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RJ - Mountain Resorts
Most foreign visitors don’t know about the little paradise that lies just 50 miles behind Rio. In midst the Atlantic Forest (the second of the most expressive forests in South America, only losing to the Amazon Forest) you find one of the richest ecosystems in the world.
The region is Rio Society’s favored summer retreat, ever since the Brazilian Imperial Family settled down in Petropolis in the 19th century. Charm hotels, gourmet cuisine, magnificent walks and baths in pristine riverbeds are a great contrast to the city’s hectic life. Golf, Trekking, Hang Gliding and other activities prevent anyone of getting bored. |
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| The City |
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Teresópolis
The town itself is extremely dull, built along one main street which changes its name every couple of blocks, and the interest lies entirely in the surrounding countryside. There are, however, magnificent views from almost anywhere in town - especially from Soberbo, where Rio highway enters Teresopolis, with its panoramic view of Rio and the Baixada Fluminense.
Petrópolis
Known as the only Imperial City of all South America, Petrópolis´s main attractions are museums, restaurants and some great landscape. Palácio Imperial, São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral, Santos Dumont´s House, Quitandinha and Palácio de Cristal are some of the most important places to visit, besides Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, one of the most important areas of environmental preservation.
Nova Friburgo
Like Teresópolis and Petrópolis , Nova Friburgo has good hotels and restaurants as well as lovely natural attractions, waterfalls, woods, trails, sunny mountain mornings and cool evenings. Most of the nice sights are a few kilometers out of town but easy to reach. It´s worthwhile to visit cable car station in Praça do Suspiro or go for a hike to Pedra do Cão Sentado.
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| History |
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Teresópolis
Until the XVIII century native Indians inhabited the region and runaway slaves. They founded a quilombo called Quilombo da Serra.
But Teresópolis history really starts in 1818, as a farm owned by the Englishman Georg March (1781–1845). When he died the farm was split in several parts, some of which were eventually sold by their new owners.
In 1855, the region was promoted to the village status and was officially named as "Freguesia de Santo Antonio de Paquequer", but the local inhabitants, already called it Teresópolis (named after the Empress Teresa Cristina). There were 2,000 people living in Teresópolis in 1855.
In 1868, Count D’Eu and Princess Isabel visited the place. In 1870, the Emperor Dom Pedro II visited it, praising the village's beauty.
On July 6th 1891 the village status was upgraded to the municipality one.
Petrópolis
In 1720, Bernardo Soares de Proença opened a trade route between Rio and Minas Gerais, and in return was conceded the area around the present site of Petrópolis as a royal land grant. Surrounded by stunning scenery, and with a gentle, alpine summer climate, it had by the XIX century become a place of Rio´s elite. The arrival of German immigrants contributed to the development of Petrópolis as a town, and has much to do with the curious European Gothic feel to the place. Dom Pedro II took a fancy to Petrópolis and in 1843 designated it the summer seat of his government.
Nova Friburgo
It was founded by a hundred swiss immigrant families from the canton of Fribourg, transferred to the region by royal decree in 1818, and whose only other activity of note was that they introduced the first sauna in Brazil. The Germanic influence remains principally in the architecture of the town´s Conego area. Nova Friburgo became a city in January 1890.
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| General Inf |
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Teresópolis / Petrópolis / Nova Friburgo
TELEPHONE AREA CODE:
21 - Teresópolis
22 - Nova Friburgo
24 - Petrópolis and Nova Friburgo
CLIMATE:
It offers a mild climate, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 23ºC.
CLOTHING:
It’s generally a lot colder at night, even in the summer, so it’s a good idea to have a jacket around. In winter it is advisable to use heavier clothing, even when it is not so cold in Rio de Janeiro. Especially in spring and summer, the town is often covered by a humid and heavy fog, to which its citizens refer as the “ruço”.
ELECTRICITY:
The electric current can be either 100v or 200v. Please check in advance with the hotel.
AIRPORT: You will have to fly to Rio de Janeiro and then drive to these cities.
Rio's International Airport is located on Ilha do Governador, which has excellent access to Rio's south zone where most of the major hotels are located. The airport is served by 26 international carriers as well as the three major Brazilian airlines and, between them, they offer direct flights to and from more than 70 international cities and most of Brazil.
A shuttle service operates between Rio and Sao Paulo from Rio's smaller, city center airport, Santos Dumont. An efficient taxi and bus service links the international airport with the main hotels and residential areas.
BUSINESS HOURS:
Most offices and stores are open from 9h to 18h, Mondays through Fridays. Stores are also open on Saturday from 10h to 13h, while most of the large shopping centers, open Mondays through Saturdays from 10h to 22h. Some shoppings also open on Sundays. Banks are open Mondays through Fridays from 11h to 16h.
TAXIS:
Taxis can not be simply hailed in the streets, as in Rio or São Paulo. They stand at their stops or can be booked by phone.
MEDICAL:
Check with your hotel for information on the nearest.
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| How To Get There |
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Teresópolis
The Rio de Janeiro bus station has lots of buses leaving from Rio daily. Most of them leaving each 30 minutes from 5h00 till 22h00.
It is not a long journey, no more than 40km, but the road to this highest town in the state (872m) passes through the Serra dos Orgaos, much of which is a national park - dramatic rock formations here resemble rows of organ pipes (hence the range's name), dominated by the towering Dedo de Deus (God's Finger) peak.
Petrópolis
Distant 66 km from Rio, Petrópolis is located in Serra da Estrela, north of the state. Buses leave Rio every 15 minutes. On the way up, sit on the left-hand side of the bus, the scenery is dramatic, climbing among forested slopes which give way suddenly to ravines and gullies, while clouds shroud the surrounding mountains.
Nova Friburgo
It´s a peaceful town that lies in a valley surrounded by mountains to the northeast of Teresópolis. To reach Nova Friburgo from Rio takes about three hours by bus, and departures are every 30 minutes. The ride is along a picturesque, winding, misty, jungle road.
Appearing normally at late noon, the “ruço” usually comes quickly from nothing and sometimes may be really heavy. It is not advisable to travel when such fog occurs, as it becomes impossible even to see the ink markings on the road.
Please check arrangements with us (or directly with the hotels as some of them have their own transportation service).
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| Restaurants |
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There are no first class restaurants but most of them are cozy, charming and rustic at the same time. Besides, of course, having delicious countryside food!
Teresópolis
* Taberna Alpina (German)
Rua Duque de Caxias, 131 - Várzea - Phone 2742-0123
* Casa da Picanha (Barbecue)
Av. Feliciano Sodre, 221 - Várzea - Phone 2742-0480
* Taberna Guaira (Brazilian)
Av. Delfin Moreira, 595 - Várzea - Phone 2742-0444
* Cremerie Geneve (French)
Road Teresopolis-Friburgo, km 16- Venda Nova
Phone 2664-6250
* Alpina (Hotel Restaurant - International)
Rua Candido Portinari, 837 - Golf - Phone 2742-5252
* Fattoria Di Tereza (Italian)
Road Teresopolis-Friburgo, km 12- Vargem Grande
Phone 2644-6110
* La Birosca Roma Di Sandro (Italian)
Road Teresopolis-Friburgo, km 3,3 - Vale Feliz
Phone 2644-6272
* Lingüiça do Padre (Mineira)
Road Teresopolis-Friburgo, km 33 - Vieira
* Tutu-Terê (Mineira)
Rua Reinaldo Viana, 257 - Inga - Phone 2642-5020
* Dona Irene (Russian)
Av.Ten. Luiz Meireles, 1800 - Bom Retiro
Phone 2742-2901
* L'Aquaticus (Trouts) - Estrada dos Aredes, km 7 -
Canoas - Phone 2644-6890
* Casa do Fondue (Fondue)
Av.Feliciano Sodré, 221 - sl - Varzea -
Phone 2742-0480
Petrópolis
* Bistrô Petit Palais (International)
Rua da Imperatriz, 220 - Centro
Phone 22447912
* Casa do Alemão (German Bar)
Rua 16 de Março, 138 - Centro
Phone 2242-4533
* Casablanca Imperial (French)
Rua da Imperatriz, 286 - Centro
Phone 2242-6662
* Churrascaria Majórica (Barbecue)
Rua do Imperador, 754 - Centro
Phone 2242-2498
* Massas Luigi (Italian)
Praça da Liberdade, 185 - Centro
Phone 2246-0279
* Churrascaria Savana (Barbecue)
Rua General Rondon, 567 - Quitandinha
Phone 2291-9010
* Pavelka (German)
Av. Ayrton Senna, 999 - Quitandinha
Phone 2242-7990
* Chico Veríssimo (French)
Rua Agostinho Goulão, 632 - Corrêas
Phone 2221-3049
* Locanda della Mimosa (Italian)
Alameda das Mimosas, 30 - Vale Florido/Fazenda Inglesa
Phone 2233-5405
Nova Friburgo
* Auberge Suisse (French/Swiss)
Rua 10 de Outubro, s/n - Amparo
Phone 2541-1270
* Bräun & Bräun (German)
RJ116,Km 72,2 - Mury
Phone 2542-1338
* Boliche do Teleférico Restaurante (Trouts)
Rua Macaé, s/n - Alto do Teleférico
Phone 2523-2693
* Gourmet TDB (International)
Rua Deolinda Thruler, 137 - Cônego
Phone 2523-0305
* Le Bon Bec (German - Foundue and Trouts)
RJ116 Km 70 - Mury
Phone 2542-1103
* Tunney (Japanese)
Rua 7 de Setembro, 38/4ºandar
Phone 2523-8998
* Truta & Boa Companhia (Trouts)
Av. Walter Machado Thedin, 2222 - Mury
Phone 2542-1595
* À Mineira (Mineira)
RJ116 Km 73 - Mury
Phone 2542-2188
* Edelweiss (German)
RJ116 Km 70 - Mury
Phone 2542-1103
* Távola (Trouts)
Rua Dom João VI,222 - Cônego
Phone 2522-6203
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| Night Life |
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Teresópolis
*Nightclubs
Casa do Badu - Praça Higino da Silveira - Feirarte - Alto - Phone 2642-6399
901 Boite Cenarium - Av.Feliciano Sodré, 901 - Varzea - Phone 2643-2038
*Live Music
Alcione's - Praça Higino da Silveira, 14 - Alto - Phone 2642-5050
Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 21h00
Cottage Bar
Rua Alfredo Rebello Filho, 966 - Alto - Phone 2642-6614
Rancho Vista Alegre (Forró) - Road Teresopolis-Friburgo - Vista Alegre - contact Wanderson Phone 742-6548
On weekends and holidays
Petrópolis
*Nightclubs
Big House
Rua Dr.Sá Earp, 680 - Centro - Phone 2242-4266
*Live Music
Palhoça
Rua Dr.Hermogêneo Silva, 1591 - Retiro - Phone 2242-1398
Armazém 646
Rua Visc. de Itaboraí, 646 - Phone 2243-1001
Nova Friburgo
*Nightclubs
746 American Bar
Rua Joaquim José da Silva, 746 - Caledonia - Phone 2523-7460
* Bars
Tudo de Bom Bar
Rua Deolinda Thurler, 137A - Cônego - Phone 2523-0305
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Petropolis Country Club
The course has a very interesting layout crossing rivers and lakes. The untouched beautiful mountains and rainforest are an attraction, which makes this golf course unique.
Although it is a private club, tourists are welcome and the city has a good choice of hotels situated nearby.
Petrópolis Country Club offers driving range, putting green, snack bar, restaurant, pro-shop and equipments for hire. It has 9 holes, par 70 and 6109 yards. It is open 7h00 till 17h00 tuesdays through sundays.
The average temperature is 19oC and the golf course is 910m over the sea level.
Location:
Av.Country Club, 6321 - Petrópolis
Phone: (24) 2221-2169
Teresopolis Golf Club
A 9-hole course, with 18 tees, designed by the architect Robert Trent Jones and with a layout that follows the Paquequer River crossing the course 11 times.
Located in the mountains of Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgãos, it also enjoys beautiful landscapes, pure mountain air and a mild climate. Tourists can stay at one of the many hotels in the city that are situated very near the golf course.
Teresopolis Golf Club offers driving range, putting green, snack bar, restaurant, pro-shop and equipments for hire. It has 9 holes, par 71 and 6324 yards. It is open 7h00 till 17h00 tuesdays through sundays.
The average temperature is 17oC and is 910m over the sea level.
Location:
Av.Pres.Roosevelt, 2222 - Teresopolis
Phone: (21) 2742-1691
Petropolis Remarkable Features
"Blue sky, clean air, nice weather and the sight of mountains create a perfect environment of tranquility. This climate has brought to Petrópolis, a city in the Mountain region of Rio de Janeiro, several writers and painters.
The city of Petrópolis is an ideal option for one weekend or more, since it is only at 60 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro and your customers could visit many museums that tell the history of the Imperial Brazil, in addition to walking by the city.
Emperor D. Pedro II constructed a palace for the summer vacations of the imperial family. Just after his arrival, all the important figures in the imperial court came to the city, filling the region with country mansions, rich furniture and beautiful gardens.
Today, all of these historic constructions are a big attraction, because besides the beauty, they tell a little on our history. The Imperial Museum, São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral, Santos Dumont House, Quitandinha Palace, Rio Negro Palace, are some examples.
Petrópolis may have lost its political importance, but still has a strong tradition translated into the refinement of restaurants and inns. For this reason, it is worth enjoying at least a weekend in the city.
In the region, there is the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, where the impressive rocky formation called "Dedo de Deus" (God's Finger) is located. The trails and horse tours lead the tourist to discover a vast vegetation, orchid greenhouses, waterfalls, valleys and mountains that offer dazzling views."
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