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Day One
Home » Brazil » Brazil Vacations- A One to Three Day Itinerary » Day OneStart the day today with a trek up to the top of the Corcovado Mountain. The view from this hunchback mountain is beyond description. It is here that the 100-foot, 1,000 ton Christ Redeemer statue stands with arms outstretched. Some say it seems to float, as if it was there to guard the city. When standing with your back to this statue, you will see the Maracana soccer temple and the northern districts to your left. To the right, you will see the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the Copacabana, and the Ipanema beaches. In front of you, you will see the Niteroi and the hump of the Sugar Loaf.
After seeing the beauty of the Lagoa Rogrigo de Freita from the heights of the Corcovado, you will surely want to get a closer look at its splendor. The beautiful lake is a haven for local cariocas and features a wonderful waterside walk and a 5-mile bike path. For sports enthusiasts, there is also tennis and volleyball courts, a baseball diamond, and soccer grounds. There are also numerous kiosks serving food and offering up live music.
After a morning full of nature and beauty, head on over to lunch at Zaza Bistro Tropical. The cuisine is a delicious blend of Thai spices with a tropical influence. Dining during the day provides a shadowy, tropical atmosphere, while dining at night is romantic, candle-lit and mysterious. The grilled tuna fish with passion fruit sauce is delicious.
After lunch, take a ride on the Bonde de Santa Teresa. Formerly the principle form of transportation in Rio de Janeiro, all that remains today of Bonde de Santa Teresa is the cable car. Take a ride on the cable car and witness spectacular views or get off and tour the Musee da Chacara do Ceu.
If you still have time left this afternoon, stop by the Arcos da Lapa. This aqueduct was finished in 1750 and is one of the few surviving landmarks from the colonial era. Today, it functions as a viaduct to the Bondinho Santa Teresa that connects the downtown area to the Santa Teresa area.
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