This is one of Brazil's most beautiful tourist routes to take by car. Driving through the mountains of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, known as the Serras Gaúchas, will take you into a magnificent natural area made up of valleys, canyons, rivers, waterfalls, caverns and tunnels.

The Serras Gaúchas are located in the temperate zone in the South of Brazil. There are four well-defined seasons and it's a good place to visit any time of year.

The best way to get there is to rent a car in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, and then drive toward any of the 47 municipalities that make up the region. In addition to beautiful nature, you'll find generous portions of good food, together with the wine and the hospitality of the descendants of Italian and German immigrants who live in small, charming towns.

One of the most interesting things to do is see how wine is made at small, family wineries or larger, well-established ones in the town of Bento Gonçalves. Winter, with its cool temperatures and more intimate atmosphere, is the perfect time for a couple to take a romantic getaway here. If you like adventure and getting out in nature, you'll love the region's ecotourism activities. One of the biggest attractions is rafting on the Antas River and its tributaries. If you're traveling with children, they'll love the town of Gramado's Christmas Light festival.