At least once during you stay you should go to Pão de Açúcar, which rises where Guanabara Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. In Portuguese the name means Sugar Loaf, referring to the ceramic or metal mould used during the refining of sugar cane. There is a cable car ride to the summit which has been in place since 1912 which was upgraded to the present system in 1972.

The most famous of all images of Rio De Janeiro is that of the vast statue of Christ the Redeemer gazing across the bay from the Corcovado hill, arms outstretched in welcome or as if preparing for a dive into the waters below. The statue weighing over 1000 tons, was completed in 1931. In clear weather climbing to the statue is a stunning experience by day, and nothing short of miraculous at night, the whole of Rio and Guanabara Bay is laid out before you.

The "Imperial City", once the summer resort city of Pedro II, the last Emperor of Brazil. A visit to the historic Cathedral followed by visit to the Imperial Museum - housing today one of the finest collections of furniture, china and jewels from the Imperial court and the house of Santos Dumont - considered by Brazilians as the "Father of Aviation".

See a football match at one of the largest stadiums in the world constructed with a capacity of 110 thousand spectators. Be a part of an event where emotions can run wild with the sounds of a goal, the waving of flags and the wild barracking accompanying the spectacular plays of athletes. This stadium hosted the World Cup final in 1950 and was witness to Pelé’s 1000th goal in 1969.

The Botanical Gardens were created on the 13th July 1808 by D. João, Prince Regent at the time. The gardens contain over 8 thousand species of plants among them the outstanding Imperial Palms, the Brazilillan Pau-Brazil, Aracá Amarelo, Pau Mulato, the medicinal plots and the Japanese Gardens. A stroll through the park will also reveal a rich historic and cultural heritage in buildings such as te old Fábrica d Pólvora (Gunpowder Factory) Casa de Pilões, Casa dos Cendros, the old portal of the Fine Arts Academy and the Empress Mansion.

Ilha Grande comprises of 193 sq km of mountainous jungle, historic ruins and beautiful beaches, excellent for some scenic tropical rambling. The entire island is a state park and the authorities have ban on all motor vehicles. As you approach the low lying whitewashed colonial port of Vila Do Abrãao, the mountains rise dramatically from the sea and in the distance there is the curiously shaped summit of Bico do Papagaio – Parrot’s Beak, which rises to a height of 980m and can be reached in 3 hours.

Favelas were established on any available space which in Rio means the slopes of the hills around which the city has grown by the rural people who were unable to find accommodation or pay rent. Favelados are those who live in the favelas display a great resourcefulness and co-operative strength. Rocinha is Rio’s largest favela with over 160,000 inhabitants.

For a bird’s-eye view of Rio beaches and forests, take off with and experienced pilot on a tandem hang-glider flight from the Pedra bonita ramp on the western edge of the Parque Nacional de Tijuca, 520m above the beach. Fly alongside the mountains and over the forest and ocean before landing on the beach at São Conrado.