TOUR OF GOVERNADOR CELSO RAMOS
A brief trip around the town and area, showing you some
of the most important spots in the region, such as Palmas
resort and beach, and also Armação, where
the Azorean colonisation began in this region. It was
once the centre of whaling in the area and is the site
of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady
of Piety), which was constructed during colonisation
of the district - started in 1738 and completed in 1745.
The building is a National Heritage site and is believed
to be the first church built in Santa Catarina state.
CITY TOUR OF FLORIANÓPOLIS
The Ilha da Magia (Island of Magic) is undoubtedly one
of the most special cities in Brazil. Repeatedly elected
the state capital that enjoys the best quality of life
in the country, Florianópolis boasts dramatic,
vibrant nature, rolling hills covered in untouched forest,
lakes, rivers and beaches, lots of beaches, there are
42 in all.
South: This is the least developed
part of the island, with the most wildlife. At Ribeirão
da Ilha, in the southern bay area, the original Azorean
colonists have left their most characteristic imprint;
here their culture and architecture are still preserved
today. The area is also famous for producing the best
oysters in Brazil and possibly the best in the world;
don’t miss the chance to try this delicacy in
situ.
East: The centrepiece is the famous
Lagoa da Conceição, the inspiration for
many songs and poems and countless love affairs, a special
place where the sea, lagoon and vegetation meet in one
place, sheltering one of the prettiest resorts in Florianópolis,
with breathtaking views around every bend in the road.
The beaches here are renowned worldwide, for the beauty
of their visitors and the quality of their waves for
surfing, in particular Joaquina and Mole beaches.
North: This is the part of the island
with the most tourism and leisure development and thousands
of tourists visit the beaches of Ingleses, Santinho,
Brava and Canasvieiras every year, enjoying their turquoise
waters. Jurerê is the most sophisticated resort
on the island, an example of organization, planning,
safety and cleanliness, attracting many visitors who
decide to become residents, due to the excellent quality
of life.
West: The most urban and populous region
with points of interest including the Federal University
of Santa Catarina in the Trindade neighbourhood and,
in the city centre, the main cathedral square Praça
XV and the Igreja Matriz, the pedestrianised area Rua
Felipe Schmidt, the Cruz e Sousa Museum, the famous
Hercílio Luz suspension bridge and the unmissable
Public Market with fishmongers, craft stalls and lively
bars, buzzing with local gossip and anecdotes –
undeniably the most sought-after happy hour in the city.
Choose your direction, and have a great trip!
CITY TOUR OF BLUMENAU
Cradle of German Colonisation in Santa Catarina, Blumenau
is one of the most important cities in the state in
cultural and economic terms. The city is well known
for its Oktoberfest, the second largest in the world,
after the original in Munich, and its architecture,
cuisine and hospitality are all typical of this heritage;
the local speciality of stuffed wild duck should not
be missed. The city has a strong industrial sector,
producing textiles, pottery and lead crystal. Blumenau
is also admired all over Brazil for a typical German
beer that is brewed here. The quality is undeniable
and its characteristics are unique in this country.
The visit to this brewery is one of the highlights of
this tour through the “European” valley.
SCHERER CACHAÇA DISTILLERY
A visit to a distillery where the owner will be your
guide. He is a descendent of German immigrants who settled
in the area in 1840 and has been producing cachaça
since 1960. Cachaça is a traditional Brazilian
spirit made from sugar cane and the Scherer distillery
uses only the finest raw materials to produce its cachaça,
which is then aged in American and European oak barrels.
The result is a product of excellent quality and a perfect
example of the union of European heritage with traditional
Brazilian customs and habits.
TRIP TO THE OYSTER BEDS
The oysters from Santa Catarina are renowned and appreciated
all over Brazil. This is because of the low water temperatures
during winter, which are responsible for their large
size and exquisite taste. The oysters served at the
hotel are collected daily and are brought fresh to the
guests’ table.
Once you arrive at the oyster beds you will be taken
out in a traditional “Bateira” (a small
open fishing boat, either rowed or with a small motor,
that is typical of the region) and spend a day in the
life of an oyster farmer. A professional in aquiculture
will guide you through the oyster, mussel and scallop
beds and explain all about the many steps involved in
mollusc farming, from the nursery to the plate. At the
end of the tour you can collect your own oysters and
try them as nature intended. Bon appetit!
AZOREAN VILLAGES
Fish market, Lagoa da Conceição and Freguesia
do Ribeirão
Duration: approx. 7 hours from Resort
As early as the 16
th Century, the Portuguese
began arriving in Santa Catarina and establishing the
first villages. São Francisco do Sul in the north
of the state is the third oldest town in Brazil.
From the middle of the 18th Century onwards
the Portuguese started to stimulate permanent settlements
in Florianópolis to protect the land from the
Spanish and French invaders, especially on the Island
of Santa Catarina, leading to significant population
influx from the Azores archipelago.
The Azoreans settled on small plots of land around
the island where they survived from small-scale farming
and fishing. They left an important cultural inheritance
in terms of architecture, cuisine, folklore and a
very characteristic accent. Even today they still
use certain expressions from 16th century
Portuguese. Some of the villages that they founded,
the “Freguesias”, still contain examples
of the simple but charming architecture they introduced
to the island. These communities, with their peaceful
atmosphere, are also ideal places to try the delicious
local seafood.
We will start our itinerary with a visit to the fish
market (closed on Sundays) and the old customs house
in downtown Florianopolis. From there we will drive
to Lagoa da Conceição (25km away), for
a panoramic view of one of the most famous sights
of Florianopolis and the site of one of the three
original Freguesias. After a visit to the 18th
Century church and houses that surround it we will
go to a viewpoint with excellent views of the lagoon
and the East coast beaches. We will then continue
to the south of the Island, to Freguesia do Ribeirão
(40 km away), the earliest of the settlements and
the one with the best preserved architecture. Here
we will have lunch or early dinner at one of the best
seafood restaurants in town, specialising in locally
produced oysters. After the meal we return to the
resort.
CAMPECHE ISLAND
Duration: approx. 8 hours
Campeche Island is a great place to visit on a day
trip. Covered in Atlantic rainforest, it has emerald-green
waters, which are ideal for snorkelling, and countless
inscriptions cut into the rocks. These have been dated
at around 5,000 years old and are the reason why the
island was declared a National Heritage Site. Local
guides will take you along nature trails to the archaeological
sites. Information is a bit basic, but the views are
fantastic and the inscriptions intriguing.
You will be collected from the resort around 8:00
am and driven to the pier at Armação
beach, in the south of Florianópolis. From
there small fishing boats will take you across to
Campeche Island, a trip of about 30 minutes.
Once on the island you will have the opportunity to
choose between the footpaths, go on a snorkelling
trip (optional) or just relax on the gorgeous white
sandy beach. There is a local restaurant that serves
basic seafood snacks and cold drinks. Alternatively
we can have lunch at Lagoa da Conceição.
You will return to the resort during late afternoon.
EAST COAST AND COSTA DA LAGOA
Duration: approx. 8 hours
We combine a tour of the beautiful East coast beaches:
Praia Mole, Barra da Lagoa and Moçambique (or
if you prefer just spend a morning relaxing on one
of them) with lunch at Costa da Lagoa, an isolated
fishing community with quaint and inexpensive seafood
restaurants run by local people. The “Ilhéu”
accent and cottage fishing practices are still the
order of the day here. Access to the village is by
a short boat trip.
16ºC RAIN