Day 1 – Italy > Rio de Janeiro
Individual departures from Italy by intercontinental flight to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight stay on board.
Day 2 – Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrive at Rio de Janeiro International Airport in the early morning and clear customs formalities. Meet with driver for transfer to hotel behind the Copacabana waterfront. Accommodation in reserved rooms and free time to rest or for a sunset stroll along Avenida Atlantica. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar).
Day 3 – Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with our guide for a day entirely dedicated to visiting the city. The morning begins with an ascent to Christ the Redeemer, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: the cogwheel train travels through the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, before reaching the top of Corcovado for a breathtaking view of the bay. We continue with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral of São Sebastião, an avant-garde work with pyramidal lines, a symbol of a Brazil in dialogue between faith and modernity. The picturesque Santa Teresa district, reached by the characteristic yellow streetcar, welcomes us with its cobbled streets, artists’ studios and bohemian cafes. Descending, we admire the Selarón Steps, a masterpiece of colorful mosaics created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, and the Arches of Lapa, a symbol of Rio’s nightlife. We finish with a stroll through the colonial old town. Dinner at a typical churrascaria for an immersion in local flavors. Overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar)
Day 4 – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide for another day to explore the wonders of Rio. Today it is the turn of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain, among the most iconic views in the world, reached by cable car. We continue with an outdoor visit to the Sambodromo, the heart of Rio Carnival, and the unique experience of an indoor visit to the City of Samba, where samba schools prepare floats and costumes for the grand parade. In the afternoon, we explore Little Africa, the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture, where we stop to admire the giant Kobra Murals that tell the faces of humanity in vivid color. Return to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure to explore the city independently. Free dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar)
Day 5 – Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with the guide to resume our discovery of off-the-beaten-path Rio with an outdoor visit to the legendary Maracana, the world temple of soccer. We continue by immersing ourselves in the sounds and scents of the Gloria Market, where local producers sell tropical fruits, spices, handicrafts and street food accompanied by live music. The visit continues with a boat ride in Guanabara Bay that gives a different perspective on Rio’s skyline and Sugarloaf Mountain. Let us be moved by the unique beauty of this marvelous bay that made Portuguese settlers fall in love with it and, at the end, with a visit to The Maze Cultural Center, an artistic and community place decorated entirely with mosaics by international artists, with spectacular views of the bay. Dinner at Casa da Feijoada restaurant, where you can enjoy Brazil’s national dish. Overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar)
Day 6 – The Coffee Valley
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the Coffee Valley, in the heart of Rio state, among green hills and historic fazendas. Visit a residence that belonged to a 19th-century coffee baron, to relive the golden age of this region that made the fortune of imperial Brazil.
After free lunch, visit a coffee fazenda to learn about sustainable farming techniques and taste the local production, accompanied by a snack of homemade products. Return to Rio. Free dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar)
Day 7 – Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Our exploration of Rio’s hidden corners today takes us on a visit to the Favela Rocinha, Rio’s largest favela, with a licensed local guide who shows us the social inclusion projects and vitality of these communities. The visit continues to the Tijuca Forest, the city’s green lung: an oasis of biodiversity with waterfalls, flat paths and scenic miradouros. Pass by the highest waterfall in the National Park and walk for about 30 minutes in the lush nature of the forest. Stop at the most scenic viewpoints of San Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacaba beaches before returning to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to relax on Copacabana beach or continue wandering around the city on your own. Dinner ilibera and overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Rio Othon Palace 4* (or similar)
Day 8 – Rio de Janeiro > Paraty
Breakfast at the hotel. Release of rooms and departure by private van to Paraty, a colonial city of extreme beauty and UNESCO heritage site. Arrival and accommodation in reserved rooms in a Pousada in the historic center. Free lunch. Afternoon free to independently explore the town of Paraty, strolling through its cobblestone streets, white churches and pastel-colored houses that tell centuries of history related to the gold and coffee trade. Free dinner in one of the many small local restaurants where you will experience the artistic and relaxed atmosphere of this coastal town. Overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Pousada do Ouro (or similar)
Day 9 – Paraty
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a 4×4 adventure in the Serra da Bocaina National Park to visit breathtaking waterfalls, such as those of Poço do Tarzan and Tobogã, the milestone of Caminho do Ouro, the Pedra Branca waterfall and Poço da Usina. On the way back, stop at a distillery to learn about the different production processes of Paraty’s famous cachaças, with the possibility of tasting liqueurs and aged cachaças. Visit to a farm for a tasting of artisanal cheeses from the area. Return to the hotel, free dinner and overnight stay.
Optional for the evening: Discovering the caiçara gastronomy – Price per person € 70.00 (minimum 2 people)
Experience an unforgettable evening in the heart of Paraty’s historic center at one of the city’s most celebrated kitchens. Located in an elegant colonial building and led by chef Ana Bueno, Banana da Terra celebrates contemporary caiçara gastronomy, with dishes that enhance the flavors of the Brazilian sea and land through fresh, local ingredients, reinterpreted with creativity and sophistication. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, perfect for a special dinner with friends or couples: among the dishes on offer you can discover unique combinations of fish and seafood with Brazilian influences, accompanied by a selection of wines and cocktails designed to complete the experience
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Pousada do Ouro (or similar)
Day 10 – Paraty
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to wander the cobblestone streets in the heart of the city or relax on the beach while waiting for the sunset to dye the colorful waterfront houses orange. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Pousada do Ouro (or similar)
Day 11 – Paraty > Rio de Janeiro > Departure
After breakfast, depart for Rio for your flight back to Italy. Overnight stay on board.
Meals included: breakfast
Day 12 – Italy
Arrival in Italy. End of services.
