Have you ever dreamed of Rio de Janeiro? Do the rolling waves of the South Atlantic and the undulating hills of the Brazilian coast call to you? Answer the call—in style—with a luxury adventure to Brazil’s Marvelous City with Up in the Air Life luxury tour designers.
Carefully curated by on-the-ground experts and encompassing food, music, art, dance, history, and, yes, a party or three, Up in the Air Life’s Rio experience is one of unexpected wonders and tropical magic. And like the defining qualities of a diamond, this upscale excursion covers the Four Cs of a memorable, once-(or twice)-in-a-lifetime adventure into the heart and soul of Brazil.
Cuisine (and cocktails)
The various cultural components to Brazil can be best experienced through the country’s cuisine, and Up in the Air Life sets the table with an array of options for edibles that sates even the most ravenous appetite, especially if that appetite is for meat. Topping Up in the Air’s list is Rio’s talked-about steakhouse, CT Boucherie, which serves up hearty meats and sides with succulent flavor and high-class flair. Rubaiyat, with views of the racetrack at the fabled Jockey Club, cooks its meats and pours its wines with Mediterranean panache.
The less-haute, more-folksy options on the itinerary include Garota de Ipanema (Girl From Ipanema), an eatery named for the renowned paean to Rio’s supple young beach bunnies and the spot for delicious meats grilled at your table, Angu do Gomes, with its zesty classics influenced by the Afro-Brazilian fare of the country’s northeast, and at Praça dos Nordestinos for feijoada, a thick and, of course, meaty stew that is the national dish of Brazil. Of course, all of these places serve up frosty imported and domestic beers, as well as caipirinhas, the national cocktail, but the bar atop Sugarloaf Mountain has unsurpassed views, scrumptious beverages, and a thumping sound system.
Culture (and how!)
Obviously, food rates highly on the list of cultural attribute Brazil brings to the fore, but the country’s art, street style, music, dance, and joie de vivre are virtually unmatched. Up in the Air Life’s curated forays into Brazilian culture include excursions to the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood with its cobblestone streets and colonial-era architecture, the Ipanema Hippie and Art Fair and its unsurpassed selection of one-of-a-kind souvenirs and authentic handicrafts, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and striking Dois Irmaos massif, mansion-in-the-jungle Parque Lage (yes, where Snoop and Pharrell shot the “Beautiful” video), and, most interestingly, to the impactful, resilient community of Rocinha, one of Rio’s largest favelas.
Of course, music and dance reign supreme in the Marvelous City, as Rio is known, especially during the run-up to Carnival, and the Up in the Air Life sought out the best, most exciting events in town for ramp-shaking and samba-ing the night away. The central district of Lapa, tucked away under the whitewashed arches, buzzes with bars and botecos, where live musicians keep the dance floors hot while affable bartenders keep the libations flowing. Rio Scenarium is one of those oh-so-Rio nightspots where tourists and locals come together for a little flirting and foot-shuffling until the wee hours. But the real party is just getting started.
Carnival (well…pre-Carnival, actually)
During Up in the Air Life’s luxury Rio experience, the city is in the throes of Carnival season, and all the major parade organizations—called samba schools because the first one formed across the street from a teachers’ college—are wrapping up their final preparations for the big blow-out event the very next week. This means the Carnival spirit pervades every party and gathering, which may still be crowded, but without the crushing waves of revelers expected to descend on the city during Carnival itself. Up in the Air Life takes adventurers into the heart of the action, with pre-Carnival celebrations at the world-famous Sambadrome, where the samba schools perfect their dance moves in anticipation of the grand parade.
But it’s easy to join in on the fun, as escorted excursions to raucous pre-Carnival block parties, called blocos, and old school-style samba sets at various venues help revelers work off the calories from all those delectable dinners.
Comforts (aaaaaaah!)
And when the party’s finally over each night, Up in the Air Life sets you up in sparkling beachfront accommodations, such as the Sofitel Caesar Park or the iconic Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel. The epitome of tropical luxury, the Copacabana Palace has been hosting superstars for nearly 100 years; Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, the Rolling Stones, Princess Diana, Madonna, and Michael Jackson have all rested their heads, frolicked in the pools, and dined out at the Copa. And when not relaxing in the multi-level spa, or on beds as soft as clouds, guests swim or sun themselves along some of the world’s most celebrated beaches, alongside all the other tall, tan young lovelies Rio is so famous for.
Image credit: Charlie Phillips via Flickr
Are you ready to book your Carnival of luxury with Up in the Air Life? Do it…you know you want to. 😀
FLY BROTHER hanging out in Rio with Up in the Air Life!