Sun, Beach and a Pinch of Sugar

If you’re in search of joie de vivre, consider Rio de Janeiro. Located in a tropical climate with year-round mild temperatures, the ambience in Rio is warm and upbeat - and not just during the glitzy Carnival season. Brazil’s second-largest city has plenty of sights and attractions to offer.

Best known for its sandy beach that stretches for 2.5 miles, Copacabana is arguably Rio’s most famous neighbourhood. Sports, toned bodies and joie de vivre are the name of the game here. This is where Rio’s residents, clad in their “national dress” (bikini and bathing trunks), play the country’s national sport (soccer) while spectators stand by sipping Brazil’s national cocktail (Caipirinha) from plastic cups. For those who prefer a slice of tranquillity, there is the beach in the slightly more upscale neighbourhood of Ipanema to enjoy. “Like a samba that swings so cool and sways so gently” is a line from the famous song “Girl from Ipanema” which could also be used to describe Ipanema beach.

Culture and Nature in the City

Renowned for its splendid beaches, Rio also has an array of other attractions on offer. The Santa Teresa neighbourhood with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture is today an arts district, offering a wealth of interesting cultural attractions. Fans of nightlife will surely enjoy the Lapa neighbourhood, which is next to Santa Teresa and a hub for live music, trendy bars and samba dancing. Lapa is also within walking distance of the famous Sambadrome and gets really busy during the Rio Carnival. Football fans won’t want to miss the chance to visit the Maracaña football stadium, or watch a match of the Fluminense or Flamengo football team.

Declared a National Park in 1961, the Tijuca Forest is a must-see for nature lovers. It is also home to Mount Corcovado that features the impressive Christ the Redeemer statue. Towering majestically above the throbbing city, the statue stands almost thirty metres tall and sits on an eight-metre high pedestal that houses a chapel. But there are also waterfalls and hundreds of plant and animal species to discover in Tijuca. The park is fairly easy to reach from the city centre, including by public transport, and can be conveniently combined with a visit to the Sugarloaf Mountain. Mount Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain situated across from it can both be reached by cable car. Made of granite stone, the Sugarloaf rises 395 metres high and is located at the mouth of Guanbara Bay on a peninsula that protrudes into the Atlantic Ocean.

Starting point for Brazil round trips

Anyone wishing to travel a little further afield should consider a trip to the city of Angra dos Reis or to Ilha Grande, a former prison island. Offering a wonderful contrast to urban Rio, Ilha Grande has more than 100 beaches and is big on ecotourism. No motorised vehicles are allowed on the island. In sum, it is the perfect place for a few days of relaxing island bliss.;;; ;;; Rio is not just a holiday destination in its own right but also a starting point for round trips in Brazil or South America. There is so much to discover, including the Amazon rainforest and cities like the heritage-protected town of Paraty or Salvador da Bahia with its African influence. The more time you spend stocking up on Brazilian joie de vivre, the more you will take home from your travels!

Information for golf fans

A holiday that includes golf, or a golfing holiday? What a great decision to have to make! Let our special page inspire and inform you:

• Edelweiss golf tips