views, and an area with a snack bar, playground, barbeque pits and bathrooms. The Ferradura Park is the right place to go for those visiting Canela in search of integration with nature. You can climb the walls of the Canyon, which is 420 meters (1375 feet) deep, or visit the Arroio Caçador waterfall over the Park’s trails. Rafting on the Paranhana River Rafting begins at the dam and the route is approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) long, lasting 2 hours. During the trip, it is possible to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Paranhana River Valley where Italian colonization predominates. It forms the border between the cities of Três Coroas and Canela. Shopping in Canela Casa dos Bonecos (House of Dolls) Regional arts and crafts, rag dolls of all sizes. Caxias do Sul This is a city where the old and the new coexist harmoniously. Its historic buildings date from the 19th century. Built by Italian immigrants, old buildings contrast with the modern facades of new construction offering the impression of being in a country town that is disguised as a big metropolis. With an European-like climate during most of the year, the city has many tourist attractions to offer its visitors: museums, churches, culture, music and all types of leisure activities. Caxias do Sul hosts the popular National Grape and Wine Festival, one of the most important events in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Lots of merrymaking, wine drinking, grapes and beautiful people animate the month of February, every two years (on even-numbered years). Nova Petrópolis With its gardens, squares, and parks covered with flowers, Nova Petrópolis can be compared with the distant villages and towns that inhabit the romantic dreams of those who are in love. No wonder that this town is included in the “Romantic Itinerary” of the South Region. Tourism in Nova Petrópolis has as its foundations the traditions that are kept alive by the folkloric groups and the cultural societies of the town. Among other local attractions, most prominent is the beauty of the Gaucha Mountain Ridge, its excellent weather, the colonial cafés, and the fact of the town being truly the "crossing point" among the areas where we find vineyards, the areas where wine is produced, and the vegetable farms. The history of the settlement of the area can be seen in an authentic Bavarian historical village - the Aldeia do Imigrante (Immigrant's Village) – where the architecture that existed between 1875 and 1900 is recreated. The inheritance of those immigrants is also found in the architecture of the town, whose style is known as Enxaimel style (also known as “fachwerk” in German). The concept takes into account how snails live, carrying their houses on their backs wherever they go. The constructions in this town are made in fitted wooden alloy, which allows their disassembly and assembly without damages to the structure. The natural charm of the Gaucha Mountain Ridge also catches the eye of those who visit Nova Petrópolis. In the town’s center, it is possible to visit the Aldeia do Imigrante Park (Immigrant's Village Park), with an area of 10 hectares (24.71 acres) of native forest. There, between lakes and centennial trees, you can watch flag dances and the dance shows of the folkloric groups that make their presentations in an outdoor presentation area of the Park. In the west side of the Mountain Ridge, the attraction is the intact green of the vegetation, preserved by the residents of the area, a perfect setting for hiking and for swimming in pure crystal clear waters. Having both a fascinating past and a fascinating present, Nova Petrópolis is the ideal destination for those who want to learn a bit more about the history of the German immigrants and to see the natural beauty of the Gaucha Mountain Ridge. It is visiting there and falling in love with the area! Attractions in Nova Petrópolis Ninho das Águias (Eagles’ Nest) At 720 meters (2,362.20 feet) of altitude, with three hang-gliding ramps, it offers a beautiful view of the Caí River Valley and of the town of Caxias do Sul. In case you do not have the courage to go hang-gliding, the view and the landscape are worth a visit. Caí River Valley It follows the course of the Caí River, which divides the municipalities of Nova Petrópolis and Caxias do Sul. In the area there is great prevalence of vegetable farms, cultivated by the descendants of the Germans who came from the area known as Pomerania - the area along the Baltic Sea between the Vistula, Noteć, Warta and Recknitz rivers – which is currently part of Polish territory. To explore that area is an unforgettable adventure. Johann Grings Waterfall To visit the waterfall is also going back in time and getting to know the foundation of the first sawmill of the town, built in 1862. The “bica” (spring) found in the place is a source of pure crystal clear water. Multi-secular Pine Tree With 45 meters (147.64 feet) of height and such a thick trunk that it takes seven adult people to embrace it, the Multi-secular Pine Tree (Pinheiro Multissecular in Portuguese) is another attraction in the Linha Imperial (Imperial Line). The pine tree is at one kilometer (0.62 mile) off RS-235 road, in the access to the Theodor Amstad square. Panelão (Big Pot) A rocky formation with a waterfall, forming a lake with underground rivers. Those who visit it are urged to jump into the waters and enjoy that gift from nature. It is worth visiting both for the beautiful landscapes and for the many trails found in that place. Bento Goncalves and Garibaldi: Wine Region Wine Region is an escape to Italian scenery. Caxias do Sul, Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi, are the standout destination of the region. This is the capital of Brazilan wine making and there is plenty of happiness, music, wines, champagne and Italian cooking to satisfy anyone. Wine Route, through the Italian foothills (serra italiana) a couple of hours north of Porto Alegre. The beautiful Vale dos Vinhedos (Valley of the Vineyards) is just two hours drive [120 Km ] from Porto Alegre. Vale dos Vinhedos is a valley among Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo do Sul borders. Wines from Vale dos Vinhedos are globally known. The techniques guarantee the product quality, which already earned important national and international prizes, mainly in countries of Europe. In the summer the main attraction is to eat the grapes in the vineyards, to accompany the winegrowers' work, to see how the wine and juice are produced. A good introduction to the area is to take the Maria Fumaca (Smoky Mary) steam train. It's a 23km ride with music, wines and Italian treats. The railroad, inaugurated in 1919. Departures: Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 14 o'clock, from Bento Gonçalves' Rail Station, going by Garibaldi, Carlos Barbosa and returning by the same itinerary. The Italians, who arrived between 1875 and 1915, were mainly from the Veneto and Trento region. They adapted well and very quickly specialized in wine production. The region has developed into an important industrial centre, but it is in and around smaller towns, such as Bento Goncalves and Garibaldi, that, in fact, Brazil`s wine production is centred. This is where 90% of the country's wine production is done. Since the 1970s, investment in wineries has leapt up considerably and the ensuing quality although Brazil still lags in exports behind the hegemony of Chile and Argentina it is a growing sector of the local economy. Carlos Barbosa is a city of over 22,000 in Rio Grande do Sul's wine country that is linked by the Maria Fumaça tourist railroad to Bento Gonçalves Salto ventoso (Windy Jump) - it is located in the district of Nova Sardenha (New Sardenha). With 54 meters of height, in front of a large mouth (200 meters in length for 25 meters of height), where you can watch it from behind the waterfall. The horseshoe shape, like a semicircle, making it possible to watch it from any angle. When the sun shines inside of the big mouth, on the rift of the water, several colors reflecte on the walls of the cave. " Quatrilho ", the Oscar nominate movie, was filmed here. Events Fenavinho - National Party of the Wine. The whole secular magic of the Italian immigrants' culture is shown with music, dances, shows, typical dishes and a lot of wine, that flows in a parallel with people happiness. |