The rooftop restaurant：Vecchia Toscana

🌄 3.5 Hours from São Paulo | Escape to Brazil's "Little Switzerland" and Its Hilltop Delights 🌄 🚗 The Journey: From City to Clouds Drive southeast from São Paulo along BR-116, and in 3.5 hours, you’ll reach Campos do Jordão, an 1,800m-altitude town nicknamed "Brazil’s Little Switzerland." Wooden chalets with Alpine-style roofs dot the landscape, their stone paths lined with vintage lanterns and the scent of pine in the air—like stepping into a storybook alpine village. 🏔️ Skip the Sights, Feast Instead Tourist spots here are underwhelming (hello, mediocre cable car rides and basic parks), but the restaurants steal the show. Two must-visits: 🍴 Hilltop Italian Romance: Vecchia Toscana 📍 Location: Perched high above town, accessible by car or taxi, with panoramic views of rolling hills and distant peaks. ✨ Vibe: A wooden terrace strung with fairy lights. Visit at sunset (18:30-19:30) to dine under a pink-gold sky while Italian ballads play—pure Tuscany vibes. What to Order: Truffle & Porcini Pizza: Thin-crust pizza topped with earthy porcini mushrooms and truffle oil, baked to crispy perfection. Osso Buco with Risotto: Tender braised veal shanks served over creamy saffron risotto. Pair with a glass of Brazilian malbec for peak coziness. 💡 Tip: Reserve a window table in advance for front-row seats to the sunset show—ideal for dates or intimate gatherings. 🍖 Mountain Grill Feast: Restaurante Bonanza Grill 📍 Location: A rustic log cabin in the woods on the outskirts of town, marked by a giant outdoor grill billowing smoky aromas. ✨ Vibe: Rough-around-the-edges charm with communal wooden tables. Watch chefs skewer slabs of meat on long rods, flipping them over open flames. Must-Try: Picanha Steak: Brazil’s iconic grilled sirloin—charred on the outside, juicy and tender within. Served with coarse salt and farofa (toasted manioc flour) for an authentic taste. Sausage Platter: A mix of garlicky linguiça and spicy chorizo, perfect for sharing over cold beers. 🍫 Beware the Chocolate Trap The town markets itself as a chocolate haven, but my hot chocolate was a syrupy disaster—so sweet it felt like drinking liquid candy. Stick to small shops selling handmade truffles (try the coffee or caramel flavors) instead, or opt for a scoop of artisanal fig gelato at Gelateria del Bosco. 🌿 Why This Works for Your Weekend Proximity: Close enough for a day trip, yet worlds apart from São Paulo’s stress. Vibe: Cozy, unpretentious, and perfect for unwinding—whether hiking misty trails or simply sipping wine by a fireplace in a wooden chalet. Do This: Rent a cabin, visit Vecchia Toscana for sunset, and let the mountain air wash away your "office energy." 📍 How to Find Vecchia Toscana: Plug the name into Google Maps—follow the winding roads up, and trust the scent of wood-fired pizza guiding you. #BrazilWeekend #SaoPauloEscape #CamposdoJordao #HilltopDining