In this episode of LatinFlyer TV, we’re flying down to Rio de Janeiro, to check out the top 5 reasons to visit Brazil’s original jet-set destination. With two major global sporting events planned and several new museums in the works, the time is right for planning that next visit. In this EXCLUSIVE VIDEO, I provide a few reasons to get started now:
1. Rio’s growing collection of eye-catching attractions. First-time visitors simply shouldn’t miss a scenic ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the view from the stunning Christ the Redeemer statue. I also love the otherworldly Museu de Arte Contemporanea (Museum of Contemporary Art), in Niteroi, which was designed by Brazil’s most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, as well as Rio’s futuristic cathedral, which seems to soar into the sky like a spacecraft.
And there are several new attractions under construction. The Museu do Amanha (Museum of Tomorrow), designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava, is to open on the downtown waterfront by the end of 2013, as the centerpiece of a major urban restoration project called Porto Maravilha (Marvelous Port), which also includes a new Museu de Arte do Rio (Rio Art Museum). Rising along Copacabana Beach is the Museu da Imagem e do Som (Museum of Image and Sound), while in the neighborhood called Barra da Tijuca the Cidade das Artes will be the home of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra when it opens next year. And across the bay, in Niteroi, the Centro Petrobras do Cinema, an Oscar Niemeyer-designed venue, will house exhibits about Brazilian film.
2. Rio’s sexy beaches. This is an easy one. Some things don’t change. Bring your tiniest swimsuit, perhaps your best beach volleyball skills, and a bit of money for a drink, and stake out a spot on Ipanema Beach or Copacabana Beach. Enjoy the view.
3. Big-time sporting events. The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics will bring thousands of athletes and sports fans to Rio de Janeiro, but you can already enjoy some of the excitement. As Maracana Stadium undergoes a massive renovation, you can still check out its visitor center, which offers up-close views of the work, as well as exhibits about the history of the venue and Brazil’s favorite sport. (Check out my video tour of Marana here.)
4. Delicious food and drink. Whether you’re picking up something on the beach or dining in the city’s finest establishments, there are lots of ways to enjoy Brazilian cuisine in Rio. I checked out 6 excellent Rio de Janeiro restaurants during my last visit.
5. Nonstop nightlife. Whatever your age or musical preference, you’ll probably find something to keep you up late in Rio — whether it’s live music at Rio Scenarium (check out my exclusive video of this venue) or international DJs spinning at The Week, a massive dance club that packs in crowds every weekend. If you’re lucky enough to get into the VIP lounge there, you just might get a free massage or makeover from an on-site stylist. And what better way to look and feel good for your night on the town — or a day on the beach a few hours after the club closes.
For more information about Rio de Janeiro, contact the Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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