The city of Caxias do Sul stands in the far south of Brazil, in the southern-most state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is 8 miles north of Porto Alegre on the RS-122 road. Visitors who hire a car in Caxias do Sul will soon find it stands amid the picturesque Serra Gaucha Mountains. This is an area full of Italian and German influences in food, architecture and language. The scenery is renowned in Brazil: look out for the pretty Regiao das Hortensias (Hydrangea Region), wine-tasting vineyards and the Rota Romantica, a 'romantic' tourist route through the best bits of the mountains. Hugo Cantergiani Airport is five miles away.
Caxias do Sul is the centre of a wine-growing region, one of the richest cities in Brazil and a cultural hub for descendants of Italian settlers. If you have a hire car here you'll be able to explore the city easily. The highlights include a city museum, art gallery and cultural centre. It's a university city, with its own symphonic orchestra and an array of ancient churches. Look out for the ornate Bishop's Palace and the Sao Pelegrino Church. Its bronze front doors were made in Italy and shipped to Brazil. The mock medieval Chateau Lacave stands in gardens and is worth visiting for its impressive winery.
