Rio in Style: A Journey Through The City's Icons

Ipanema beach is bordered by Arpoador Beach on one end and Leblon Beach on the other end. This beach is considered one of the main centers of activity for the city of Rio. One of the most expensive places to live, the neighborhood is full of wealthy residents.

Is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches in the world. The atmosphere is very vibrant and the people are colorful and fun loving. After the pick-up we will start the tour from Copacabana Beach.

This hill, 220 meters or 722 feet high, has at its peak the first stop of the cable car towards the Sugar Loaf. From the top of Morro da Urca you have spectacular views of various points of the city, such as the beaches of Botafogo, Flamengo, Corcovado with a statue of Cristo Redentor, Guanabara Bay, Rio's downtown, Santos Dumont Airport, Governador Island, Niterói, Rio-Niterói Bridge and, in the background, the Serra do Mar and the Dedo de Deus peak.

Sugar Loaf Mountain, 396 meters or 1300 feet above sea level. From up there, you will have a chance to see the most breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro and will definitely understand why everyone says that Rio is “The wonderful city”

The palace was built around 1853 for a merchant named Machado Coelho in neoclassical style. It was acquired by the imperial government in 1865 in favor of the recently married Princess Isabella and the Count of Eu; On this occasion, the architect José Maria Jacinto Rebelo underwent some transformations to the building. He also planted a hundred palm trees to give more solemnity to the access road. In 1889, the building was confiscated by the Republican government and subjected to a new restoration in 1908 under the direction of Francisco Marcellino de Souza Aguiar and landscape architect Paul Villon, in an eclectic style. After various uses, the palace belongs since 1960 to the government of the state of Rio.

The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the center of the city, in Lapa neighborhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches) by Brazilian people. Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city center with the Santa Teresa neighborhood uphill, the Santa Teresa streetcar.

Next we will visit the Escadaria Selarón or Selaron staircase, a colorful tiled stairway, work of a self-taught Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. Having traveled the world, Selarón moved to Rio in 1983, in a tiny house just in front of the desolate stairway connecting the areas of Lapa and Santa Teresa. 215 steps that he entirely covered with tiles collected in urban areas of Rio or donated by visitors from all around the world. Since 1990, Selarón has laid over 2000 tiles, He choose green, yellow and blue as main colors like the Brazilian flag: unique pieces representing a “tribute to the Brazilian people”.

It has starred in many music videos such as "Beautiful" by Snoop Dog and Pharrel Williams in 2002.

As we continue through the city, we will see the Lapa Arches, Lavradio street and Avenida Chile. There we will visit the cone-shaped Metropolitan Cathedral, a major landmark in this Brazilian city and a masterpiece of modern art. With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. You will notice that acoustics are great in there!

Santa Teresa is Rio's bohemian heart. a charming hilltop neighborhood filled with winding streets, colonial mansions, art studios, and stunning views that capture the city's creative soul

The Tijuca Forest or Floresta da Tijuca is a tropical rainforest in the city of Rio de Janeiro which is 3.5% of the city of Rio de Janeiro, around 11 times Central Park in NY. The tour will reach Tijuca Forest with a stop at Paineiras to board the official vehicles of the National Park Authority to be able to reach the top of the Corcovado Hill where The Christ The Redeemer Statue is located.

From the top of Corcovado Hill you will be able to admire The Christ of the Redeemer statue, which has 38m or 125 feet in height and was made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, and also will have a chance to see some of the most beautiful views of the city.

Only in case of poor visibility on the summit of the Corcovado, we will make an alternative stop at Mirante Dona Marta which offers one of the most incredible views of the city, guaranteeing the title of one of the most visited tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro.