Destinations

Rio de Janeiro is hands down one of my favorite destinations. The scenery and music are among the best in the world  - and it is impossible not to get swept away by the wonderful Bossa Nova and Samba rhythm that IS Rio de Janeiro.

I’ve visited Rio several times over the last few years and always felt welcome and safe.  I won’t deny there are dangers - as with any big city - but if you use good common sense you can enjoy a safe trip, drinking in the incredible sights, sounds and delicacies of Rio.  My best travel tip is to pack light - leave behind any flashy clothes and jewelry - just bring the basics:  a pair of shorts, a tank top and good pair walking shoes -  and you’re ready to go!

For first time visitors I recommend staying in Ipanema. This is a safe, upscale neighborhood with many wonderful options for hotels and restaurants. My favorite is a Golden Tulip boutique hotel, THE IPANEMA PLAZA (http://www.ipanemaplaza.com.br/en-us/default.asp) , which caters mostly to European and South American tourists. The rooms are comfortable and immaculate and the staff are friendly and eager to help with an impressive ability to bounce effortlessly between 4 or 5 languages.  There is also a daily breakfast-buffet included with the cost of the room, which consists of three tables of hot and cold food - scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, sausages, ‘pão de quejo’ (a delicious local cheese-puff snack), various cheeses, meats, rolls, cereals, yogurt, and an array of fresh tropical fruit.

One of the best features about the Ipanema Plaza is the location.  Situated on Rua Farme de Amoedo, you are centrally located  - just one block from Ipanema Beach, and one block from GAROTA DE IPANEMA the corner Restaurant-Bar where the famous song ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.  There is great shopping within two blocks on Visconde de Pirajá where you will find the latest fashions in Rio, with great buys for shoes, dresses, accessories, summer wear and
much more. Just three blocks away there is also a wonderful artisan open market known as the “Hippie Fair”, held Sundays 12 -5p in Praça General Osario.

My most recent trip was with a friend who owns a catering business, Diana’s Creative Catering of Malibu. Together we set out to learn about the culinary delights of Rio.  Her goal was to experience traditional Brazilian food, so our first stop was for Feijoada, the national dish of Brazil.  Feijoada is a thick black bean stew with pork, beef or sausage, served in clay pots. Typical side dishes are rice, manioc, or fried bananas - and there is always bowl of chili peppers close by for those truly serious about *spicy* food.  A traditional Brazilian drink to accompany is the national drink of Brazil - the Caipirinha - made of sugarcane alcohol, sugar and lime.  Since Feijoada can take hours, even days to prepare, some restaurants may only offer the dish on certain days of the week, however you can find Feijoada daily at the charming CASA DA FEIJOADA (Rua Prudente de Moraes 10) - just past the Praça General Osario.

If you want to experience an elegant buffet with authentic Brazilian dishes, don’t miss the Saturday afternoon brunch at the CAESAR PARK HOTEL’S GALANI RESTAURANT, on the 23rd floor of the Caesar Park Hotel.  You can enjoy the stunning birdseye views of Ipanema Beach with a buffet that will rival any offered by the finest hotels around the world. Executive Chef, Helbert Moura offers the best of Brazil’s traditional dishes with his personal touch combining the unique flavors of Brazil with an impressive first-class presentation.

For a really special dinner try one of Rio’s top restaurants, LE PRÉ CATALÁN (http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1988-sofitel-rio-de-janeiro/restaurant.shtml) , located in the 5 Star SOFITEL in Copacabana. This restaurant is super chic - and you can experience the incredible views of Copacabana Beach while enjoying the ultra modern interior and creations of Chef Roland Villard.  Mr. Villard offers an exquisite combination of Brazil’s ingredients in a French-style preparation.  I recommend their ‘Tasting Menu Amazonia’ which offers 8 small courses with Amazonian fruits, vegetables and fish, and Amazonian fruit granité to cleanse the palate in between. This is a meal you will never forget.  Chef Villard personally comes to every table to explain the preparation of each dish (brush up on your French for this!)  Each meal is served with incomparable beauty and paired with wines from around the world.  A ‘do not miss’ experience, and a very special meal. I highly recommend this for any ‘foodies’ visiting Rio.

Our next stop was APRAZÍVEL (http://www.aprazivel.com.br/)  located high atop a winding hill in Rio’s historic Santa Teresa district. The setting is tropical with open air breezes and non-stop vistas over downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay.  Aprazível serves contemporary Brazilian cuisine with delicious signature dishes, such as their Peixe Tropical, an Amazonian fish served in orange sauce with coconut rice and baked bananas. Aprazível is a wonderful stop if you want to incorporate a visit to the charming
hilltop district of Santa Teresa with a unique dining experience overlooking a panorama of Rio.

Another wonderful restaurant district for meandering is Rio’s very vogue Lebon neighborhood. Many great restaurants are situated on Rua Dias Ferreira, where you can enjoy reading menus posted for viewing on the sidewalk until you find one that strikes your fancy.  Any restaurant with sidewalk seating or a good window seat will give a perfect vantage point to watch the ‘beautiful people’ of Rio pass by.  Make note that some of Lebon’s more ‘in’ restaurants are extremely popular, such as the famous SUSHI
LEBLON, which is frequented by Brazil’s and Hollywood’s stars. (Tom and Katie Cruise were there the week we were in Rio) - For these ‘hot spots’ reservations are recommended.  

Rio has a near endless selection of food and restaurants to accommodate any budget or preference.  Glance through the options when you arrive by purchasing a copy of VEJA RIO (http://vejabrasil.abril.com.br/rio-de-janeiro) , a local magazine listing Rio’s restaurants. Also, ask the locals for suggestions! Cariocas (the name for Rio’s locals) are delighted to help and may know of a good restaurant that just opened.  

Regardless of whether the music, culture or sights initially brought you to Rio, the meals will certainly be a part of the memories you take home!

(Stay tuned for my next article in honor of Carnival on the *Sights and Sounds of Rio!)*

If you are looking for an incredible Amazonian experience that is relatively easy to reach, I highly recommend Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge just outside of Manaus, Brazil.
 
On the Rio Negro (which joins the Amazon River at Manaus) sits the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the world’s largest fresh water archipelago.  Anavilhanas is host to indigenous species of fish, local crocodiles (Jacaré), freshwater pink dolphins, manatees and hundreds of species of flora and fauna.  Mosquitoes find the naturally high ph of the river disagreeable, so as an added plus - the area is relatively mosquito free!
 
In the midst of the private reserve is the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge. Approximately 3 hours drive from Manaus, this lodge is truly a class-act and the perfect answer for the guest who wants the Amazon experience without having to give up all modern comfort.  The Lodge is relatively new (just one year old) and the only one of its kind in this protected preserve.
 
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is owned and run by a delightful young Brazilian couple who thought of every detail to bring the best combination of nature, beauty and regional flavor to their guests. The local staff are equally wonderful, bringing an additional element of local warmth and friendly, attentive service.
 
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge offers a variety of packages ranging from 3 – 6 days , for approximately $250 per person per day.  The packages (which include all transfers, meals and tour-guided activities) are an unbelievable value.  Each activity gives the guests the opportunity to learn and experience more about the area than they could ever do on their own. The guides are highly knowledgeable – with a unique depth understanding of the area and its history, and each able to communicate in numerous languages (for example one of the guides spoke fluent Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish and German!) The activities include boating excursions, bird watching, piranha fishing, caiman hunting, nature walks, and swimming with pink dolphins - just to name a few.

 The buffet-style meals (three full meals, daily) feature delicious regional dishes, consisting of local fish, chicken, beef and pork dishes, local fruits, vegetables and freshly baked deserts.  After lunch or dinner, the guests may choose to convene in the open lobby area for conversation, to play pool or some of the table games provided (chess, checkers etc). This area also has a computer, Cable TV and a wonderful collection of books to study more on the Amazonas’ flora and fauna. 

I spent three days at the Anavilhanas Lodge and came away with one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The time went far too quickly – I am already planning my return to this hidden paradise!

January 13 — February 4, 2009, See the world’s coastal rim in 23 days. Explore the earth’s oldest desert, feel the thunderous roar of Iguazú Falls, cruise around the infamous Cape Horn, and navigate admits vast icebergs to reach “the end of the Earth”. This expedition will take you to the most breathtaking sites on the planet all in the comfort of your own VIP jetliner. This is a one in a life time trip that you will always remember.

The journey begins with a flight from Harrod’s private terminal in London’s Luton Airport. You’ll be flying in a VIP 757 Boeing Jetliner newly configured that hosts only 74 guests. You will reach Madeira Island a spectacular national park with the prefect climate, striking scenery, and even its own unique wine. Choose from the many organized activities that TCS Exeditions provides.

Then it’s off to Burkina Faso where you’ll drive to Tiebele here you’ll experience traditional tribal living and wildlife. Reboard the jet for a day trip to explore Bobo Dioulasso the cultural capital of Burkina Faso featuring brilliant man made and natural sites. Ensuite, Walvis Bay Namibia, a dramatic blend of dunes and ocean. Choose from the many wildlife adventures or an expedition to the ancient Namib Desert.

Next stop Cape town located in a stunning natural setting explore the ocean from up above, see the unique habitat of African penguin colonies, visit fascinating African museums, or take a cable car to summit of Table Mountain. Then jet off to Rio de Janeiro, where you’ll stay in the opulent Copacabana Beach hotel and explore the world famous Tijuca Forest and take a cogwheel train to Corcovado. Then to Buenos Aires where you can visit the capitals European-influenced neighborhoods or the native countryside.

Next its off to Ushuaia the world’s southern most city. Here you’ll embark on a three night luxury cruise around Cape Horn, visiting some of the most untouched and rarely seen locations of the world. The cruise is then followed by a visit to Iguazú Falls. This string of 275 waterfalls is nearly two miles wide creating an everlasting rainbow in the water.

The trip ends with a visit to the engineering marvel the Panama Canal and a stay in a rainforest resort. Ride a tram through the rainforest canopy and enjoy a farewell dinner marking the end to this remarkable and extraordinary trip.