8 - 14th November 2004
Costão do Santinho Resort & Spa
Santinho Beach - Florianópolis - Brazil

Post Congress Tour 1 - Rio Grande do Sul
photos by John Davis

click on pictures for larger versions

Day 1 - Sunday 14th Depart Florianópolis, travel South to Praia do Rosa where for a vegan lunch. Then to Laguna - the second oldest town of Santa Catarina, founded in 1676, city of Anita and Giuseppe Garibaldi, heroes of the unification of Italy. Visit to Santa Marta Lighthouse, built in 1880, with walls of 2m of thickness, the biggest in South America - the third in the world for the distance the light reaches.
Day 2 - Monday 15th South to Gramado, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul - the last one before Argentina. Stop for lunch - dinner in Gramado, the city of the most important South American Cinema Festival and an important tourist centre. Free strolling in Gramado at night.
Day 3 - Tuesday 16th Visit to the spectacular canyon Itaimbezinho - up to 720 metres (2360 feet) deep walls and Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra, full of Araucarias - the unique Brazilian pines. Return to the hotel in Gramado.
Day 4 - Wednesday 17th Famous chocolates of Gramado. In Canela visiting also the cascade Veu de Noiva (Bride Veil). Stop at the non-leather shoe shop. Return to Florianopolis.
Day 5 - Thursday 18th - part 1 - new surroundings - part 2 - the trek - part 3 - the last supper Trekking to wild Lagoinha do Leste with a connoisseur guide. This beach can only be reached by foot or boat - from the top of the hill one can see a wonderful view of the beach and two sweet lagoons. Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 6 - Friday 19th Check out, City tour in Florianopolis, and transfer to airport.

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