New Year's Eve far from Copacabana: 6 countdowns with fireworks and without stepping on anyone
Copacabana's Réveillon (the Brazilian New Year's Eve tradition) draws 2.6 million people — the largest single-beach New Year's gathering in the world. In 2026 that meant decent lodging starting at USD 720/night, fixed-menu restaurants at USD 108/person, and post-midnight Uber rides charging USD 54 for a 4-km hop. Searches for "Réveillon without crowds" are up 130% since 2023. Here are 6 alternatives that actually work — ranked by price, access, crowd size, and fireworks.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 18
Estrada Real by car: 7 days between Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and Diamantina (with map, stops and where NOT to eat)
The Estrada Real (the colonial Royal Road, originally used to transport gold and diamonds from Minas Gerais to coastal ports) stretches 1,700 km across three branches. This itinerary focuses on the Caminho dos Diamantes — the historic stretch linking Ouro Preto to Diamantina via Mariana, Tiradentes, Congonhas and Serro. Seven days by car, with where to sleep, where to eat, and a frank warning about the restaurants in front of every main church that show up in every guidebook and never deliver the value.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 13
2 articles · #tiradentes