Rio de Janeiro - The marvelous city

One of my wildest and earliest dreams as a kid was to visit  Brasil. I remember watching the carnival in awe on TV. It didn't help being a big fan of brasilian football- who really isn't!?
I imagined myself playing football on the beach in Copa cabana, dancing happily in a Michael Jackson video or sitting carefree on the Selaron Steps after watching the Snoop and Pharrell Video.It was just a matter of time till destiny finally paved a way .

Rio fascinates with its extraordinary Landscape. It's a perfect unique mix between tropical mountains and the sea. Rio is modern and traditional, open and conservative all at the same time. Rio polarises, makes you fall in love with her and never want to leave.
Rio represents the complex mixture of different cultures and backgrounds in Brasil. It's after all the second largest city in Brasil. If you plan to visit Brasil for the first time or oly have a few days in Brasil, I would definitely recommend Rio as a first stop.
I had the time of life in Rio and I would like to share a few must-sees or activities to do, alone or with friends.

Christo Redentor
Chris the Redeemer is one of THE symbols of Rio.

The welcoming Jesus stands on top of the Corcovado Mountain. It can be seen form almost every part of Rio.You can get there by Bus or by Mini Vans. The easiest, definitely most fun and adventurous way is to get there via the Tram-Train.

You can get a Caipirinha at the Trainstation while waiting for the Train (it departs every 30minutes). Close to the tram Station is a cute little Café&Bistro- Folie a deux, i had one th best coffees in my life there. Definitely try the cookies,you won't regret it!
The view from the Christo is one of the most breathtaking in Rio. It's definetly worth the ride.
The Christo is  definitely a popular touristic site in Rio, so try to get there early in the morning to avoid masses of Tourists. There is a numerous amount of restaurants around the area for lunch breaks.

Copacabana

The iconic Copacabana is known  for it's breathtaking Beach, Bars, Nightclubs and High Class Hotels. Copacapana is trendy and most known among tourists.The most popular activity is to just hang out on the beach, sunbathe, Play Volleyball and eat till you drop dead. Coconuts and Caipirinhas are always available to keep you hydrated. There are numerous small coffee shops and cute boutiques around the promenade where you can buy/rent Surfing gear.

If you get tired of the beach activies,sunbathing and eating/drinking(this practically never happens) you can hike to Morrode Leme and enjoy the sunset.

Ipanema
Trendy with a much younger crowd. Ipanema has defintely more of a chilled vibe compared to Copacabana. You can go jogging on the beach at any time. Its amazing how many different kind of people you meet on the beach on early hours doing all kind of Sport activities. Ipanema, is in my opinion the place to stay in Rio. The neighbourhood is quite exclusive, the beach is beautiful and you can practice fishing or Surfing without any one questioning your motives. Safety is a big issue in Brasil,so its important to know where you can visit at particular hours without having to worry about thefts or hijacks- if you stick to particular areas you wouldn't have any problems.

There is tremendous amount of cheap, chic and expensive places to eat. The night life is quite diverse. You will always find a place to have fun nomatter what sexual orinetation, social/financial status or music preferences you have.
If you happen to be there on a sunday, take a look at the "Hippie Fair" to buy some souvenirs for friends and family back home.

Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)
Another breathtaking spot for a panormic view of  Rio! The safest way to get there is via the Cable Car, with the first stop being the peak of the Urca Mountain. Here you can just gaze at the peaceful Guanabara Bay.

Another way is by literally ascending the Sugar Loaf Mountain- I am definitly too much of a coward to try this but if you are looking for more adventurous events-why not!
Rio has many jaw-droping panoramas but being on the Sugar Loaf mountain was definitely one of my favorites. From here you can quitely absorb the magic and dynamics of the city.

Lapa/Santa Teresa

Access the vibrant Santa Teresa via the famous mosaic stairways and enjoy the area with numerous artwork and musicians. The adjacent  Lapa is well known for its night life. Lapa is the bohemian hot spot of Rio. Here you rub shoulders with fashionistas, foodies, artist, singers and bon-vivants. The street art and the architecture is pretty impressive. I would recommend you to take your time here, try the street food,talk to the people.Learn about the culture and the history of Rio.

Museum of tomorrow

This is a definitely a modern, futuristic and interactiv different approach to climate change and the preservation of of our planet. The Museum itself is a piece of art.

Watching the sunset  from the Museum is definetly an additional Highlight. The sourrounding Harbor area is worth a visit.

After the Museum, you can go for a bite at the Restorante Maua on top of the Museum of Arts(MAM).The view from the terrace is definitely worth the stay.

They say travelling leaves you speechless ,then turns you into a Story teller. Rio was definitely one of my favourite fairy tales.

I hope you enjoyed the post


Arlette