Porto Alegre - Things to do

What to do in Porto Alegre? There are many nice things and many attractions there, here I posted just a few. If you have some more suggestions, we will be more than happy to hear from you.

Mercado Público
Because tourists love to go shopping! With its beautiful neoclassical architecture, the public market was built in 1869. There you will find cafés, crafts, restaurants, many stores, fruits and local products. Don't leave the city without making a stop there.  

Mercado Público by Viajar pelo Mundo

Santander Cultural

The Santader Cultural is located near the Public Market. Just the architecture is already worth the visit, but there is more. Music presentations, arts, photography exhibitions, are one of the attractions. There is also a cinema and a café.

Santander Cultural by Panoramio

Science and Technology Museum - website
"Life is more fascinating than you can imagine" this is a must-go. Very interactive, there over 700 experiments to interact both kids and adults.

Science and Technology Museum by Repensando Museus

Sunset at the Gasômetro
The surrounds of the former power station is the best place to watch the sunset in Porto Alegre. Located by the Guaíba River, the building was delivered in 1928 and generated electricity to the city until 1954. It's chimney is 117 meters hight. Nowadays, the cultural centre hosts many plays, dance presentations, arts exhibitions and more. It is also one of the most beautiful places for a bike ride.

Usina do Gasômetro by portoalegretche.blogspot

Parcão or Paque dos Moinhos de Vento

Moinhos de Vento in Portuguese means windmills, there are several of them in the park . This calm park is surrounded by trees where you join yoga at 8 am, or just enjoy it at anytime! While there, you can have some fun shopping and walking through Avenida Goethe and Padre Chagas or at Moinhos de Vento Mall, a very cool neighborhood.

Moinhos de Vento by Wikipedia

Parque da Redenção
The favorite of the locals. They enjoy going during the day to have their traditional hot herbal tea, chimarrão, and to relax, to watch people,  appreciate arts and crafts or to buy organic food from the local farmers' market. 

Parque da Redenção by Revista Viajar

Dear readers, I wish I could stay here all day posting about Porto Alegre… in the next few days I will show you other nice places you can visit in this beautiful state. See you!

If you would like to learn more about other cities click on the links below:

 - Curitiba

 - Belo Horizonte

 - Rio de Janeiro

 - Cuiabá

Porto Alegre - Rio Grande do Sul

Hello everyone,

This week I introduce you to Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the 5th most popular, and the southernmost state in Brazil. It is the birthplace of famous people like the supermodel Gisele Bündchen, the soccer player Ronaldinho Gaúcho* and Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The state is the home of Beira Rio stadium, with capacity for 48,849 soccer fans, it will host 5 games during the World Cup. 
*Gaúcho is the name given to those born in Rio Grande do Sul and have a particular culture and lifestyle that you only see in that state of Brazil.

Porto Alegre by Revista Viajar

Border with Argentina and Uruguay the state is different from anything you've heard about Brazil, beginning with the cold weather and the landscape, Rio Grande do Sul is a very traditional state, its process of colonization was late, until 1807 the state belonged to Spain while most of the country belonged to Portugal. They've battled hard to become independent from Brazil in the past. It's main characteristics are the heritage from the colonization process made by Italian, German and Polish farmers. You can notice that on the architecture, by the Gaúcho accent, their appearance, clothing, and cultural characteristics. 
There is a lot to see in this beautiful state, and I will make sure to tell it all.

Airport: Salgado Filho International Airport
Distance from other capitals: 

• Curitiba - 714 km
• São Paulo - 1122 km
• Rio de Janeiro - 1573 km 
• Belo Horizonte - 1724 km
• Brasília - 2113 km

Weather: Because of its location on the south, Rio Grande do Sul tends to be, most of the time, colder than other capitals during the months of winter, June, July and August. In some cases we can even experience some light snow. Click here to check the climate in Porto Alegre.

Beira Rio Stadium by copa2014rs

Let's review the dates and games* that will be played in Porto Alegre:

• 15 June - France x Honduras
• 18 June - Australia x Netherlands
• 22 June - Korea Republic x Algeria
• 25 June - Nigeria x Argentina
• 30 June - Round of 16 - 1G x 2H

Beira Rio address: Av. Padre Cacique, 891 - Menino Deus - Porto Alegre, RS

*After the groups have been decided, on December 6th, the information above about the games will be updated.



To learn more about other host cities and stadiums click here.

Want a Local Friend?

Dear readers how are you today?

Have you been planning your trip to Brazil?
It's not too early at all!

Today I'm here to talk about this idea that I fell in love with...

...to rent a local friend!

Want a friend? by bothsidesofthetable.com

I've never used this service, but it might be very useful in a country like Brazil where the majority of people don't speak English, or French, or Deutsch. And I guess the majority of travelers prefer to experience a country like a local other than a tourist. And more... this is a great alternative if you are traveling by yourself.

The team of friends is made by all kinds of people including journalists, photographers, chefs, that like you, also love to travel.

They will create a tour that includes everything according to your interest, so let them know exactly what you like and the places you want to visit when filling up the form.
The best idea is to choose a friend that has the same interests as you, and that speak your language.

You will find friends in the following host cities:
São Paulo, Rio, Curitiba, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, and Salvador.

The video bellow is cool and explains it all, take a look:

Website: Rent a Local Friend

Like the idea? Have you used this service?

Leave your comments bellow.

Até mais :)

Tchau

Pantanal wetlands

Hello dear readers,

Today my post is about this curious place, a wild land with so much to discover, it is word's largest wetland, perfect for birdwatchers and wild life enthusiastic... welcome to Pantanal! 

A vast place with “amazing ecological quality” despite cattle farming and other environmental concerns. National Geographic

In the Pantanal, the jaguars may be evasive, but the capybaras, the hyacinth macaws, the giant anteaters and the ring-tailed coatis will practically pose for you if you approach quietly. The New York Times

Onça Pintada (Jaguar) - Trip Advisor

You are about to visit the best place in South America to spot wild life, so in my opinion you should plan this trip in advance. The dry season, considered by many people the best season to go to Pantanal is between April and September, during this time it is easier to spot the animals and is less muddy. Here is my first advise: Vaccines. It is important to take yellow fever, malaria and tetanus shot before traveling to Pantanal. And bring bug spray!

Alright, now let's see how you can make this trip work. 

by New York Times

If you are in Cuiabá the best way is to take a bus from the bus station and get a hotel (simple and rustic) in one of these cities: Poconé, Cáceres or Barão de Melgaço. Most of the hotels offer breakfast, lunch and dinner included. But if you are not into simple stuff, you have other options such as the SESC Porto Cercado Hotel, or Pousada Pouso Alegre in Poconé.

The best thing is to hire a guide to show you around, they are local people that take you to the coolest places where you can spot the animals. A binocular and a flashlight are also good items to bring besides the camera!

Caiman by Interativa Pantanal

Once you get there, the hotels will offer you tours options, like hike, sunrise view, boat trip, night walk... 

Tuiuiú - Symbol of Pantanal
by Sonia Furtado via Flickr

Check some expeditions before you go:
-  Interativa Pantanal
-  Pantanal Nature
-  Jaguar Ecological Reserve

Hotels:
- Pousada Rio Claro - Poconé
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, free wi-fi, horses, pool, ac.
- SESC Porto Cercado - Poconé
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, horses, pool, playground, ac.
- Araras Eco Lodge - Poconé
Breakfast, luch and dinner, horses, pool, ac.
- Hotel Baiazinha - Cácere (good for fishing)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, playground, pool, horses.

Dual Survival: Pantanal

Cuiabá - Places to Visit

Dear readers and visitors of Cuiabá...

Enjoy some tips on things to do in the capital of Mato Grosso.

Chapada dos Guimarães - A Must Go for the adventurous
The National Park is 69 km (42.87 miles) from Cuiabá. A rocky formation with steep cliffs, crystal clear waterfalls and caves. 
The Expedition Interativa Pantanal can take you there, check the website for information about hospitality.

Chapada dos Guimarães National Park by interativapantanal

SESC Arsenal - art museum
You can visit the art gallery, crafts exhibition, even have a beer!
Every Thursday meet other people there, eat Brazilian food and see crafts for free. From 6 to 10 pm. 
http://www.sescmatogrosso.com.br/sesc-mato-grosso/

SESC Arsenal - by www.mochileiro.tur.br

Casa do Artesão - shop
Good place to buy souvenirs and crafts from Cuiabá, there are many works made by native indians that you can see.
http://www.sescmatogrosso.com.br/casa-do-artesao/

Casa do Artesão - crafts

Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho - church
Considered the most beautiful church in Cuiabá, it has a neo-gothic style, is located up the hill Morro do Seminário. The church was built in the XVIII century, but the current architecture was built in 1918.  In the same space you will find the Museum of Sacred Art, where pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries are exhibited. The visit is free of charge.

Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho by Francisco Aragão on Flickr
For more about the culture of Mato Grosso visit the Flickr: Ação Cultural

Tomorrow you will find out about the wild wetlands of Pantanal

Cuiabá - Restaurants

Dear readers...

Today I will show you some of the best restaurants in Cuiabá and tell you what you should try.

Mahalo

Mahalo - A contemporary restaurant of Brazilian food.
You can try Pintado, a fish from the rivers of the region, or confit de pato (duck).
Lunch: from Monday to Friday you can choose an entree + main course + dessert - from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. On Saturdays you can serve yourself entree from the buffet + main course + dessert - from 11:30 am to 3 pm.
Dinner: à la carte from 7:30 pm to midnight.
They also serve afternoon tea every Thursday from 4:30 pm to 7 pm.
Address: Presidente Castelo Branco, 359, Quilombo, Cuiabá-MT

Lélis Peixaria - Fish from the region.

The pescado from local rivers is the basis for basically every dish. Sounds appealing, right?

The menu is neatly written in Portuguese and English, so check it out.

And more... they have a special menu with many different kinds of caipirinha. Click here. 

Lélis Peixaria

Getúlio - eclectic restaurant, for everyone.
There are 3 ambients at Getúlio:
VIP - at lunch there is a nice salad buffet, at dinner there is a cold cuts and cheese buffet + à la carte.
Lounge: tapas and cebiches are prepared in front of the guests at the bar. At night the DJ comes to make to dance!
Outdoor - where you can order appetizers and cold beer.
Check dinner the menu here in English. Free wi-fi.

Okada - local fish, simple but this restaurant received many good reviews.
They serve lunch every day and dinner every night except Mondays.

It's a good option if you have small children, there is a nice play area.

Okada - www.peixariaokada.com.br

Di Pietro Vineria & Ristorante - for the wine lovers, an Italian Ristorante!

Live music, the restaurant is located in a beautiful house, serving excellent food and a big variety of wines.

Di Pietro Vineria & Ristorante

I really hope you have a chance to try the amazing cuisine from Cuiabá.

Cuiabá - Hotels

Dear readers,

It's about time to reserve your hotel, so here are some options not far from the stadium:

• Deville Cuiabá
• Breakfast included
• 1.7 km (1 mile) from the stadium
• AC
• Gym
• Pool
• Restaurant

• Intercity



Deville Cuiabá

• Breakfast included
• 1.9 km (1.18 miles) from the stadium
• AC
• Gym
• Pool
• Free Internet
• Restaurant

• Serras Hotel Cuiabá
• Breakfast included
• 7 km (4.34 miles) from the stadium
• AC
• Gym 
• Restaurant

• Holiday Inn
• Breakfast included
• 2.7 km (1.67 miles) from the stadium
• AC
• Gym
• Pool
• Free Wi-Fi

• Gran Odara
• Breakfast included
• 5.4 km (3.35 miles) from the stadium
• AC
• Gym
• Pool
• Free Internet
• Restaurant

Dinner at Grand Odara


Enjoy You Trip!

Cuiabá - Mato Grosso

Perhaps you've never heard of Cuiabá, but I'm sure you will be enchanted by its beauty and culture.

Tamanduá Bandeira - www.infoescola.com

Cuiabá is the capital of the state of Mato Grosso and is pronounced with the stress on the last syllable. It is the smallest of the host cities.

Location:

- Center-West of Brazil
- Geographical center of South America
- Border with Bolivia
- 1147 km (713 miles) from Brasilia
- Time: -1 difference of Brasilia


The state of Mato Grosso is rich in indigena culture, there are 38 official languages spoken by 38 different groups. The name Cuiabá, for example means arrow fishing. While visiting the city you will have the chance of meeting some natives and buying their crafts. You will also be amazed by the hundreds of species of birds and plants and other animals.
Also you will have the chance of trying many kinds of fish of that region and from Amazon.

Crafts from Mato Grosso - www.sescmatogrosso.com.br/casa-do-artesao

The Arena Pantanal will receive 4 games during the 2014 World Cup. If your team plays in this beautiful stadium, you will be lucky!


Matches:
- June 13 - Chile x Australia
- June 17 - Russia x Korea Republic
- June 21 - Nigeria x Bosnia - Herzegovina
- June 24 - Japan x Colombia

Arena Pantanal - Project - www.arenapantanalobras.com.br

Airport:
The Marechal Rondon International Airport is located 8 km (5 miles) from the city center.
Address: Av. Governador João Ponce de Arruda, s/nº - Bairro Jardim Aeroporto
There is taxi 24h from the company Cooperporto. 
Currency Exchange: União Alternativa
You can read more information in English here and in Spanish here.

Weather:
Cuiabá is hot city, to see how the weather is like in June, check the post about climate.

My next posts will be about hotels, restaurants, places to visit in the city and about the wild Pantanal.

Belo Horizonte: Traditional Dishes

Hello everyone!

Thank you for stoping by again to learn more about Belo Horizonte and it's beauties,

Today I will show you why the food from Minas Gerais is one of the Brazilians' favorite and most famous. But first you have to learn the magical words: Comida Mineira.

The traditional Comida Mineira consists of rice, beans, pork, chicken, ribs, collard greens, tutu, farofa. They use fresh local ingredients cooked in iron pans, many times under a coal or wood-fired ovens.  For desert you can try doce de leite, fruits in syrup, puddings and much more, served with white cheese from Minas. 

Here is a list of places where you can try this delicious, flavorful food:

Xapuri: this is one of the best restaurants in the city. The food is prepared with fresh local ingredients in wood-fired oven. Ask the waiter how many people the dish serves, many of them are good for the whole family. The desert buffet has over 30 choices. It's a great place to bring the kids, they can either play at the playground or go for a horseback ride. 
Free wi-fi. 

Dona Lucinha: excellent buffet, they also serve à la carte meal, and colonial coffee. There are many products you can buy from Dona Lucinha's brand, including a recipe book in English, deserts, and an apron. Remember to make reservation. 

Paladino: it's located on a small farm, it's a good place to bring the kids, there's a playground, horses and a lake. They serve Brazilian food (one plate usually serves 4 people) and during the winter you have also the option of fondue. 
You should make reservations by phone (31) 3447.6604  

Fogo de Chão: the best steakhouse of the country. It's a more expensive restaurant, you pay per person, but the place is very comfortable and the food is excellent! To begin you can serve yourself some salad from the buffet and then just wait, the meat won't stop coming to your plate!

As I said before Minas is the biggest coffee producer in Brazil, so you can't leave without stopping for coffee and some other delicious specialties like pão de queijo (cheese bread) and cakes. Check also the post about Brazilian Coffee.

Café Kahlúa: one of the best coffees in BH, they offer national coffee and beans from South America, Central America and South Africa. You can order a piece of the cake of the day to go with your coffee or any other pastries from the menu. It's located at Centro. 

Armazém Dona Lucinha: Located at São Pedro, it is a good place to try pão de queijo, the traditional cheese bread from Minas Gerais. A must-try. You will also find other typical specialties and of course cakes, breads, an excellent place to have breakfast before heading to the stadium.

Belga Brigaderia: Do you know what a brigadeiro is? It's a little ball made of condensed milk and chocolate covered with sprinkles served usually at kid's birthday parties, but everybody loves it. This place is specialized in brigadeiro, they make brigadeiro gourmet with Belgic chocolate, they offer over 40 different flavors, and you can even take home a box full of them. Yum! 

Mercado Central: Visit the Central Market, there you will find cachaça, the Brazilian liquor used to make caipirinha and you will also find fruits in syrup, like fig, guava, orange, peach, papaya and so on. 

So, dear readers... what do you think? What dish would you try for sure? Would you share with us your favorite food from Minas Gerais? Take pictures and send to me, I will add the pictures here on my blog to share your experience with the travelers. Enjoy your trip!

Belo Horizonte: Hospitality

Hello dear readers, 

I'm having lot of fun writing about BH and I'm sure you will fall in love with the city and with the mineiros. Today, let's see what are the best hotel options, both close to the stadium (Pampulha) and close to the restaurants and shops (Savassi and Lourdes). 
Savassi and Louders are very close to the Central Market and Praça da Liberdade. The distance from those locations to the stadium is about 20 minutes by car, and 1 hour by bus. But leave earlier, the traffic can be pretty bad. If you decide to take a bus it's not complicated, it's usually one bus only to get to the stadium. Later on, I will check the new options for the World Cup.
Book your hotel as soon as possible, many hotels already don't have vacancies for the World Cup.

Hotels at Savassi (blue on the map)

• Savassi - free wi-fi, breakfast included, restaurant in the hotel.
• My place Savassi - there are 40 two-story apartments in this charming hotel. 
• Boulevard Express - breakfast included, free wi-fi.
• Ibis Afonso Pena - brand new, opened in 2013 the hotel offers free wi-fi.

Hotels at Lourdes (green on the map)

• Mercuri Lourdes - offers free wifi, gym, and has a restaurant in the hotel.
• Ibis BH Liberdade - located close to the Praça da Liberdade, it's a new hotel that offers free wi-fi and has a restaurant in the hotel.
• Clarion Lourdes - in this hotel if you make your check in between 7 and 9pm you get a free glass of champagne! Free wi-fi and breakfast included. 

Another location:

• Quality Afonso Pena (Serra) - offers free wi-fi, breakfast included, restaurant in the hotel. 13.4 km from the stadium.

Hotels Close to the Stadium:

• Pampulha - it's 15 min walking to the stadium. Breakfast included.
• Bristol Jaraguá - if you prefer to walk to avoid traffic it takes 30 minutes. It was opened in 2012, it offers free wi-fi, breakfast and the restaurant is in the hotel.
• Bristol Pampulha Lieu - 7 min driving or 40 min by bus to the stadium.

Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais located at the southeast of Brazil. 

Population: 2.37 million
Person born in Minas Gerais: Mineiro - the Mineiros are in general very welcoming, relatively quiet, reserved and prudent. Oh, they are also famous for telling people that the places are "right there" at walk distance, when actually, for regular people, the place is far away! "Uai" (sounds exactly like "why") is a common expression they use, but impossible to translate. 
Distance from other cities:  
Rio de Janeiro 444 km
São Paulo 602 km
Brasília 747 km
Airport: Tancredo Neves / Cofins Intenational Airport - 38 km (23mi) from Belo Horizonte
Stadium: 

Mineirão - Avenida Abrahão Caram, 970 - São Luis, Belo Horizonte, MG

Matches: World Cup 6 matches:
- June 14th - Colombia x Greece
 - June 17th - Belgium x Algeria
- June 21st - Argentina x Iran
- June 24th - Costa Rica x England
- June 28th - 1A x 2B
- July 8th - W57 x W58

The city know as BH (/Bay-Agah/) is a beautiful wooded city to visit, with nice historical architecture, parks, markets and an amazing cuisine. The state of Minas Gerais is the country's largest milk producer, it produces 41% of milk produced in Brazil and the largest coffee producer as well, it produces 50% of the national production. It is 100% arabica beans, being the majority exported. In the past Minas Gerais was one of the biggest gold, diamond, and gems explorers.

To begin exploring the city go to the Praça da Liberdade, there you will find many museums, and historical buildings from the 19th century, it is a nice place to relax and look around.

After visiting Praça da Liberdade you can take a bus or cab and visit the Central Market (Mercado Central). There are over 450 tents selling everything you can imagine, the Market has more than 80 years. Don't forget to buy a mineiro cheese, cachaça (Brazilian Liquor), desserts made of fruits and "dulce de leche" (in Portuguese - doce de leite). You will also fall in love with the crafts.  

Save a day to visit the Complexo Arquitetônico da Pampulha, projected by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, it has 18 km of beautiful buildings placed around the Pampulha Lake, very close to the Mineirão Stadium. Take a cab to make this tour, there's a lot to see and walking would take too long. Pay attention to the Arts Museum, Casa do Baile and the São Francisco de Assis Church. 

If are planning to stay a little longer in BH, visit the Inhotim Institute, it's located in Brumadinho, 63 km from BH. The Institute is the biggest outdoor contemporary museum in the world, the arts are exposed at the Botanic Garden. The collection has around 500 pieces of art; sculptures, paintings, installations, draws, photographies, movies and videos made by 100 artists from 30 different countries. The arts are dated from 1960 to today's date. A driver in an electric car can take you through the whole space, it costs $10 dollars and you can use it as many time as you want, it's worth it. The tickets for the museum vary between $10 and $14 dollars, grab a map at the entrance and it will be easy to find the collections.

Where can I go with the kids?

Zoo: located at the Pampulha Lake, there are over 900 animals.

Toy's Museum (Museu dos Brinquedos): the kids will have a chance to see toys from other countries and from older times.

I will talk more about BH on my next posts.

See You!