Discover Colonial Brazil

Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte & Rio de Janeiro

Best time to travel

Mar – Nov

Ideal length

10 nights

Perfect for

Couples

At a glance

International flights from Dublin to Sao Paulo and home from Rio de Janeiro.
All private transfers and guiding requirements.
10 nights’ luxury accommodation in Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, Ibitipoca and Rio de Janiero.
View charming colonial architecture, enjoy farm to fork gastronomy and witness the incredible scenery.
Enjoy guided tours of Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and a visit to the famous Corcovado Mountain.

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Introduction

The beautiful Minas Gerais region of Brazil is home to some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in the world. From farmhouses in old gold rush mining towns to bustling cities with cobblestone streets, the sights are endless. In this suggested itinerary, explore this fascinating region, beginning in the bustling city of Belo Horizonte and finishing up in Rio de Janeiro. Combining cities, countryside and beach, this sample itinerary has all you need to understand Brazil’s historic, colonial side.

View all of our luxury holidays to Brazil.

Trip Overview

Depart from Dublin to Sao Paulo, the starting point for your exploration of Brazil.

You will be greeted on arrival by your driver and transferred to Belo Horizonte, where you’ll spend one night at a stylish city centre hotel.

Enjoy a culture-filled first night.

Dine in a local fine dining restaurant and enjoy some of the most splendid and charming colonial architecture.

Privately transfer to Ouro Preto.

Arrive and check into a beautiful colonial property in the centre of town. Spend one night here enjoying beautiful views of the town from the rooftop pool.

Allow us to arrange a tour of Ouro Preto, a colonial town in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains.

This beautiful area is a former gold mining town and many of its exceptional buildings were constructed during the gold rush. The UNESCO listed city is thought to be one of the most beautiful in Brazil.

Next, you’ll be privately transferred to the city of Tiradentes.

Journey through rolling mountain scenery to Tiradentes and a visit to Matriz de Santo Antonio, decorated with hundreds of kilograms of gold. Then, spend two nights in a colonial style property, situated in the heart of the city.

Explore the city with the help of your own private guide.

Learn about the quaint historic houses that line the streets and browse some of the many antique shops that have popped up all over the city.

Your next stop is Ibitipoca private nature reserve.

Spend three nights in a beautiful Portuguese farmhouse property, surrounded by stunning nature trails. Enjoy farm to fork gastronomy, charming surroundings and epic scenery. Explore the area on nature walks, bike rides or horse treks.

Next, you’ll be privately transferred to the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro.

Spend three nights in a modern beachfront property. Let the sea air clear your mind as you sit back with a cocktail on the rooftop bar.

Allow us to make dinner reservations in some of our favourite restaurants.

From your central base on the Ipanema boardwalk, there are hundreds of fabulous restaurants and bars nearby to try.

Visit the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Take a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain for breathtaking views of the city, dine in superb restaurants and wander around the artistic neighbourhood of Santa Teresa.

Depart from Rio de Janeiro for your flight home.

Arrive in Dublin.

Tailoring your holiday

OROKO Itineraries are created with you in mind and no two are the same. These can be used to help plan your trip - or we can design a completely different itinerary to suit you.

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Accommodation

Where to rest your head

Looking for the best accommodation? We've got the contacts

Fasano Belo Horizonte

Located in the trendy neighbourhood of Lourdes, Fasano Belo Horizonte is a luxurious hotel that is the ideal base for exploring Belo Horizonte. The hotel is stylish and modern throughout with an attractive rooftop terrace.

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Hotel Solar do Rosario

Hotel Solar do Rosario is set in a converted 19th century building, just outside the centre of Ouro Preto. The colonial style building is charming with brightly coloured windows and perfectly placed solariums.

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Solar da Ponte

The Solar da Ponte hotel is a luxurious and charming property located in the heart of Tiradentes. The colonial style hotel has beautiful walled gardens, a pool and fabulous views of the main square.

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Comuna do Ibitipoca

Comuna do Ibitipoca is a luxury, Portuguese-style farmhouse, built in the 18th century. The property is located four hours outside of Rio and sits on a reserve which has 200km of trails.

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Hotel Arpoador

Hotel Arpoador is a fantastic beach front property in the heart of busy Rio de Janeiro. The hotel sits on Ipanema boardwalk, home to myriad of high-end restaurants, shops and bars. The interiors feature nautical themes.

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What people are saying

We just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team for organising our fabulous trip to Florence. The hotel was superb and in a brilliant location. Our tour guide was excellent – the wealth of information and knowledge he had was wonderful. The transport to and from the airport was always on time. We loved every minute of it!

Lisa & family – Florence, 2022