RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL
Excursions and activities in Rio de Janeiro

PETROPOLIS
Approximate Duration: 6 hours

After collecting the participants in the excursion from their hotels we steer for 'imperial' Petrópolis.

While approaching Petrópolis, we pass the history of the tiny town in review: When Rio got too muggy in summer, the imperial family escaped to this charming mountain retreat, some 53 kilometres (33 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. The past of Petrópolis is inextricably linked with one of Brazil's greatest historic figures: Dom Pedro II. His 50-year reign starting in 1840 is regarded as the most prosperous period in Brazilian history. The son of the Austrian empress Leopoldina and Brazil's first emperor, Dom Pedro I, abolished slavery, encouraged mass immigration and forged a nation that would do away with the monarchy forever.

On our way up the steep, scenic mountain road we make a short 'technical' stop. Our first encounter with the summer hill resort - some 809 metres (2,654 ft) above sea level - takes place at the Palácio Quitandinha, a grandiose palace, built in 1944 as a casino and hotel. An attraction definitely worth a photo! Afterwards, the city's main cultural site, the Imperial Palace, deserves our undivided attention. This perfectly preserved summer palace, neo-classical in style, expresses very faithfully what we know of Dom Pedro II's character. It goes without saying that we will not miss the imperial sceptre and the 1.7 kg crown with its 639 diamonds and 77 pearls! After approximately an hour in this cultural shrine, we proceed to Dom Pedro II's last resting-place in the Gothic-style Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara. A subsequent coach ride featuring buildings, parks and squares of historic interest reveals the city's undeniable European face.

We leave you some time for lunch or for an individual exploration of the city before we return to our hotels, where we are supposed to arrive after an hour's drive.

See more activities to do in Rio de Janeiro...

BASIC PROGRAM TO VISIT RIO DE JANEIRO

DAY 1 - Arrival to Rio de Janeiro Airport and transfer to Hotel. 03 nights of accommodation with breakfast

DAY 2 - City Tour to visit the city and Sugar Loaf

DAY 3 - Excursion to Corcovado and Tijuca Forest

DAY 4 - Transfer to airport

This is a basic program to visit Rio de Janeiro. Please visit our tour list to see more tours combining this area and others place in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile

See More Tours | Request Price |

RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Argentina-Guide.com.ar is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.argentina-guide.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2005