Brazil is going through challenging times, but that hasn’t stopped amazing people and entrepreneurs from believing and creating breathtaking experiences in the country. Culture, art, and local people are resisting and holding firm to sustainable, original, and multicultural ethos to showcase a country that is all about heritage, the environment, and the cultures of the various parts of the world that made Brazil what it is: a land of magical possibilities.
Only an hour and a half from Riothrough the stunning mountains of the former Portuguese summer palace city of Petropolis, in the valleys that were once the playground of the largest indigenous tribe in Brazil, is the former coffee plantation region of Vassouras, a gem on its own. Yet the biggest attraction here is not the plantations or the stunning colonial architecture but an eco-garden that is a smaller, more bespoke, and personal version of the internationally renowned open-air contemporary art gallery Inhotim.
Uná Etê is the labor of love of two of Brazil’s most beloved musicians, Cristina Braga and Ricardo Medeiros, who have not only graced the country with their warm bass sounds and rhythms of classical and jazz, but also with their passion for the natural world and the environment. They created this enormous garden in the mountains of Rio to reconnect with heritage and natural energy that permeates every single note and intention of living in the country. It is a very special destination indeed.
The gardens are intertwined with sculptures from Brazilian artists and are divided into the sensorial aspects of human experience: sounds, textures, and fragrances. The interactive spaces allow the visitors to immerse themselves in water sculptures, produce sounds with bamboos and musical instruments -placed amongst the trees and to heal in the otherworldly crystal garden – a garden entirely made of stones from various corners of this mineral-rich country. They have a phenomenal musical festival and an array of cultural events throughout the year.
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Visitors to Rio de Janeiro often skip the countryside for the coast, which is a shame, since the region has a trove of natural beauty and history for enchanting days of cultural immersion and travel. From colonial architecture, a rich indigenous and African history, gastronomic hidden gems to experience the best of local produce, to amazing craft beer, cachaça and gin production – like Amázzoni Gin – the region is the perfect destination for an off-the-beaten path adventure for the wild hearts out there.
What I like the most here is that the region has everything one might want to see in Brazil: plenty of rainforests, national parks, wildlife galore, waterfalls, and a warm local culture, in addition to peace and quiet! A good balance after diving head first into Rio’s high-speed lifestyle.
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How to Get There
Uaná Etê is located in the city of Vassouras, and the region is easily reached by car or bus from Rio de Janeiro. Vassouras is a great place to be based in, with fantastic farmsteads. Uaná Etê also offers eco-cabins in the middle of the forest, for a starry night experience in the tropics.
