Tourist trips by train are not as common in Brazil as in other destinations around the world, such as European countries. But that doesn't mean that the country's 30,000 kilometers of railway network don't have tours full of history and lush landscapes. The call tourism Rail is an opportunity to discover new destinations and Brazilian culture.
Check out five train trips through Brazil that are worth it:
1- Maria Fumaça, from Bento Gonçalves to Carlos Barbosa (RS)
Also known as the Wine Train, the journey aboard a Maria Fuma that connects Bento Gonçalves and Carlos Barbosa, in Rio Grande do Sul, is one of the best-known train rides in the country. It's a 23 km journey, totaling an hour and a half of immersion in the culture of Italian immigrants.
Throughout the entire stretch, the carriages become a stage for musical, theatrical and typical dance performances, in which artists invite the audience to participate. Additionally, travelers can taste wines, sparkling wines, grape juices and cheeses at the stations where the train stops. The tour is suitable for the whole family.
2- Train through Serra do Mar, from Curitiba to Morretes (PR)
A locomotive from the 1880s, which transported yerba mate and wood, provides a train ride full of beautiful landscapes. It covers a 110 km stretch of the Serra do Mar, between Curitiba and Morretes, in Paraná, in a journey of just over four hours.
It is a route through one of the most preserved Atlantic Forest areas in Brazil. Between green landscapes, stone walls and mountains, one of the most beautiful points is the view provided by the São João bridge. This is the ideal tour for those who are visiting the capital of Paraná and want to get to know the historic center of Morretes.
3- Gold Route Train, from Mariana to Ouro Preto (MG)
Anyone who wants to enjoy typical landscapes of the interior of Minas Gerais needs to visit the train that runs along the Gold Route. The railway passes through valleys, tunnels, waterfalls and stone walls, as well as 20th century properties.
It's an 18 km ride (approximately an hour's journey) on tracks built in 1883, on a locomotive whose carriages were recently restored by hand to maintain the original characteristics of the time.
4- Tourist Express, from São Paulo to Mogi das Cruzes, Jundiaí or Paranapiacaba (SP)
In São Paulo, CPTM (Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos) offers trips aboard a 1960s train, with staff dressed in costume. Travelers can board at the historic Luz station, in the capital, or at Prefeito Celso Daniel (Santo André) heading to Mogi das Cruzes, Jundiaí or Paranapiacaba (Santo André district).
During the journey, which takes an average of 90 minutes, tourists learn about the history of São Paulo's railways. In fact, the most popular stretch is Paranapiacaba, a village that was home to English employees who came to the country precisely to build the São Paulo railway in the 19th century. At the time, the implementation was aimed at disposing of coffee production.
Once there, travelers can see a piece of England in Brazil, as the typical architecture and fog of the European country are part of the scenery.
5- Forró Locomotive, from Campina Grande to Galante (PB)
During the June festival season, Locomotiva do Forró invites passengers to dance between Campina Grande, which claims to have the “largest São João in the world”, and the district of Galante, in Paraíba. The cars travel 84 km (approximately an hour and a half each way) filled with forró trios and lots of partying.
In Galante, passengers can disembark and enjoy the traditional festivities of this time of year, trying typical foods and lots of music.
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