Page 68 of South America by Audley Travel

iguaÇu falls the border between brazil and argentina is home to one of the world s greatest natural phenomena in the midst of a subtropical nature reserve the earth seems to open up and 275 separate falls crash over a horseshoe-shaped precipice nearly five kilometres wide and 90 metres high spectacular all year round we recommend two days here to fully explore the falls on both the argentinian and brazilian sides the network of walkways on the brazilian side provides some wonderful panoramas of this powerful show probably framed by rainbows the surrounding vegetation of the park is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife species and so marvelling at the breathtaking views can be interspersed with close encounters with the array of birdlife and mammals which includes tapirs capuchin monkeys and the coatamundi a relation of the racoon other activities include a boat safari which powers up the river to the foot of the falls and sometimes beyond tropical das cataratas iguaçu the only hotel situated inside the iguaçu national park in brazil the hotel tropical das cataratas has a glorious location just a minute s walk away from the falls built in a colonial style the pink-washed hotel has 200 rooms but retains a relaxed and friendly ambience there are fine gardens and two swimming pools iguaçu falls minas gerais the beautiful towns of minas gerais are testimony to the wealth generated by brazil s 17th and 18th century gold rush prospectors made their fortune on the diamonds and gold found in the area and poured the money into the pockets of artisans who lavishly decorated the churches you will not find finer preserved examples of baroque art and colonial architecture anywhere else in brazil or possibly throughout the whole of the americas ouro preto is the most picturesque and well preserved town and is a unesco world cultural monument it is best explored on foot the steep streets and whitewashed colonial houses cling to the hillside and at virtually every turn you will come across a baroque church with an excessively elaborate interior covered with saints and rosycheeked angels and anointed with gold another place steeped in history is the sleepy town of tiradentes whose cobbled streets and colonial buildings many of which are occupied by local artists wind gently down the hill from the santo antônio church towards the charming main square to visit these and other colonial towns of the area the journey is by road either from rio or from the city of belo horizonte and requires at least two days if you have a little more time or a particular interest in the history of this area then it is worth heading in the opposite direction by a scenic road to the delightful town of diamantina which is still a diamond-mining town today tropical das cataratas ouro preto pousada do mondego ouro preto located in the heart of ouro preto just a short walk from the st francis of assisi church the pousada do mondego is a renovated colonial building that is now a charming place to stay the 24 rooms are each different in size as befits rooms in a converted mansion and all are cosy and charmingly decorated pousada do mondego hotel solar do rosário ouro preto a 19th century house that has been renovated to become a fine hotel the friendly solar do rosário is located by the church of nossa senhora do rosário in ouro preto we particularly like the suites in the main building which have high ceilings elegant decoration and views of the church hotel solar do rosário solar da ponte tiradentes a delightful property in a lovely town the owners of the solar da ponte have created a truly exquisite pousada for their guests the rooms are cosy the grounds are spacious and the afternoon tea served every day at four o clock is delicious a tranquil haven and a perfect base to explore the cobbled streets of tiradentes solar da ponte 68

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