Arriving in Rio

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The Marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro, has much more to offer than simply the lovely beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. Just up from these tree-lined neighborhoods is Lagoa, a charming lakeside setting near the lush Botanical Garden. Further east you will encounter the seaside neighborhood of Urca and the striking views atop SugarLoaf. The historical gems of downtown and Catete lie north of there, while a short tram ride from Centro leads to Santa Tereza, Rio's most bohemian hood. Visible all over the city, Christ the Redeemer satads atop Corcovado mountain, a neighboring hill. Greater Rio has many attractions, including the Maracana Football Stadium in Sao Cristovao district, boat rides across the bay to Niteroi and the eastern beaches and gorgeous beaches to the west.

Boasting a magnificent beach and tree-lined streets full boutiques, reataurants and colorful bars and coffee shops, Ipanema and Leblon are Rio's loveliest destinations and the favored residence for young people and beautiful Cariocas Girls. ;) With a mix of well-to-do-famillies, models and hipsters of both the gay and straight variety, the twin neighborhhos boast some of the city's highest rents, the result, no doubt, of its appeal.

Ipanema acquired international fame in the early '60s as the home of Bossa Nova character "The Girls From Ipanema" by Antonio carlos Jobim. It became the hangout of artists, intellectuals and wealthy liberals, who frequented the sidewalks cafés and bars. After

During the '70s, Leblon became the nightlife center of Rio de Janeiro. The restaurants and bars of Lower Leblon, on Ataufo de Paiva's Avenue, between Aristides Espinola street and General Artigas, were the meeting points for a new generation of artists and musicians. Nightlife continues to be very animated here today, every weekend!

Just north of Ipanema, the well-to-do-suburbs of Gavea, Jardim Botânico and Lagoa have a mix of eclectic restaurants, stylish bars and attractive parks. Jardim Botânico gets its name from the lush botanical gardens as its edge.

Lagoa also earns its moniker from one of the Zona sul's (south zone of rio) natural attractions, a picturesque saltwalter lagoon. With lovely viwes of Corcovado hill and the mountains, the lake is one of Rio's gems. By day, joggers and cyclist circle its shores, while at night music-filled restaurants serve diners under the open sky.

The exotic Botanical garden housing, over 5000 varieties of plants, was designed by order of the Prince Dom Joao in 1880. It's quit and serene on weekends and blossoms with famillies and music on weekends. A pleasant outdoor café overlooks the gardens.

A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the log scalloped beach of Copacabana and Leme always has a flurry of activity stretching its length: overamped footballers singing their team's anthem, Cariocas and tourists lining up for caipirinhas at kioskes and the beach vendors picking their way through the mass of bronzed bodies.

As in Ipanema, each group stakes out its strech of sand leme is a mix of older residents while the area between the Copa Palace and fernando Mendes Street is the gay and lesbian section at night, known as the Stock or Stock Market, easily recognized by the rainbow flag. Young Football and Beach Footvolley (Volleyball played without the hands). In the morning, you can buy the fresh catch of the day.

Gavea's stellar attraction, the Planetarium features a museum and two state of the art operating domes, each capable of projecting over 6000 stars on its walls, There are free guided observations through the far reaching telescopes on Monday, Wednesday and thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm. Periodically, the Planetarim's hosts live concerts. The Planetarim's hypermodern universe museum houses permanent exhibitions.

A largely middle-class residential area, Botafogo lacks the sensuality of Ipanema and the decadence of Copacabana, but it's one of Rio's most traditional neighborhoods. It boasts small museums, excellent theaters, quaint bookstores, neighborhood bar and a welcome shortage of high-rise buildings.

A visit to Sugarloaf is a must, butif you can avoid it from about 10am to 3pm, which is when most of tourists buses arrive. Avoid cloudly days as well. Two cable cars connect to the summit, 396m above Rio. The first ascends 220m to Urca Hill. The second cable car goes up to Sugarloaf. At the top, the city unfolds beneath you with Corcovado Mountain and the Christ off to the west and the long curve of Copacabana Beach to the south. If the breathtaking heights unsteady you, a drink stand is on hand to serve caipirinhas or beer. The two stage cable cars depart every 30 minutes.

Those who'd rather take the long way to the summit should sign up with one ,of the granite-hugging climbing tours offered by various outfits in Rio de Janeiro.

From Urca Hill you have a fantastic view of Guanabara's Bay and the winding coatline. On the ocean side of the moutain is Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), in a small and calm bay. Urca's Hill has its own restaurants, souvenirs shops, a playground, an outdoor theather and a helipad (helicopter tours). Beneath the shadow of Urca's Hill the narrow Red Beach has superb views of the rocky coastline from the shore. Its coarse sand, unlike that of any other beach in Rio, gives the beach the name of Red Beach.

Built in 1905 in the same style of the Paris Opera in France, the magnificent Municipal theater is the home of Rio's opera, orchestra and ballet. Bilingual guided tours are a worthwhile investiment. If you get a chance, go to a performance there. Very nice choice!

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