SOUTHERN BRAZIL - Brazil - page 348

English Neo-Gothic style, with
other buildings in an eclectic
mix of local and European
styles. Thanks to the presence
of students attracted to highly
regarded tourism colleges, the
town has a vibrant feel to it.

Environs
Most of the forests of the
Serra were devastated in the
19th century in the quest for
araucaria pine. Today, some
of this forested area is being
preserved. Approximately
5 miles (8 km) north of Canela
is the Parque do Caracol , a
forest reserve with a 429-ft
(131-m) waterfall. A highlight
here is the 927-step stairway
leading to the base of the
cascade from where visitors
can best appreciate its force
and the surrounding forests.
A farther 3 miles (5 km) north
along the road from Caracol
is the Parque da Ferradura , a
forest reserve notable for
the dramatic views of the
horseshoe-shaped Rio Caí
and of the Arroio Caçador
canyon and waterfall.
The area is a popular
destination for adventure
tourism, with rafting along the
fast-flowing Rio Paranhana.
Rappeling down its gorge
allows for close-up views
of the terrain .
Y Parque da Ferradura
Estrada do Caracol. Tel [phone]
8666. # 9am-5:30pm daily. &
Y Parque do Caracol
Estrada do Caracol. Tel [phone]
3035. # 8:30am-6pm Sat &
Sun. &

Swiss-style chalet, a common sight in Gramado

Gramado 3
* 32,000. @ from Porto Alegre.
n Av Borges de Medeiros 1674,
[phone]. _ Festival de
Gramado (Aug), Natal Luz (Nov 15-
Jan 15). www. gramadosite.com

Environs
Just 4 miles (6 km) north
from Gramado's main avenue
is the Vale do Quilombo .
Approached by a steep dirt
road, much of the valley's
original dense Mata Atlântica
(Atlantic rainforest) remains
and the climate is warmer and
more humid. The Refúgio
Familia Sperry supports an
abundance of fauna including
coati, toucans, and howler
and capuchin monkeys.
Forest trails pass magnificent
waterfalls that enhance the
valley's scenic splendor.
The valley floor is cultivated
and picturesque. Half-
timbered farm buildings,
which were built by German
immigrants in the 19th-
century, are to be seen
alongside the road.
Y Refúgio Familia Sperry
Vale do Quilombo. Tel [phone]
1649. # by appointment only.
& 8

Brazil's best-known mountain
resort, Gramado does all it
can to mimic a central
European village. Although
there are no Alpine peaks,
the hilly landscape, reaching
just 2,706 ft (825 m) around
Gramado, is quite dramatic
and the views are fantastic.
The flower-filled Parque
Knorr and the Lago Negro ,
an artificial lake bordered
by pine trees imported from
Germany's Black Forest,
allow for pleasant strolls.
“Swiss chalet” is the
dominant architectural style
and, with the profusion of
geranium-filled window
boxes, chocolate shops, and
restaurants specializing in
cheese fondues, one is
encouraged to believe that
Gramado has connections
with Switzerland. This is
entirely an affectation as only
a very tiny minority of the
population is of Swiss origin
and beneath its veneer,
Gramado has more in com-
mon with an American
shopping mall.
Gramado survives almost
entirely on tourism. During
the first two weeks in August,
the city hosts the Festival de
Gramado, one of Brazil's most
prestigious film festivals,
which also attracts an inter-
national crowd.

Canela 4
* 38,000. @ from Porto Alegre.
n Central de Informações, Lago
da Fama 227, [phone].
www .canelaturismo.com.br

Chilly winters, refreshing
summers, and unspoilt nature
attract visitors to Canela, once
a stop-off point for cattle
being herded across Rio
Grande do Sul's grasslands.
The town is dominated by the
Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora
de Lourdes, an imposing
stone church built in 1953 in

Majestic waterfall, Parque do
Caracol, near Canela

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp388-9 and pp412-13