Brasilia, Ouro Preto & Minas Gerais holidays

The federal capital, Brasilia, is a spectacular feat of urban and architectural design, while just a few hours’ drive from here lies the scenic natural beauty of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. Meanwhile, the historic gold-mining towns in the state of Minas Gerais have some of Brazil’s finest colonial heritage: elaborately decorated churches, characterful pousadas, art and architectural treasures can be discovered in towns such as Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, São João del Rei, Congonhas and Mariana. Further south, explore the beautiful scenery of the Reserva do Ibitipoca and relax at a stylish fazenda.

Explore Brasilia, Ouro Preto & Minas Gerais

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Places to Visit

Brasilia

Situated in the heart of the country, the federal capital of Brazil is a spectacular feat of urban and architectural design, built in just four years on uninhabited land. When seen from the air, the clean-lined city plan by famous architects Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer is often compared to an aeroplane or bird in flight. The strikingly innovative style has won Brasilia its Unesco world cultural heritage designation and its impressive buildings and urban landscape can be explored on a half-day city tour. Brasilia is also an excellent stopover en route between the Pantanal or the Amazon, as well as a gateway to the scenic high plateaux of the Chapada dos Veadeiros

Chapada dos Veadeiros

The scenic high plateaux of the Chapada dos Veadeiros lie in the state of Goiás, in the heart of Brazil, 3 hours' drive from Brasilia. A large national park protects part of this beautiful landscape of rocky forested canyons, flat-topped ridges, palm-dotted savannah, and countless caves, rivers, waterfalls and refreshing natural pools. The area is home to abdundant birdlife and rare animal and plant species typical of the tropical cerrado. The ancient rocks and geological formations include the spectacular Valley of the Moon, and prior to the creation of the national park the mining of rock crystals was one of the main local industries. Stay in the small town of Alto Paraíso de Goiás or the little village of São Jorge near the park entrance, and take guided hikes to explore this stunning natural wilderness

Ouro Preto

The famous former capital of the state of Minas Gerais was founded in 1711. Its cobbled streets wind up and down steep hills, while mansions, fountains, churches, vistas of terraced gardens, ruins and towers shining with coloured tiles all blend together to retain a delightful 18th century atmosphere. Ouro Preto ('Black Gold' in Portuguese) received its name from gold streaked with palladium found in the area in the late 17th century. During the peak of gold mining, Ouro Preto had a population of 110,000, twice that of New York at the time. Wealth and high standards of living attracted the most talented artists, whose skills created one of South America’s architectural highlights. There are more outstanding art and architectural treasures to be discovered in the nearby historic towns of Congonhas and Mariana. Ride on a 19th-century steam train or make a visit the Minas da Passagem gold mine

Reserva do Ibitipoca

Located in the south of the Minas Gerais region, Reserva do Ibitipoca encompasses 30 sq km of preserved land within the Ibitipoca State Park. The land was acquired in 1981 as part of a sustainability project, with the aim of creating ecological corridors to join isolated areas of forest, providing new habitats for the region's wildlife, including endangered maned wolves. The region is now an outdoor lover's paradise, with forest trails, abundant birdlife and picturesque waterfalls. Stay here en route between the colonial towns of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro

Tiradentes

Tiradentes was named after Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, also known as 'Tiradentes' (the tooth-puller), who was one of the greatest heroes of the Brazilian independence movement. Situated between the Rio das Mortes (River of the Dead) and the São José mountain chain, the town was practically forgotten between the end of the gold rush period and the 1970s, when business people from Rio helped restore the beautiful old houses. Soon the locals became involved, and Tiradentes rapidly became a refuge for artists from Rio and São Paulo