Enjoy the Most Beautiful City in the World!

 


Maracaña Football Stadium

Brazil is the only country 5-time football (soccer) world champion and Maracanã is the world’s biggest football stadium of its glory days, with an official world-record attendance of 199,854 for the 1950 World Cup Final against Uruguay. It is a very interesting visit even if you are not a football fan. The stadium will also host the final of 2014.


Botanical Garden

The 200 year-old garden is one of the ten most important in the world and defined by UNESCO as one of the reserves of biosphere. The visit consists in taking a stroll on your own along the centenary imperial palm trees and visiting the orchid house.


Samba City

Samba City is a pavillion where samba schools work on their floats for the following carnival. If you are not in Rio during the carnival time then this is your chance to see a float from close. Besides, you can see people dismantling the old floats and building new ones. Definitely a must visit!


Hangliding (Delta Flight)

Rio is one of the few cities in the world where you can hanglide over the city and land on the beach safe and sound. All you need to do is to run off the ramp together with your instructor (flights are in tandem) and follow his easy-to-follow instructions for the landing. I have done it and it is unforgettable.


Helicopter Tour

Besides visiting the city by land you can also do it by air. It is a short but very intense and unforgettable experience. I strongly recommend it. It is the only way to take a picture of Christ Statue from above it.

 

Christ Statue

Recently elected one of the 7 new wonders of the world, it is Rio’s most visited monument, situated at 710 meters (2,329 feet) above sea level on the top of Corcovado mountain. From there one can have a 360-degree view of the city.


Sugar Loaf

Rio’s second most visited monument. It is a 396-meter (1,299 feet) high one-block stone from where you can have a panoramic view to Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo beaches besides downtown, Rio-Niterói bridge and Guanabara bay.


Beaches Tour

Car tour of the beaches São Conrado (the beach where the hangliders land), Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. Opportunity of seeing and photographing locals enjoying a day at the beach surfing, jogging, walking, playing football or beach volleyball or just getting suntanned to show off at night.


Cultural Tour

Visit of Rio’s modern cathedral (a church different from all the others you have seen); Visit of the 17th century Saint Benedict Monastery’s Church (a gem of Brazilian religion art, Barrocco-style); Visit of the Sambadrome (where the Carnival parade takes place) and its museum;


Santa Tereza Bohemian Neighborhood

Hurry-free full visit to this 250-year old artistic neighborhood. Possibility to ride on the street-car (as long as it is not packed!); Walk along its main street; Visit of its most traditional hand crafted art store; Quick stop in front of former house of British train robber Ronald Biggs, who escaped jail and lived in Brazil for over 3 decades;