Parati, Brazil

The tiny harbor town of Parati (Paraty) is a colonial-era charmer, overlooking a protected  bay along Brazil’s Costa Verde, “the Green Coast.” Founded by the Portuguese in 1597, Parati flourished as a transportation hub during the 17^th and 18^th centuries after gold was discovered in the state of Minas Gerais. The port was all but forgotten after Brazil declared its independence in 1822; today, its time-warp Old Town — designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 — the largest concentration of colonial architecture in the country. Spend some time wandering its pedestrianized cobblestone streets, admiring the elegant churches and whitewashed buildings with colorful trim. Forte Defensor Perpétuo — in the 18^th century to protect the town from pirates — features a small museum and mesmerizing views. The historic Caminho do Ouro or Gold Trail is a 1,200-mile-long thoroughfare laid by slaves that connected Minas Gerais with neighboring states; you can follow a stretch from Parati through lush Atlantic rainforest in Serra da Bocaina National Park, stopping at a series of waterfalls and freshwater pools.