We just got back from a 10 dyas trip to Rio Grande do Sul. We visited the

wineyard region (Bento Gonçalves), found out some small new ones which are

producing very good wine at a reasonable price,

and from there we went to the canyons (Itaimbezinho, Fortaleza and Malacara)

Actually I only visited the 2 first ones, for the Malacara one was too

long

and too hard for me to climb (that is what everyone said). (see Tynda's note below)

Was very nice.

The weather just gorgeous - sunny all of the time, cold, yes, but warm at

noon. We left Cambará do Sul (where we lodged) with temperatures at 7ºC and

arrived in Joinville with temperatures at 22ºC, as you can see - even in the

winter Joinville is always warm!

ANNE

TYNDA'S NOTE ABOUT MALACARA

TREASURES OF THE SOUTH

Aparados da Serra & Serra Geral National Parks - Rio Grande do Sul / Santa Catarina

The "Aparados da Serra" region, on the border of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states, holds one of the most mysterious and fascinating landscapes in the country. In the araucarias forest zone, the wide and cold lands at the top of the mountains suddenly come to an end, without any transition, forming edges and abysses up 1.200 meters high, as they were "sharpened by a knife". By the coastal plains, at the bottom of the mountains, crystal Water Rivers and gigantic rocks draw scenery surrounded by the Atlantic Forest and several waterfalls.

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