Beautiful aristocratic town with many ornate mansions, among which is the palace of Pedro I, the first emperor of Brazil. We stayed in one of the mansions with beautiful azulejo tile murals, ornate light fixtures and windows. The town is not exclusive however, with large sections of it devoted to average Brazilians, with bustling shops and restaurants. The temperature at this time of year (summer season) is cooler and more pleasant than Rio. The road from Rio to Petropolis was a beautiful but rugged ride in the lush tropical mountains. We took another bus to Teresopolis to try to hike in a Serra dos Orgaos National Park, but it was closed due to rainy weather.
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