“I want to make clear that writing this is a necessity. Register, remember and retell our travel story to share with others while expressing this mix of images and sensations that were left after eight days touring Minas Gerais, one of the most beautiful states of Brazil, with my wife, Clare, to celebrate our tenth anniversary.”

Art and architecture

We arrive directly at the state capital, Belo Horizonte, a city whose name honors it, because the mountainous landscape that surrounds it is just great. Here we had an elegant reception after which we were guided through an interesting architectural tour of the city. Besides visiting the most representative neighborhoods and squares, our guide helped us to understand the history of Beagá, (this is how locals call their city), through the works and constructions of Brazil’s first planned city. Personally I was impressed with the designs of the famous architect Oscar Niemayer in the Pampulha complex, where we could appreciate the Art Museum, the Casa do Baile and the Sao Francisco Church.

Later they took us to Brumadinho, a beautiful municipality located in the metropolitan area of ​​BH, where a wonderful dinner awaited us in the comfort of the hotel. We could rest in a beautiful chalet in the middle of the hills, surrounded by trees and an unequaled panoramic view. Brumadinho is also home to one of the most interesting art exhibitions I’ve ever seen, the Inhotim Museum of Contemporary Art, which is open-air and is itself a botanical garden! Clare, who loves to walk in nature, was fascinated with this program, walking through the gardens and stopping to watch the countless pieces of art exhibited in them.

After a day full of amazing, interesting and inspiring surprises, we were led back to our inn where we were able to relax in the beautiful outdoor waterfall with Jacuzzi and then enjoy a delicious dinner in the privacy of our cabin. Despite being tired, we spent hours sitting on the terrace talking and remembering the works and pieces we saw during the day, and speculating about our next destination.

History and Gastronomy

Last night at our inn in Brumadinho (we will miss that horizon) and the next day a new adventure begins towards Tiradentes. The way out is a fabulous tour through the colonial towns of Ouro Preto and Congonhas, located harmonically in the middle of the green hills. In the first one, we stopped to walk a little through its steep streets visiting the baroque churches decorated with the immense wealth discovered in the region centuries ago, and feeling the lively atmosphere of the students of the Federal University. Clare was eager to try the local food and our guide, Alberto, recommended an excellent typical Minas’ restaurant where we could taste a wide variety of dishes and recipes in an environment completely in accordance with the culture, art and history of Ouro Preto .

Later, in Congonhas, we were able to visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, where one of the masterpieces of Aleijadinho is found, the set of sculptures called Doze Profetas, to finally continue to Tiradentes.

Clare and I were delighted to get to the state’s gastronomic capital, because clearly one of the passions we share besides traveling is food. It is worth mentioning that since we arrived we were invited to the best restaurants and we were able to understand a bit of what Minas Gerais’ kitchen is about; but in Tiradentes the immersion was total, because each corner breathes a different flavor and aroma, with its cheeses and sweets that invite you to stop and let yourself be carried away by the particular universe of each bite.

We stayed two nights in a peaceful and cozy hotel, established in the 70’s by John Parsons and his wife Anna Maria, who turned a colonial house into a space to receive guests. We could not help but feel that we were visiting some friends in their elegant country house. They also taught us gastronomic delights and treated us in the midst of the peace and green nature that surrounded us.

We took the opportunity to make walks through Tiradentes that led us to discover the flavors of the region where we could meet the producers and understand some food preparation processes, which made it even more interesting to discover these treasures for the palate. Dulce de leche (milk sweet), guava, fruit jellies and the famous alembic cachaza are some of the delights we wanted to bring home before saying goodbye to Tiradentes, to the wonderful guide who accompanied us, and continue the trip.

Privacy and calm in the forest park

The last three days were completely ours. We arrived at an absolutely inspiring scenery in the State Park of Ibitipoca, which shelters countless waterfalls, rivers, lakes, peaks and walking paths. Within the reserve is an old fazenda that refers to the eighteenth century, which has been harmoniously adapted to accommodate guests with maximum comfort and the warmest service. From our spacious cabin with terraces we could enjoy the mystical vision of the mountains and their forests, and at our own pace we decided to discover one by one the jewels kept and protected in this park.

Catarina, our expert naturalist guide accompanied us when we asked her, to places we had not imagined in dreams, such as the Cachoeira dos Macacos and the Janela do Céu, which really is a window to heaven. As we love to walk, Clare and I also climbed the mountain to Pico do Pião, one of the longest and most difficult circuits, but it deserves the effort.

And when we were not out walking in the village or forest paths, we stayed in our accommodation within the reserve, treating ourselves with a few hours in the Spa and its natural and exquisite treatments, tasting one of the varied menu options with traditional recipes and fresh food produced in the fazenda itself or just sitting on the terrace watching the lake while we listened to the sound of the birds and breathe the fresh air.

End of the Trip and Start of a Cycle

We closed then, Clare and I, our first ten years together with an incredible luxury adventure, which we gave ourselves as a gift to be completely with the other living something new and charming

“We had the opportunity to remember what unites us, the love of adventure and nature, and the pleasure of being received in comfortable and welcoming spaces to enjoy our privacy and intimacy”

We returned home full of energy and motivation to start a new cycle in the relationship, with new stories to tell to our friends, interesting facts about Brazil to better understand the world and a new repertoire of flavors and aromas that expanded our palate.

Thank you Brazil, thank you Minas Gerais!