Kelledstyle

Have you ever dreamt about visiting the Worldwide Capital of Carnival? The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the biggest event presented in Brazil. At this occasion, Rio de Janeiro attracts approximately one million people coming from different parts of the world. Well, we did not have the chance to experience the Rio Carnival but fortunately the city has way more to offer.

The first time we went to Rio de Janeiro was during the World Cup of Football, back in 2014. We have to admit that it was significantly more crowded that we can possibly imagined and a bit overwhelming at times. However, last fall, when we were looking for a sunny destination, we decided to go back to Rio de Janeiro.

Travelling to Rio de Janeiro from Europe or North America takes at least 12 hours so when you arrived, rest is much needed. You could obviously enjoy the famous Copacabana beach, the beautiful Ipanema beach, or the trendy Leblon beach. Those beaches are the best spots to meet locals and other travelers. Playing beach volley, running, or dancing are among one of the many activities you can do at the praia.

If you are more adventurous and would love to explore a place outside the city, book a guided tour to Arraial do Cabo. This little municipality is known for its incredible baies and landscapes. It’s worth the trip not only for the wonderful nature you will see there but also for the historical background of the area. You will learn more about the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Looking for an oasis of peace? Visit the Botanical Garden where you can admire the fountain of the Muses, walk through palm trees avenue, smell variety of flowering plants and get lost in the garden paths. Founded in 1808, the Botanical Garden has among its collection, Brazilian and exotic flora, rare plants, cacti, orchids, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, and much more. We recommend to plan your visit during week days so you can fully enjoy the quietness of the nature.

Wondering which area offers the best accommodations? It’s hard to say since each neighborhood has its own charm, it’s really up to you! Our main criteria was the ocean view and this is why we chose to stay at the Windsor Leme Hotel. Imagine waking up with a view on Copacabana beach and the Atlantic Ocean, it sounds like a dream. In addition to its rooftop pool, the hotel is perfectly located if you want to do a morning run along the beach. It’s a good way to start the day off right!

Among the iconic monuments of Rio de Janeiro, Pao de Açucar is definitely an attraction to do mostly for contemplating the panoramic view. The first stop is Morro da Urca which is the best spot to have pictures with the Pao de Açucar in the background or to catch an unforgettable sunset. Then, when you take the second cable car, you finally reach the Pao de Açucar. Once there, enjoy one of the best view of Rio de Janeiro.

One of the highlight of our trip was our visit to Christ the Redeemer located at the peak of the Corcovado mountain. It is the largest and the most recognized monument of Brazil. A train brings you up to the mountain after an ascension through the Tijuca Forest National Park. In the train, sit on the right side for the best scenery and enjoy your 20 minutes ride. Christ the Redeemer is 38m-high so let us tell you that taking pictures with the statue is a real challenge! On your way back to the train station, stop at the restaurant located above the statue to enjoy some fresh squeezed juices.

If you have time to go to museum, here is our top 3: Museum of Tomorrow, Museu de Arte do Rio, and Museu Historico Nacional. The Museum of Tomorrow, is a science museum built next to the waterfront at Pier Maua. The exhibitions are very interactive and will take you through the present and the future, the Earth, the Cosmos and the origin of everything. We particularly enjoyed the focus on sustainability and the exhibitions that made us connect with each and every human beings.

Located in a picturesque garden, the Museu Historico Nacional takes you to a journey through time, from the caveman in Brazil to the present days. Each room represents a major area in the history of Brazil, such as the indigenous period, the colonization by the Portuguese, the slavery, and the independence. The Museu de Arte do Rio is located next to the Museum of Tomorrow. We first started our visit by the rooftop to enjoy the view of the harbor of Rio. The exhibitions change very often, so you can be sure to always find something that you will like.

When you will walk around Santa Teresa area, you will notice the Escadaria Selaron which are the famous mosaic staircases from the Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron. There are pieces of mosaic from all over the world. Make sure to pay close attention to the little details and the recurrent theme of the pregnancy. We then continued to explore Santa Teresa and Lapa by jumping on the Bonde. This little train rides you across the Arcos de Lapa and up to the heart of Santa Teresa.

Let’s conclude on a gastronomic note, with those two remarquable restaurants you should absolutely try during your stay. The first one is Prana, which is a vegetarian restaurant offering vegan and gluten free meals. We went to the location close to the Botanical Garden for the lunch time. The menu changes regularly and it’s absolutely delicious.

Our second suggestion is Teva, a vegan restaurant situated in Ipanema area. The Executive Chef, Daniel Biron, has studied food in New York and has worked in Paris at Gentle Gourmet, which is one of the leading vegan restaurant of the French capital. During our stay, we ate at Teva twice for dinner and we were totally delighted by the food. We hope you will give it a try and we invite you to visit our Instagram page to see more pictures of our Brazilian adventure.