Gramado
Breathe in the fresh mountain air as you stroll through this quaint Bavarian-style town. Stop to enjoy the famous flower gardens and numerous cultural activities.
Walk through charming Black Lake Park and spend an afternoon rowing on the man-made lake. During the summer, let your kids ride on a pirate-themed boat and visit ice-cream vendors.
Take a picture in front of the town entrance at Portico via Taquaraand stroll through Nicoletti Square to people-watch. Stop at the Prefeitura Municipal de Gramadobuilding to admire typical German Tudor-style architecture that reflects the town’s European heritage.
The Mini Mundo park has carefully designed exhibits of miniature cities. Inspect the working model trains and the magical details of the tiny buildings and trees. Purchase tickets at the entrance and park your car nearby.
See the historic São Pedro Church in the middle of town with its German-influenced architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows. Visit in December to see an enchanting Christmas light display outside.
Wander around Le Jardin Parque de Lavanda and breathe in the perfumed scent of thousands of flowers blooming on this 8.5-acre (3.5-hectare) property dedicated to the cultivation of lavender and other flowering plants. Enter the grounds free of charge and have refreshments at the pleasant café. Spring and summer have the best flower displays.
Taste some of the region’s best wines on a tour of the Ravanello Winery, located just a 10-minute drive out of Gramado’s center. Contact the winery to request an English-speaking guide so you can learn about the winemaking process.
Find fantastic alpine-style lodges and resorts in the Gramado area. Book ahead as this is a very popular summer vacation spot.
Reach Gramado via the international airport, located 72 miles (115 kilometers) south in Porto Alegre, where you can rent a car or take a bus. Visit in spring and summer to view the famous flower gardens or enjoy the picturesque site of the city after a snowfall in winter.