Minas Gerais- historical cities and rural estates

"a taste of colonial style and grandeur" 		 
South-East

Minas Gerais- historical cities and rural estates

Note: Google map markers are merely an indication of the mid point of the trip and in some regions existing roads have not yet been mapped.
Diamantina
  
Pousada Relíquias do Tempo  $$
beautifully refurbished colonial mansion- a hidden gem in Diamantina
Santana dos Montes
  
Fazenda Santa Marina  $$$$
beautifully refurbished 19th century fazenda with fabulous spa
São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras, Serro
  
Pousada do Capão  $$
rustic charm with gourmet cuisine and fabulous hospitality
Milho Verde
  
Pousada Luar do Rosário  $
charming hideaway with stunning views right on the main square of Milho Verde
Ouro Preto
  
Pouso do Chico Rei  $$
beautiful colonial townhouse, with a fascinating artistic history
Santo Antonio do Leite
  
Pousada Mirante do Cafe  $$
coffee plantation near Ouro Preto with colonial style and fabulous views
Tiradentes
  
Pousada da Terra  $
charming rustic pousada, with great pool, close to the historical centre
     

* outside July, mid-December through carnival, national holiday weekends, and festivals..



What to see...
OURO PRETO
  • Church of São Francisco de Assis
  • Aleijadinho’s sculptures and carvings
  • Museum of Inconfidência
  • Casa dos Contos gold exchange
  • Municipal Theatre
SANTANA DOS MONTES
  • A beautifully quiet un-spoilt colonial town
  • Gently rolling hills and waterfalls
  • Traditional fazenda/ rural estate life
 
TIRADENTES
  • Padre Toledo Museum
  • Matriz (church) of Santo Antonio
  • Largo das Forras- main square
  • Myriad of crafts & reclaimed wood furniture shops
What to do...
OURO PRETO
  • Walking tour of the historical center
  • Check out the soapstone street market
  • Visit the old gold mine- Mina da Passagem
  • Side trips to historical Mariana & Congonhas
 
SANTANA DOS MONTES
  • Horse-riding
  • Walking, talking, relaxing
  • Sampling home cooked mineiro food
 
TIRADENTES
  • Visit the historical centre by horse-drawn buggy
  • Side trip to Bichinho crafts shops
  • Take the Maria Fumaça (steam train) to historical São João del Rei
What to know...

TRAVEL ADVICE

  • Know Before You Go
  • Travel advice relating to Minas Gerais

    BLOGS/ARTICLES
     
  • The Rio Times travel articles

    This trip is easiest to do by car, particularly if you want to visit Mirante do Café, Fazenda Santa Marina or do any of the interesting side trips to Mariana, Congonhas the gold mine Mina da Passagem or Bichinha..
     
    Although the airport given here is Belo Horizonte, and all places mentioned are in Minas Gerais it is possible to start from Rio airport and go to Tiradentes first. Car hire is easy at either airport.
     
    The historical centers of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes are all cobbled, very uneven and slippery in wet weather, so leave the high heels behind!

 

When to go...

Minas Gerais is nice all year round and it never gets as hot and humid as Rio. However it can get cold at nights and it can rain. Be warned that average temperatures are only that. You are up in the hills on this trip and it can get very very cold in winter.

Like in Paraty there are cultural and religious festivals throughout the year in both Tiradentes and Ouro Preto, and prices in pousadas rise at these times

Brazilian National Holidays

07/06/2012
Corpus Christi
07/09/2012
Independence Day / Independência do Brasil
12/10/2012
N. S. Aparecida Day
02/11/2012
Remembrance Day / Finados
15/11/2012
Proclamation of Republic / Proclamação da República
25/12/2012
Christmas/ Natal
01/01/2013
New Years Day/ Ano Novo
8/02/2013
Carnival / Carnaval (5 days/dias)

Price Guide

Prices below are low season rates for two people in brazilian reais (R$). Standard double room, with en-suite shower room, breakfast included.


$ 
R$ 80 - 140
$ 40 - 70   € 33 - 58   £ 24 - 43
$$ 
R$ 141 - 220
$ 70 - 110   € 58 - 91   £ 43 - 68
$$$ 
R$ 221 - 360
$ 110 - 180   € 92 - 150   £ 68 - 111
$$$$ 
R$ 361 - 500
$ 180 - 250   € 150 - 208   £ 112 - 155
$$$$$ 
R$ 501 - 1000
$ 250 - 500   € 208 - 416   £ 155 - 310
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