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Description
Florianópolis
is the capital of Santa Catarina state, located on an island in the South
of Brazil. The natural beauty of the island, beaches and bays make it a
popular tourist center.
Also
called the "Magic Island", Florianópolis
is well worth a visit in account of its pristine nature, interesting
culture - there are many local fishing communities and forts, and the variety
of beaches - over 40 on the island. The many lagoons, waterfalls, towering
sand dunes and beautiful views make
the island very attractive. Florianópolis
also has a very
lively nightlife with bars, clubs and many restaurants serving the local
sea food. The water is cold during the winter months, but activities such
surfing, hiking and other nature related activities are still possible.
More info.......
Garopaba
and Praia do Rosa
One
of the most beautiful beaches of Southern Brazil, Praia do Rosa is the breeding ground
of the Southern Right Whales. It
is situated 81 km South of Florianópolis. The water is cold in the winter
but the area is very beautiful and offers nature related activities such as
surfing, horse riding, hiking and whale watching. The
Southern Right Whales are found in Southern Brazil from July to November. Extensively hunted in
the past for oil and meat, they are now protected and a recuperation program is
undergoing.
Blumenau
Blumenau is one of the most important
cities in the State of Santa Catarina; the city, distant 139 km
from the capital Florianopolis, was built close to where the river
Itajai meets the affluents Testo, Itoupava, Velha and Garcia. Average
temperature is 21 C; the southern States of Brazil are below the Tropic
of Capricorn Line, with a climate more similar to the temperated Germany
than the rest of Brazil.
Blumenau was founded in 1850 by German immigrant Hermann Otto Blumenau
and other sixteen fellow countrymen; they were impressed with the
fertility of the soil in the Itajai Valley and the agricultural
potential of Brazil.
The colony founded by Herman had, in 1880, 15,000 inhabitants,
practically all of them Germans (there was not miscegenation between the
immigrants and the Brazilians); in 1894, the colony was elevated to the
status of city.
Even though the initial settlers had the intention to develop an
agricultural colony, many of the immigrants which arrived later had
other skills, which changed the business orientation of the city; in the
century XX, Blumenau became an industrial city.
In 2000, the city had 261,505 inhabitants; many people in the rural area
of Blumenau still speak German and live by German traditions. Blumenau
and the surrounding cities make up of the most important textile
clusters in the world; the metalic and machinery sectors are also
relevant in the economy of the region.
In the 1980s, Blumenau was
hit by a severe flood; the waters of Itajai damaged a good part of the
city. As a means to collect reconstruction funds, a party - the
Oktoberfest - was organized, mirrored on the event with the same
name which happens in Munich. The Oktboberfest became a
tradition, happening every year from 10 to 27 October; it's one of the
most popular parties in Brazil, with over 1,000,000 visitants.
Activities
City
tours and shopping for local artcraft, guided
nature tours, cruises around the bay to visit the Fortresses from the
colonial times, and relaxing
on the beautiful beaches. For the adventurous, radical
sports such as surfing, sandboarding on the sand dunes, scuba
diving in the Marine Park nearby, water skiing, rappel, rafting and
paragliding are some of the options.
Accommodation
A good range of
hotels, pousadas and resorts.
Weather
    
Boat tour to the Northern bay,
panoramic view from the center of Florianópolis,
cruise to the nearby Islands of Ratones Grande and Anhatomirim to visit
its forts from the XVIII century (Forts of Santo Antonio and of Santa
Cruz, 18th century), the Dolphin Bay -where many dolphins live in a
protected area. Includes guided visit to the Forts and lunch on Caeira
Beach (in Governador Celso Ramos). Duration: about 6 hours.
City tour (about 3 hours)-
Center and East. Panoramic tour visiting the
Alfândega Largo, Metropolitan Cathedral (1675), Square XV of November,
Palace Cruz e Souza, Theater Álvaro de Carvalho, Square Tancredo Neves,
Administrative Center, Lookout of Bridge Hercilio Luz, Avenue Beira-Mar
Norte, Cruz Hill (the highest lookout point of the city), Government
Palace and University city, Sete Voltas Hill, Eastern Lookout, Conceição
Lagoon, Church Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Joaquina Beach, Mole Beach
and Barra da Lagoa
Floripa Total (about 8 hours):
Center: Panoramic tour to the Alfandega Largo, Civic
Center, Metropolitan Cathedral (1675), Square XV of November, Palace
Cruz e Souza and Lookout of Bridge Hercilio Luz. South: Morro das Pedras
(Stone's Hill), South Lookout, Peri Lagoon, Armação Beach, Pantano do
Sul Fishing village. East: Conceição Lagoon, Joaquina Beach, Mole Beach
and Barra da Lagoa. North: English Beach, Ponta das Canas beach, Brave
Beach Lookout, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus beach, Jurerê Beach, Fort of São
José da Ponta Grossa (1740).
Laguna, Garopaba and Guarda do Embaú (about 8
hours):
This tour visits Laguna (the second oldest city in
Santa Catarina State)with its historical center, many Azorian old houses
and the house of Anita Garibaldi. Guarda do Embaú is a beautiful beach
with an amazing landscape, rated among the best beaches of Brazil. The
beaches of Garopaba, Ferrugem and Rosa have fantastic views, among
hills, dunes, islands, lagoons and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and
the Atlantic Forest.
Urubici, São Joaquim and Highlands of Rio do
Rastro (about 12 hours)-
Trip through the valleys, fields and hills of the
Highlands, seeing the interior of the state and unforgettable views.
Visit to Uribici, discovering the megalithic monuments, canyons with
waterfalls and green valleys. Visit to São Joaquim and descend .from the
highlands through the "Rio do Rastro Serra", a 6 km road sculpted in the
mountains, with a hight of 1450 meters, amidst waterfalls and the
forest. Unforgettable experience!
Joinville and São Francisco do Sul- (about 12
hours):
Visit to the main tourist attractions of Joinville,
the biggest city of Santa Catarina State. Its natural beauty and
cultural richness are shown in the german architecture and flower beds.
Joinville is known as the brazilian capital of the Dance, holding the
biggest dance festival in the country and having the only ballet school
of Bolshoi outside Russia. Founded in 1504, São Francisco do Sul is
considered the third oldest city in Brazil, with a preserved colonial
architecture and many properties protected by the National Historical
Heritage.
Rural Tourism in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
(about 6 hours):
Situated 40 km from Florianópolis, Santo Amaro has
termal waters with a temperature of 39oC and therapeutic properties,
considered one of the best in the world. Optional: rafting in the local
rivers.
Beto Carrero World- (about 12 hours):
tour to the biggest Leisure Center of Latin America,
with shows, amusement park, zoo and many other attractions.
Camboriú, Porto Belo and Bombinhas (about 9
hours):
visit to the beautiful locations of Porto Belo and
Bombinhas, part of the
Emerald Coast, with many bays and beaches of clear waters. Visit to
Balneário Camboriú and the main touristic attractions and Laranjeiras
Beach. Optional tour to Unipraias Park with 47 cable cars and beautiful
views.
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