Fly and drive: Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais

Early arrival at Rio International Airport, welcome by our English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel located on the famous COPACABANA or IPANEMA beach. Installation, breakfast, free time to rest. At the end of the morning, briefing with our guide who will give you some advice on your itinerary and if necessary help you to change your euros into real. Then he will take you to the LOCALIZA RENTAL CAR agency to pick up your vehicle. You will then be free to start discovering the wonderful city.

Idea of visits for this afternoon, the Corcovado, the Botanical Garden and a panoramic tour of the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana

In case of arrival in the evening, the vehicle will be delivered on the 2nd day and the program adapted

For this day in Rio we recommend the following visits, the Maracana Stadium, the Museum of Tomorrow, the famous historical district of Santa Teresa where you will also discover the famous Selarón Stairs, also known as the Santa Teresa Convent Stairs and end the day with a ride to the Sugarloaf at sunset. For lunch we recommend the churascaria Fogo de Chao. In the evening a walk along the beach to enjoy a fresh coconut or a caipirinha.

Allow 2 hours on each site, taking into account the difficulty of parking in Rio and the frequent traffic jams.

One of the most famous seaside resorts in Brazil, located at about 02h30 drive from Rio de Janeiro. Armação dos Búzios, is a peninsula of 8 km long, surrounded by islands, with more than 20 beaches of all styles. It is in this place that all the jet set of Brazil meets to party... It is the Saint-Tropez of Brazil.  Departure from Rio at the latest at 09h, the check in at your Pousada is planned after 13h, you will have all the time to discover the RUA DAS PEDRAS and have lunch there before settling down. Rua das Pedras is the main street of the resort, bars, restaurants and nightclubs make the happiness of Carioca and visitors. 

Advice for the afternoon, enjoy the beach of GERIBA or take a tour of the coves by your own.

Day to enjoy the beaches, rent a buggy to discover the different coves of the peninsula, a boat trip around the islands, diving or a game of golf ... and especially go out at night in the famous Rua Das Pedras, main street of the resort, bars, restaurants and nightclubs make the happiness of Carioca and visitors, but also discover the small resort of ARRAIL DO CABO located at 01h drive and famous for its white sand beaches and scuba diving.

Approximately 03h30 drive to reach the IMPERIAL city of PETROPOLIS. Nestled in the forest hills of the Serra dos Órgãos. Petrópolis is a popular summer resort. Departure from Buzios around 09:00, arrival in the city around 11:30. Installation in your hotel. 

The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of the city with, the former summer palace of the emperor of Brazil, now the Imperial Museum, the Crystal Palace, the Santos Dumont Museum and the Cathedral of St. Peter of Alcantara with the Imperial Mausoleum .

Today you leave the state of Rio for the state of Minas Gerais. Since their discovery of the New World in the 15th century, the legend of El Dorado fascinated and obsessed most European settlers.
It was during an expedition of Bandeirantes, the adventurers-explorers-hunters of Indians, that the incredible deposits of gold, diamonds and precious stones were discovered in a region that would soon be named Minas Gerais. Very soon, thanks to the massive influx of slaves, cities were built with ambitious architecture and dazzling beauty, in the purest colonial - baroque style of the time. Today, the state contains 70% of the historical vestiges listed in Brazil by the IPHAN, Institute of Historical and Artistic National Heritage.

Approximately 4 hours drive to Tiradente with various visits along the way.

Morning departure for the village of Congonhas located at approximately 02h of road. Various visits along the way. You will be able to discover the statues of the twelve prophets, considered as the masterpiece of the sculptor Antônio Francisco Lisboa, the Aleijadinho. These works adorn the forecourt of the Basilica of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, and overlook an esplanade occupied by the six dos Passos chapels, which contain some scenes from the Passion of Christ carved in cedar wood on a 1:1 scale.

Accommodation in Pousada a Congonhas.

Morning departure for the Colonial City of Ouro Preto. Approximately 01h of road. Installation at the hotel Solar do Rosario. Day of discovery of the city, with its steep and paved streets, its old houses, its plethora of baroque and rococo churches, the city of Ouro Preto, founded at the beginning of the XVIII century, offers the greatest collection of Brazilian colonial art. One can admire, among others, the works of the creative geniuses of the time, the painter Manoel da Costa Athaíde and the Aleijadinho, who, as in Congonhas, left his mark. Among other visits: Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of Our Lady of the Pilar, Mining School Museum, Oratory Museum.

A second day in Ouro Preto with the discovery of the city of Mariana located only 15 minutes from Ouro Preto. It was created on July 16, 1696, at a time when the region attracted many gold miners. The first city built by the Portuguese in Minas Gerais after the discovery of gold and diamond deposits, Mariana, nestled in the hollow of the mountains, its cobbled streets, its churches intact since the "conquista". Visits : Arquidiocesano Museum, Do Carmo Church, São Francisco Church and the Cathedral da Sé.

Today only 01 hour drive to the Capital of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte. You will be able to explore the city discovering the main attractions such as the São Francisco Church, the Oscar Niemeyer Complex, Pope Square and the Freedom Palace.

OPTION 1 - Drop off vehicle at Belo Horizonte airport and flight back to France.

OPTION 2 - Full day in Belo Horizonte, overnight. Day 11 - Transfer to Belo Horizonte airport, flight to Rio de Janeiro, free day to enjoy the beaches. Day 12, transfer to the airport for your return flight to France.