Brazil

A true architectural gem, Paraty is one of the best preserved colonial cities of Brazil. Dating back to the 17th century, the city lies at the extreme end of the old gold path. 170 miles south of Rio, you dive into a bygone era, still moving to the rhythm of horse-driven carts on the cobbled streets and by the arrival of two-masted sailing ships in the port. The city now lives from art and crafts: galleries, traditional shops and small boutiques occupy the ground floor of the traditional colonial houses called pousadas. Many restaurants welcome visitors. It is nice to enjoy a drink of cachaça on a terrace, an alcoholic drink made of sugar cane that gave the town a reputation. Nearly two hundred mills reached their full production capacity in 1690, when the city was constructed, and was serving as a military base to protect the marine exports of the precious yellow metal. A century later, it became a major trading port for coffee production, called the "black gold". Its low houses were then built up on one floor, decorated with friezes and wrought iron balconies, and then coloured in a Portuguese colonial style. It became a transition city and now welcomes tourists who stay in these pousadas. But Paraty is also located in a perfectly preserved natural setting, surrounded by the Bocaina mountain range, the former "forest of the Atlantic" along the entire coastline from north to south Brazil, and from which only one tenth remains because of the cultivation of coffee. Do not miss the discovery of the rainforest, now well protected. The gold of Minais Gerais used to arrive by mule to Paraty to be boarded onto galleons for shipment to Europe. Some of these pathways have been preserved. It is thus possible to go up, in the middle of the virgin forest, a paved path from the eighteenth century, while observing the ruins of an ancient customs point and listening to the history of the region from a guide. Then, you should end on the bay's coast that is home to some sixty-five islands where you can swim, sunbathe or have lunch in Robinson style. Several agencies here will offer you these excursions. You can choose among mini-cruises, swimming, relaxation and even diving, if you would like to.