São Paulo – Interested in enjoying the climate, as the cold season has begun, and travelling to the countryside? With many mountains to help clear your eyes and clean air to renew your lungs? With no lines, hype and crowded hotels? Monte Verde, in southern Minas Gerais, is the perfect option to relax in winter without the typical inconveniences of destinations that are famous at this time of year. Some 160 kilometres away from the city of São Paulo and 500 from Belo Horizonte, Monte Verde attracts couples, families and groups of friends due to the landscape, small and comfortable inns, restaurants that produce loads of delicious food and fondue. Above any other attractions, however, is the peace of going out in peace, unhurriedly and unconcerned.
In these lines, in Monte Verde, the best programme is having no pre-defined activities. Wake up whenever you do and head to the main site in the city, Monte Verde Avenue. That is where the bars, restaurants, shop and points for organisation of horse rides in the company of residents of the region may be found, and where you may board the train that crosses the mountains. Always at your rhythm, decide what to do and let the day flow by, in no hurry.
Starting with cuisine, Monte Verde, a district of Camanducaia, offers all the typical delicacies of cold climates, like fondues and home-made chocolates and restaurants specialized in the food of Minas, like the bean “tutu” and roast pork chops. When hunger strikes, Toca do Rabicó is an option to be considered if the objective is sampling the flavours of Minas. If you want a fondue for dinner, Alpes Du Village is a suggestion.
During the day, while enjoying your outings, stop to eat a sweet at Chocolates Monte Verde, also on the main avenue. You may have a chocolate bar, a petit gateau, a slice of pie or a cup of hot chocolate. Warm up before your walk. And, of course, enjoy the great excuse you have to ingest vast volumes of calories during your holidays.
Shopping? You may choose freely among the garment and handicraft shops and the several products like ice-cream by Alpina Monte Verde, for example. Options for spoiling yourself are not lacking. Other options for consumption are the wineries, cheeses and sweet shops. Apart from taking all these delicacies home with you, make use of the chance to sample everything that the sales people offer. And they all offer much, don’t worry.
Apart from horse rides in the company of guides and scheduled on Monte Verde Avenue, those more excited may also take walks in the region’s hills. The most renowned are Mirante, Platô, Chapéu do Bispo, Pedra Redonda and Pico do Selado.
When choosing an inn or hotel, prefer those that offer fireplaces in the room. It helps fight the cold at night and also helps add to the climate of peace and comfort in your trip to Monte Verde.
Service
Tourist Information
Site Monte Verde
http://www.monteverde.com.br
Where to stay
Pousada Cantos e Contos
Telephone: (+55 35) 3438-1808 and (+55 35) 3438-1286
http://www.pousadacantosecontos.com.br
Restaurants
Toca do Rabicó
Telephone: (+55 35) 3438-1602
Alpes Du Village
Telephone: (+55 35) 3438-1589
Shopping
Chocolates Monte Verde
Telephone: (+55 35) 3438-2729
Alpina Monte Verde
Telephone: (+55 35) 33438-1436
http://www.alpinamonteverde.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
