Recently, I came back from a trip that made me think a lot about time - about how we keep running out of it, getting lost in it, and almost forgetting to simply be present.

I went to Cambará do Sul, a place where time seems to breathe differently, between immense canyons and moments of silent contemplation. I was invited to visit the Parador and the Wood Hotel - names that may not mean much to you yet, but which I hope will arouse your curiosity by the end of this story.

The road there, from Porto Alegre, already sets the tone for what is to come: a gradual departure from the rush and a delicate approach to nature. Parador is a refuge, inspired by African lodges, but which deeply honors the culture of Rio Grande do Sul. It's not just a hotel, it's a place to feel part of the land, the stories and the flavors.

There, I experienced moments that remain etched in my taste buds and memory. I tasted serrano cheese, the kind that has a designation of origin, made by local producers who carry the history of generations in their hands. Tasting that cheese was more than taste, it was understanding resistance and the future.

And there was the country barbecue, prepared calmly, starting at five in the morning, on a spit stuck in the ground, cooking slowly. The smell, the taste, the perfect combination of pork sausage, pine nuts and a farofa made with yerba mate. Words are not enough.

And even though the Parador is an invitation to rest and immerse yourself, the surroundings are just as appealing. I went to the Aparados da Serra National Park, one of the oldest in Brazil, where I walked through the Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza canyons. There, guide Gustavo told me about geological history, about Pangea, Gondwana, about how all this formed the largest chain of canyons in Latin America. I felt small, part of something immense, and it was a good feeling - almost an invitation to respect the planet more.

I also met Dona Maribel Edira, from the Pareu people, who are fighting for the right to remain on that ancestral land. It was a lesson in history and humanity.

At night, the sky gave me a show of its own. From the top of a hill, guided by astrophotographer Egon Filter, I saw the Milky Way, Orion's belt and satellites. The silence and immensity of the universe taught me that life is much bigger than our accelerated clocks.

Then I headed to Gramado, a city I already knew, but this time I discovered its more authentic side. Vinolab had me playing wine alchemist, creating my own blend. At Giostra, I immersed myself in the cozy cuisine of chef Carla Pernambuco. At the Wood Hotel, I was enchanted by Ocre, chef Roberta Sudbrack's restaurant, which brings Brazil to the plate, valuing local and organic ingredients.

And then there was the sensory experience at Chocolateria Miroh, with chocolates made with care, respect and conscience - a production that looks after the planet and people.

Meeting businesses like this made me believe again. To believe that it is possible to travel with a positive impact, that tourism can be regenerative, that we can leave a legacy with every step.

It was a short trip, but it touched me deeply. It reminded me that we don't need to run so much. That slowing down is an act of caring, for ourselves, for others and for the world.

If you too dream of journeys that touch the soul, that welcome and transform, let me know. Let's discover this place in the world together.

With love,
Alice Assad