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Rio - Beyond the Beaches

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The beaches of Rio are certainly spectacular, but it's well worth taking the time to get off the beaten track and explore the rest that this exciting city has to offer. From the colonial charm of Centro and Santa Teresa to the wilds of the city jungle, there's a whole lot more to Rio than sun, sea and sand!

Author: Lucy

Day 1 - Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana Palace may be the most famous of Rio’s hotels, but Hotel Gloria is in fact the city’s oldest. With great ocean views, beautiful grounds and bags of historic charm (just make sure you book a room in the original building), this good-value hotel makes a great base close to the centre of Rio. From the hotel, walk or take a bus (never walk at night, take a cab) to Lapa, and check out the incredible Escadaria, or Lapa Steps. Lapa may be rather down-at-heel these days, but take note of the crumbling colonial buildings (and keep an eye on your wallet!). You can either walk up the super-steep steps to Santa Teresa, or head to the bonde (tram) station to make the ascent in more comfort. The rattling tram ride is a treat in itself, and Santa Teresa has much to justify making the trek up here. Explore the arts, crafts and vintage clothing stores, drink in the traditional bars and take in the beauty of the colonial mansions on the hillside. Don’t miss a visit to Parque das Ruinas, with amazing free views across the city and Guanabara Bay, and the neighbouring Museum Chacara de Ceu. For great value food, head for Bar do Arnaudo, where an ‘individual’ plate of delicious, hearty Northeastern food feeds two or even three people. When night falls, drink in the neighbourhood bars, many of which stay open until the small hours, or head down the hill to Lapa.

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Hotel Gloria

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RUA DO RUSSEL 632
Glória
22210-010 Rio de Janeiro, BR

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+55 21 2555 7272

Bonde de Santa Teresa

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Rua Professor Lélio Gama, 65
Centro
20031-080 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 222 1003 / +55 21 242 2354

Santa Teresa

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Ladeira de Santa Teresa
20241-140 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Bar do Arnaudo

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Rua Almirante Alexandrino 316, loja B
20441-260 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2252 7246

Escadaria Selarón

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Escadaria do Convento de Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
20241-130 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Museu da Chácara do Céu

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Rua Murtinho Nobre 93
Santa Teresa
20241-050 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

021/2507-1932

Day 2 - Rio de Janeiro

Head into Centro early on Saturday morning to try and bag some bargains at the weekly flea market held at Praca 15 de Novembre. Vinyl, clothing, books, photographs and jewelry are all waiting to be snapped up – be prepared to haggle! Don’t miss a chance to visit the nearby fairytale-esque palace at Ilha Fiscal, and enjoy a cool drink and a wander round the pleasant whitewashed spaces of Paco Imperial. In the afternoon, head off to the Jardim Botanico neighbourhood and snap some pretty pictures at the little-visited Parque Lage, or be more adventurous and take a guided trip into the depths of Parque Tijuca – the world’s largest urban rainforest. When night falls, head for the pleasant suburb of Botagofo and dine at the delightfully off-beat Miam Miam before dancing the nightaway at the similarly kooky Bar Bukowski.

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