Sitemap

Rio de Janeiro Luxury Vacation Guide: Rio de Janeiro Virtuoso Luxury Vacations, Tours and Hotel Advisors. Call 1-800-330-8820 to book now. Open every day!

South America Vacations

Brazil Vacations

Barra da Tijuca

Corcovado

Costa Verde

Ipanema

Jardim Botanico

Maracana Stadium

Niteroi

Nova Friburgo

Pao de Acucar

Parati

Petropolis

Praia da Urea

Praia de Sao Conrado

Praia do Arpoador

Praia do Botafogo

Praia do Flamengo

Praia do Leme

Praia Vermelha

Teresopolis

Rio de Janeiro

Advertise on this Site

Newsletter Sign Up
Bookmark this page
Email this page to a friend

Rio de Janeiro Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages



Amongst the most scenic cities in the world, it is said by locals, that when making the world, God spent a whole day working on Rio. Whether that is something to go by or not, the unique
Rio vibe has enchanted many and kept it over the years as one of the world's most desirable travel destinations despite urban violence. It has become the second home of many foreigners
who have fallen in love with Brazil, its lifestyle and vibrancy.

Nestled in the rolling hills which modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer holds as his inspiration, Rio is without a doubt one of Brazil's most alluring urban destinations. The luxury of ntouched rainforest, a beautiful setting, sophisticated yet relaxed social venues and a unique sense of style and music, fuse to provide
visitors with ample choice as to how best spend their time here.

The most gorgeous beaches with women and men to match, the most renowned samba schools, the largest soccer stadiums, the most corrupt policemen, and the most millionaires - Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) is what the inhabitants of Rio call it. "A city where love makes life more enchanting, where one can die more easily from love" is how the poet Vinicius de Moraes describes his native city.

Rio is a melting pot of Brazilian culture where the best and the worst of the country come together in full
exuberance. A first time visitor to Rio will be blown away with its incredible geographical setting and the sensuality of
its people. Below are some of the main aspects which we enjoy exploring in Rio.

BEACHES
More than any other city in the world, the inhabitants of Rio enjoy their beaches. Independent of age, color or social class the cariocas flock to the sand even at improbable times such as Monday mornings. The coexistence of all social classes creates a unique common ground where the rich and poor exchange
experiences, which has a significant effect on its society at large.

TROPICAL HEAVENS

Nestled in hills and flanked by sea and tropical rain forest, Rio has several spots that are off the beaten track and worth a visit, be it for their sheer peacefulness, natural beauty or otherwise little seen art collections. Such is the case with the Botanical Gardens, Parque Laje and the Burle Marx Residence.

MUSIC

Music is a way of life in Rio and venues for an encounter with it
range from specialized spectacle Halls and carnival rehearsals, to intimate gatherings in local bars. Professional Carnival groups
rehearse their samba all year for their long-awaited spectacle and joining one of these groups is an unforgettable experience. The vibrant and plural options of venues for live Brazilian music allow visitors to visit a different one each night.

BOHEMIAN RIO
 

On foot, by tram, bike, glider or car, Rio's scenery and charm captivates all visitors. A tram ride over the iconic Lapa Aqueduct to Santa Teresa discloses panoramic Rio from different angle, its bohemian neighborhood that has more of a village feel to it than any other part of the city. Artist studios, art collections housed in former quintessential family homes, quaint thrift and gift shops, restaurants and bars provide it with own special vibe.


IDEAL SEASON TO VISIT

Rio is a year-round destination. Carnaval (exact dates vary between February and March) and New Year’s Eve are once in a lifetime experiences in Rio with all hotels booked far in advance

IDEAL LENGTH OF STAY:

3 days : for first time visitors: Up to 7 days : if you have time to
explore

You can spend many days exploring Rio. Here are some of our suggestions:

Choose 1 of 3 different ways up the Sugar Loaf & take the cable car down.

(i) Morning walk (1250m) along the Claudio Coutinho track and cable car up both levels to the top.

(ii) A Moderate 40min. trek up Morro da Urca followed by a cable car ride up the Sugar Loaf.

(iii) A strenuous 2.5hrs assisted hike up Morro da Urca and the Sugar Loaf.

CORCOVADO WITH A TWIST: CARIOCA MIGRATIONS
Take the tram up to the Corcovado where the Christ the Redeemer is located. Enjoy this famous postcard site and explore the strategic view, perfect for tracing Rio’s urban
development in light of its topography.

BEYOND THE FAVELA: MORRINHO PROJECT
Visit to a 300m2 interactive mock-up of favelas in Rio, created by inhabitants of Favela do Pereirão. This is NOT a favela tour per se, but a visit to an NGO and their artwork recently reproduced at the Venice Biennale, acclaimed world over. It is a one-of-a-kind visit, you´ll see nothing like this on any other favela visit or art gallery in Rio.

Day Trips

CIDADE MARAVILHOSA: BAROQUE TO MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Half-day | Visit an impressive selection of iconic buildings in Rio starting with the striking Baroque Benedictine Monastery and ending the with modernist creations such as Niemeyer’s first project, Palácio Capanema.

Full Day Extension | Extend the day across the Guanabara Bay to the iconic Niemeyer Museum of Contemporary Art, incredible views back onto Rio.

THE GREEN BELT: RIO BEYOND THE BEACH
A walk or bike ride in the district of Jardim Botânico offers guests an authentic opportunity to experience a less seen side of Carioca life - away from the beach and nestled in the lush forest. Visits are made to the Botanical Gardens Parque Lage for a
drink at the famous eclectic–style coffee shop & a former modernist private home in Gávea, which today houses the family's private art collection.

Cari means "white" and oca "house": "White Man's House" is what the original inhabitants of this region, the Tamoio, called the dwellings of the first European settlers. The name stuck, and inhabitants of Rio have been called Cariocas ever since.

Today, Rio has a population of over six million in an area measuring slightly under 1,200 square kilometers; the population of metropolitan Rio exceeds 10 million. The city has many peaks, ridges and hills, the highest of which, Pico da Tijuca, rises to 1,022 meters. Typical of Rio are the bare and hump-like formations called morros, the most famous of which is Corcovado (The Hunchback), atop whose summit a statue of Christ presides.

More than anything else, this city's setting makes it one of the loveliest in the world. Rio is idyllically nestled between the tropical vegetation of the Serra do Mar and the glistening waters of Guanabara Bay. Internationally-renowned architects have provided Rio with buildings that other industrialized nations would be proud to have in their capital cities. Especially in the southern part of town, one never has the feeling of being in a monstrously-big metropolis.

A good way to begin seeing Rio is from the place where locals and tourists always come together: the expansive beaches. However, when strolling along the sands of the praias, as well as elsewhere in Rio, visitors should bear firmly in mind that certain basic precautions are in order because the glitter of the city has its dark side too: Rio is rife with pickpockets, con artists and muggers.

The City Center

Although vacationers seldom include it in their sightseeing plans, downtown Rio is definitely worth spending at least a morning or afternoon in. Indeed, visitors whose favorite holiday pastime is wandering through museums and old churches might even want to consider devoting two full days to exploring Rio's rich historical and architectural heritage, still fascinating despite the politically and economically motivated destruction brought about by 200 years of "progress." The Old City is comprised of the Centro and Lapa quarters, and extends roughly from the Church of Sao Bento to the modern Catedral de Sao Sebastiao. Many structures in the historic center of Rio have been superbly restored, and new paving stones have been laid in the streets and squares. The area has a fresh sheen to it that even extends to the centuries-old building materials, whose stately qualities are now much more in evidence.

The City can be reached by taking the Metro at Botafogo Station and getting off at the sixth stop, Carioca. Begin your walking tour of the area at lively Largo da Carioca (right outside the Metro station) by first taking the stairway to Morro Santo Antonio.

Our Virtuoso South America Travel Advisors will arrange a dream Rio de Janeiro vacation for you anytime you get the desire.

South America Rio de Janeiro
Vacation Planners

Book your Rio de Janeiro Vacation or Tour Here


Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise


Win A Windstar Cruise!
About Us

About Us

About Us Video

South America Vacation Feedback & Testimonials
South America Vacation Accommodations

South America Luxury Hotels & Resorts

South America Luxury Vacations

South America Luxury Tour & Vacation Packages
South America Travel Videos

1000's of Vacations, Cruises & Tour Videos

Exclusive South America Vacation Specials

Blog Specials
Travel Store

Travel Books

Travel Accessories

Travel Clothes
Helpful Travel Links

Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance

CSA Luxury Travel Insurance

Travel Guard Insurance

Passports & Visas

International Phone Service

VIP Service in Las Vegas

Other Helpful Vacation Links


Travel Agent Jobs

Travel Agent Jobs & Career Opportunities

Full Service Rio de Janeiro Vacation Planner
Click here to start planning a great South America vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to.Thank you very much! 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your South America vacation.

Worldwide Destinations, Tours and Vacation Guides

Africa

Asia

Australia

Canada

Caribbean

Central America

China

Europe

Fiji

Hawaii

Indian Ocean

India

Mexico Middle East New Zealand Russia
South America South Pacific Tahiti Islands United States

Luxury Cruises, Cruise Lines, Small Ship and River Cruises

Luxury Cruises

Cruise Destinations

River Cruises

Small Ship Cruises


Corporate Incentive Vacations, Tours, Cruises and Business Meetings

Corporate Groups

Incentive Travel

Business Meetings


5000 Specialty, Adventure, Experiential, Honeymoon and Family Vacations

Luxury Tours

Honeymoons

Family Vacations

Train Vacations

Specialty Vacations Private Jet Vacations Yachting Vacations Wine Tour Vacations

Travelwizard Information

About Us

Advertising Info

Contact Us

Home



asta_logo_140 Click 2006clialogo
We accept credit cards: masterc visa amex

During this time of price volatility in the Rio de Janeiro vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.

Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the Rio de Janeiro vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.

Travel Agent Career Opportunities

State of California seller of travel License No: 2061139-40
We are on the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll.

© 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Rio de Janeiro Vacations, Cruises and Custom Travel Packages Dept. All rights reserved.