13-Nights Brazil Life between Sao Paulo & Rio — CALL

São Paulo, Brazil's largest city is on a plateau at an elevation of about 2,700 ft and is divided by the Tietê River. Both the Modern Art Museum and the Municipal Library have outstanding collections and are worth visiting.

Tiradentes is one of the most charming colonial towns in Brazil. It is set amidst the beautiful, lush Serra de Jose mountain range 205 mi/330 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro, where hiking trails weave through the mountains. Aside from the magnificent baroque church Igreja Matriz de Santo Antonio, with its resplendent interior, this small town boasts many artists' workshops as well as boutiques that sell traditional foods and handicrafts. It is also a magnet for foodies with its many reputed and innovative restaurants.

Only 7 mi/12 km away, Sao Joao del Rei is another of Minas Gerais' historically interesting colonial towns, with its share of splendid churches and mansions. If you're traveling between the two towns on a weekend, take the 19th-century steam train, Maria Fumaca, which weaves its way through the countryside, passing the ruins of old gold mines.

Originally named Vila Rica ("rich town"), this 18th-century hill town 60 mi/100 km southeast of Belo Horizonte was once the wealthiest gold-mining center of Brazil. (The name Ouro Preto means "black gold.") We think it's a must-see, particularly for architecture and history buffs.

Unlike many other colonial towns in Brazil, Ouro Preto's privileged location—in a valley surrounded by steep mountains—means its center has been unaffected by encroaching modern buildings and skyscrapers. Strolling through the cobblestoned streets lined with baroque churches and impressive mansions is like stepping back in time. Its churches in particular are quite magnificent. Among the highlights are the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Pilar (much of it covered in gold leaf) and the Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis, a masterpiece of Brazil's genius baroque sculptor, Aleijadinho.

There are also some interesting museums, including the Museu de Oratorio (with a fabulous collection of oratories) and the Museu da Escola de Minas (containing 25,000 gems and mineral samples). Since it is also a university town, Ouro Preto has a vibrant nightlife and cultural scene.

The town can be seen as a day trip from Belo Horizonte, but we recommend at least a day and night in Ouro Preto, just to absorb its special atmosphere. Nearby Mariana, filled with baroque churches, is also a gem. The terrain there is relatively flat, so those who have difficulty walking might find it an alternative to steep Ouro Preto.

Belo Horizonte, called "Belo" locally, lies 220 mi/350 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro in the center of the country's most important mining area. Although you can see most of its attractions in a day, the city is pleasant and has a terrifically varied nightlife.

Among Belo Horizonte's highlights are the Museu de Artes e Oficios, the neighborhood of Savassi, the Central Market and the 1943 Igreja de Sao Francisco (designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the primary architect of Brasilia, with paintings by Modernist artist Portinari), located in the leafy suburb of Pampulha. If you're in Belo on a Sunday morning, visit the arts-and-crafts fair in Municipal Park. And don't overlook the park itself, which has an incredible 2,000 species of trees. Belo is also known for its many restaurants and bars serving tasty, hearty Mineiro cuisine.

A visit to the colonial towns of Sabara (15 mi/24 km away) and Congonhas (45 mi/70 km away) can be made as day trips, or as preludes to the nearby baroque jewel of Ouro Preto. Although Congonhas itself is ugly, its Basilica de Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains the Twelve Prophets, created by sculptor Aleijadinho, one of the world's most magnficent examples of baroque art.