walk with the kids

Hopi Hari’s adrenaline

Nervous laughter, terrified screams and tense expressions: this is the atmosphere at Hopi Hari, in Itupeva (SP), at km 72 of Rodovia dos Bandeirantes.

The attractions, with five themed options, yield a whole day of fun. A trademark of the place, La Tour Ei_el is an elevator that drops from 70 meters high, giving the sensation of free fall, in three seconds. The toy, one of the champions in the “butterflies in the stomach” category, competes with the Montezum roller coasters, with fast curves, precipices and trepidation, and Vurang, in which the cart slides in the dark!

There is also a 3D cinema and a good play area for the kids. There is no lack of classics, such as the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, theater and electronic entertainment.

Entry value: BRL 69.90*. Children up to 3 years old do not pay.
Tip: in advance, you can buy discounted tickets on the website (hopihari.com.br).

Where to stay

Quality Resort & Convention Center
During the week, due to its excellent structure for conventions, the hotel hosts events and welcomes guests who are in town on business. On weekends, however, suits give way to families – Quality is opposite the Hopi Hari and Wet’n Wild parks and next to the Outlet Premium mall. The varied leisure area has year-round recreation, mini golf, bicycles and a games room with arcade.
Phone: (11) 2136-5300, www.qualityresortitupeva.com.br.

In Jundiaí, 21 km from Hopi Hari:
Serra de Jundiaí
It is located in the access road to the city, close to restaurants and shopping centers. The accommodations are simple but cozy and equipped with air conditioning, a box spring bed and goose feather pillows. In the leisure area there is a swimming pool with a nice solarium and also a sports court.
Phone: (11) 4582-4113, www.hotelserradejundiai.com.br.

Millian
Inaugurated in 2008 on one of the main avenues of Jundiaí, the hotel has very new and preserved environments. In the rooms, all of the same standard, there is a box-spring bed, cable TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Phone: (11) 3395-4499, www.millianhotel.com.br.

Where to eat

Applebee’s (varied)
It follows the standard of the American chain, with attentive service, an eclectic menu and hearty recipes (some of which are very caloric). Good accompaniment for shopping, but be aware of the restricted dinner hours.
Rod. dos Bandeirantes, km 72 (Premium Outlet). Phone: (11) 4496-7100. 12h/21h. Cc: A, D, M, V; CD: M, R, V.

In Jundiaí, 21 km from Hopi Hari:
Picanharia (meat)
The meats are prepared on the griddle and have an unusual seasoning, based on salt, butter and soy sauce. The flagship is the picanha, but there is no shortage of Argentine cuts (bife ancho) and American cuts (t-bone).
R. Augusto da Silva Palhares, 70 (V. Arens). Phone: (11) 4607-2888. 11am/11pm. Cc: A, D, M, V; CD: M, R, V.

Roma Mia (Italian)
Homemade fresh pasta, recipes with a foot in the classic, but an environment far from the canteen universe – the small lounge is modern and cozy. Among the most ordered dishes, gnocchi with rib ragout.
R.Br. from Teffé, 572 (Anhangabaú). Phone: (11) 4521-5339. Tue/Fri 11:30/15:00, 19:00/23:00, Sat 12:00/15:00, 19:00/00:00, Sun 12:00/16:00. Cc: A, D, M, V; CD: M, R, V.

What to see

Wet’n Wild
Seven million liters of water supply the American brand’s water park, quite a refreshment for hot days. There are 15 rides, including the radical Kamikaze (two 18-meter-high parallel waterslides) and the Space Bowl (after going down a waterslide, you spin around in a whirlpool until you fall into the pool). Two quieter attractions: the Wave Lagoon, a pool with waves of various heights, and the Lazy River, a rushing river where children party. As prices and schedules vary greatly during the year, it is worth consulting wetnwild.com.br. Wet’n Wild is next door to Hopi Hari, but belongs to the city of Vinhedo.
Rod. dos Bandeirantes, km 72, 23 km. Phone: (11) 4496-8000. BRL 58*.

premium outlet
It is the first outlet of famous brands in the country. In the modern sheds, distributed along open-air corridors, brands such as Armani, Diesel, Nike and Ermenegildo Zegna sell products with up to 80% off. The food court – with Applebee’s, Subway and Vivenda do Camarão – completes the tour. Just don’t expect to find releases: as this is a stock outlet, the products are all from past collections.
Rod. dos Bandeirantes, km 72. Phone: (11) 4496-7000. 9am/9pm.

*price researched in September/2010