This is a seriously full on destination. Remarkable in its geography and remarkable in its people, nothing will disappoint in this location, and for a luxury holiday your needs will be well met. If nothing more, the people of Rio de Janeiro revel in their (and your) sensuous lifestyle. This is evidenced in their festivities, and entertainment through to the days on the beach, where posing and displaying bodies is the norm.
This is a scrawling metropolis that has not only renowned beaches, but also enviable rainforests and awe inspiring views. From Sugar Loaf Mountain you can see the famed beaches immortalised in song and film of Copacabana and Ipanema. This is an ideal landscape: tropical rainforests, majestic mountains, and long beautiful beaches.
Ipenema is the trendy fashionista area, while Saint Teresa is the arty epi-centre where you can expect to be regaled with music and a lively environment based in this city. The local people of Rio de Janeiro are called Carioca and there is a dance based on the same name. The Carioca love to dance so brush up on your samba and your sensual moves as you are as likely to just dance in the street as going to an organised party.
Most people visit Rio de Janeiro for a taste of this non conformist lifestyle where the norm and the expected are by all illusions. Modesty and rigidity are to be left at the arrivals lounge. This is the place to discover or re-discover your sensual inner being.
Even the geography oozes this sensuality as can be felt in the world lushest rain forest – the Floresta da Tijuca where you will find hundreds of rare plants and wildlife. The massive Christo Redentor (Christ the redeemer) is on top of the Cordova Mountains who overlooks the city. Within this tropical rainforest, you will also happen upon the Mayrink Chapel, which is embellished with murals painted by Brazil’s famed artist Candido Portinari.
The language spoken in Rio de Janeiro is Portuguese, not Spanish as many assume. A few words will go a long with the locals.
Siesta time is a part and parcel of life in Rio because they party late into the night and party hard. So do avail yourself of siesta time and give yourself a fighting chance in the bar hopping evening culture. The local people know how to eat, to drink, to dress, and to play hard. So bring an attitude and an open mind – this is a great place to let loose.
The food is equally appealing with power packed smoothies, an inexpensive but vital local necessity. . These are made from acai, goji berries, or gurana. They are well recommended to ‘assist’ you keep up with the pace.
And I think we all know about the famous Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. It is a world famous festival held before Lent every year and considered the biggest carnaval in the world with two million people per day on the streets. The typical Rio carnival parade is filled with revellers, floats, and adornments from numerous samba schools.
This is Rio encapsulated. A not to be missed experience.
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Photo by alcindo-filho on Flickr
