NOV. 6-15, 2013 Brazilian Cultural & Botanical Adventure

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1 NOV. 6-15, 2013 Brazilian Cultural & Botanical Adventure Rua Santa Rita Durão,1194/ SL1601 Belo Horizonte MG Brazil CEP: Phone/ Fax.:

2 Brazilian Cultural & Botanical Adventure Group from Denver NOV 6-15, 2013 Denver Botanic Gardens is offering an exclusive travel opportunity to Brazil, exploring the Estrada Real (Royal Road). Estrada Real, which was officially declared a tourist route in 1999, is the most important tourist destination in Minas Gerais encompassing historic cities, woodland parks, mountain, rivers, waterfall and lakes. The route was originally opened in the 18th century to support gold mines. Join Dr. Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture and Center for Global Initiatives at Denver Botanic Gardens, on this unforgettable journey to Brazil. Dr. Krishnan is an expert on coffee (Coffea spp.) and her research and interest in coffee has taken her to places such as Madagascar, South Sudan, Jamaica and Haiti. As part of this trip, a visit to a coffee plantation is included. This trip promises to offer a rich cultural and botanical experience, exploring 17th - 19th century architecture, local cuisine, natural history, art, culture and landscapes. DAY BY DAY DAY 1. NOV 6 TH - WEDNESDAY - DENVER/ BELO HORIZONTE. Depart from Denver to Belo Horizonte. Overnight flight. DAY 2. NOV 7 TH. THURSDAY. BELO HORIZONTE/ CASA BRANCA (DINNER). Flight arrival from USA at Tancredo Neves (Confins) International Airport, in Belo Horizonte. Reception at the Airport. Transfer to the district of Casa Branca. Accommodation for 1 night at the charming Pousada Vista da Serra. Leisure time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Dinner at the pousada or nearby restaurant. Notice that check-in is at 2 pm. We are trying an early check in. DAY 3. NOV 8 TH - FRIDAY - CASA BRANCA/ INHOTIM/ OURO PRETO (LUNCH). After breakfast transfer to the extraordinary Contemporary Art Center of Inhotim, home of one of the most important collection of contemporary Brazilian art and considered to be the largest outdoor art center of Latin America. Located inside the Atlantic Forest, carries the work of renowned national and international artists. Estimated arrival time at 09:30, for a full day visit, with specialized local guides and exclusive transport for the group. Lunch at Tamboril Restaurant. Free time for a walk through the gardens and art works. At 4:30pm departure to Ouro Preto. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture. Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (or Black Gold) was originally named Vila Rica (Rich Village), because of gold rush at Brazilian golden age in the 18th century under Portuguese rule. The city contains well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture. Its 18th and 19th century churches

3 decorated with gold and the sculptured works of Aleijadinho make Ouro Preto a prime tourist destination. In 1789, Ouro Preto became the birthplace of the Inconfidência Mineira, a failed attempt to gain independence from Portugal. The leading figure, Tiradentes, was hanged as a threat to any future revolutionaries. Accommodation for 2 nights at Pousada do Mondego a place full of history, member of Roteiros de Charme. Dinner on your own in one of the many interesting restaurants of Ouro Preto. DAY 4. NOV 9 TH - SATURDAY - OURO PRETO (LUNCH). After breakfast, half day visit of Ouro Preto, making a walk at the Park and Path of Vale dos Contos, visiting the Science and Mineralogy Technics Museum, Inconfidência Museum, Oratório Museum, Casa dos Contos and most important churches as Pilar and São Francisco de Assis. Lunch at Restaurant Bené da Flauta ( or similar. Afternoon, briefings at the University of Ouro Preto, on themes of botanical, agriculture and food. Dinner on your own. DAY 5. NOV 10 TH - SUNDAY - OURO PRETO/ TIRADENTES (LUNCH). After breakfast, at 09:00am departure to Mariana, first capital of Minas Gerais, to visit the old gold mine Mina de Ouro da Passagem. At 12:15pm concert at the cathedral Basílica da Sé. Afterwards a short panoramic tour of the small village of Mariana. Around 2pm departure to Tiradentes stopping for lunch at the typical restaurant Café com Prosa ( or similar. After lunch, continuing to Tiradentes. Founded around 1702, Tiradentes was one of the cities which produced a great quantity of surface gold, in Brazil. It became a prosperous village and in 1889, with the Proclamation of the Republic, the new government changed its name to Tiradentes, in honor of its most famous son. Tiradentes was the head of the Inconfidência Mineira a conspiracy to free Brazil from Portugal. Today, with its colonial architecture, lots of charming pousadas and restaurants, cozyboutiques, is one of the principal touristic destinations in Minas Gerais. It holds several events, renowned all over the world, like the Gastronomic Festival, the Movie Festival and other cultural events. At 5pm the group will take a ride on the historic steam train, known as Maria Fumaça, to São João Del Rei ( Arriving in São João del Rei panoramic tour of this historical city and

4 appreciation of the special illumination of the monuments at twilight. Return to Tiradentes by bus and accommodation at the charming Pouso do Bartolomeo for 2 nights. Dinner on your own in Tiradentes. DAY 6. NOV 11 TH MONDAY - TIRADENTES (LUNCH). After breakfast, at 8am, departure to Santo Antônio do Amaro to participate at a coffee workshop, lunch included, at the Fazenda Cachoeira. See activities bellow: Welcome breakfast; Visit to farm house and to the coffee plantation; Visit to water fall (by car). Optional down road trail to the falls; Presentation of typical horses of the region (mangalarga marchador); Lunch with typical Minas Gerais food; 2:30pm brief presentation of typical coffees; Tasting of different coffees. At 5pm, return to Tiradentes. Dinner on your own. DAY 7. NOV 12 TH TUESDAY TIRADENTES/ RIO DE JANEIRO (LUNCH). After breakfast, visit to explore Tiradentes and the nearby picturesque district of Bichinho with it s local handcraft from Oficina de Agosto ( Lunch at the restaurant Padre Toledo ( or similar. After lunch, departure to Rio de Janeiro. Arriving in Rio de Janeiro. Accommodation for 2 nights at the Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort 5* at Leblon Beach. Dinner on your own at one of the many interesting restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. DAY 8. NOV 13 TH WEDNESDAY - RIO DE JANEIRO (LUNCH/DINNER). After breakfast, at 08:30am departure to visit the Botanic Garden. Lunch restaurant Gula Gula ( or similar. After lunch, leaving to the southern beaches, towards Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Barra de Guarativa to visit the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx. Walking private visit for 90 min, with local guide. Return to Rio finishing the journey at famous and spectacular Confeitaria Colombo ( for coffee or tea and the exquisite sweets from old mother land, Portugal (as Pingo de Tocha, Pastel de Natal or Trouxinha de Ovos). Note: Consumption is at your own choice and account. Return to the hote. Farwell dinner at the Bar Restaurante Garota de Ipanema or similar. DAY 9. NOV 14 TH - THURSDAY - RIO DE JANEIRO/ DENVER (LUNCH). After breakfast and hotel check-out (store bags at the hotel), a Full Day Tour of Rio de Janeiro, visiting the most important attractions of the city. Visit to the Pão de Açúcar (Sugar-Loaf) with cable car ride. Churrasco (Brazilian Barbacue) lunch at Churrascaria Estrela do Sul ( or similar. After lunch visit to Cristo Redentor (The Crist) with a trolley-train. In the meantime visiting of the city beaches: São Conrado, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Leme and Flamengo, and historical Lapa and downtown. After tour, transfer to Aeroporto Tom Jobim (Galeão) International Airport. Departure to Denver.

5 DAY 10. NOV 15 TH FRIDAY - DENVER. Arriving at home. HOTELS In Casa Branca. 7-8 NOV. 1 night. Pousada Vista da Serra, cat. SUP in Suite Prata. In Ouro Preto NOV. 2 nights. Pousada do Mondego cat. SUP in Standard Room. In Tiradentes NOV. 2 nights. Pouso do Bartolomeo, cat. SUP in Luxury Room. In Rio de Janeiro NOV. 2 nights. Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort, cat. 5*LUX in Classic Room (partial sea view). Or similar. No reservation made. INCLUDED 7 nights of accommodation at the above hotels and room categories or similar with breakfast and taxes (*See Note below). 9 meals. 2 Dinners and 7 Lunch with non-alcoholic beverages. All entrances and tickets at the mentioned visits, museums, parks and attractions. Local guide in English at all the mentioned visits. Escort and Assistance Guide in English at the whole disposal of the tour leader for the entire itinerary from the Day 2 at the arriving at Belo Horizonte Airport to Day 9 at the Farewell Dinner staying at the same hotels of the group. Private transfer OUT with assistance the Day 9 to Aeroporto Tom Jobim (Galeão) International Airport. Private transport at disposal from the Day 2 to Day 9 for all the visits and trips. 8 days Travel Insurance from Day 02 to Day 09. NOTES: (*) At the Hotel in Rio, add Baggage Tax of US$ 3.00 in/out per room and R$ 7,00 optional Rio Convention Bureau Tax per day and room. Both paid at check-out directly at the hotel. Services subject to availability. Only be guaranteed upon confirmation. The indicated Restaurants at the itinerary are as a reference. They would be this one s or similar depending of the availability at the day of reservation. BRAZILIAN REAIS US DOLLAR REFENCE(*) RATES SGL DBL SGL DBL Full Package like above with 7 nights (2 nights in R$ 7.948,00 R$ 6.226,00 3, , Rio) (*) Exchange rate from January 28, 2013: US$1,00 = R$2,02 ( OBS: Rates expressed in R$ (Brazilian Real). Prices are subjected to changes. Prices based on a minimum of 10 participants. Price does not include international airfare.