Sightseeing Week

Description:

Author: Lucy

Day 1 - Rio de Janeiro

To visit Rio without making the pilgrimage up Corcovado mountain to see the Christ statue would be unthinkatble. It's best to head here bright and early, before the crowds and clouds appear. Take a bus to the base of the mountain and then board the little cog railway that takes you right to the feet of the Christ statue. Make sure you bring your camera - the views are truly breathtaking. Should this whet your appetite for a bird's eye view of Rio, you can arrange tandem hangliding trips that soar high above the city. No experience is necessary - but nerves of steel are! If you're brave enough to make the flight, you'll touch down on the beach at São Conrado, a beautiful, uncrowded beach. Head back to Ipanema to browse the shopping strip along Rua Visconde de Pirajá, and then walk along the seafront to Arpoador - here, a giant rock juts out to sea between Ipanema and Copacabana, and the sunset views are gorgeous. Again, don't forget your camera! When night has fallen, you can continue the sightseeing at Garota de Ipanema. This restaurant and bar is the spot where the bossa nova classic 'Girl from Ipanema' was written. Food and service here are unremarkable, but the prices are reasonable. After dinner, head down to Leblon (you can take a cab or walk, as the area is relatively safe) and try out some varieties of the local firewater at Acadamia da Cachaça. Just don't try to many if you want to stick to your itinerary tomorrow!


1

Best Western Sol Ipanema Hotel

Location:

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Avenida Vieira Souto 320 Ipanema
Ipanema
22420-000 Rio de Janeiro, BR

Phone:

21-5252020


2

Santa Teresa

Location:

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


2

Petrópolis

Location:

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60 meters north of Rio
25770-320 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


2

Museu Histórico do Exército

Location:

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Praça Coronel Eugênio Franco, 1
Copacabana
22070-020 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 (0)21 2287 3781


2

Parque da Cidade

Location:

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Estrada Santa Marinha, 505
Gávea
22451-240 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2259 9295


2

Museu da Chácara do Céu

Location:

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

Phone:

021/2507-1932


2

Casa França-Brasil

Location:

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Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 78
Centro
20010-060 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 22535366


2

Fortaleza de São João

Location:

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Av. João Luis Alves s/n
Urca
22291-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2295 5340


2

Ponte Rio-Niterói

Location:

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Baía de Guanabara
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2299 9579


2

Museu de Arte Moderna

Location:

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Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85
Aterro do Flamengo
20021-140 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 22102188


2

Arco do Teles

Location:

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Praça XV de Novembro
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


2

Niterói

Location:

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Niteroi
Across Guanabara Bay
24020-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


2

Tandem Hangliding

Location:

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Pedra Bonita, Floresta da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

21 2268 0565


2

Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (Maracanã)

Location:

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Rua Professor Eurico Rabelo, s/nº
20271-110 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2568 9962


3

São Conrado

Location:

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Between Leblon & Barra da Tijuca
22610-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


5

Praia do Arpoador

Location:

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Copacabana / Ipanema
22410-003 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2259 6165 (Tourist Information)


6

Garota de Ipanema

Location:

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Rua Vinicius de Morais, 49, Ipanema
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


7

Academia da Cachaca

Location:

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26 Rua Conde de Bernadotte Leblon
Leblon
22430-200 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2529 2680


8

Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue

Location:

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Rua Cosme Velho 513
22241-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 558 1329

Day 2 - Rio de Janeiro

As difficult as it may be to drag yourself away from the beach, it's well worth making the trip into Centro. The downtown district houses many of Rio's most impressive historic buildings, and the best examples of colonial architecture. Take a Metro-integrated bus to Cinelandia station (Ipanema doesn't have a Metro station as yet, but the integrated bus lets you buy an all-inclusive ticket that takes you direct to Cantagalo Metro Station in Copacabana.) and you will emerge at Praça Tiradentes. This busy square is great for people watching, and is dominated by the imposing Teatro Municipal, and the equally impressive Biblioteca Nacional. Take pictures here by all means, but make sure there are plenty of people around when you take your snaps, and keep your camera out of sight at other times. From here it's an easy walk to the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, where entry is free and you can see some fascinating artistic and cultural exhibits. Refresh yourself with cakes and coffee at Confeitaria Colombo, a vast Belle-Epoque building that serves excellent snacks, meals and drinks. When you're fed and watered, wander down Avenida Rio Branco, the area's main thoroughfare, and admire the enormous colonial buildings that lend the road a certain down-at-heel charm. Even more down-at-heel is nearby Lapa, so be careful walking around here, but do make sure you pay the area a visit to see the iconic Lapa arches. If you want to take pictures here, do so quickly and discreetly! Nearby, the Catedral Metropolitana divides opinion - visit the modernist building yourself to find out why... Much less divisive is Paço Imperial - a pleasant whitewashed building that's well worth half an hour's browsing before taking the Metro/bus back to Ipanema. Finish the day with a pizza at Capricciosa - and keep an eye out for stars of Rio's many TV novelas (soap operas)!


1

Catedral Metropolitana

Location:

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Avenida República de Chile, 245
Centro
20031-170 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2240 2669


2

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

Location:

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Rua Primeiro de Março, 66, Centro
Centro
20010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

021/3808-2020


3

Teatro Municipal

Location:

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Praca Floriano, Cinelandia, Centro
20031-050 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

21 2297 4411


4

Avenida Rio Branco

Location:

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Entre Praça Mauá e Avenida Beira Mar
(Centro)
20083-240 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


5

Confeitaria Colombo

Location:

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Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32
Centro
20071-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 22322300


6

Praça Tiradentes

Location:

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Centro
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


7

Capricciosa Pizza

Location:

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Rua Vinícius de Moraes, 134
Ipanema
22411-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2523 3394 / 55 21 2523 1169


8

Arcos da Lapa

Location:

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Rua dos Arcos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)


9

Paço Imperial

Location:

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Praça XV de Novembro, 48
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2533 4491 / +55 21 2533 7762

Day 3 - Rio de Janeiro

You'll need your insect repellent today! Start the morning with a visit to the lovely botanical gardens in the leafy Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, before heading down the road to the equally impressive Parque Lage. Stop for a coffee and a photo opportunity at the stunning Cafe Lage, inside the park's grounds, and then take a cab to the entrance of the Tijuca National Park. It's wise to organise a guide (the hotel should eb able to book this for you) as, although trails are marked, it can be easy to get lost. The park is immense, and hikes can vary from quick and easy to very long and very strenuous. Make sure you have good walking boots if you're opting for the latter! Once back in Ipanema, enjoy an al-fresco draught beer and a light meal at Choperia Torre de Barão, which has a lovely location in the heart of Ipanema, and then take a cab down to Copacabana to visit Bip Bip - a hole-in-the-wall live music joint that, despite its tiny size, has acquired legendary status in the city.


1

Maracanã Stadium

Location:

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Rua Profesor Eurico Rabelo s/n
São Cristovão
20271-150 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2264 9962


2

Jardim Botânico

Location:

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Rua Jardim Botânico, 920 - 1008
22460-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 22946947 / +55 21 22943642


3

Largo do Boticário

Location:

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Cosme Velho
22241-090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


4

Choperia Torre do Barão

Location:

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Rua Venicius de Moraes 146, Ipanema
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2247 1835


5

Parque Nacional de Tijuca

Location:

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Floresta da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 492 2253 / +55 21 492 5002


6

Bip Bip

Location:

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Rua Alimarante Goncavales 50, Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2267 9696


7

Parque Lage

Location:

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Rua Jardim Botânico, 414 - Jardim Botânico
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

(21) 2538 - 1879

Day 4 - Rio de Janeiro

Start the day with a morning's sunbathing at Copacabana, and head for a coconut water at one of the beachside kiosks in Leme, the quieter end of the same four kilometer stretch of sand. If you have cash to spare, and want to eat lunch in luxury, you can eat excellent Italian food at Pergula - Copacabana Palace's formal restaurant. You'd be advised to make reservations in advance, and smart dress is necessary. After lunch, you might want to take a boat trip over to Ilha da Paquetá, keeping an eye out for the fairy-tale palace at Ilha Fiscal on the way. If you're pressed for time, take the catamaran instead of the ferry - it's more expensive but much faster. Alternatively, head over to Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas - another of Rio's stunning natural beauty spots. Good food and drinks are served at Bar Lagoa, or you could head into Leblon to check out some of the chic boutiques and bars. In the evening, take a cab to Urca and take the cable car up to Sugar Loaf mountain as the sun starts to set. The view of Rio as it sparkles into a sea of lights below will take your breath away. If you arrive before sundown, take the quick walk around the Morro do Urca and look out for the little monkeys that play in the trees overhead.


1

Leme

Location:

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Between the Morro do Leme and Avenida Princesa Isabel
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2217 7575 (Tourist Information)


2

Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf)

Location:

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Praia Vermelha
Urca
22290-270 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2461 2700


3

Ilha de Paquetá

Location:

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Baía de Guanabara
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 0800 703 2111


4

Pérgula

Location:

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Avenida Atlântica, 1702
Copacabana Palace Hotel
22021 001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2548 7070


5

Ilha Fiscal

Location:

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Baía de Guanabara
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)


6

Bar Lagoa

Location:

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Avenida Epitacio Pessoa 1674
22411 070 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 25331135


7

Morro da Urca

Location:

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Praia Vermelha
22290-270 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


8

Leblon

Location:

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Rua Dias Ferreira e Avenida Ataúfo de Paiva
22440-031 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


9

Lagoa

Location:

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Avenida Epitácio Pessoa
Lagoa
22471-001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 25447992 (Tourist information)


10

Copacabana Beach

Location:

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Avenida Atlantica and Xavier da Silveira
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2542 8080

Day 5 - Rio de Janeiro

Take the Metro integrated bus to Cantogalo and, from here, the Metro to Carioca station. From here you can walk up to the Igreja da Candelária. You can then take either a bus or a ferry over to Niteroi (the ferry offers great views of Rio, while the bus travels over the famous Rio-Niteroi bridge), and visit the stunning Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi. Even if modern art isn't your thing, you can't fail to be impressed by the space age appearance of the building, designed by legendary Modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer. Take a bus or ferry back to Centro, and from here catch the iconic yellow tram (bonde) up to beautiful, bohemian Santa Teresa - dubbed 'the Montmartre of the Tropics'. Visit the Museu Chacara do Ceu and Parque das Ruinas, take in the colourful 'Lapa Steps' (Escadaria de Selaron), and then stop for a well-earned meal at Bar do Arnaudo. The set meals for one here are easily enough for two, and are absolutely delicious examples of Northeastern cuisine. If you're looking for something more formal, take the bonde or walk up the hill to Aprazivel, where you can enjoy French/Brazilian dishes in a tropical garden that boasts terrific city views. After dark, head down the hill to Lapa, where the Friday night street party will burst into life after around 10pm. You can spend the night trying cocktails from the many street stalls, or head for one of the area's many clubs - Rio Scenarium is the best known, and a great place to head for if you like live samba.


1

Escadaria Selarón

Location:

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


2

Aprazível

Location:

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Rua Aprazível, 62
Santa Teresa
2508-9174 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2508 9174


3

Rio Scenarium

Location:

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Rua do Lauradio, 20
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 3147 9005


4

Igreja da Candelária

Location:

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Praça Pio X
20040-020 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2233 2324


5

Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi

Location:

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Miranda da Boa Viagem
Niterói
24210-390 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

21 2620 2400


6

Bar do Arnaudo

Location:

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Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 316
Santa Teresa
20241-260 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2252 7246


7

Bonde de Santa Teresa

Location:

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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

Day 6 - Rio de Janeiro

There's a wonderful flea market/antiques fair each Saturday at Praça XV de Novembro, so head here in the morning to spend a couple of hours browsing the antique jewellery, records, and assorted bits and pieces. Nearby, in Glória, you can visit the neighbourhood's stunning church, before taking a bus down the road to the impressive urban park at Flamengo. Sticking with the parks theme, take a Metro from Flamengo to the city's zoo, where you can see any number of native animals and birds. Don't miss the very entertaining spider monkeys! In the evening, visit Barril 1800 to enjoy a meal and a drink with excellent beach views. Casual is the watch-word here, so you won't need to wear your Saturday best! There are hundreds of options for nightlife on a Saturday, but if you want to see Rio's take on an authentic British pubv (complete with red telephone box outside), then head for the Lord Jim, in Leblon.


1

Praça XV de Novembro

Location:

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Praca 15 de Novembro
20010-010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


2

Jardim Zoológico

Location:

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Quinta da Boa Vista s/n
São Cristóvão
20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 2568 7400


3

Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro

Location:

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Ladeira Nossa Senhora da Glória
Glória
22211-120 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

+55 21 225 2869


4

Parque do Flamengo

Location:

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Flamengo
20021-140 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


5

Lord Jim Pub

Location:

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Rua Paul Redfern, 63
Ipanema
22410-080 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 2259 3047


6

Barril 1800

Location:

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Avenida Vieira Souto, 110
Ipanema
22420-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 523 0085

Day 7 - Rio de Janeiro

Rio has more than its fair share of wonders, but there are yet more waiting to be discovered in Rio de Janeiro state. It's well worth making the four-hour trip down to Paraty, a national historic monument surrounded by paradise islands and beaches. Plan to spend at least one night here, but before you leave, visit the legendary 'Hippie Fair', held each Sunday in Ipanema. Try and wake up early to hit the stalls before the crowds appear. As the beach road is closed to traffic on Sundays you can take a very pleasant stroll down the beach today too, before heading to Marius where, for a fixed price, you can eat as much organic meat, seafoods, salads, sushi and side dishes as you could possibly want. After lunch, take a cab or a bus (if you have luggage, pay a little more to travel on the air-conditioned 'Real' bus, which is safer and more comfortable than regular city buses). The bus journey to Paraty, which travels along the 'Green Coast', is a delight in itself so try to book a window seat when you buy your tickets. As it's low season, you won't need to book accomadation in advance - Paraty has abundant options in all price brackets. Note that pousadas (guest houses) in the old town are more expensive than those closer to the bus station.


1

Ipanema Hippie Fair

Location:

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Praca General Osorio, Ipanema,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


2

Orla Marítima

Location:

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Leme até Barra da Tijuca
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


3

Marius Carnes

Location:

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Av. Atlantica, 290
(Leme)
22010-000 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Phone:

55 21 21049000

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