Rio-de-Janeiro

The most vibrant city of the most vivacious state, Rio de Janeiro is synonymous with beaches, music, parties and a whirlwind of cultures. It is the epicentre of beach culture around the world, an exotic combination of laid-back and energetic, all coloured in with the world's most popular carnival, the Rio Carnival. The coastal beauty of the beach is matched well by the towering hills that loom above the urbanopolis.

The former capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is a tourist hotspot, home to many cultural attractions as well as world-renowned monuments. The most famous of them all is the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the seven wonders of the world, situated atop the Corvocado hill and presenting you with one of the best panoramas of the city. While walking tours might show you various spots of important Rio heritage, there is no better way to experience local culture than walking through the colourful neighbourhoods or being a part of the annual Carnival celebrations, a burst of joy, colour, music and dance that have made Rio what it is. The beaches of Rio is where the parties are at, and Copacabana is the most famous beach of the city as well as the country. The Ipanema beach has also been gaining fame fast for its amazing nightlife and delicious food. Another iconic part of Rio culture you are sure to come across atleast once is the smooth tunes of Samba music, captivating all that it touches to dance to its rhythm. Rio is also famous for some of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet, with the Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is no wonder that Rio de Janeiro has been dubbed the Marvelous City or Cidade Maravilhosa!