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This season, municipalities across Brazil’s South and Southeast regions are rolling out the red carpet for visitors seeking authentic regional culinary routes. Gastronomic tourism is thriving in charming towns like Alagoa, in Minas Gerais. With fewer than 3,000 residents, this picturesque destination concentrates its raw milk cheese production at an impressive altitude of over 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). These enchanting rural hubs are easily accessible via scenic roadways connected to major airports in nearby capital cities.
Artisanal Dairy Production in Minas Gerais
The Cheese Route in the breathtaking Serra da Canastra encompasses traditional rural estates dedicated to crafting artisanal delicacies. In the municipality of Cruzília, local producers craft the Casamenteiro cheese, an exquisite variation that blends gorgonzola with the region’s traditional recipe. This historic town is also home to the National Museum of the Mangalarga Marchador, a fascinating institution dedicated to Brazil’s rich equestrian heritage.
Unforgettable Attractions in Rio Grande do Sul
In the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the lush Serra Gaúcha (Gaucho Highlands) welcomes travelers for the vindima, the vibrant grape harvest season taking place from January to March. The region offers a well-structured visiting calendar across various agro-industrial hubs. Tourists are delighted by attractions focusing on world-class beverages and delightful itineraries linked to the local confectionery industry.
- The Vale dos Vinhedos (Valley of the Vineyards) and the municipality of Garibaldi are home to renowned sparkling wine cellars, including the spectacular estates of Casa Perini and Chandon.
- The charming resort towns of Gramado and Canela host premium chocolate manufacturing tours, operated by beloved local brands like Florybal, Caracol, and Prawer.
Rural Escapes in São Paulo and the Northeast
The countryside of São Paulo concentrates its rural tourism in the picturesque Paulista Water Circuit (Circuito das Águas Paulista), featuring historic coffee-growing farms in the municipality of Serra Negra. Up in the North and Northeast regions, vibrant capitals such as Manaus, Belém, Recife, and Salvador seamlessly blend their historic centers and river itineraries with the trade of exotic native ingredients. The bustling markets and cultural hubs of these cities serve up mouthwatering dishes made with local ingredients, from the iconic Amazonian pato no tucupi (duck in tucupi sauce) to the rich and flavorful Bahian moqueca.