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Curitiba
The capital of the state of Paraná has become world renowned for its innovative urban solutions and the quality of life enjoyed by its inhabitants. Education and health have been treated as priority services. The transport system is a model for major cities. The green area - 52 m2 per inhabitant - is far in excess of the 16 m2 per inhabitant minimum recommended by the UN. Wide pavements, Rua 24 Horas (24 Hours Street), conservation of the architectural heritage and selective refuse collection have been conceived with the well-being of the population of Curitiba as the starting point. |
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| The City |
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The capital of the state of Paraná has become world renowned for its innovative urban solutions and the quality of life enjoyed by its inhabitants. Education and health have been treated as priority services. The transport system is a model for major cities. The green area - 52 m2 per inhabitant - is far in excess of the 16 m2 per inhabitant minimum recommended by the UN. Wide pavements, Rua 24 Horas (24 Hours Street), conservation of the architectural heritage and selective refuse collection have been conceived with the well-being of the population of Curitiba as the starting point.
Holder of the title of Brazilian city offering the best quality of life, Curitiba is the forerunner in terms of concern for ecology, setting up Brazil's first environmental university, the Free University of the Environment, which runs projects relating to a sustainable economy, conservation of the ecosystem and environmental education. Deep in a native forest covering 37,000 m2, its researchers are highly aware and are influencing the growth of the city, which bases its economy on trade, the provision of services and processing industries, scattered across Curitiba's Industrial City. In addition, the city has one of Brazil's best public transport systems, having exported several of its schemes, such as the Integrated System, which was sold to New York. Curitiba was the first Brazilian city to implement the selective collection of refuse and publicize information on recycling processes.
Standing some 3,000 feet (914 meters) above sea level on the plateau of Serra do Mar, is the capital of the progressive state of Paraná. Since the late 1800's, Curitiba's bracing climate and picturesque location have attracted immigrants of Slav, German, and Italian origin. Curitiba grew rapidly after 1950 and it is known for the sensible manner in which it became a major city without losing a comfortable life-style. Curitiba is setting international standards not only for its sound environmental policies, but also for the enthusiastic way its citizens embrace and uphold them. The city derives its economic prosperity from its role as commercial and processing center for the expanding agricultural and ranch areas in the hinterlands as well as from its diverse industrial output.
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| History |
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Curitiba was born in the shade of Paraná pines a little over three hundred years ago. Its name bears its native heritage: kur ity ba, as the Indians used to call the pine-kernels, the fruits of the Paraná pines and the symbolic tree of Paraná. The city came into being when the gold prospectors from the coast travelled up-river to the Serra do Mar arriving at the plains. The first nucleus settled on the banks of the River Atuba in a place called Vilinha. Soon afterwards, the urban centre was transferred to the site of the present Tiradentes Square. It was in this area that the town of Nossa Senhora da Luz do Pinhais had its beginnings, being officially founded on March 29th, 1693. In 1842, the town acquired city status with the name Curitiba, before being elevated to state capital in 1853.
During the course of its history, influenced by interbreeding, the capital of Paraná has managed to harmonize colonial mansions, daring architectural projects as well as nature. Pedreira Paulo Leminski, the location of the ópera de Arame - a theatre seating 1,800 in the stalls and 600 in boxes - and where an open-air stage has a disused stone quarry as a backdrop - is an example of that integration.
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| General Inf |
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TELEPHONE AREA CODE
041/
CLIMATE
Curitiba is 908 meters high above sea-level, and has a total area of 500 km2, sub-tropical weather with middle temperatures of 20,4 oC in the summer and 12.7oC in the winter. Due to its altitude the city is in a high plateau the winds are always constant. Curitiba is one of the coldest cities in Brazil. The weather turns a hot single day into a cold one.
CLOTHING
As Sao Paulo, Curitiba is also a big commercial center, and it is very common to see people dressed formally, especially when going out in the evenings and if going to some of the better restaurants. Due to the low temperatures people generally use coats and mild winter clothes.
ELECTRICITY
110 V
AIRPORT
Curitiba is served by the International Airport Afonso Pena, located at São José dos Pinhais and it is 17 kilometers far from downtown. The airport transportation system is very efficient and is composed by taxis and air-conditioned buses that connect the airport to the center of the city iin half-hour periods.
BUSINESS HOURS
Most offices and stores are open from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Stores are also open on Saturday from 10am to 1pm, while most of the large shopping centers, open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 10pm. Curitiba has a 24-hour street “Rua 24 horas” with some convenience stores. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.
TAXIS
In Curitiba there are two main types of taxis: the radio taxis, which you can order from the hotel reception, and the more common taxis, which can be hailed from the street. Taxis are certainly not cheap and prices go up on Sundays and public holidays.
TOURIST POLICE
Deatur is the English-speaking tourist police service.
MEDICAL
Curitiba has many hospitals, clinics and doctors but treatment is expensive so visitors are strongly advised to take out medical insurance before travelling to Brazil. Private clinics are recommended if you have to go into hospital for treatment (ask locally about the best available clinics), but in case of an emergency or accident, the emergency services of the public hospitals are quite adequate.
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| How To Get There |
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Flights to most major Brazilian cities as well as to Argentina depart from the ultramodern airport, about 30 minutes from the city centre. Taxis charge about 15 $ for this ride. A bus marked "Aeroporto" takes you like every hour to Downtown in front of the Hotel Presidente by Praça Rui Barbosa.
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| Restaurants |
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Arabian
Areibian XX$$ R.Pres.Taunay,435(Batel);tel.224-2976; air; cc:all; 11h30/14h30, 19h30/23h30; sun 11h30/15h30; self service.
BBQ
Badida XX $ Av. Batel,1486 (Batel); tel.243 0473; air; cc: all; 11h30/14h30, 19h/23h30; sun 11h30/16h.
Saanga Grill X$ Av. Iguaçu, 2423 (Agua Verde); tel. 244 0276; cc: all; 11h30/14h30, 19h/23h; sun 11:30/16h.
Devon's XXX$ R. Prof. Lysimaco Ferreira da Costa, 436 (Centro Civico); tel. 254 7073 air; cc: D, Mc, V; 11h30/14h30, 19h/23h; sun 11h30/15h.
Churrascao Colonia XX $ Av. Manuel Ribas, 3250 (Sta. Felicidade); tel. 335 8686; cc: all; 11h/15h, 18h/23h30; closes mon.
Chinese
Hwa Kuo XX$ Alameda Princesa Isabel, 1600 (Bigorrilho); tel. 232 6480; cc: all; 11h/14h, 18h30/23h.
Jan Yen X$$ Av Iguaçu, 3565 (Agua Verde); tel. 342-1617; cc:all; 11h/14h, 19h/23h;closes mon.
Fish
Bar do Victor X $ R. Livio Moreira, 284 (S. Lourenço); tel. 353 1920; cc: all; 18h/23h30; sat 12h/16h; sun 11h30/15h30; closes mon.
Albatroz XX$$ R. Mateus Leme, 2869 (S. Lourenço); tel.253 9309; cc:all; 11h30/15h, 18h30/24h; sun 11h30/17h; closes mon.
Sereia X$$ R. Mateus Leme, 2941(S. Lourenço); tel. 252 3542; cc: D, Mc, V; 11h/24h; sun 11h/16h.
French
@@ Boulevard XXX$$$$ R. Vol. da Pátria, 539 (Centro); tel. 224 8244; air; cc: all; 12h/14h30, 19h30/24h; sat 19h30/24h; closes sun.
Excellent combination of French, Italian and Brazilian style. Offers interesting wine card at reasonable prices. One of the top restaurants in this country.
German
@ Cantinho do Eisbein X $$ Av. dos Estados, 863 (Agua Verde); tel. 329 5155; cc: all;11h30/14h30, 18h30/23h30; sun 11:30/15:00 closes mon
Schwarzwald X $ (Bar do Alemao) R. Claudino dos Santos, 63, fundos (Lg. da Ordem) (Historic Sector); tel. 223 2585; cc: all; 11h/2h.
Italian
@ Passaparola Spaghetteria X $ R. Vicente Machado, 3031 (Seminário); tel. 242 2482; 19h/23h30; sun 12h/15h; closes mon.
Famiglia Caliceti XXX$$ Alameda Dr. Carlos de Carvalho, 1367 (Batel); tel. 223 7102; cc: all; 11h30/15h30, 19h/24h; sun 11h30/16h; closes tue.
Bice XXX$$$ R. Francisco Rocha, 560 (Batel); tel. 342 0048; air; cc: all; 12h/15h, 19h/ 24h
Marcolini Trattoria XX$$ (Flat Parthenon) Av. Sete de Setembro, 5368 (Batel); tel. 342-0044; air; cc: all; 12h/15h,19h/23h30. Closed sun evening.
PonteVecchio X$$ R. Benjamim Constant, 331(Centro); tel. 264 7193; 11h30/14h, 19h/23h; sun 11h30/15h; 23 19h/23h30.
BaroloTrattoria XX$$ Av Silva Jardim, 2487 (Agua Verde); tel. 243 3430; cc: all; 12h/14h30, 19h30/24h; closes mon.
Famiglia Fadanelli XX$$ Av. Manuel Ribas, 5667 (Sta. Felicidade); tel. 372 1616; ar; cc: all; 19h/23h30; sat 12h/15h30, 19h/23h30; sun 12h/15h30; closes mon.
Porta Romana XX$$ Av. Manuel Ribas, 4330 (Sta. Felicidade); tel.335 4344; cc: Ae, V; 19h/24h; sat 12/15h 19h/24h, sun 12h/16h.
Mangiare Felice XX$ R. Rocha Pombo, 397 (Juveve); tel. 252 8866; cc: all; 11h30/15h,19h/1h.
Spagueteria Padrino X$ R. Candido Lopes, 323 (Centro); tel: 223-1235; 11h30/14h30, 19h30/23h; sab 11h30/15h; closes sun.
Veneza XX$ Av. Manuel Ribas, 6860 (Sta. Felicidade); tel. 372 2626; air; cc: all; 11h30/14h30, 19h/23h; closes mon.
Madalosso XX$ Av. Manuel Ribas, 5875 (Sta. Felicidade); tel. 372 2121; cc: all; 11h/14h30, 19h/23h; sun 11h/15h30.
Dom Antonio XX$ Av. Manuel Ribas, 6121(Sta. Felicidade); tel. 273 3131; cc: all; 11h/15h, 19h/23h; sun 11h/15h30.
Japanese
Yamato X$$ Av. Iguaçu,1730 (Agua Verde); tel. 2331730; cc:D Mc V; 12h/14h30, 19h/23h; mon19h/23h; closes mon.
Tako XX$$ R. Silveira Peixoto, 777 (Agua Verde); tel. 243 9552; cc: all; 18h/24h; sun 12h/15h, 18h/23h; closes mon.
Mina Gerais
Mineira Gostosa XX$ R. Mateus Leme, 491(Centro Civico); tel. 3023 3376;11h30/15h30, 18h30/23h; sun 11h30/16h; self service.
Pizza
Scavollo XX$ R. Emiliano Perneta, 924 (Batel); tel. 225 2244; cc: all; 19h/1h.
Baviera XX$ R. Augusto Stellfeld, 18 (Centro); tel.232 1995; cc: all; 18h3O/1h.
Polish
Warsóvia X$$ Av. Batel, 2059 (Batel); tel. 242 3423; cc: all; 11h30/14h, 19h/23h; sun 11h30/15h; closes mon.
Portuguese
Camponesa do Minho XX$$ R. Pe. Anchieta, 978 (Merces); tel. 336 1312; cc: all; 11h30/14h, 18h30/23h; sun 1100/1500; closes mon.
Antonio Maria XXX$$ Av. Munhoz da Rocha, 755 (Cabral); tel. 353 3839; ar; cc: Ae D Mc; 11h/15h, 18h/24h; sun 1111/16h; mon 18h/24h.
Regional
Estrela da Terra X$ R. Jaime Reis, 176 (Centro); tel. 222 5007; 18h30/24h; sat 11h30/16h, 18h30/24h; sun 11h30/16h.
Spanish
CasaTéo X$$ R. Visc. de Guarapuava, 4601(Batel); cc: D, Mc, V; 18h/23h30; sun 12h/15h; closes mon.
Ukrainian
@@ Durski XX$$ R. Jaime Reis, 254 (Centro); tel. 225 7893; air; cc: all; 20h/23h30; sun 1120/1500; closes mon.
Ask for the slavian banquet including polish, russian and ucranian kitchen.
Others
@ Chalet Suisse XXX$$$ R. Francisco Dallalibera,1428 (Sta. Felicidade); tel. 364 7889; cc: all; 9h/24h; closes sun.
Bar Palácio X$ R. Andri de Barros, 500 (Centro);tel. 222 3626; 19h/4h30; closes sun.
Old West XX$$ R. S. Januário, 248 (Jd. Botânico); tel. 262 9794; cc: all; 18h30/1h; closes sun.
Obra Prima X$$ R. Antonio Meirelles Sobrinho, 27 (mun. de Piraquara), 22 km; tel. 673 2196; cc: V; 19h/24h; sun 12h/16h; closes fri.
Escola Senac XXX $ R. André de Barros, 750, 2° (centro); tel. 322 4334; air; cc: all; 12h/14h30; closes sun.
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| Night Life |
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Given Curitiba's prosperity and its inhabitants' diverse ethnic origins, it's not surprising that there's a huge range of restaurants. There are also numerous cafes, and a fair amount of evening entertainment, too, based around the usual bars, cinemas and theatres. There's an excellent selection of produce available at the Mercado Municipal at Av. Sete de Setembro 1865.
During the late afternoon and early evening locals congregate in the pavement cafes at the Praia Osorio end of Rua das Flores, but as the evening progresses the historic centre comes to life, its bars and restaurants attracting a mainly young and wellwheeled crowd. On Praia Garibaldi, and the streets extending off it, there are numerous bars, many with live music typically Brazilian rock music, jazz and what seem to be parodies of country and western.
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Paranagua
In addition to being the location of one of Brazil's most important ports, Paranaguá is a historical and ecological point of reference. Preserved there are vestiges of Portuguese colonization in the mid 17th century, and the mansions, religious processions and commemorations of church dedications still retain the traces of colonial times. As far as nature is concerned, Paranaguá is certainly favoured, with a bay which covers an area of 300 km2 and dotted with islands, beaches, shores, channels and inlets. Forming a lake region that extends from Iguape, in the State of São Paulo and passes through the cities of Cananéia (São Paulo) and Antonina (Paraná), Paranaguá Bay is an important area for mangrove conservation. Paranaguá Bay stretches over 300 km2 and also includes the Island of Mel and several beach resorts, including Pontal do Sul, Praia de Leste, Ipanema, Shangri-la, Olho d'água, Santa Terezinha, Portofino and Grajaú.
The route leading to the city and the rest of the Paraná coastline is a luxuriant one. Whether travelling by car or train, the journey is exceptionally pleasant. Skirting the precipices of the Serra do Mar, the Imperial Railway has linked Curitiba with Paranaguá since 1880, its 110 km passing under and over 13 tunnels and 41 bridges and viaducts. The journey takes three hours and the train stops at old stations, hamlets and waterfalls so that the passengers can appreciate the scenery. It also stops in Morretes, a historical city dating back to 1721 and which, in addition to remarkable architecture, has as its main attraction the River Nhundiaquara, where the tide races are used as lanes for canoeing or "boiacross", a type of toboggan made with lorry
The Curitiba of Many People
Curitiba is a synthesis of many cultures, brought by immigrants from all over the world, who helped to build every bit of the city from the second half of last century. Welcome by this land which, at the time, had plenty of space to offer, they retributed with their hard work, knowledge, culture and traditions.
This is why Curitiba is formed by bits of many countries. A portion of Italy, for instance, can be seen in Santa Felicidade, in the architecture - that is where the Culpi house is, the first one in the district, refurbished as a Cultural Centre - as well as in the style of life, colourful and happy.
Thousands arrive mainly during weekends to taste the good food, good wine, pasta and other atractions of the many restaurants and shops along Via Veneto.
There is also a lot from Poland, whose immigrants and their descendants are living all over the city, with some preference for the districts of Pilarzinho, Santa Cândida and Orleans. Their characteristics persist in the surnames of many curitibanos with blond hair and blue eyes. In the Pope John Paul II woods the polish memoirs are registered in the Virgin Mary of Jasna Gora Chapel as well as in the typical wooden houses turned into small museums of early immigrants utensils and domestic furniture.
The descendants of those immigrants and all curitibanos can still taste the pirogue and cooked pastries filled with potatoes and cottage cheese.
Japanese imigrants, curitibanos above anything else.
The ukranian descendants, with their blue eyes and long surname, are one of feature of the city. There is still a lot in Curitiba with a touch of German, Arab, Japanese, Chinese, Swiss, Ucranian accents. The more evident signs of those cultures are found in the architecture, handcrafts and cooking. But in every corner of the city there are the sons, grandsons and descendants of the pioneers, perfectly integrated to a brazilian environment. Proud of their origins, but curitibanos above everything else.
Alphaville Graciosa Clube
Architect Dan Blankenship designed this modern golf course that opened in 2001 using the undulations, different levels and lakes to build this highly technical course to meet the needs of the more demanding golfers.
Built to the highest standards, the course has an automatic irrigation system, which guarantees the quality of the course all year round.
The club is located in an immense natural reserve within the Alphaville Condominium, where the visitor can play golf upon payment of a green fee. It is advisable to book in advance because of the many events that are held at the club.
It is located about 20 km away from downton Curitiba and 15 km from Afonso Pena airport, in the city of Pinhais.
Alphaville Graciosa Clube offers driving range, putting green, pitching green, snack bar, restaurant, hotel accommodation, pro-shop and equipments for hire. It has 18 holes, par 72 and 6626 yards. It is open from 7h00 till 18h00 mondays through sundays.
The average temperature is 17oC and the golf course is 906m over the sea level.
Location:
Av. Tomaz Edison de Andrade Vieira, 825 - Estrada da Graciosa
Pinhais
Phone: (41) 3551-1389
Golf - Driving Ranges
Brazil already has many golf academies mainly in the big cities (driving ranges with or without putting and pitching greens) enabling golfers visiting the cities on business or as tourists to keep their game up to date.
In Curitiba:
CCE - Centro de Capacitação Esportiva
Address: Rua Pastor Manoel Virginio de Souza, 1020, distric of Capão da Embuia
Phone/fax: 941) 3014-0200
Aguativa Golf Resort
A space totally integrated with Nature, exploring the topographical peculiarities of the place where it is to the most: this is how the golf course of the Aguativa Golf Resort is, located close to the city of Londrina, in the state of Paraná. With a water drive range of up to 400 yards, the course has rich vegetation, and 14 ponds. For those who appreciate challenging strikes, it is worth paying a visit to hole number three, whose obstacle is the main lake, which separates the tee from the green.
The Aguativa Golf Resort is located at Km 101 (62.76 mi) of the Mello Peixoto road, in the town of Cornélio Procópio, in the state of Paraná. Access is also possible by air, from the town of Londrina, located at 32.93 mi (53 Km) from the resort. For those coming from Curitiba (383 km) - the state Capital - by car, they have to go towards Ponta Grossa, Piraí do Sul, Ventania, and Nova Fátima, until getting to Cornélio Procópio.
Aguativa Golf Resort offers floating driving range, putting green, snack bar, restaurant, hotel accommodation, pro-shop and equipments for hire. It has 9 holes, par 36 and 358,797.01 square yards. It is open daily from 7h00 till 18h00 (during saving time, the course is open until 20h00).
The average temperature is 25oC and the golf course is 676m over the sea level.
Location:
Rodovia Mello Peixoto, km 101
Cornélio Procópio
Phone: (43) 3520-7000
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