CITY

Rio is a city that will amaze, delight and fascinate you. Rio is such an extraordinary city that its visitors are impressed at first sight by the climate and the striking landscape. From the sun-drenched beauty of its white sandy beaches to the generous hospitality of the "Cariocas" (as the town's natives are called), Rio offers a combination that is hard to match.

It is not only a beach resort combining tropical beauty and mountain views, but a sophisticated city as well. It is, without doubt, the world's most beautiful city.

TOUR

CORCOVADO & TIJUCA FOREST TOUR

Mountains, forests, beaches, lagoon and all sorts of tropical vegetation. It is not by accident, except of nature, that three of Rio's famous attractions are natural wonders. On this tour, you will visit the amazing Christ the Redeemer, which is one of these natural wonders we have just talked about. It stands on the top of the Corcovado Mountain (2,300 feet above sea level).

To get there, we will drive through the Laranjeiras residential district and the quaint Cosme Velho to the Corcovado train station, where you will board a cogwheel train for a 15-minute ride that crosses Tijuca forest - the largest urban forest in the world. It has 8,000 acres of tropical rain forest right in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. Once on the mountaintop, guests will be amazed with the construction of the statue, that consists of 120 feet of concrete and soapstone above the spectacular 360° view over the city.

The return itinerary will take you through the Rebouças Tunnel, which leads to the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a mirror lake borded by residential buidings and gracious mansions, rolling, green hills and exotic gardens. Returning to the hotel, you will be sure that you have enjoyed the most amazing tour in your life.

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MARACANÃ & RIO-NITERÓI BRIDGE

Drive along famous beaches and through Flamengo Park, cross the nine-mile long bridge over Guanabara Bay to the city of Niterói. You will visit Icaraí and São Francisco beaches. Returning to Rio, you will be taken to Maracanã Stadium, the world's largest sports stadium with a capacity for more than 150,000 spectators. This stadium is where the greatest soccer matches in Brazil are held. It is also a place where great shows take place, such as concerts by Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. After visiting this great place, you will tour downtown sectors and stop at the New Cathedral, an astonishing building in modern architecture with a capacity for 25,000 persons.

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RIO BY NIGHT (SAMBA SHOW & DINNER)

Driving along Rio's famous beaches at night, our tour guide will take you for dinner in one of Brazil's famous BBQ places, where you will taste the delicious "churrasco". The "rodízio" style of dining serves all sorts of meat in an all-you-can-eat-buffet. After dining, you will drive to the Plataforma show house to hear the spectacular Brazilian folk music. Carnival costumes and dances emphasizes on the world-famous "samba" and the beautiful "mulata" dancers. The exotic mystery that has passed from generation to generation and the poetic magic blended together in music and dance come through in this show that reflects the spirit of Brazil - a land where all races live together in permanent brotherhood.

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SUGAR LOAF & BEACHES TOUR

Carioca skyline soars 1,300 feet above the city, nearly the height of the man-made World Trade Center in New York City. Here is the Sugar Loaf mountain, where you will be taken on this tour. Starting at the hotel, you will drive along famous beaches, such as Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Leme, reaching Praia Vermelha or Red Beach, in the Urca district.

There, a cable car ascent is made in two stages toward the top of the Sugar Loaf mountain. It will take you three minutes to reach the the first stage, the Urca mountain., where the gardens and sightseeing view will invite you to enjoy this midway stop before proceeding to the peak. Arriving at it, the crescent of the Atlantic ocean beaches comes fully into view and you will be amazed and certain of the city's beauty. The return trip will be through Flamengo Park and there will also be a stop at the famous New Cathedral downtown.

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TIJUCA FOREST JEEP TOUR

Enter the Tijuca Forest by the Tree Farm where it is possible to see the contrast between the "stone jungle" and the tropical forest in the middle of a city. A 15 minute stop at the Monkeys' Waterfall" for the pax to have the opportunity to appreciate the religious syncretism existing in our country. A stop at "Vista Chinesa" to take pictures and listen to the history of the reforestation process of the Tijuca Forest and the importance of the Atlantic Jungle. A stop at Cascatinha (Taunay's waterfall) for refreshments and to see Mayrink's Chapel.

Trekking of approximately one hour through an easy trail, where the botanical aspect is developed. At this point, there is an explanation of how important it is to maintain the ecosystem. The pax will have direct contact with the local nature. Return by Açude da Solidão (Loneliness Dam) towards São Conrado, through Estrada das Canoas (Canoes Road) where the pax will watch the hang-gliding flights. At this time it will be possible to admire the three aspects of Rio de Janeiro - the so called Marvelous City- the city, the mountain and the sea.

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BOTANICAL GARDEN TOUR

The botanical garden of Rio de Janeiro was founded on June 13th , 1808, by his royal highness the prince regent D.João VI for the purpose of introducing and acclimatizing the spice-bearing plants which were brought from the east indies. These species were originally planted alongside the gunpowder works, established on the arrival of the Royal Family in Rio de Janeiro. Much remains from the original garden, particularly the central fountain of molded bronze, the first two statues cast in Rio de Janeiro by Master Valentim and most importantly, the road beginning at the main entrance lined with palm trees.

The "Palma Mater", planted by Dom João VI, was destroyed by lightning in 1973. The 340 acres contain trees and plants from around the world and Brazil.

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CULTURAL CITY TOUR

Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1565by Portuguese settlers between Dog Face Hill and Sugar Loaf in today's residential area of Urca district. Then the city was move to a more protected location which is now the site of downtown Rio. Many remnants of the colonial period are still in existence including ornate baroque churches, palatial mansions and several tree-filled plazas, grand monuments and fountains. In this tour, you will have the opportunity to see important historical places, churches and monuments. These are a few examples:

São Bento Monastery
The best example of religious Brazilian baroque art. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat at the end of the 17th century (1691) by the Benedictines. The enormous amount of gold leaf makes this Rio's richest catholic church. São Bento, located on a hill of the same name, is near Mauá's Square, at the end of Rio Branco Avenue, where cruise ships dock.

Bank of Brazil Cultural Center
Expositions of national and international artists, permanent exhibit of Brazilian currencies, two theaters, an auditorium, a cinema, a video room and exhibit areas.

Candelária Church
Downtown in (not on) one of Rio's major thoroughfares, Presidente Vargas Avenue is Nossa Senhora da Candelária Church. A church has been at this site since 1705; this constructions since 1775.

November XV Square
Here you find the oldest part of the colonial city near the waterfront but separated from the piers by President Kubitscheck Avenue. It contains the largest concentration of national monuments: the Imperial Palace, the Tiradentes Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, the Carmelite Convent and Church and the Telles Arch.

Municipal Theater
The theater was inaugurated in 1905 with capacity for 2,500 people. It was opened with stained glasses from Germany and Belgium, sculptures in oniz and bronze, small rooms with furniture decor Louis XV, tapestry in Aubusson specially made for the Theater.

Lapa Arches
The Carioca Aqueduct (1732), constructed to carry water from the Carioca River to the city is better known as the Arches.

Saint Sebastian Cathedral
The pyramidal cathedral, named after Rio's Patron saint, St Sebastian, with an inside diameter of 96 meters it is estimated tha 20,000 worshippers can stand facing the three-meter altar, a single granite stone weighing eight and half tons. Suspended above the altar, there is a 10 meter cross.

Boticário Square
The little cul-de-sac of seven colonial-style houses with wooden balconies and Portuguese tile facades, gas lamps, a central fountain, centuries olod trees and a pavement of "pé-de-moleque" (rought hewed stones) is a fine example of old Rio. One feels he has walked into the past.

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TROPICAL ISLANDS TOUR

Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning, after breakfast, and will drive you through a marvelous dream world. The ride of approximately 65 miles is along the shoreline to the fishing village of Itacuruçá, passing by numerous fields, banana plantations and villages. There, nature has outdone itself and dotted the bay with over 300 islands. They appear to be floating jungles made of sheer rock and covered with thick, lush vegetation resting over emerald green waters.

At Itacuruçá, you will embark on a saveiro (schooner) for a cruise in the waters of the Sepetiba Bay. Passengers will be able to swim and sunbathe when we stop at an uninhabited island. After this excursion, we will voyage to another lovely island for a delicious seafood lunch and a selection of salads and fresh bread. The return trip is as wonderful as the arriving one and you can rest while we sail by the islands that surround this area. It is not for nothing that this trip has been acclaimed as one of the most charming attractions in the entire Rio area.

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PETROPOLIS TOUR

The imperial city of Petrópolis is located 55 miles away from Rio. You will ride through the countryside of the Serra da Estrela mountains. One of the main points of interest in the city is the summer residence of Emperor Dom Pedro II, which has been restored to its original splendor. Today it is used as the Imperial Museum. The museum is home to a collection of tapestries, colonial furnishings, and portraits, as well as the Imperial Crown, with over 600 diamonds and pearls. You will enjoy the refreshing drive through summer homes and cottages on your return to Rio.

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RIO PACKAGES: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 DAYS

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