Halfway between Rio and São Paulo is one of our favourite places in Brazil: the immaculately preserved colonial town of Paraty, where literature and luxury meet.
Framed by warm sands and tropical mountains, this jewel of the Costa Verde hosts the annual Paraty Literary Festival, which draws authors, artists, and literary lovers from around the globe every July.
Staged together with the town of Paraty, the Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty, or “Flip,” is a cultural statement. The event has been successful year after year since 2003, when internationally renowned authors first gathered here amidst the sparkling backdrop of the Atlantic Rainforest.
When an influx of creatives and city dwellers made their way to Paraty in the latter half of the 20th Century, they breathed new life into this otherwise isolated town by renovating colonial edifices into homes, galleries, cafés, and boutique hotels. The artsy revival of Paraty laid the groundwork for English publisher and Bloomsbury co-founder, Liz Calder, who lived in Brazil and acted as a literary agent for several local authors, to dream up the town’s annual arts festival that is now one of the leading literary events in South America.
The five-day fair offers an experience infused with literature, art, music and film. Come shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest names in modern literature and get to know some of the rising stars of the literary world. Absorb the creative energy of the festival during daily lectures, discussions, and literary workshops. The itinerary also includes events for children and young adults.
In between festival events, explore the whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets and dazzling natural surroundings of your host city. Should you save time for a little luxury, we’ll take you out by sailboat to a private beach for a spoiling lunch of grilled lobster and champagne, before returning for massages and cocktails in one of our favourite little boutique hotels.
The striking natural landscape of Paraty begs to be explored. There are countless hiking trails, waterfalls, and beaches to discover within the massive Serra da Bocaina National Park, and a treasure map of small islands and sandy coves throughout the Barioca Bay that are easily accessible by schooner or speedboat. This lush region between the Altantic Rainforest and the emerald sea is known for its sugarcane production, and thus, some of the best cachaça in the world. Taste a bit of Paraty’s history at a cachaça distillery, or simply from the beach with a cold caipirinha in hand.
Drinks are paired with a colorful gastronomic selection that reflects the landscape of Paraty. Local fishing communities and restaurants make certain you have access to the freshest catches in the region.
A dream itinerary might combine 3 days in Brazil’s most emblematic tropical city, Rio de Janeiro, before heading south to the Paraty Literary Festival, finishing the journey amidst the immense plains and myriad wildlife of the Pantanal. With much distance to cover, we’re ready with boats, cars and helicopters to connect the dots.
Even if you’re unable to make it for the festival in July, Paraty’s year-round subtropical climate makes for an ideal holiday any time of year. Get in touch with our travel designers to learn more.
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