Recommend June 2011 - (Page 46)

Lights! Action! BRAZIL Porto Alegre FLY: To Salgado Filho International Airport, located four miles from downtown. International ights from Montevideo and Buenos Aires land here, as do direct ights from Sao Paulo (one hour), Rio de Janeiro (1½ hours) and Florianopolis (one hour) via TAM, Gol, TRIP, and Webjet. City Airport Code: POA SEE: City Sights: Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, sits along the Guaiba River and is southern Brazil’s most important port city. The majority of its citizens are descendants of Portuguese, Italians and Germans, producing a European look in grand, well-preserved, neo-classical architecture. One example is the building that houses the Museum of Art of Rio Grande do Sul, occupying the former customs house and providing an impressive venue for regional artists. Another important neo-classical edi ce is the Catedral Metropolitana, and on the same square is the 19th century Teatro Sao Pedro where the resident chamber orchestra performs. The Piratini Palace is the stately governor’s mansion where you can duck into the main room to see the murals depicting gaucho folktales, while at the Museu Julio de Castilhos you’ll nd a collection of gaucho documents, rearms, clothing and home utensils. The Public Market is also neo-classical in style and the gathering place for sellers, shoppers and diners, and visitors in town on Sundays go to the morning ea market at Parque Farroupilha to bargain for nicknacks and treasures. Side Trips: Drive north to wine country, where, thanks to Italian immigrants, the wine industry ourishes (award-winning cabernets and chardonnays) in the Vale dos Vinhedos (Vineyard Valley), particularly in and around the towns of Bento Goncalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo do Sul. There are some 30 wineries, some with excellent restaurants on site and beautiful pousadas for overnight accommodations. Another favorite day or overnight trip (two hours away) is to Gramado, a tony mountain resort—Swiss in style and famous for its chocolates, restaurants specializing in fondue, and hotels decked out like Swiss chalets. In August, Gramado hosts Brazil’s most prestigious lm festival. On weekends, those who live in Porto Alegre y out to the beaches of Florianopolis and Santa Catarina. STAY: Setting the city’s luxury standard is the Sheraton Porto Alegre in the fashionable neighborhood of Moinhos de Vento, offering a high level of comfort from the lobby to the top oor rooms, and in the health club and the Clos du Moulin restaurant. The Blue Tree Towers, in the scenic and quiet Mont Serrat neighborhood, has spacious rooms with modern decor; the rooms in the back have ne views of downtown and the river. And in the heart of downtown is the Guaiba City Hotel, a Beaux Arts classic with a swanky lobby and modern guestrooms—those in the back have panoramic city views. DINE: Galpao Crioulo is one of Porto Alegre’s largest churrascarias, serving rodizio fare (all you can eat) with a salad bu et, and the churrascaria Roda de Carreta was founded by the local Center of Gaucho Tradition to celebrate gaucho customs—from food and drink, to song and dance. For Italian fare, try the pastas at Emilia-Romagna, and stop at Banca 40, a family-owned bakery and creamery for ice cream. It’s always fun to join the locals in the bars, co ee shops and restaurants of the Moinhos de Vento (Wind Mills) district. WORLD CUP VENUE: Estadio Beira-Rio (capacity: 62,000) Southeast Belo Horizonte FLY: To Aeroporto Internacional Con ns, 25 miles from the city. American Airlines and TAM y nonstop from Miami. Domestic ights operate to Aeroporto de Pampulha, six miles from town. City Airport Codes: CNF (International), PLU (Domestic) SEE: City Sights: Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais is Brazil’s rst planned city, one most often positioned as the gateway to the Gold Cities of the state of Minas Gerais. But leave time to see Belo Horizonte’s many attractions, such as the Pampulha Architectural Complex, a work of Oscar Niermeyer that includes his creations dotted around a huge arti cial lake: the Museum of Modern Art: the Casa do Baile, a former dance hall that now holds all types of art exhibits; the Sao Francisco de Assis Church; and the Aquario de Rio Sao Francisco, Brazil’s rst freshwater aquarium. BH also has a Museum of Arts and Crafts, housed in a train station, and Oscar Niermeyer’s Palacio das Artes, the most important cultural center in the city. BH’s Mercado Central is an institution, a daily event where you’ll nd everything from parrots to perfume. Sunday only is the Feira de Arte e Artesanato, a street fair packed with clothing, jewelry, street food and more, while Saturday’s Feira Tom Jobim is the place to go for antiques and street food. Side Trips: The newest attraction in Minas Gerais state (30 miles from Belo Horizonte) is the Inhotim (Center for Contemporary Art), an impressive, sprawling complex of gardens dotted with 16 modern art galleries and outdoor sculptures. One can visit with a guide or wander at will, with time out at the onsite restaurant and cafe. The oldest and most traditional attraction that drew both treasure-seekers of yore and today are the “Gold Towns.” Two hours from Belo is Ouro Preto, Porto Alegre is southern Brazil’s most important port city. B10 june 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend June 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Club Med Weddings by Imagine
A Perfect Honeymoon
Super-Sexy Voyages by Sea
Home-Based Happily Ever Afters
Kiss & Tell
Saying "I Do" on an Island
The Best Beach Honeymoons
Brazil Travel Planner
Say "I Do" to Central America
Steamy Love in South America
Finding Honeymoon Gems in Europe
Mesmerizing Retreats
Exotic Africa—The Perfect Honeymoon Haven
Five Fiery Honeymoons in Mexico
Mexico Says "I Do" to Destination Weddings

Recommend June 2011