Blumenau Heritage (7.5 hours)

Discover the unique ambiance of German heritage and culture that prevails in some parts of southern Brazil and is most evident in Blumenau. The tour also offers the opportunity to see a large part of fertile, lush farm country along the 32-mile or 1-hour drive between Itajai or Portobelo and Blumenau.

Blumenau
Arriving at the outskirts of Blumenau, visit the Colonial Family Museum for insight of the city's first early settlers. Pay tribute to Blumenau's founder, Dr. Otto Blumenau, whose task it was to prepare the settling of the German immigrants along the banks of the Itajaí-Açu River, and admire the museums traditional alpine design.

Although early Blumenau was initially intended to develop as a farming community, the arrival of craftsmen introduced textiles, metallurgy and crystal manufacturing into the economy. Today, Brazil is known for its quartz-rich crystal, that is produced from the sand of Minas Gerais State, that become works of art at the crystal factory of Blumenau.
Next, your drive will proceed to the Bavarian Biergarten Pavilion, site of Blumenau's annual Oktoberfest.
There will be no festivity going on once it happens in October, but it is a must see as this Oktoberfest is the second largest outside of Germany.

Following your visit, your buffet lunch will be served at in one of the best local restaurant.
After lunch, you will have free time in the downtown of Blumenau that would give you an opportunity to really experience the town and take better pictures than only driving by.
Following the free time, you make your return drive to the pier in Portobelo and to the ship.