Days 4-7: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation for 4 nights: Belmond Copacabana Palace (with exclusive VirtuWorldTravel amenities)
Just a 1-hour flight from Sao Paulo, Rio is the logical next step. And even if it weren’t, it’s such an unmissable city that we would recommend it no matter what.
This is a city of mountains, where you are never far away from a beautiful viewpoint. For
your visual pleasure, we suggest fitting at least one of the following lookouts into your schedule each day: Sugarloaf Mountain (take the cable car), Parque das Ruinas (for the view and live music), Mirante Dona Marta (a secret tourist-free spot), and Parque da Cidade de Niteroi (for sunsets). And of course, the unmissable Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer), best viewed over a private picnic breakfast at sunrise (call us for more information).
There are certain must-do activities for any trip to Rio. First, is a guided tour of the most interesting neighbourhoods – fashionable Ipanema, hip Santa Teresa, and historic Centro. Second is beach time – Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana beaches are the city’s most-loved and most exciting. Depending on the Posto (officially numbered section of the beach), you may find soccer games, surfing, sunbathers, families, Stand-Up Paddle Boarders, an LGTBQ crowd, or young couples. Third, is to delve into the local gourmet eats. The city is packed with excellent restaurants serving barbecued meats, seafood, farm-to-table vegetables, and creative takes on traditional dishes.
Don’t leave the city without tasting Brazil’s signature cocktail, the caipirinha (pronounced kai-peer-een-ya). Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, it’s a go-to for any night out (head to a Lapa samba club for the best music and dancing).
Virtu World Travel 