In the 19th century, first German and then Italian immigrants took their mules up the rugged Serra Gaucha in search of cheap fertile lands to farm. The legacy of these pioneers combined with the handsome scenery of the mountains, make the Serra Gaucha a trip to the past. The Germans settled the lower northeastern side of the range in the “Vale das Hortensias”. Typical timberframe architecture can be seen in places like Gramado and Canela, both famous for its chocolates, leather goods, flowered parks and beautiful scenery.

The Italians started vineyards on the higher grounds around Bento Gonçalves. The Immigrant Museum and the “living” museum of Caminhos da Pedra (Stone Pathways) celebrate the old Italian traditions. Sta Tereza is one of the best preserved towns. Antonio Prado was used as location for the Oscar nominated fi lm “O Quatrilho”.

In the wine country there are more than 20 family run vineyards to visit (and wines to taste) like Casa Valduga, Miolo, and Angheben. The best sparkling wines come from Garibaldi.

Araucaria forests once covered the higher areas of southern Brazil. These elegant pines can grow to more than 40 meters tall and live for 300 years and home to beautiful birds like the Azure Jay and the Red Spectacled Amazon. Most of the remaining fragments are in the Serra Gaucha. Two National Parks protect this vegetation type and are also home to Brazil’s magnifi cent canyons Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza.