Stopped by the Rio de Janeiro

A little bit of beach

So, a matter of getting warmed up, we start with the old classic, a promenade along the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Equipped with your hat and suncream, you are ready to go against several kilometres walking under a blazing sun. The eye is inevitably drawn to the ocean, a few meters away, the life of Cariocas on the edge of the beach: signs of unique life. After this promenade, refreshed by fruit juice breaks from kiosks set out along the path, it is time to go for a dip in the sea.

Then head into the centre of the town to freshen up a little in the heart of the impressive Botanical Garden. A magnificent walk, amongst rare and exotic species, a long line of hundred-year old palm-trees, a very beautiful orchidarium. This will delight amateur plant lovers At first a small view of the famousCorcovado 

Post card monuments

incidentally it is time to head toward the Cosme Velho quartier in order to take the little train running above Corcovado. A photo break is unavoidable before the memorable Christ, but also of the view towards Lagoa and Ipanema. It goes without saying that if the weather is overcast, it is better putback this visit for another day. Likewise for the ascension by cable car of Sugarloaf. If you can go there at the end of the afternoon and see the sundown, that will be even more magical. If you aren't afraid of heights and are well off for money, it's time to enjoy yourself and pay for a helicopter tour of the city.

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Lose yourself in the back alleys of the historical quartiers

But the pleasure of the Rio de Janeiro, is equally for watching local life, and for roaming in the old town which is full of beautiful colonial bungalows and baroque churches. A visit to the monastery of Sao Bento is impressive, just like the Metropolitan Cathedral. For a food break, I recommend the Colombo bakery, the most traditional of Rio, to devour some pastries in a superb Art Deco setting.

The Santa Teresa quartier, in the high points you can reach by a small tram, the jam-packed one, equally one of the most charming. Walk (be aware that you climb and descend a lot) in the back alleys, whilst discovering the shops of local artisans. Equally a good zone to go for a drink or dine, some restaurants are host to breathtaking views of the city. To get yourself more into the samba steps, head to the Lapa quartier, where the majority of samba bars are or well chilled beer flows heavily.

Two unmissable parties

Two extraordinary monuments to make the most of the city - if you aren't afraid of the crazy tourists and the high prices: on New Year's Day, where tradition is that everyone dresses up in white and meets on the Copacabana beach for fireworks, and evidently the Carnaval, organised in February or March depending on the year. Euphoria is at its height.

Difficult to set aside less than 5 days to really get the most of it appreciate the charms of Rio de Janeiro. A little piece of advice: if you have time to land or take of from the Santos Dumont airport in the town centre, don't miss it. An incredible view of the city and the Sugarloaf is waiting for you....one of the most beautiful approaches to a city in the world.