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25 January 2011

Our recent summer escapades left us wanting more of Rio de Janeiro.

It was with immense enthusiasm and a passion for ALL things Brazilian that we descended upon the world famous city of Rio de Janeiro this summer. With Louie Austen’s “One Night in Rio” track on repeat in our heads we ventured out to take in all that this great city has to offer. Here we offer a summary of the must sees and dos of this spectacular slice of paradise – in case you too find yourself with one night in Rio.

13:00  Check into your suite in the Philippe Starck designed Fasano Hotel and head up to the hotel’s rooftop pool for a quick tan top-up and a chance to get your bearings from the best viewing spot of the Impanema Beach action.

14:00 Jump in a taxi and head to the Lapa district, renowned for its old crumbling mansions that are now the home to the city’s popular Samba clubs. But you’re not there to Samba, you’re there to hunt down some highly sought after Brazilian mid-century modern furniture. Here you’ll find stores such as Mercado Moderno displaying the best collection of highly covetable pieces by Brazilian design Gods – Oscar Niemeyer, Sergio Rodrigues et al. Get in quick and buy what you can, these items are destined to be as sought after and as valuable as Eames and Le Corbusier in the years to come. You heard it here first. You’ll thank me for this tip in ten years!

15:00 You can’t visit Rio without experiencing some of the great Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s work. Head to Niterói  on the other side of Guanabara Bay. You have two equally appealing options to get there. Either a drive over the 14km Rio-Niterói  bridge (previously the longest of its kind in the world) or take the ferry from Praça   Quinze de Novembro – a short 20 minute journey which takes in the Rio skyline. Once there it’s a quick 10 minute taxi ride to the Neimeyer designed Museu de Art Contemporãnea . Completed in 1996 the building is a fantastic example of Neimeyer’s passion for retro-futuristic architecture.

16:00 Instead of climbing up the quaint streets of Centro and St Teresa for a view of the city and risking your life through another of the city’s omnipresent Favelas, instead opt for the easy option, a 12 minute helicopter tour including the Rio essential – a  loop around Christ the Redeemer. An surprisingly affordable way to get a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding mountains and beaches.

17:00 Back in a taxi head to the world famous Copacabana Beach to the only place you really want to go here – the equally famous Copacabana Palace Hotel. Once a holiday destination for Hollywood’s Brat Pack elite, entertainment is now provided by the poolside mincing of the hotel’s esteemed guests. Order a watermelon martini, sit back and enjoy the show.

18:00 Head back to Impanema  Beach (Copacabana is not for you!) arguably one of the best beaches in the world -  and do what the locals do – order a Caipirinha from any of the kiosks on the beach. Find a spot to park up and marvel at the influx of locals on their daily after work beach vigil. Be sure to pick just the right “Posto” on the beach because, like life in general,  where you sit on the beach dictates what type of life you lead. It shouldn’t take too long for you to work it out for yourself…but in case you’re a little weary from your active day, may I suggest anything around Posto 9 might provide you with some visually pleasing scenery – both in and out of the water.

20:00 Cross the street back to the Fasano Hotel to glamorize for your night out on the town.

21:00 Taxi to Leblon to Rua Dias Ferreira, the best strip for dining in Rio. First stop is a pre dinner drink and snack in the Spanish tapas bar Venga. Order a plate of their delicious  Jamón ibérico and a glass of Rioja and perch up in the window to watch the beautiful locals interact.

10:00 Walk the block to Sushi Leblon, for the best Sushi in Rio. Opt for a seat at the sushi bar amongst the hordes of beautiful locals, many of which are dining with their parents.You’ll need to get here no later than 10pm to prevent waiting for a table for up to an hour. 11pm is peak dining time in Rio and people will happily wait up to an hour on the street cradling their drinks while they wait.

01:00 For the sake of convenience head back to the Fasano and hit up the Londres Bar for some post dinner cocktails and club action. Things really start to pick up in here after 2am….when the older (read: wealthy) hotel patrons have headed back to their suites, and the young and beautiful arrive to shake their surgically enhanced shiz on the dance floor.

04:00 Off to bed you crazy thing you!

11:00 Grab a pre brunch elixir of fresh Agua de Cocoa (fresh chilled coconut milk drunk straight from the coconut) to counteract the excesses of the previous night.

And just in case you need some musical inspiration…