The Zika virus, presidential impeachment, air pollution — Brazil has been within the information for all of the incorrect causes.
However when the Olympic flame at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium is lit on the opening ceremony, all that will probably be forgotten.
WHERE DO I START?
Ravishing Rio: The long-lasting statue of Christ the Redeemer presides over town
On a excessive.
Rio and its many Olympic venues sprawl alongside miles of Atlantic beachfront, hemmed in by granite peaks and the world’s largest city rainforest, Tijuca.
So if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to be going to the video games, or are tempted by what you see on TV and journey to Rio quickly, be sure you take the cablecar to the highest of the 396m Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) and absorb the view.
Be sure you take the cablecar to the highest of the 396m Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar)
To the north lies Guanabara Bay and the older components of town, together with the Maracana, plus the house of Rio’s Carnival, the Sambodromo, which is able to host the Olympic marathon.
To the west is the curve of Copacabana, an unbeatable venue for the seaside volleyball. Excessive within the hills, the statue of Christ the Redeemer gazes over all of it.
THAT’S ON MY WISH LIST
It ought to be. Crowning Corcovado mountain, Rio’s artwork deco statue is a metropolis important, even when you’ll jostle for area with crowds and their selfie sticks.
For a extra peaceable panorama, take a pre-dawn guided hike up the mini-sugarloaf Dois Irmaos on the finish of Leblon seaside
BOUNTIFUL BEACHES
You are spoilt for selection in relation to seashores in Rio. Pictured is Ipanema Seaside
The grand and hotel-packed Copacabana (pictured) is without doubt one of the hottest seashores in Rio
You are spoilt for selection. Between them, Copacabana (grand, hotel-backed), Ipanema (youthful, extra vibrant) and Leblon (prosperous, family-friendly) stretch out for 5 miles.
Wherever you go, the individuals watching is great, as enviably toned, minimally clad Cariocas (Rio dwellers) play foot-volleyball, do ostentatious stomach-crunches, or sip a chilly chopp (draught) beer on the promenade.
The palm-backed cove of Praia Vermelha, on the foot of Sugarloaf, is an easy-going seaside favoured by households — with calm waters good for kayaking and paddle-boarding.
Alternatively, head west to the upmarket suburb of Barra da Tijuca, the placement for the Olympic athletes’ village.
A brand new metro line, No 4, has opened simply in time for the video games, making the realm’s seven miles of fresh seashores — plus assorted Miami-style luxurious lodges and buying malls — only a quick hop from downtown.
Lastly, to the west of Barra, Prainha and Grumari seashores are wilder, quieter spots the place town’s hustle evaporates.
CHILL OUT SPOTS
Jardim Botanico is a tranquil backyard, however there are additionally loads of hip locations to eat close by
Rio’s Jardim Botanico is a tranquil tropical backyard the place capuchin monkeys clamber by means of bamboo thickets and turtles loll within the ponds.
After a stroll, loosen up underneath the ceiling followers of La Bicyclette (labicyclette.com.br), a French-colonial fashion bistro serving artisan pastries.
Down the street is the massive Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, venue for the Olympic rowing — a pleasing spot for a day amble.
TOP TIP FOR CULTURE
Town’s latest attraction is the Museum of Tomorrow (museudoamanha.org.br).
A part of the Olympic-fuelled regeneration of the previous dockyards, the constructing is an attraction in itself, resembling an enormous reptile eyeing Guanabara Bay.
Inside, a collection of digital displays analyse the affect that people have had on the world and the way we’d dwell extra sustainably.
FAVELA TOURS
Offbeat: Rio’s shantytowns have now develop into vacationer spots. Pictured is Santa Marta favela
Rio’s shantytowns have been as soon as infamous for drug-fuelled violence. Many are nonetheless no-go areas, however — since they primarily hug town’s hilly fringes — you will not stumble into them.
Extra central ones — together with Vidigal, Babilonia and Santa Marta — have been ‘pacified’, and tourism helps to assist their hard-working residents.
Take a strolling tour by means of the sweet colored jumble of Santa Marta with an area information (search ‘Santa Marta Favela Tour’ on Tripadvisor) for an enchanting perception into another neighborhood.
SWEET DREAMS
Trendy: The Belmond Copacabana Palace is the swankiest handle on the town
The Belmond Copacabana Palace is the swankiest handle on the town. Large and white like an artwork deco marriage ceremony cake, it has been favoured by A-listers and royalty because it opened in 1923.
It has Rio’s greatest lodge pool and a Michelin-starred restaurant (from £299, belmond.com).
There are boutique choices, too, together with the beachfront Marina All Suites in Leblon (from £176 per night time, leblonallsuites.com.br/en), the good-value Ipanema Inn (from £108, ipanemainn.com.br/en) and neo-colonial Lodge Santa Teresa in a hilly, boho district (from £231, santateresahotelrio.com).
BEST RESTAURANTS
The world-famous Escadaria Selaron Steps is located within the Lapa district
The district across the Jardim Botanico is quick turning into a diners’ hotspot — on Rua Pacheco Leao, you will discover funky Bar do Horto, laid-back Jojo Cafe Bistro, and home-made Brazilian meals at Borogodo.
The backstreets of Ipanema and Leblon are filled with casual botecos in addition to most of the metropolis’s trendiest eating places.
Rua Dias Ferreira alone homes Sushi Leblon (Japanese), Zuka (trendy Italian) and Momo Gelato (ice cream heaven).
Close by, you’ll be able to sip a caipirinha on the touristy, however atmospheric, Garota de Ipanema bar, the place bossa nova traditional The Woman From Ipanema was penned in 1962.
PARTY CENTRAL
Former red-light district Lapa has the liveliest nightlife.
Head to Avenida Mem de Sa for bars with DJs and dwell music. The close by antique-filled Rio Scenarium nightclub is a good place to look at — or strive — samba.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
British Airways (ba.com, 0344 493 0787) flies Heathrow to Rio day by day from £649 return.
Latin America professional Final Frontiers (lastfrontiers.com, 01296 653000) can organise bespoke journeys to Brazil.
