Category Archives: Rio De Janeiro

Exploring Brazil beyond Rio de Janeiro

With world-famous beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, and the unique Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination in Brazil. But that doesn’t mean Rio is the only place worth visiting in Brazil.

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There are in fact so many fascinating cities and natural attractions in this South American country that a holidaymaker may end up facing the problem of plenty. Here are five splendid places to go to, if you plan to explore Brazil beyond Rio.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis has as many as 42 beaches to its name, and is definitely a beach-bummer’s haven. Here, you can expect all usual beach activities, ranging from sunbathing and swimming to surfing and scuba diving. A plethora of hotels and resorts offer amenities to suit families, couples and solo travellers alike. Barra da Lagoa, Praia da Joaquina and Praia Brava are among the must-visit beaches in Florianopolis. Praia da Galheta beach is well known as a place for sunbathing in the nude.

Brasilia

While it is likely that many foreigners have not heard of it, Brasilia is the charming capital of Brazil. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is filled with an amazing mix of modern and historical architecture. Head to the Paranoa Lake to feast your eyes on the panoramic lake and many splendid structures including the world-famous Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge. The Cathedral of Brasilia, Itamaraty Palace, and Supreme Federal Home are famed architectural marvels in the city.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls, on Brazil-Argentina border, is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world and is a true magnet for nature-lovers and adrenaline junkies alike. Enjoy splendid views of the falls, especially at the U-shaped Devil’s Throat, from the viewpoints on the Brazilian side. Also trek in the Iguacu National Park to explore the region’s exotic wild beauty. A helicopter ride will let you enjoy aerial views of the falls.

Upper Town, Salvador

If you’re a history buff, the Upper Town in Brazil’s former colonial capital will enthral you no end. The area boasts an awesome collection of colonial buildings, museums, historical churches and monasteries, most of which were built during the colonial era (17th and 18th century) in Brazil. It is now a UNESCO World-heritage site and a must-visit place for culture and history lovers. Some popular attractions in the area include the Museu da Cidade, Palácio Rio Branco, and the church of the Franciscan Third Order.

Holidays in Rio de Janeiro – Three of the Top Things to do in the Brazilian City

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city is a terrific holiday destination. A well-developed urban centre with Atlantic coast on one side and the mountains on the other, Rio provides a fascinating experience to the millions of tourists who visit here annually.

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The city is also gearing up for the mega event – Olympic 2016; new hotels and restaurants are mushrooming along the beaches, roads are being broadened, and transport infrastructure is being build up. It surely is an exciting time to be in the city. Here are some of the must-do activities in the Brazilian metropolis.

Marvel At the Enormity of Christ the Redeemer

Rio’s famous landmark, the imposing statue of Cristo Redentor is impossible to miss. Take a funicular train to reach the top of the 710 m high Corcovado hill for admiring not just this fascinating (32 meter tall) structure but also the marvellous views of the city. The train passes through the dense Tijuca forest, which brims with scenic vistas.

Enjoy Free Walking Tour of Downtown Rio

A few local agencies offer free walking tours through the cultural centre of the city. The tour usually begins from Carioca square and takes visitors through tiny pathways in the downtown area, known as Centro. Enjoy views of marvellous buildings, explore intriguing street arts or visit some popular tourist attractions such as the Imperial palace and the Selaron steps. The downtown brims with souvenir shops, cosy cafés and lively art galleries, making it a delightful place for one and all.

Visit the Beaches

No visit to Rio is complete without the fun and frolic at the legendary Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. With the fascinating blend of sun, sea and sand, these beaches are just fabulous.

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You can see men and women playing games of football and volleyball, or just laying on the sands to soak up the sun. Ipanema is a popular haunt for adrenaline junkies, with a variety of water sports to enjoy. If you’re looking for a tranquil retreat, head to Barra da Tijuca beach. Even in peak season, you might have the entire beach to yourself!

Tips for Attending Rio Carnival 2015, Brazil

Rio Carnival is the largest street party on earth. Hundreds of thousands of people descend upon Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the festival with songs, dances, parades and overall boisterous merrymaking.

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The festival is held 40 days before Easter and one of its main highlights is the Sambadrome Parade. There are many free parties and black tie balls for you to take part in if you are looking for a budget holiday. We have come up with some simple but useful tips for revellers.

Organizing flights, carnival tickets and costumes

As Rio is the world’s largest and most famous street celebration, lots of people from all parts of the will be joining in the fun. We recommend you to book your flights well in advance for two reasons. First, you may not be able to get tickets at the last moment; and second, even if seats are available, the price of those tickets will keep increasing as the date of the carnival gets closer. The next important thing is to check for accommodation options for the duration of your stay in the city.  You can either club your hotel reservations along with your flight bookings or you can choose to do them separately. However, it is important to book in advance as the chances of getting a room might be pretty slim at the last moment.

Precautions

You don’t need to be anxious or afraid about losing valuables and money if you take some precautions. Try to keep your camera out of sight as much as possible. Also keep it in a cheap bag to make it seem like a cheap knockoff. In fact, if possible, buy a cheap knockoff for the occasion. Instead of carrying your backpack on your back, put it in front of you and secure it with your passive arm. It is not advisable to wear expensive jewellery in the carnival, so get some cheap plastic or metal beads. Keep your money in secret pockets or –underwear– if possible, to avoid the chance of losing the money while dancing. Also make sure to withdraw some cash well in advance as the banks are closed during the carnival and the ATMs run out of cash.

Choosing the seats and costumes

It is very important to choose your seats during the carnival as getting a seat with an obstructed view may ruin all the fun.  You can get the best views of the Sambadrome Parade from the ground-level seats, known as cadeiras, the terrace seats, known as arquibancadas and box seats known as camarotes. It’s not mandatory to wear a costume but if you want authentic costumes, you may buy the same from the official website of the carnival. Most of the costumes available can be worn by men as well as women. After you’re all set for the carnival, just hit the streets and samba with the revellers. Some people also tend to exchange head gears or breastplates as a sign of goodwill.

Rio Carnival 2015 – A Chance to Peep into the Fun-Loving Soul of Brazil!

Rio Carnival  by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo/ CC     BYRio Carnival by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo/ CC BY

Whether you are a party animal, a samba dancer, a music freak or a culture vulture, mark 13th to 17th February on your 2015 calendar. Why? These five days are once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse in the invigorating extravaganza of the Brazil’s grandest fiesta i.e., Rio Carnival. The menu of this fiesta comprises of street parties, samba school nights, live bands and of course, Samba Parade. Here’s some more information on Rio Carnival 2015.

Samba Parade

This parade often shows up in the list of ‘Things to Do At least once in Life!’ Scores of travellers have already booked tickets aboard flights to Rio de Janeiro to be a part of this splendid parade. The main highlight of this parade is the competition between Samba schools! The synchronized dance moves, matching beats and ostentatious costumes add a distinctive flavour to the effervescence of the parade. Buy tickets for the Samba Parade to enjoy the captivating performances of various schools that are divided into various sections and wings. Carnival floats depict various themes and act as a division between wings.

Be a Part of a Performance

Numerous holidaymakers often inquire about participating in the Rio Carnival as a performer. If you are one of them, you just need to select the costume on the official website of the festival and send them your size details. You can select your currency to pay for the costume; the payment not only covers your costume but also your participation fee. But remember, to enjoy the performances of other samba schools, tourists need to buy separate tickets.

Tickets and Seats

There are six types of seats at the parade venue namely Grandstands, Open Front Boxes, Covered Grand Tier Boxes, Private Chairs, Party Lounge and Luxury Suites. Majority of tickets in Open Front Boxes for the main parade day have already been booked. Visit the official site to grab tickets for your preferred day at the earliest. Sybarites boarding flights to experience the magnificence of Rio carnival should not settle for anything less than Luxury Suites to continue with their luxurious trip to Brazil. These suites are known to offer the perfect view of the Samba Parade!

Rio de Janeiro Airport: Terminal Facilities and Ground Transportation

Rio de Janeiro International Airport, also known as Galeão International Airport, is the main airport serving the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Most of the travellers who are planning holidays to Brazil are more likely to book flights that land here. Given the significance of the airport as a gateway to an extremely popular holiday destination, it is important to be aware of various terminal facilities and transportation choices available for travellers who land at the airport and look to connect to various parts of the city and even county.

Eating

There is no dearth of eating options for people who land in the city and are all ready to pack some delectable fare after having to negotiate the boring food served in flights. The variety is heart-pleasing. From quick bites to full meals and from an espresso to a cook cocktail, choices are limitless for travellers landing off from flights. GIG Chopp & Grill, Restaurante De Moiselle, Air Café Palheta, Gate Zero Bar and Air Point are few of the several choices for foodies at the airport.

Shopping

Like eating, shopping is another popular airport activity that seems to have created a sort of traction among all new-age travellers. People are now looking as much to their shopping stint at the airport as they are to a holiday in the foreign city. Almost everything is available at the stores. Veronica Flowers & Gifts, Sodiler Bookstore, Linha do Horizonte, Palheta Artesato, Air Farma, Amigo Conveniencia and Brasil Rio are among the many stores that are located across different terminals of the airport.

To & from Rio de Janeiro International Airport

The Galeão International Airport is located 20kms from the city centre and bus, taxi and airport shuttle are few options available to those who wish to move around. Rio de Janeiro Airport Bus Service has four lines that are offered by the Real Auto Bus, serving travellers who wish to travel from the airport after disembarking flights. A host of taxi operators also maintain their presence at the airport to serve people who land from their flights and are looking to move around. Further, transfer companies are there to take care of the person’s transportation needs.

A Double Doze of Unparallel Luxury in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil!!

A Double Doze of Unparallel Luxury in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil!!

Rio de Janeiro, more commonly known as Rio is among Brazil’s largest and perhaps the country’s most popular tourist destination. The city is replete with loads of attractions and hence holds a special place in the hearts of keen vacationers. Further, the city’s annual celebration, Carnival, is a phenomenon that actually triggers the desire among many to book flights to the city. The city is a well developed tourist hub and has a well maintained hospitality infrastructure to cater to people who visit. The number of luxury hotels in Rio is going up, day by day. Take a look at two of the top accommodation choices for sybarites who plan holidays in Rio de Janeiro and board flights to get here!

Copacabana Palace

Copacabana Palace is amongst the most impressive hotels that are found in Rio. It is an extremely luxurious hotel and has an equally stunning stucco-fashioned architecture that’s created a fan following of its own. Most consider Copacabana Palace the best hotel in the city, and the list of its regular clients, that include celebrities, royalty and politicians, seem to agree! While the hotel’s rooms and suites are undeniably remarkable, the property’s recreational facilities and amenities are wonderful too, much to the delight of big spenders boarding flights to get here. There are swimming pools, tennis courts and volleyball courts. Further, the hotel has three floors of spa area, banquet and meeting spaces, and multiple restaurants.

The Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana

The Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is another popular 5-star property that has held its own in the flood of luxurious hotels in Rio de Janeiro. The resort is located on the very famous Copacabana beach and is undeniably an apt choice for beach bums who make no compromise on their comfort and luxuries. There are around 400 rooms at the hotel, with many room varieties for guests who have landed in the city after spending on flights! As far as services and facilities are concerned, there is simply no dearth of choices for guests. Even business travellers who have opted to stay at the hotel will find various kinds of business and conference facilities.