Ok so here I am taking you again to wonderful Brazil. A dear country and now a long trip of two weeks taking me to two States, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.
Wonderful big country with great ambiance and friends; always a pleasure to visit and Lucky to do it every year since 1988 and lived there in 2008. This time went a bit to old grounds and had the opportunity to visit new ones. First I got there from Nantes, Paris CDG and Sao Paulo Guarulhos airport, then on to Paulinia and Descalvados in the State of Sao Paulo to repeat. I then went on to Varghina in the State of Minas Gerais. A wonderful round trip!!
Varginha is located in the southern region of Minas. The city is located on the banks of Lake Furnas, and at the same time equidistant from three Brazilian capitals: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. The city is one of the main centers of trade and production of coffee in Brazil and in the world, and is a reference in the production of high quality coffees, in addition to an export hub for the product, draining most of the production in the douth of Minas, making grain trade with several countries.
A bit of history I like
The pioneers from São Paulo through the Paraíba Valley crossed the Serra da Mantiqueira in the region of Embaú gorge, now Passa Quatro. Many traders from São Paulo (the tropeiros) also passed through the region, selling products from São Paulo and Portugal. The tropeiros, who were regularly passing through Varginha, made, in 1785, a small chapel, close to where the Divino Espírito Santo Matrix Church is currently located. In 1806, the Chapel of Divino Espírito Santo das Catanduvas was built and, in the same year, the land required by the district was donated. Then the town was called Catanduvas or Catandubas; word originally from indianTupi, which means “low and closed, rough and thorny, small bush”. Due to the patron saint of the chapel, it was renamed Espírito Santo das Catanduvas.
Varginha was one of the towns that received the most Italian immigration to Brazil in this period. With enormous commitment and workforce, many Italians bought their own land and also started their own businesses, which generated great economic development for Varginha and for the south of Minas in the late 19C and early 20C. Another considerable flow was that of Syrian-Lebanese immigrants, which occurred in the first decades of the 20C, immigrants who lived in most of the products trade in the São Paulo capital. Varginha also received in the seventies several Japanese families, who immigrated as a result of the acquisition by the Japanese of one of the German company at the time, CBC, which had a factory in the city. Nowadays, as a result of the transfer of Taiwanese companies to the region, the city hosts immigrants from Taiwan, who invest, generate jobs and work in Varginha.
The Heritage Foundation on its history in Portuguese: https://fundacaoculturaldevarginha.com.br/historia-de-varginha/
The Heritage Foundation on its heritage monuments in Portuguese: https://fundacaoculturaldevarginha.com.br/patrimoniocultural/bens-protegidos/bens-imoveis/
Upon arriving at Varghina I went straight to the hotel, Grand Enio very modern, nice but had no gel/shampoo in bath! The resto for breakfast was very good indeed. The hotel was in front of the Universidty UNIFAS Santa Luiza; I later in another visit stayed here again. Here I stayed for two nights as well. The best was the breakfast and dinner time here. good dish of picanha beefs with onions in a mayo base sauce with good beers Itaipava premium. More info here: https://www.grandenio.com.br/
I was able to go out for lunch to the Recanto Flora, and forgot my camera/phone !!! lol! oh well the place is a typical Minas Gerais cuisine with shop and restaurant overlooking the greens of the fields behind it. Very friendly service was promise if call ahead will cook something typical just for me! They have other businesses like a cheese making company in the farm or fazenda casa flora more closer to Très Coraçoes. The views on this resto search site is just like it for reference and to be back with photos ! here is their Facebook page waiting for the virus nowdays to open again: https://www.facebook.com/RecantoFloraOficial/
At night to top it all off I was taken to Pinga Com Torresmo Avenida Princesa do sul 29 A ( an intriguing word pinga for some Spanish speaking people ::)) but here is an rum alcohol base drink similar to Cachaça. It is another term for it a bit cheaper. And the place was great with pork ribs, fry fish, and great itaipava premium beers. The views over the city as the night fell was fantastic and live music playing oldies but goodies was a king size top off to a wonderful night send off from Brazil; I should be back here::) Cold beer and good bar food with live music on Fridays. No doubt, the best bar of Varginha! Service note 10 and the wonderful menu!!! All done with excellence… Cozy atmosphere, perfect! That’s a restaurant where you can go and try every food on the menu. Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pingacomtorresmo?rf=200922129928725&filter=3
For info Varghina has a good bus terminal or rodoviaria with connection to all the big cities like Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro etc. More info here: https://www.guichevirtual.com.br/rodoviaria/varginha-mg
There was a big project to open a mall or shopping center just outiside Varghina call Via Café; this is huge and awaiting stores and completion. I am happy to tell you is open and will surely visit if have another opportunity to visit the area. More info (have it on foodie section for stores go to lojas) here: https://viacafegardenshopping.com.br/gastronomia/
The State of Minas Gerais tourism in Portuguese here: http://www.minasgerais.com.br/pt/roteiros/buscar/2
I went by car to Descalvado in the countryside of the State of Sao Paulo, the main sight in city center is the Church of Nossa Senhora do Belem is imposing in the town. The hotel Descalvado was just across the street , the only one, more like a truck stop hotel but decent, clean ,and friendly service. My home away from home for the last 9 years there!!! road warrior from here to Brazil! I am already missing it…! Here is their official page and history in Portuguese: http://www.descalvadoonline.com.br/hoteldescalvado/historia.htm
We had breakfast all you can eat and room for about 27€! per night. I stayed two nights here enjoying the country life. For dinner I try the new Japanese restaurant here Nintai, newly open and friendly welcome with buffet all you can eat and beers. Unfortunately, this one is close and just here for the memories. For dinner I try Cabana Churrasqueria, a big place lively with local people and local food steakhouse all you can eat with great desserts! and course beers Original Antarctica! This is my central here, always great! and already looking forward to be back! Their webpage here: https://www.espacocabana.com.br/
A better looking Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/cabanachurrascaria/
I have come to Paulinia couple times, as also a new town created in 1964 carved out of part of Campinas. The term Paulínia is a tribute to José Paulino Nogueira, a farmer from Campinas, one of the owners of Fazenda do Funil, located between the current cities of Paulínia and Cosmópolis. The village that gave rise to the town of Paulínia was called Vila José Paulino until 1944, when a state decree prohibited localities from having names of living persons. Due to this fact, the village was elevated to a district with the name Paulínia. It is now 118 km from Sao Paulo city. Paulinia is not for the tourist curious but more business , however, good to be here and see the other side of the country always fascinating and educational.
I had dinner needed to go on the road to Campinas at the Churrascaria Estancia Grill, a big place with friendly service and the typical Brazilian grill house with all kinds of cuts of meats, salads buffets,and desserts with beers was a great place and good company. Many memorable lunches here with old friends and new ones met there too! More info here: https://www.estanciacampinas.com.br/
More on the history of the city of Paulina from the local government page in Portuguese: http://www.paulinia.sp.gov.br/cidade
I always came here by car from the Guarulhos – Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport in Sao Paulo on the SP 332. More from the chamber of Paulinia on its history in Portuguese here: https://www.camarapaulinia.sp.gov.br/cmp/historia/
The association of tourist offices for the State of Sao Paulo in English is here: http://aprecesp.com.br/quem_somos_en
The convention center for tourism of the city of Sao Paulo here for info: https://visitesaopaulo.com/#googtrans(pt|en)
Therefore, now you know some new places in Brazil , some known some don’t off the beaten path, this is a huge country , lots of good things to see and do. Hope you like the post and give you some ideas to go deeper into the countryside. Varghina, Descalvado, and Paulinia will stayed on in my memory of good times and good friends; always looking forward to be back.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply