Silversea Luxury Cruises A PARATY

Discover the verdant natural beauty and attractions of Serra da Bocaina National Park during this memorable half-day, off-road excursion.

Gold Trail

After tendering ashore, a short walk takes you to the parking area, from where you set out in a 4X4 vehicle for the scenic drive along the Gold Trail. En route, learn about its historic legacy.

Waterfalls

Your first stop is at the exquisite Pedra Branca Waterfall, the White Stones Waterfall, known as one of the most beautiful in Paraty. Have time for a swim if you wish.

Your drive continues on with a visit to the Pedra Branca Distillery. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the distillery; observe the artesian production process and sample organic 'cachaça', a typical Brazilian spirit made from sugar cane.

Next, re-board your 4X4 for the drive to visit Tobogao Waterfalls and the Gold Trail, the paved road built by African slaves in the 18^th Century to bring gold and precious stones out of the Brazilian interior and onto ships bound for Portugal.

Your tour concludes with approximate 30-minute return drive to the tender pier.

Discover the Colonial charm and sustainable farming lifestyle of Paraty during this immersive, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Paraty, Bananal Farm

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the 17th-century Bananal Farm, located approximately five miles (about eight kilometres) from the historic centre of Paraty. The farm was restored after thorough historical and architectural research, following the IPHAN criteria, which was conducted from references in documentary research and interviews. Today, the farm remains a superb example of how its legacy is intertwined with the history of Paraty and Brazil.

Guided Farm Tour, History, Sustainable Farming, Livestock, Construction and Living Techniques

Upon arrival, your guided tour of Bananal Farm, led by Forest Engineers or Agronomists, offers a unique look into the farm's history and sustainable farming, livestock, construction and living techniques. The first stop on your tour is at the restored Bananal Farmhouse, which dates from 1820 and offers a unique insight into the history of the property. Afterward, take a guided tour of the rest of the farm. Learn about the farm's agroforestry and organic garden production, along with sustainable livestock, building and living techniques. Following your tour, proceed for refreshments and an organic snack.

Historical Downtown Paraty, Guided Walking Tour

Next, re-board your coach, return to Paraty and head to the historical downtown area. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour. An UNESCO Historic National Monument and Historic Patrimony, Paraty is also renowned as a natural patrimony, as 65 percent of the town is located inside Serra da Bocaina National Park. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Go back in time with a visit to the 17th century Bananal Farm, located 8 km (5 miles) from the historic center of Paraty. This farm was carefully restored after thorough historical and architectural research, following the IPHAN criteria for historic and artistic preservation.

Meet your bilingual guide at the pier and travel 30 minutes to the farm for a guided tour with Forest Engineers or Agronomists that offers information not only on the agricultural area, but also regarding sustainable livestock and construction techniques as well as the history of the farm.

Highlights of your tour include the Historic House, where you learn the story of this farm, contemplating the history of the city of Paraty and Brazil through a visit to the Bananal Farmhouse dating from 1820. The farm has gone through the cycles of gold, sugar cane, coffee and tourism, seeing times of great rise and decay.

Also discover the two different types of agro-ecological food production methods that are used on the farm, learn the techniques of sustainable breeding of farm animals as you visit the chicken coop, cattle corral and goat corral, and tour the cheese factory. On this tour is also the opportunity to learn about the sustainable building techniques used to build the farmhouse, including the reuse of rainwater, the use of solar panels, and the walls that are built with local materials.

After your three-hour tour, enjoy a delicious lunch with the products made right on the farm. Return to Paraty and visit its historical downtown, which has earned Paraty its status as a UNESCO Historic National Monument and Historic Patrimony. Return to the pier.

Discover the splendid biodiversity of Paraty on this memorable birdwatching expedition. Paraty is considered one of the best places in the country for birdwatching. Over 450 species are found in the region, of which more than 120 are endemic to the region. This tour's itinerary features species that are found close to the sea, with some of these birds totally dependent on this type of environment.

Walk just 10 minutes from the Cais de Paraty without the need for transportation, visit the main points of the city, where it is possible to see local bird species along the way for a nearly three-hour birdwatching adventure. Stop to see the mangroves, historic squares and key bird sighting destinations less than 3km from the city center.

The final destination of this walk will be at the Perpetual Defender Fort (Forte do Defensor Perpétuo, first built in 1793 to protect against French and Dutch invasion), featuring a stunning view of the bay of Paraty. The return from the Fort to the Cais de Paraty can be done on foot or by van.

Internationally acclaimed Brazilian Chef Yara Roberts is well known in the arena of international chefs. Graduating from Boston University School of Culinary Arts, she also holds degrees from the Sorbonne and the École du Louvre. She was teaching at the Brazilian Academy of Cooking before moving to Paraty with her photographer husband, Richard Barclay Roberts.

She has been featured in UltraTravel and the New York Times. She is currently producing her own TV series with filmmaker Vivian Mester called Delicious Brazil, a show about culture and lifestyles utilising food as the medium.

Also the author of 'The Brazilian Table' a Julia Child First Book Award finalist and a finalist for the Gourmand International Cookbook Award, which is also featured on Amazon.com.

Cooking Demonstration

Meet your guide on the pier for the approximate one-hour walk and tour to Master Chef Yara Roberts's private home through the old historical district of Parati for this exciting hands-on cooking demonstration.

Being one of Brazil's most forthright advocates of its lifestyle and cuisine, during the demonstration you will be taking an intimate look at the regions of Minas Gerais, the Amazon and Bahia from a food perspective, providing a cultural lesson on the regions and their unique foods, along with learning cooking techniques and professional cooking tips.

Following the demonstration enjoy a special lunch and refreshments before returning to the pier.

Explore the charms of Serra da Bocaina and travel in time with the history and regional culture of Paraty on this adventure through the mountains and waterfalls of the region. Enjoy nature and discover the local culture of the city on this tour made for nature lovers and history buffs.

Begin your tour by boarding your 4x4 jeep at the Pier of Paraty. Travel 20 minutes to the Nacional Park of Serra da Bocaina, where many different species of trees and birds await your discovery. Meet your Gold Trail guide to begin your 90-minute hike, which allows you to learn some of the history of Brazil in the middle of the Atlantic Forest. Begin your hike in the restored and preserved trail from the 17th and 19th century made by the slaves that connected Paraty to Diamantina.

After the hike, arrive at Vila do Penha to visit the Tobogã waterfall, with an optional stop for swimming and picture-taking. After your swim, stop at the Alambique Pedra Branca Distillery to learn the local production process and taste a bit for yourself.

Your tour concludes with a visit to the Bromelia Exhibition, which features more than 500 species of bromelias, a brightly colored flowering plant native from tropical forests. Many species at the exhibition are endemic to the region. Others, more exotic, help to compose a rich collection with different colors and shapes.

Make the short 15-minute return trip to the pier.

Ride a horse through the trails of Serra da Bocaína National Park on this adventure that takes you galloping (or walking if you are a beginner!) through stunning panoramic views on horseback. Meet your bilingual guide at the pier and journey 20 minutes by van to the farm meeting point.

Your guide matches you with a horse that best suits your skill level so you are ready to embark on a scenic ride through the trails of Serra da Bocaína National Park. Beginners can enjoy a gentle walk along a scenic trail, while skilled riders can take their horse on a leisurely gallop.

Ride across this beautiful preserve to a waterfall where you can opt to go for a swim, taking in the landscape framed by mountains, and shaded by pine, cedars, and palm trees along the way. The ride in total is just under three hours, after which there is time to relax and see the center of Paraty for browsing before making the return trip to the ship.

Paddle the warm, protected waters of the bay of Paraty on this guided kayak trip to tropical islands and deserted sandy beaches on this active, fun tour for people who want to explore the natural beauty of the region. Your guide meets you at the tender disembarkation point. From there, it is a 10-minute journey by road to Jabaquara Beach where the kayak trip begins.

Learn or get a refresher on kayak safety for your double sea kayaks before you set out on the flat waters of the bay. No previous kayaking experience is necessary but sufficient fitness and balance to board and operate a kayak is required.

Paddle past Pombos and Itu islands and stop at Rosa Beach for swimming, refreshments and relaxation.

On the return to Jabaquara Beach is the chance to paddle through the mangrove, which is full of bright red crabs, providing the tide is high enough.

After kayaking enjoy some refreshing coconut water on the beach as you relax for a bit before heading back to Paraty old town. Transfer to the town and spend some time to browse the area before taking the tender back to the ship.

Explore a few of the 65 beautiful islands and beaches of Paraty during this swimming and snorkelling excursion to Vermelha Beach and Comprida Island.

Vermelha Beach

Depart the pier aboard a partially-shaded, two-mast schooner for the approximate 45-minute ride to Vermelha Beach, an idyllic paradise brimming with lush vegetation. During your 40-minute visit, you can relax and sunbathe on the beach, take a stroll along the shore, or go swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters.

Comprida Island

Next, embark the boat and continue on to Comprida Island, or 'Ilha Comprida'. This lovely island is renowned as a natural aquarium, especially when the crew drops rice in the water besides the boat. This attracts an abundance of fish, which then surround the boat and the people diving; an ideal photo opportunity. Your visit to Comprida Island also offers excellent swimming and snorkelling.

The boat offers security and comfort, and is partially shaded. Tropical fruit is served during the tour. Following your 40-minute visit to Comprida Island, embark your boat for the approximate 45-minute return ride to the pier.

Explore the history, architecture and splendid landmarks of Paraty during this scenic and informative walking tour through the city.

Unlike other Colonial cities, a unique blend of 18th-century architecture has earned Paraty its status as a UNESCO Historic National Monument and Historic Patrimony. Paraty is also renowned as a natural patrimony, as 65 percent of the town is located inside Serra da Bocaina National Park.

Walking Tour

Depart the pier for a guided walking tour through Paraty. Along the way, your guides will inform you about the legends and history of the last century during visits to the city's churches, museum and old houses. The tour is ideal for pictures and videos. Refreshments are served during the tour.

Following your walking tour, return to the pier on-foot.