Colonial architecture and gemstone centre
Daily except Mondays from Belo Horizonte
3 days, 2 nights
A few hours by air and road from Rio, the gold and diamond mining legacy of Minas Gerais state is a cluster of delightful colonial cities, including the UNESCO Cultural Heritage site of Ouro Preto.
Ouro Preto, the old gold-mining capital of Minas Gerais, effortlessly preserves its eighteenth-century atmosphere and is one of Brazil’s most intact examples of colonial architecture.
Baroque churches, ornate fountains, bridges and pretty plazas make it a delightful and relaxing place to wander around at your own pace for a day or two.
It’s a 3 hour drive from Belo Horizonte to Congonhas, a small country town famous for its church and the sculptures of Aleijadinho. Continue on to Ouro Preto (2 hours), .
Your hotel is a charming converted mansion. You have a full day at leisure in Ouro Preto. Before returning to Belo Horizonte, via Mariana, an old mining town of fine 18th century houses, on the third day.
How about?
Building a more comprehensive itinerary through Minas Gerais including the charming towns of Tiradentes and São João del Rey. |