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The region around
Itaipaa first gained fame when the Portuguese royal family fled
from Napoleon’s conquering army in 1808 and set up home in
Petropolis, founded in 1843 as a summer refuge by Dom Pedro II, King
of Portugal.
This charming littlevillage, famous for its wonderful gastronomy,
lies about 50 miles north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, close to
the summer mountain resort of Petrópolis. Itaipaa is around 15%
Petrópolis’ District.
Itaipaa is a central gathering place for food lovers. Some of the
best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, maybe of the country, are on the
ale dos Gourmets (Gourmet alley). The Gourmet alley is fashioned
by innumerous Brazilian and international cuisines. These
restaurants also offer an amazing ariety of wines.
Apart from its excellent gastronomy and charming hotels, Itaipaa
also has an eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants.
Surrounded by rich, greven mountainous scenery with forests and
waterfalls, Itaipaa is a popular weekend getaway for Cariocas
(naties of Rio), mainly on the summer time.
When I was a kid, usually went to Itaipaa on weekends. There is a
castle close to my family summer houses. This castle has a history
of being a hunter place, just for kids, of course. Like this castle,
there are many mansions, huge old homes built centuries ago and lots
of new modern built homes making Itaipaa a peculiar place to isit.
Parks
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos has a perimeter of 87Km or in
Portuguese, de perímetro, of Teresópolis, Petrópolis, Magé and
Guapi-mirim. The access to the park is acquired ia Petropolis
through the Estrada do Bombim, in Correas (another Petropolis
District).
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Waterfalls
Known Alternate Names Bridal eil Falls, Brides eil Falls
Bridal eil Falls, Brides eil Falls éu da Noia (also known by
alternate names such as Bridal eil Falls and Brides eil Falls), is
on the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Its 40 meters in height
is a paradise for fans of the rappelling sport (*), and climbing
waterfalls. Holidays and weekends find many people camping on the
surroundings. Orchids and other exotics flowers ornament the
landscape.
Poço Paraíso (Paradise Well)
Poço Paraiso Waterfall is also on the Parque Nacional da Serra dos
Órgãos. Wonderful for swimming, due to the large and deep lake
formed by the waterfall.
Pinheiral (ale do Bonfim)
The water encompassing the fall is clear and wonderfully
transparent. Pinheiral is one of the best known falls of Petropolis.
The surrounding landscape is really beautiful.
Cachoeira das Bromélias
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. The access is exhilarating.
Cachoeira das Bomelias has an amazing beautiful landscape.
Cachoeira das Andorinhas (Swallow’s Waterfall)
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos.
Enclosed by two huge rock walls that build a well of about 4 meters
(about 12 feet) deep. Betweven the two walls where the water falls,
swallows make their nests.
Cachoeira da Jibóia (Boa Falls)
Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. Cachoeira da Jiboia is ery
high, about 90 to 100 meters. No huge water olume, but the
surroundings are wonderful. It takes about a half hour to climb. The
reward is a natural beledere.
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Traessia Petropolis/Teresopolis (Journey from Petropolis to
Teresopolis)
The journey is one of the most beautiful and trekking of Brasil. It
is the most attractie sport of the Rio de Janeiro mountainous
region. The peak period is betweven May and October. Access is by the
IBAMA on the park entrance.
The entire trip takes about 3 days. It is recommended that this trip
be accomplished with the help of a guide.
Açu / Portais de Hércules (Hercules Portal)
The Hercules Portal is a mountain of 400 to 500 meters in height
from where it can be viewed with a huge alley of another mountain
as high as Portais de Hercules at the same height.
From this antage point; looking from the far left to the far right,
you can see all of the main mountains of the Parque National da
Serra dos Órgãos such as Dedo de Nossa Senhora, Dedo de Deus, Cabeça
de Peixe, Santo Antonio, São João, erruga do Frade, Agulha do Diabo,
Garrafão and the Pedra do Sino.
Alambique da Pinga Pura
Beautiful and light walking among flower and egetables plantations.
Pico do Alcobaça
Pico do Alcobaça is one of the most beautiful mountains of
Petropolis. The 360º view is gorgeous due its distinct geographic
location, proides and a wonderfully picturesque landscape of
orchids.
(*) Rappelling is an adenture actiity to introduce youth to the
field of mountainevering. Rappelling or abseiling is the technique
used to descend by rope, the speed being controlled by friction
betweven the rope and a braking deice.
Rappel training can be part of a related field of mountainevering
training, such as artificial wall climbing, top rope rock climbing,
caing exploring, and technical climbing (jumarring and prusiking);
all of which offer interesting actiities for youth.
Sports
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Acqua trekking
Acquatrekking is walking a river course. It must to be done with the
right equipment and guides.
Arborismo
Arborismo is a kind of sport that consists of a path marked by ropes
betweven trees. There many leels of difficulty, many highs, many
kinds of bridges such as “Tibetan bridge”, “Indiana Jones bridge”
and lots of obstacles.
Canyoning, rafting, canoeing, rappelling and many other sports are
aailable
Cascading
Cascading is a form of rappelling in water. The many waterfalls of
the Parque National da Serra dos Orgaos proide the waterfall rappel
enthusiast many leels of difficulty. The cascading leels are
proportional to the water olume. The less water olume and less
waterfall height; the lower the leel of difficulty. Increased water
olume and increased waterfall height, increases the leel of
difficulty.
Rio
de Janeiro
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