"RIO DE JANEIROLa cidade maravilhosa... " a Rio de Janeiro Travel Page by szabolcs

Send Photo to a Friend

<font color="#000080"><b><div align="center">It's pretty hard to put together an introduction of Rio de Janeiro without talking in clichés. So many people were inspired by this amazing city and so many tried to put their experiences into words that maybe all I can do is rephrasing what has been told a million times already. Still I make an attempt hoping that those who made it here will not leave without reading through this page.

Rio is extremely well-known city and that has its effects. Even before you first land at one of Rio's airports you already have some kind of impression. You have almost certainly heard of Sugarloaf Mt., the Corcovado, Copacabana Beach and the Maracana Stadium. So when you're in Rio you are most likely to head for these famed spots. The problem is that many believe that once they toured these sights they know the city. They are very mistaken. After you've done with the most famous sights it's high time that you may opened your guidebook and started reading through it to find out what more is out there. A lot - I can tell you.

I think Rio deserves at least a week but preferably more. Even if you're with a tour group and on a tight schedule the most imprtant thing is that you take a walk in the city by yourself. Leave the air-conditioned bus and the tour-guide behind (funny...it's a tour guide who is saying all this to you - I led a group of 38 people the first time I was in Rio) and start exploring the city. Maybe you could also leave your jewels behind but that's something you surely know. Many say it's not safe walking the streets in Rio so after sunset it's better to stay in the hotel. Bullsh..t (sorry). Rio as a whole is not more dangerous than any other city with around 8 million inhabitants. Just take some precautions and then take to the streets and try to embrace Rio's uncomparable atmosphere. See the buildings, the mosaic-tiled pavement (esp. at Copacabana), the trees, the shops and the people. From the Corcovado or the Sugarloaf it's breathtaking and picturesque but then you're far away from where the action is. So once again: go and walk till you drop. One more thing: bear in mind that in Rio the nights are also not (only) for sleeping...

I really like everything in Rio. It's a lot of fun being there. The city is amazing, caipirinha is delicious and the girls (particularly one of them...:-) are beautiful.

As the Lonely Planet book puts it: <i>Escaping to Rio is a travel fantasy - but the real thing is much better</i>.