Seaport at the end of the gold trail Daily from Rio de Janeiro 4 days, 3 nights Inhabited since 1650, Paratí's Portuguese architecture has remained virtually unchanged. The cobbled centre is compact and easy to get around. Paratí is brimming with art galleries, boutiques, bars and restaurants and there are secluded beaches on the bay which can be reached by boat.   An ocean-borne exploration by romantic period schooner is a must. There is a holiday atmosphere at weekends when it is a popular destination for Brazilian visitors. The hotels we use are elegantly restored colonial houses; they may not all have the full range of modern amenities but are truly evocative of the European era.

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