Pousada Saúde Melhor

Start hols with leisurely explores of the small city of Extrema (10 minutes’ drive), wandering in and out of shops, clambering up and down hills, and sampling local eats in the handful of restaurants dotted about. If larger cities appeal – and lengthier journeys aren’t a problem – make tracks for Campinas (an hour and a half) and its museums, gardens, small zoo and T-Rex Park theme park, or for the sprawling financial centre of Brazil that is São Paulo (two hours), where visitors can explore art museums, street murals, botanical gardens, an aquarium, theatres and a couple of zoos. Time out in nature can be sorted with hikes up Pedra Partida (an hour and 25 minutes) or Pedra do Baú (two hours and 50 minutes), or with a trip to the themed gardens of Jardim dos Pinhais Ecco Parque (two hours and 35 minutes), where guests can wander about Japanese, mountain, desert and Canadian gardens.