When in Rio: Enjoy the Best of Brazil
Right now more than ever Rio de Janeiro, the bustling, vibrant Brazilian city, is on everyone’s mind. Yes, it is a great destination to watch world athletes compete, but also is a splendid vacation destination in its own right and for good reason.
Said to be the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere, Rio draws visitors from around the world to enjoy its tropical flora and sugary beaches. Known for its many historical, cultural, and scenic attractions there are many must-sees including the iconic art deco Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, and significant art museums like the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. There’s glamour, festivity and more to discover.
Here we share some of the best of Rio:
Posh Lodging
From its regal location on the Avenida Vieira Souto overlooking the famed Ipanema Beaches, the Hotel Fasano, designed by renowned French designer Phillipe Starck, harkens the Brazilian new music, Bossa Nova era of the 1960’s. Sleek in design, filled with modern furnishings and sumptuous luxury, the hotel has less than 100 rooms, each appointed with rich materials to make your stay one of extravagance. Room choices include suites with courtyard views as well as oceanfront rooms and suites. Butler, babysitting, and pet services ensure a pampered vacation for all. While the vibrant city awaits, you may just find yourself blissfully happy to linger at the ultra-hip pool deck seduced by its stunning ocean and mountain views.
Live and Revel Local
If you’d rather immerse yourself in the community, Rio Exclusive is a service that offers a portfolio of luxurious vacation rentals from distinct apartments to plush penthouses for the discerning clientele.
They also offer customized concierge services, curated experiences, and tours of Rio. Let them take care of the details if you want to partake in the local revelry and the best of Rio Carnival, the city-wide celebration that runs forty days prior to Easter. For the ultimate experience, they can even snare VIP tickets to the celebrated Samba parades.
Feast Well
Accolades for the award-winning restaurant Olympe are lengthy and prestigious. With food fit for a god, the praise isn’t surprising. Voted one of the top 50 restaurants in Latin America and boasting a Michelin rating, Olympe is an exceptional fine dining experience with cuisine spanning haute and French cuisines and molecular gastronomy.
Notable French Chef Claude Troisgros and his son Chef Thomas Troisgros specialize in French food crafted from the best, hyper-local Brazilian ingredients. Formal in plating and ambiance, the seasonal menu features opulent small plates that look like jewels almost too pretty to eat. Choices like fresh hearts of pupunha palm, beet cured Amberjack, acidulated beet puree, and spiced mayonnaise; pressed octopus and honey pickled baby vegetables or crispy suckling pig with panko-cacao dressing make it hard for gastronomes to choose. But you’ll want to save room for their legendary passion fruit crêpe soufflé. The ideal setting for a romantic dinner or special occasion, the tasting menu and exquisite wine offerings are foodie favorites.
Beach Better
A sand and surf lover’s dream, Rio offers ten miles of beaches and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the most revered are the curving Copacabana Beach with its Roberto Burle Marx designed mosaic boardwalk and the bohemian chic Ipanema beach affording views of twin peaks, Dois Irmãos. Each special in its own way, these South Zone beaches can often be quite crowded.
For a more serene beach experience drive an hour out of the city and seek the West Zone located, white sand, Prainha Beach, also known as the Little Beach. It’ll be worth the trouble getting there, as it’s not a tourist destination, but rather a spectacular and tranquil surfing spot with sizeable waves. But go early as sunbathing in the late afternoon will be hindered by the shade of the mountains.
For family or entertaining a crowd, some of the best places to tune-in to the summer events in Rio are these luxury Portfolio listings boasting premium media rooms:
Agent Miguel Herrera
For more information on these listings, please contact
Agent Miguel Herrera
miguelherrera@kw.com
210-698-9996
Agent Patti Nelson
For more information on these listings, please contact
Patti Nelson
Patti@PattiNelsonLuxury.com
210-387-3830
Who is Portfolio Real Estate?
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