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Culinary Tour of Santa Catarina

Depart:
Private Tour-Land Only

8 Days/ 7 Nights

Daily January 1-December 31

Described by the New York Times as a mix between Ibiza and St.Tropez – Florianopolis is fast becoming one of the favorite vacation destinations in the world and is considered the safest city in Brazil. Florianopolis (also known as “Floripa”) is a subtropical island with some of the most breathtaking nature in Brazil, including 42 beautiful beaches, rolling hills and mountains covered in lush foliage. It offers a diverse range of adventure and eco-activities (surfing, sunbathing, fishing, river rafting, paragliding, sand boarding) and has some of the best nightlife in South America.
Price per Person:

Call or email for prices

Package Includes:

7 nights first class accommodation both with private facilities
Round trip private airport transfers
Breakfast each morning
4 lunches-drinks not included
1 dinner-drinks not included
English speaking driver/guide for sightseeing
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Florianopolis
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the capital of Santa Catarina.

Day 2 Florianopolis
After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel to discover the “Magic Island” with a private a 4-hour tour. Your guide will introduce you to beautiful Florianopolis starting downtown with a visit to the Alfandega Square (old custom house), Civic Center, Metropolitan Cathedral, Praca XV (main square), Cruz and Souza Palace, Mercado Publico (public market, constructed in 1898) and the scenic Hercilio Luz Bridge. Then to the East of the Island, Sete Voltas Hill, the East of the Island Viewpoint, Lagoa da Conceito (Conceito Lagoon) the beautiful, scenic lagoon in central Florianopolis, Joaquina Beach, Mole Beach. Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3 Florianopolis-Sao Joaquim
After breakfast depart for Sao Joaquim with a stop for lunch at the Restaurant Pequeno Bosque. In the afternoon you will enjoy a wine tasting (white, rose and red) at the Villa Francioni Vineyard. One of the Italian-style winemakers in the region is Villa Francioni, where the attraction is not only the wine, but the winery itself. A collection of stained glass windows is incorporated into a six story combination of production facility, restaurant, art gallery, and shops. No detail in design has been overlooked, from the fanciful wrought iron balconies overlooking the storage tanks to the mosaic tile floors under the aging barrels. Villa Francioni: With plantings that began in 2001, it would be in 2003 that would mark this winery with a revelation for its future, when founder Manoel Dilor Francioni would visit Robert Mondavi Winery. Inspired by the role and leadership Robert Mondavi played in the American wine industry, Villa Francioni set as its mission to become the very same thing for Brazil. Manoel Dilor Francioni began embedding this vision in the very structure of the winery itself, which is one of the most intricate and beautiful in Brazil and perhaps even the world. Though he passed away before its completion, his children have taken over, share his incredible hospitality, and vision that extends beyond Villa Francioni, to integrate the region itself with wine and local art appreciation (See its art gallery). Continue to the Serra do Rio do Rastro (Mountain Range of Rio do Rastro). One of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Brazil, Serra do Rio do Rastro, starting at a height of 4,750 feet (1,450 meters). The stunningly beautiful mountain range has peaks reaching up to 1800m above sea level. Serra do Rio do Rastro is the coldest part of Brazil. Explore its region lush canyons, pristine mountain rivers, waterfalls, and araucaria forests. Overnight in Sao Joqauim at the Hotel Rio do Rastro Eco Resort.

Day 4 Sao Joaquim-Florianopolis
After breakfast visit to Morro da Igreja, the highest, coldest, and perhaps the most beautiful view in the South of Brazil. Lunch will be served at the Morro da Igreja. Continue for shopping at an Apple Producer Company where you will be able to buy apples; dried apples, apple jelly, apple sweet wines and so on. On the way back to Florianopolis stop at a local market to browse and purchase local handicrafts. Overnight in Florianopolis

Day 5 Florianopolis
After breakfast day at leisure to relax on the beach or explore the city. Overnight in Florianopolis.

Day 6 Florianopolis-Oyster Tour-Florianopolis
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a 6 hour oyster tour along the historical oyster route “Caminho das Ostras” The tour proceeds to Ribeiro da Ilha, one of the first places to be inhabited in Florianopolis and the very first communities of the state was formed here during the 16th century by the Carijos Indians. Ribeiro da Ilha is a small town that sits on a beautiful beach overlooking marine farms, oyster, clam, and, muscle beds. Relax along one of its many patios and docks and watch fisherman cultivating mollusks and shellfish and their pulling in their nets. Take a stroll through Ribeiroo da Ilha and see glimpses of the Azorean culture and customs, houses with high walls embedded with white & yellow or green & blue windows. Other attractions in Ribeiro da Ilha include the Azorean Casario church and the Ethnologic Museum of Ribeirao Island which houses documents providing a vivid picture about the history of Ribeirao da Ilha. Your Oyster tour includes a 40 minute presentation and local tour. Oyster tasting 1/2 dozen steamed oysters and 1/2 dozen fresh oysters);Wine tasting & sampling of sparkling wine; (Usually Casa Valduga Arte – Demi Sec and Brut)c) Lunch will be served in Ribeireo da Ilha, at the Restaurant Rancho Acoriano. You will also receive secret recipes to take home with you. Overnight in Florianopolis.

Day 7 Florianopolis-Pomerode-Blumenau-Florianopolis
After breakfast you will be taken to the town of Pomerode for a tour of the famous Pomerode Laticinios Cheese Factory (1 hour tour). Taken from an old Swiss recipe, Pomerode Dairy Products has introduced the traditional cheese Kraeuterkaese to the international market. “Kraeuterkaese is a melted cheese flavored with selected herbs (Kraeuter) that originated in Switzerland and offers unparalleled flavor. Kraeuterkaese is handmade through the foundry process of cheeses, with Parmesan being the most popular. South Brazil, especially the northern part of Santa Catarina State, received a large influx of German immigrants in the middle of the 19th Century. In the region known as the European Valley, a number of small villages still retain the influence of its Germanic origins in the architecture, the local dialect and cuisine. The most well-known city is Blumenau, home to Oktoberfest, a beer festival that is second only to Munich in number of visitors. A more authentic experience is to be had in Pomerode, a small village nearby, where an estimated 80% of its population still speaks a German dialect. This full-day tour will take you to rural Pomerode, which preserves its immigrant culture on hundreds of timber-framed houses, surrounded by neat tropical gardens. Afterwards taste authentic German food and beer in one the region’s breweries. In a kaffehaus Coffee break and cheese tasting included. Lunch will be served in at Pomerode. Continue to Blumenau for a city tour and a Beer Tour at the Eisenbahn Brewery. Learn about the history, the manufacturing process, and the different types of beer at the Eisenbahn Brewery, and also enjoy a 300 ml beer straight out of the beer vat. Dinner will be served at the Churrascaria Ataliba. Return to Florianopolis for overnight.

Day 8 Florianopolis-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport. You can extend your stay in lovely Florianopolis or continue to Rio de Janiero, Buenos Aires or the spectacular Iguassu Falls.

Additional nights available




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