Located in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) is strongly associated with the Brazilian gold rush. Its name derives from the peculiar aspect of the mineral in the area, of slightly darker shade than regular gold. Its history dates back from the 18th<\/sup>\u00a0s\u00e9culo (century). After a descoberta (discovery) of gold deposits by the Bandeirantes \u2013 a kind of explorers – major gold rushes took place, leading to permanent settlement na regi\u00e3o (on the region).<\/p>\n Back when Ouro Preto was still a colony from Portugal, the city was appropriately named Vila Rica (Rich Village) and it used to be the former capital of the state. It is about 100 km (60 miles) from the now state capital, Belo Horizonte.<\/p>\n Among its many landmarks, such as the monumental Pra\u00e7a da Tiradentes, Ouro Preto has a large number of igrejas (churches) – some of which have been decorated with ouro (gold), fountains, chapels and museums that display religious art. It is a college town for the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (Federal University of Ouro Preto) and many of its moradores (residents) are students who live in Rep\u00fablicas, a type of fraternity house. The city is famous for the traditional carnival festivities celebrated across its streets that last for days, when Ouro Preto suddenly finds itself dealing with an even more intense intense influx of visitors. The Festival de Inverno (Winter Festival) in July is also uma boa oportunidade (a good opportunity) to get to know the city.<\/p>\n Tiradentes<\/strong><\/p>\n Localizada (Located) in Minas Gerais as well, Tiradentes is also a major tourist destination. As small as it is charmosa (charming), the city was named after the national martyr. It pays tribute to the hero who led the movimento revolucion\u00e1rio (revolutionary movement) that strived for independence from Portugal\u2019s colonial rule.<\/p>\n Tiradentes is noted for a number of events it holds ao longo do ano (throughout the year). The most important ones are the Festival de Gastronomia (Gastronomy Festival) in August, where chefs from abroad come to delight the tourists with the best dishes from the international cuisine as well as to provar (taste) the year-round comida mineira (mineira food). There is also the Festival de Cinema (Film Festival) in January. Attended by several prominent movie directors and focusing entirely on national productions, the event features workshops, debate and atra\u00e7\u00f5es musicais) musical attractions. Another highlight is the Maria-Fuma\u00e7a (Mary Smoke), a still operating steam locomotive that makes viagens di\u00e1rias (daily trips) from the station in Tiradentes to the also historical city of S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o Del Rey, a 12 km journey (7 miles).<\/p>\n Besides the casas hist\u00f3ricas (historical houses) and churches that compose its cen\u00e1rio (scenery), Tiradentes is also surrounded by montanhas (mountains), the imposing and striking Serra de S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9. Para aqueles que gostam de natureza (For those who are into nature), caves, waterfalls, trekking tours and parks are part of its attractions.<\/p>\n Paraty<\/strong><\/p>\n Possibly one of lugares mais deslumbrantes do Brasil (Brazil\u2019s most stunning places), Paraty is a prime touristic destination in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Its name is originalliy in Tupi, an indigenous language, and it means Rio de Peixe (River of Fish). Its beauty lies not only in its well-preserved colonial architecture, but also in the geographical space where it is situated: a region that assembles o litoral (the coast), the mountains and is surrounded by florestas e ilhas tropicais (tropical forests and islands).<\/p>\n Founded in the 16th<\/sup> century, the city also has a relation with the previously mentioned gold rush, and it was part of the so-called \u201cgold trail\u201d, uma estrada (a road) connecting Minas Gerais to Rio Janeiro that was used to transport gold and other goods – even slaves \u2013 before they were shipped overseas.<\/p>\n The historical center is home to many caf\u00e9s, bars, restaurants and shops, and no motorized vehicles are allowed, which makes it easier for tourists to walk freely down the cobblestone-paved streets. Depois de aproveitar (After enjoying) the history and culture of the historical center, one can focus on the belezas naturais (natural beauties) the city has to offer.<\/p>\n The village of Trindade is 30 km (18 miles) away from Paraty. It used to be a fisherman\u2019s village, but it was discovered by the hippies in the 70s and later ocuppied by adventurers and surfers. Now it has become a touristic spot with many awe-inspiring praias (beaches).<\/p>\n The Festival Liter\u00e1rio de Paraty- FLIP (International Literary Festival of Paraty) is also a major event that takes place in the city every July and has the presence of world-renowned authors discussing literature and their works, as well as musical events and lectures that draw a great number of students and intellectuals from Brazil and the resto do mundo (rest of the world).<\/p>\n![\"Ouro](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/portuguese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2015\/10\/ouro-preto-melhores-hoteis.jpg\")
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