Brazil Singles Tour

7 Days & 7 Nights

in

Paradise !!!

Saturday - Day 2.

Arrive in São Paulo min morning and catch our connecting flight to Florianópolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. Travel by van to the pousada, Lagoa da Concessão, where you will be staying for the next few nights. The city of Florianópolis spans the mainland and an island. The island has 70 or so diverse beaches, among the most beautiful in Brazil. The pousada, or Brazilian bed and breakfast, is situated between a large brackish water lagoon in the middle of the island and dunes that roll into the sea to the East. The rest of this afternoon, head to Praia Mole, a cove surrounded by granite rocks and dune vegetation. Dine on traditional dishes of the region featuring fresh seafood at Casa do Chico. After dinner, head to the club, La Pedreira, for some traditional forró music. Forró is a style of music from the Northeast. The people in Brazil dance the forró to keep themselves warm on cold winter nights. Whether you want to dance or not, you will find it extremely difficult to keep your body from moving and getting involved with the local crowd.

Sunday - Day 3.

Sailing! After a morning yoga practice, embark on the Sem Destino (Without Destination) and the Sexta-feira (Friday) for an all day expedition on the South Atlantic. The peaceful and tranquil voyage on the sailboat will intoxicate and sooth you. The destination will be the island of the fort. The island has a Portuguese fort and plenty of open flat spaces overlooking the bay. Lunch on the beach in the Bay of Dolphins. You may see the dolphins that frequent the area or the seahorses that can be found in the inter-tidal pools. Later, hike through the dunes from Lagoa to Praia Joaquina. The trail goes through coastal dune vegetation. As night falls, the stars of the Southern sky will reflect of the crashing tide to illuminate the beach.

Monday - Day 4.

Head off the island and into the foothills of the Serra Geral to the Rio Cubutão for some class III and IV white water rafting. The water on the river is clear and will be refreshing in the late summer sun. The descent takes you through the heart of the state park, Tabuleiro. The park is the largest preserve in the state and one of the best- preserved pieces of Sub-tropical Atlantic rainforests. After your descent of the river, you have an option of touring a cachaçaria, a distillery of the national alcohol. Walk through the process and have an opportunity to sample some of the wares. Sample at your own risk! This stuff has a tendency to sneak up on you. After the cachaçaria, drive up into the breathtaking mountain range, Serra Geral, along the winding road atop the mountains to the base camp, The
Pousada Morro Grande. Stop along the way to view some natural wonders and experience some local drinks of"coco verde," coconut milk, and "caldo de cana," sugar cane juice. Arrive to an abundant and tasty dinner prepared by Dona Vera, the Matron of the house. You will not go hungry when Vera's cooking, that's a fact! After dinner, relax in the barn, fireside.

Tuesday - Day 5.

After breakfast, get your horse riding clothes on and convene in the barn for a lesson on how to saddle up and a few pointers on riding. Bring something to swim in because you’ll be riding to the largest river in the region, the Pelotas, to play in the largest waterfalls on the river, the Salto das Pelotas. For the fearless of heights, a nice rock provides a great place to lunge oneself off for a 15 foot drop into an enormous pool waiting below. Otherwise, hike down and experience any number of hundreds of pools and falls to relax in. There is no need to rush back from this natural wonder. Tonight will be a feast on a variety of meats and vegetables cooked together on an enormous flat pan on a wood-burning stove. The secret ingredient in this flavorful dish is the seeds of the Araucaria trees that dominate the landscape in this region.

Wednesday - Day 6.

Saddle up, folks, you're heading out across the rolling range this morning to Tio (Uncle) Tarcicio's farm for a few days deeper into the countryside. This trip is a gem that is full of spectacular vistas, lore and tradition. Relax briefly once you reach Tio Tarcicio's and remount for a 40 minute jaunt on horseback to the edge of Bicudo Canyon for lunch in the countryside. After lunch and a siesta on the canyon's edge, practice on the edge of the canyon. Afterwards, rappel into the canyon next to the 35 meter waterfall, Salto de Bicudo. Or follow a trail down if you prefer to stay firmly planted vertically. The trail follows the winding Rio Porteira and will lead down and out of the canyon. You will see the striking difference of the vegetation inside of the canyon and pass many beautiful little waterfalls and swimming holes. As night falls, the stars of the Southern sky will begin to poke through the impending dark canopy. New constellations only visible in the Southern hemisphere will present themselves. Prepare a typical Gaucho"dinner on the trail," carreteiro, in a cast iron pot over an open fire.

Thursday - Day 7.

Back in the saddle, ride back to the Morro Grande. Return on a trail that leads past the other side of the Morro Grande. Climb up the tallest peak in the region, the Morro Grande, and watch the sunset over the rolling hills of the sierra. Return for a famous Brazilian-style barbecue feast, churrasco, in the barn with a variety of meat and vegetables directly from the ranch and live Gaucho music. Learn a few dance steps, too. Continue the music into the night, play guitar, sing and dance, along side the fire in the barn.

Friday - Day 8.

Wake to the Southern Brazilian version of cappuccino, camargo, in the barn and the traditional breakfast, café colonial. After breakfast, gather your things and start the journey back to Florianópolis. There are plenty of surprises along the way. See spectacular rock formations near the city of Urubici. Hike into Avencal Canyon and be greeted by a roaring 100 meter waterfall.. Rarely-seen hanging gardens ornament the walls of the canyon. Hike through the natural reserve, Sete Quedas or 7 Falls reserve. Arrive in Florianópolis with plenty of time to kick back and relax a little before dinner.

Saturday - Day 9.

Unfortunately, you leave today, but not until the afternoon. You have a free day to roam the beaches, comb through the public market, or just hang out. After a late lunch, head to the airport to catch your connection back to São Paulo. In São Paulo, catch your overnight flight back to the States.