DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON
DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON LOCATION ones, have brought Paraty’s culinary tradition to new heights. Sandi Hotel’s Pupu’s Panc Party (pupus.com.br), Gustavo Bauer and chef Bernardo Arthuzo Mendes’s casual restaurant, is surprising in the best possible way, offering high-quality and mouthwatering dishes served in a superchilled vibe. Get there early to snap up the freshest sea bass and mackerel sashimis, shrimp and fish tacos or the grilled octopus, all accompanied by Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANCs), great drinks and fantastic playlist. Opt for lunch with a sprawling beachfront view from the top of Pontal hill at O Mercador (omercadorparaty. com). Cordon Bleu-trained chef Kadu Castro serves exquisite plates using super-fresh local ingredients; the daily fish moqueca and spaghetti al mare with shrimp, fish and octopus are just perfect. For typical caiçara food with a contemporary touch and farm-to-table concept, head for chef Fabian Sasso’s Quintal das Letras (pousadaliteraria.com.br) at Pousada Literária, and try his mexidinho do mar, served with seafood and black rice, or the banana-crusted fish. At the foodie mecca Gastromar (gastromarparaty. com), chef Gisele Schmitt has created an incredible experience: a yacht restaurant called Sem Pressa (no hurry), which sails into a restaurant at the Imperial Marina of Paraty. It’s an anchorage full of good surprises, not only in the menu with the freshest seafood and Japanese plates, but also in the surroundings, with art, fashion and decor. The menu is beyond delicious, and the place is unique – you’ll want to drop anchor and stay there. Also excellent is Banana da Terra (restaurantebananadaterra. com.br) by chef Ana Bueno. The fish loin with banana purée and Mata Atlantic sauce, or the wine-cooked octopus with paprika mayo and sweet potatoes, are as great as the wine list. Likewise of note is Punto di Vino (puntodivino.com.br), where chef Pippo is famous for his seafood pasta and thin-crusted pizzas served in a congenial atmosphere. Refúgio (@refugioparaty), too, has great ambience. Ask for a table outside overlooking the old pier – start with the oysters and fresh shrimp, continue with peixe al mare, and finish off with the Paçoca de Banana. Next door, at Hulla Sushi & Bar (@hullaparaty), get a three-lemon caipirinha or a Jorge Amado, and ask Isa and Gio to bring you the fish carpaccio and the scallop trio with tucupi. For post-prandials, head to Sandi Hotel’s Apothekario (sandihotel.com.br), a lively cocktaillab bar where creative mixologist Alê D’Agostino serves the best craft drinks in town. There’s also live music and great energy. Retail Therapy A few hot spots in the town centre for treasures to take back home. LIVRARIA DAS MARÉS The coolest bookstore in town with a coffeehouse in the back. pousadaliteraria.com.br C.A.N.O.A. Indigenous and artisanal items in a well-curated selection. canoaarteindigena.com DAS COISAS NATURAIS DO BRASIL The natural world is the star in this art gallery. dascoisasnaturais dobrasil.com.br STUDIO BANANAL Art, ceramics and design objects with local roots. @studiobananal) Cachaça Now Brazil’s answer to rum – and star of the caipirinha cocktail – cachaça is one of the spirit world’s hidden gems. The town produces some of the finest cachaças in Brazil: go to alambiques MARIA IZABEL (mariaizabel.com.br) and PARATIANA (cachacaparatiana. com.br) for visits and tastings. 50 Sandi Hotel, housed in a palm-fringed cluster of colonial edifices MARCELO ISOLA
LIKE NOWHERE ELSE WITH NO ONE ELSE In the Great Barrier Reef, nature’s luxury is all around. Only Lizard Island Resort puts you right in the middle of this magical world. Out here, you have the beaches virtually to yourself, along with exquisite dining and customised activities. Make yourself at home – you have the keys to the whole island. EXPLORE PARADISE. LizardIsland.com.au 1800 837 204 | luxury-aus@delawarenorth.com or for more information, please call your Platinum Travel Service on 1800 673 760 (Australia), or 0800 377 421 (New Zealand)
