6 places around Rio you need to see!!

Paraty is one of the most beautiful towns in Brazil with an old historic centre plenty of little bars and shops of handmade stuff. It is surrounded by the last bit of the atlantic rainforest of south Brazil with waterfalls and a variety of animals as well as nearly 200 islands in front which can be explored best with one of the lovely boats you can find all over the place. Although very small it hosts nearly every weekend events like concerts, dance or theatre shows - some of them with international participation. Don´t forget to try "Gabriella"!!!... no, that´s not an invitation to have sex that´s the local Cachaça that only exists around Paraty which is made with cloves and cinnamon....yummy!!!

Half an hour bus ride away from Paraty lies Trindade a paradise for hippies and dropouts. Perfect to relax and to spend some days off. The only thing not so relaxing is the bus ride to paradise which equals more a roller coaster ride to hell.

Trindade has 4 beaches, one with a natural pool, a few bars and restaurants - nothing more. But its peace and natural beauty will overwhelm you.

Buzios lies 170 km east from Rio de Janeiro and gained popularity in the 60´s when Brigitte Bardot "discovered" the little town. Since then it´s a destination of the jet-set. The common way to move in Buzios is to rent a "buggie" and get to know the region with more than 20 beaches on your own. Cabo frio & Arraial do Cabo lies just around the corner and the beaches are even whiter and cleaner than in Buzios, a perfect area to dive and see some marine life. BUT. Think twice before you take a bath at Cabo Frio!! Right in front passes a stream of cold water directly from the Patagonia ...maybe that´s the reason I saw a Pinguine in Rio de Janeiro.
 

160 km west of Rio de Janeiro you find Ilha Grande which is, as the name reveals, a huge island full of nature and wild life. While going to Ilha Grande by boat you have the feeling of leaving reality. First thing to see the "Pico do Papagaio" the highest mountain on the island and the little town "Vila do Abraão" embedded in the atlantic rainforest of the island. Cars are not circulating and you won´t find any cash machines either.

Sometimes you don´t even have light :) you can pass your time in Ilha Grande hiking through the natural reserve, climbing the highest mountain, walking to see a waterfall or at one of the beautiful beaches which surround the island or alternatively you can go on a boat ride where they will take you around the island and to amazing snorkelling spots and remote areas of the island.
 

A shout out to all the hippies and ecotourists: you mustn´t miss Sana!! In the mountains of Macae there is a small village with 5 beautiful waterfalls. On the highest mountain you will find 3 stones one above the other which look together like a dove or something like that. To go up there it´s actually recommended to go with a guide but the waterfalls you can reach without. The village itself is very quiet and on the weekends they have a little crafts market and concerts.

If you are into baroque churches, historic houses and precious stones Ouro Preto is your place. The "black gold" lies 7 hours from Rio de Janeiro in the estate of "Minas Gerais". A very touristic but lovely little town. Don´t come Sundays unless you like getting woken up with church bells from 8 different churches early in the morning. That day I learned that the sound of church bells is not something that won´t match with a samba rhythm :)