I`ve spent the 8 days in Rio, in fact this was just before carnaval (that is how its spelt) and another 2 days during carnaval and I can tell you this ...I enjoyed Rio more when it was not carnaval. Its got allot of characteristic for a city, unlike say Sao Paulo - Tourististy things: The two biggest attractions are obviously Christ the Redeemer (O redentor) , this was the best attraction I visited, and Sugar Loaf mountain. Both sum up Rio grand and overbearing, both are instantly recognisable and both have special routes that the guide books make it sound harder to get to then they actually are. For this review I would like to give a detailed account of ...  Read the complete review

First things first, Zmugzy's review is excellent, thorough and accurate. Rio is an almost mystical place that really needs to be experienced. No amount of preparation can set you up for how impressive it truly is. It is also a good example of an exotic destination where you can see wealth and absolute poverty hand in hand. Ironically the precariously balanced slums on the steep hillsides have the kind of view that only big money would normally buy. When it comes to getting around it is usually suggested you go on escorted tours or with an experienced guide. This is a matter of personal choice but to be honest we as a family just wondered about and used local ...  Read the complete review

A city as large and vibrant as Rio de Janeiro has plenty of attractions to see and things to do. In this review I am focusing on a little gem we found practically by accident: The Carmen Miranda Museum. ------------------------------- Carmen Miranda ------------------------------- If you don't know who Carmen Miranda was, here's a little bio: She was born in 1909 in Várzea da Ovelha, northeast Portugal. Her family emigrated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when she was 10 months old. She began a singing career and by 1930 was one of Brazil's biggest stars, also appearing in films. In 1939 she went to ...  Read the complete review

Many people say that Rio's golden age occurred between the early 1920s and the late 1950s. During the period it became a romantic, exotic destination for Hollywood stars and international high society, which would fly down to Rio so as to frolic in the city's posh casinos and nightclubs. During that time, there was a hotel building boom along the beaches that saw the rise of the Sheraton and Rio Palace. One hotel is famous for the fact that Orson Wells once through a grand piano off the roof. The city was the political capital of Brazil until 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasília. As the glitz was glistening, however, the favelas (shantytowns) of Rio ...  Read the complete review