Minas Gerais- historical cities and rural estates
"a taste of colonial style and grandeur"
South-East
This is a gorgeous trip for anyone who likes gentle drives through wonderful green hills with a combination of history, culture and local gastronomy- the famous "comida mineira". Ouro Preto and Tiradentes are both unspoilt colonial towns with a rich heritage, plenty of museums and churches as well as shops selling traditional local handicrafts. Mirante do Cafe and Fazenda Santa Marina are both working estates set in beautiful countryside.
Try a horse and cart trip round Tiradentes, a visit to São João del Rey by steam train, a walking tour of Ouro Preto, famous for its "black" gold. Or just live grandly and graciously at the artistic Pouso do Chico Rei, or the early 19th century Fazenda Santa Marina, with its indian-inspired spa. The beach can wait...
Trip Airport(s):
Belo Horizonte
Note: Google map markers are merely an indication of the mid point of the trip and in some regions existing roads have not yet been mapped.
Next steps?
Click boxes to select pousadas where you want to stay
Add arrival & departure dates, and check dates do not overlap
Calculate approximate cost, confirm details and proceed to BOOK NOW!
Notes:
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All pousadas can organise airport and onward transfers if required
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At any time click pousada picture for more details, or ask Alison
OURO PRETO
Church of São Francisco de Assis
Aleijadinho’s sculptures and carvings
Museum of Inconfidência
Casa dos Contos gold exchange
Municipal Theatre
SANTANA DOS MONTES
A beautifully quiet un-spoilt colonial town
Gently rolling hills and waterfalls
Traditional fazenda/ rural estate life
TIRADENTES
Padre Toledo Museum
Matriz (church) of Santo Antonio
Largo das Forras- main square
Myriad of crafts & reclaimed wood furniture shops
OURO PRETO
Walking tour of the historical center
Check out the soapstone street market
Visit the old gold mine- Mina da Passagem
Side trips to historical Mariana & Congonhas
SANTANA DOS MONTES
Horse-riding
Walking, talking, relaxing
Sampling home cooked mineiro food
TIRADENTES
Visit the historical centre by horse-drawn buggy
Side trip to Bichinho crafts shops
Take the Maria Fumaça (steam train) to historical São João del Rei
This trip is easiest to do by car, particularly if you want to visit Mirante do Café, Fazenda Santa Marina or do any of the interesting side trips to Mariana, Congonhas the gold mine Mina da Passagem or Bichinha..
Although the airport given here is Belo Horizonte, and all places mentioned are in Minas Gerais it is possible to start from Rio airport and go to Tiradentes first. Car hire is easy at either airport.
The historical centers of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes are all cobbled, very uneven and slippery in wet weather, so leave the high heels behind!
Minas Gerais is nice all year round and it never gets as hot and humid as Rio. However it can get cold at nights and it can rain. Be warned that average temperatures are only that. You are up in the hills on this trip and it can get very very cold in winter.
Like in Paraty there are cultural and religious festivals throughout the year in both Tiradentes and Ouro Preto, and prices in pousadas rise at these times
Annual Temperature
and Rainfall
Brazilian National Holidays
12/10/2010
N. S. Aparecida Day
02/11/2010
All Hallows Day
15/11/2010
Proclamation of the Republic
25/12/2010
Christmas
01/01/2011
New Year's Day
5/03/2011
Carnival- (start date of 5 day celebrations)
21/04/2011
Tiradentes Day
24/04/2011
Easter Day
Price Guide
Prices below are low season rates for two people in brazilian reais (R$). Standard double room, with
en-suite shower room, breakfast included.
