Today on your Brazil adventure vacation we stay on land as we explore in and around Paraty on the Serra da Bocaina, an imposing mountain range with myriad waterfalls. We begin with a stop at the Gold Trail exhibit, where we learn the story of how gold from the mountainous state of Minas Gerais was transported along the cobbled paths to Paraty, where ships waited to take the treasure to Lisbon, Portugal. The trail, built by slaves in the early 18th century, was a major link between the interior and the coast. Our explorations include hikes to lovely waterfalls, a visit to a cachaça distillery (the major potent ingredient in caipirinhas – Paraty is deservedly renowned for its excellent cachaça), and a look at a collection of some 300 different species of bromeliads. In Paraty, we explore the city´s historical downtown area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its traditional colonial architecture, beautiful churches, and irregular cobblestone streets. In its heyday in the 18th century, Paraty was an obligatory stopover for those traveling to the newly discovered gold mines in Minas Gerais, and it rapidly became a wealthy port town. Rich slave-owners built lavish churches and mansions along the waterfront. Surrounded by pristine jungle-clad mountains, Paraty was virtually abandoned when easier access to the gold mines was discovered. The coffee boom in the 1800s and roads built in the mid-20th century across the Serra do Mar and from Rio ensured its revival. Enjoy some free time on the town this evening and dinner on your own. Overnight at Pousada do Sandi. Pousada do Sandi.