Throwback to our trip to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro in March 2016. It all started with the FIFA World Cup which happened in Brazil in 2014. Did you guys see those amazing pictures on television before the matches? I fell in love with them and wanted to visit Brazil myself. Since my husbands birthday was around the corner I decided to book a trip to Brazil for the two of us. In my opinion a perfect time for South America, it was almost fall. Rio de Janeiro was on top of my list. During the planning phase I was thinking about a circular tour but decided to stay in Rio, I wanted a beach vacation and besides that I found a perfect hotel deal for the PortoBay Rio de Janeiro located at the famous Copacabana Beach and next to the Belmond Copacabana Palace. After a little research I decided to book it.

After a few weeks passed by we found ourselves on a plane on our way to Brazil. I was hoping to catch as many sunbeams as possible, eating lots of steaks and drinking fresh coconuts. Food is always a great way to dive into a new culture, especially in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is a city full of cultural diversities. The small streets are looking a lot like an old, small town in Portugal. After we arrived we decided to explore our hotel and the neighborhood. Well, we started at the beach and guess what, we spent the whole day there. So many pictures ran through my mind while sipping on a fresh coconut and I imagined how this pretty beach may have looked back in the time when the Belmond opened its doors in 1923.

The next day we explored the old town of Rio with a private tour guide and it was absolutely worth it. We got the chance to take a look behind the scenes of the real Brazilian carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese), because our tour guide was able to get us into the place where all the floats are built. We learned that one of the most involved groups in the carnival are the poorest neighborhoods, called favelas. Carnival means a lot to the “Carioca” (which is how the people of Rio de Janeiro are called) − during this special time of the year they are able to escape their daily lifes. Samba schools are deeply involved with the performances and costumes of their groups. It may all look really glamours on television but Rio’s carnival is a spirit which comes deep from the loving soul of the people of Rio de Janeiro. I’m so thankful for learning the true spirit behind and also for getting a chance of taking a look inside an original float and the place where all the magic happens.

Later on we walked to the main station, visited the oldest catholic church in town, walked through the financial area, explored the old and new harbor and of course took a couple of pictures at “Escadaria Selarón”. To be honest, you should be careful while walking around − always keep an eye on your bags and avoid running around with your camera in your hand. Besides the fact of being carefully all the time we really enjoyed exploring this beautiful city which culture and people are absolutely amazing and let’s not forget the historic part.

Of course when in Rio you have to visit Christ of Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Vista Chinesa deeper in the jungle. These three spots are always surrounded with lots of tourists − try to avoid groups and go as early as possible. For the perfect postcard scene you have to take an eye on the weather before you plan your visit. Never go up on a rainy or cloudy day, you will not be able to see anything. Sunny and blue sky in the morning is the perfect combination for exploring the beautiful scenery up there. Unfortunately we went up there on a cloudy day, still enjoyed it, but we missed the perfect postcard views.

If you are in a rush take a helicopter tour and discover the city from a bird’s eye view.

We had a couple of days left and decided to leave Rio for one day and took a boat cruise to Ilha Grande. You can relax on the boat, go on a hike and explore the different little islands and stunning beaches. It was a great decision and we were able to see another side of Brazil. The Island is located 80 miles South of Rio de Janeiro, around three and a half hours by car. Your destination will be Angra dos Reis − from there on you have to take a boat. We spent only a couple of hours there and sailed a few miles around the islands. Endless breathtaking blue lagoons and magnificent jungle views surrounded by small fisher villages is what makes Ilha Grande a special place and a great escape from Brazilians bigger cities.

Back in the city and a day left, I decided to go on a shopping trip. Besides food and culture, fashion is another major part while traveling. After a stroll through the old town and a few smaller boutiques, we found the perfect one. A Brazilian boutique called Karamello which stands for handmade clothes and breathtaking designs. I ended up buying one and still wear it. During our stay in Brazil we didn’t shoot our pictures with our Canon, unfortunately we only used iPhones and a GoPro.

Below you’ll find a list of our favorite restaurants in Rio the Janeiro:

Rubaiyat Rio
A chain of upscale restaurants serving prime cuts of beef with a Mediterranean buffet & wine list compared with a view of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and the imperial-palms of the Botanical Garden, the Rubaiyat River exalts the beauty of the city in its architectural design. On the balcony, facing the track of Jockey, is where most of the tables are.

Aprazível (Santa Teresa)
Artisan Brazilian cuisine & cachaça produced in a country-home setting with gardens & views of Rio located in the heart of Santa Teresa, a small neighborhood in Rio which is known for hosting art studios and boutique hotels.

Churrascaria Palace (Copacabana)
Founded in 1951, this well-known, upscale restaurant serves prime cuts of beef, oysters & sushi.

Pérgula (Copacabana)
Sophisticated eatery in the Copacabana Palace with light, cosmopolitan fare, buffet & Sunday brunch.

Artigiano Ristorante (Ipanema)
Italian cuisine with handmade pasta & seafood, in a peaceful, classic setting with outdoor seating.