For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
With its superabundance of natural beauty – mile-long tropical beaches, dramatic mountainscapes, lush jungle backdrop – Rio is one of the most attractive destinations on the planet. Add to that a population whose blazing spirit and passion are envied the world over: its glamorous citizens eschew conformity and dull days, and their energy enlivens every corner of this sprawling megacity-on-sea. From fashionable Ipanema to the arty, leafy community of Santa Teresa, the streets buzz with music, humour and the indefatigable Carioca spirit. Whether you’re a VIP in Joa (Brazil’s Beverly Hills), or a beach bum on Copacabana, life is lived at a hectic pace – dancing, flirting and posing are national pastimes. Caipirinhas, baile funk and bar hopping are all part of this electric ‘carpe diem’ culture, and never in more Technicolor glory than during Carnival, the tail-feathered, heart-racing, soul-uplifting celebration of life’s pleasures.
Floresta da Tijuca is the world’s biggest urban rainforest, with hundreds of rare species of plants and wildlife. It is also full of historical attractions, from the obvious Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) atop Corcovado mountain to the gem-like Mayrink Chapel, adorned with murals painted by one of Brazil’s best-known 20th-century artists, Candido Portinari.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Rio De Janeiro
La Suite is located in Joatinga, the Brazilian Beverly Hill;, a cliffside Rio boutique hotel with all the design requisites, and a stunning ocean view.
La Maison was the first Rio boutique hotel of its kind; its sophisticated decor could be straight from the pages of a fashion magazine.
Atop a cobbled hillside street in Rio's Santa Teresa, Relais Solar is replete with Brazilian-made furnishings, a creative boutique hotel with tropical gardens.
Casa 32 is a historic Rio mansion with an informal family feel; this two-suite treat is an architectural delight, with baroque carved ceilings and an imposing marble staircase.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
January Dia de São Sebastiao on the 20th sees a procession and a huge concert on Copacabana beach. February Carnival! Rio hosts the world’s biggest party, no contest (www.rio-carnival.net). June Fiery, folkloric fun across the city for the Festas Juninas. July Arte de Portas Abertas, when the artists of Santa Teresa open their doors to the public (www.chavemestra.com.br). September–October Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (www.festivaldorio.com.br), aka Festival do Rio, the most prominent movie mash-up in South America. December Reveillon: two million people dressed in white hit Copacabana beach for fireworks and New Year’s Eve fun.
Highly recommended, this restaurant on Rua Dias Ferreira has marbled walls and a sunken kitchen area where food is grilled in front of your eyes, then doused in mouthwatering sauces. It also produces best tortellini in the country, and a huge range of cocktails.
233 Rua Dias Ferreira, Rio De Janeiro
The Japanese diaspora is big in Brazil, so competition for the finest sushi restaurant is stiff. This hugely popular restaurant on Rua Dias Ferreira attracts a stellar clientele, and queues can be long, but it is worth the wait to sample its famous shrimp and foie gras.
It may be a little off the beaten path, but the quirky, art deco Restaurante Olympe in Jardim Botânico is where French superchef Claude Troisgros conjures up Gallic cuisine using fresh Brazilian ingredients.
Ipanema's charming pink and green Zazá Bistro serves up excellent Brazilian dishes with oriental influences. It has a lovely outside terrace, which is quite rare in Rio.
40 Rua Joana Angélica, Rio De Janeiro
This Leblon bar sells more than 500 examples of the national tipple, and make the best caipirinha in Rio.
26 Rua Conde de Bernadotte, Rio De Janeiro
This company created the first microbrewery beer in Rio in 2002. With five bars in Rio, including on Farme de Amoedo, Ipamema, this a hot spot for the young and beautiful of Rio.
©2009 Mr & Mrs Smith
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