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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. | 
