Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty. Guided walking tour of Paraty, 1–1½ hours, easy; hands-on evening cooking class and dinner

Upon arrival at the Rio de Janeiro airport, you are met and transferred (approximately 3 hours) to the city of Paraty, founded in 1677, about 124 miles south of Rio. Located on an island-filled bay and with a backdrop of vibrant green mountains, this exquisitely preserved colonial town invites exploration of its pedestrian cobbled streets and squares, enticing boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Part of the “Green Coast,” this laid-back Brazilian destination offers gorgeous beaches, forest, and history. After checking in to your pousada (inn) in the historic center, you meet a local guide for a private walking tour of the town and its lovely 18th- and 19thcentury white-washed and stone home and buildings. Afterward, for a delectable culinary introduction to the cuisine of this and other Brazilian regions, you make your way to the Paraty Cooking School (located in the home of the international chef and her photographer husband) for a hands-on cooking class and dinner. Your engaging instructor is Yara Roberts who welcomes you in her state-of-the art kitchen and prepares a menu with dishes from the Amazon, Bahia, and Minas Gerais regions, among others. Your chef not only explains cooking techniques, tips, and nutritional information, she also weaves in the cultural and historical background behind Brazil’s varied influences and backgrounds—a crossroads of Portuguese, African, and native cuisines. You savor the meal and delightful conversation with Yara and her husband, both of whom have traveled the globe.

Boat excursion of Paraty Bay including Catimbau Island and cachaça tasting (5 hours total)

After breakfast, you head to the port to board your private boat for a half-day excursion around Paraty Bay, allowing you to take in the perspective from the water of its backdrop of steep jungle peaks, azure waters, and tropical islands. You stop to enjoy a swim (and maybe snorkel) and indulge in a relaxing lunch at Catimbau Island. Later, you continue by boat to the Cachaçaria Maria Izabel, the private home of Maria Izabel Costa, an artisanal cachaça producer. This distilled alcoholic derivate of sugar cane is one of the key ingredients— along with sugar, limes, and ice—of Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha. Paraty was founded on sugar cane production and at one time had over 250 cachaça distilleries. Maria Izabel provides a tasting of her beautifully presented cachaças and offers the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the inviting waters of her beachfront home. By midafternoon, you return by boat to the port of Paraty to relax in your hotel, and later step out to enjoy Paraty’s many inviting shops, cafés, or restaurants, perhaps happening upon some spontaneous Brazilian music performance.

Laranjeiras to Praia do Sono trail, Nature Reserve of Cairuçu; 2–3 hours walking, easy to moderate

After breakfast this morning, a short transfer of 30 minutes bring you to the small village of Laranjeiras and the trailhead of the Praia do Sono trail. In the heart of the Cairuçu Nature Reserve, you rise through lush vegetation to a waterfall where you may choose to cool off with a quick dip. Continuing through South Atlantic tropical forest you reach the Praia do Sono (meaning “sleepy beach”) and its crystalline waters. After a break, you continue past the villages of Praia Da Velha and Praia Dos Antigos before arriving at the fishing village of Ponta Negra where your boat is waiting with lunch on board to return to Paraty for your last evening in this delightful town.

Transfer from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro for departure

You depart Paraty and the Green Coast after breakfast this morning to make your way to Rio de Janeiro, where you make connections for your onward travels.