RIO FUN

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RIO DE JANEIROWONDERFUL CITY

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Rio de Janeiro is the only city in the world holding the title of Wonderful without objection. Not only for its natural beauty, but Rio has the Corcovado, the carioca, beaches, fairs, festivals, samba, markets, theater, nightlife, and millions of attractions that everyone dreams to know.

Table of Contents

Wonderful City..................................4

Sports..............................................8

Carnival..........................................10

Beach............................................12

The Hotel........................................16

Day 1..............................................18

Day 2..............................................20

Day 1..............................................22

Day 1..............................................24

Day 1..............................................26

Travel Tips......................................27

Contact..........................................30

4Parque Lage (Park)

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Rio is nicknamed the Cidade Maravilhosa or

“Wonderful City”.

Rio de Janeiro - Rio de

Janeiro is the second largest city in

Brazil, on the South Atlantic coast.

Rio is famous for its breathtaking

landscape, its laidback beach

culture and its annual carnival.

The harbour of Rio de Janeiro is

comprised of a unique entry from the

ocean that makes it appear to be the

mouth of a river. Additionally, the

harbor is surrounded by spectacular

geographic features including

Sugar Loaf mountain, Corcovado

Peak, and the hills of Tijuca. These

features work together to collectively

make the harbor one of the Seven

Natural Wonders of the World.

Corcovado

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WONDERFUL CITYJANEIRORIO DE

“If your search for sun…Rio de Janeiro is your destination.”

Joá Viaduct / São Conrado

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“If you are looking for the nature…Rio de Janeiro is the place”

Water and mountains constitute the basis of the exuberant geography of Rio de Janeiro with its exceptional scenic beauty.

The topographic diversity of Rio includes the vegetation. Forests cover hillsides and remaining species of the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) are preserved in the Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca). The vegetation of lowlands, sandbanks and mangroves are preserved in the areas of environmental protection of Grumari and Prainha.

Despite having developed into one of the largest urban areas in the world, the city has grown around a big green blotch called Tijuca Forest (Floresta da Tijuca), the largest urban forest in the world, which continues to preserve valuable remnants of its original ecosystems although it was replanted in the 19th century. It was the first example of reforesting with native species. Human interference brought even more nature into the city with the construction of parks, squares and gardens.

Gradually the ecosystems came under the protection of environmental legislation and a great number of parks, reserves and areas of environmental protection

were created to ensure conservation.

Tropical, warm and humid, with local variations, due to differences in altitude, vegetation and proximity to the ocean; the average annual temperature is 22° centigrade, with daily averages high in summer (from 30° to 32°); rains vary from an annual 1,200 to 2,800 mm. In the four months of the so-called high summer – from December to March – the very hot days are followed by luminous evenings when heavy and rapid rains usually fall bringing relief and starlit nights.

The city’s physical features are products of the mountain range (Serra do Mar), covered by the Mata Atlântica forest. They are characterized by marked contrasts: mountains and sea, forests and beaches, stone walls rising abruptly from extended lowlands, all forming the landscape of rare beauty that has made Rio famous all over the world as the Wonderful City (Cidade Maravilhosa).

Tijuca National Park

GEOGRAPHICAL SYNTHESIS

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SPORTSJANEIRORIO DE

Beach Soccer, Botafogo Beach

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In Rio de Janeiro, of course, getting a suntan is the major sport of the entire population. Copacabana beach is the focal point of this mania and is always crowded. There are other beaches in nearby like Ipanema or Leblon that have fewer people. For more solitude with your suns, go on out to Sao Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Prainha or Grumari. All these beaches are excellent places to do all kinds of sports.

Copacabana is also a great place to do surfing as well as “Arpoador of Ipanema” beach and “Praia dos Bandeirantes”. The sea at these beaches is rough and dangerous, the best surfers from Brazil and other sites of the world come to these beautiful beaches to prove themselves.

Volleyball is also very popular in Rio and it is played mainly in the beaches, Brazil has been several times World Champion of Men Volleyball and is one of the most important teams of Women Volleyball. Many members of the national volleyball teams are from Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio’s beaches are also scenery of an impressive

sport that is a combination of beach volleyball and beach football named “fute volei” (volleyball without hands using). Besides, RioW is a city with a great beach culture, therefore many cariocas are fanatics of the gym. There are many fitness centers available in all the city.

Rio is one of the best cities in the world to do sport; since it has a complete infrastructure, which includes, bike ways, many coliseums, an impressive number of stadiums, and fields to practice all types of sports. In 2007 Rio organized the Pan-American Games and the city want to organize in 2016 the summer Olympic Games.

“If you like sports...Exercise your smiling muscles”

Surf, Ipanema Beach

SPORTS

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CARNIVALJANEIRORIO DE

Sambódromo

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Although Carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese) is celebrated in towns and villages throughout Brazil and other Catholic countries, Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World. The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, it has also a benchmark against which every other carnival is compared and one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe. Almost everyone has heard of the Rio Carnaval. Foreign visitors to it alone number around 500,000 every year.

Rio Carnival is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. It usually happens in February, the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Rio summer is at its peak.

There are carnival celebrations in virtually every corner of Brazil, the best-known ones taking place in Recife together with the neighboring Olinda (in the North of Brazil) and Salvador. But the biggest and most famous carnival is undoubtedly the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

One of the greatest elements of the Rio Carnival is that it not only provides entertainment for many people around the world but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil. Carnival is very important to the Brazilians, it sums up their culture.

“If you are a dance lover...The samba is waiting for you”

Samba Dancer

CARNIVAL

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BEACHJANEIRORIO DE

Ipanema Beach

BEACHES FROM RIO DE JANEIRO

The beaches in Rio de Janeiro are one of the major reasons that people love to visit here. The second largest city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro has over fifty miles of beach shoreline. These Brazil beaches are for those who are beach enthusiasts, this offers many activities as well as the option of sunbathing and enjoying the warm weather of this city.

COPACABANAIt’s almost impossible for visitors to Rio to resist the charm of the city’s eighty kilometers of beaches. Framed by the wavy black and white mosaics of Avenue Atlântica, Copacabana is one of the main reasons for this fascination. In fact, there are two separate beaches here: Leme (one kilometer) and Copacabana, (just over three kilometers). A center of activity both night and day, the beach is lined with kiosks, a bicycle path and racks, lifeguard posts, public showers and bathrooms, hotels, bars and open-air restaurants. The Military Forts at each end are open to visitors, offering panoramic views.

IPANEMAEven more irresistible than the muse who inspired the “Girl from Ipanema” - the song which immortalized both her and her neighborhood - there is no doubt that Ipanema is a famous meeting point in Rio de Janeiro.

This sophisticated district offers a lively night life scene with an enticing blend of beach, bars and boutiques. A major attraction throughout the day, its sands also welcome countless after-dark visitors, including joggers and other athletes who cluster at its kiosks, pedal along the bicycle path and make good use of special lighting to exercise and relax. Thanks to its multi-faceted lifestyle, Ipanema truly reflects the Carioca spirit of the people of Rio, welcoming visitors eager to join in the fun.

14Ipanema Beach

São Conrado Beach

“If you need a beach escape...Come on and join in us”

SÃO CONRADO BEACH

Great For Surfing - Many experienced surfers choose this destination for the strong waves that are present here. The waves are typically between 50 to 150m on a good day and the swell is usually between 1m and 2m. The waves are the beach-break type and are powerful, fast and hollow.

Awesome Hiking Trail - If you are experienced at hiking, you may want to check out the tour that takes in the Gavea Rock. This is a granite mountain on the shore and is great for those who love climbing. The tour takes about eight hours so it is advised that only experienced hikers should attempt it. The trip starts in the Atlantic Rain Forest and is a beautiful experience. The end of the trip will allow hikers the extraordinary view of the city of Rio de Janeiro and the ocean. A trained guide and those who are fit enough for the hike is essential.

Paragliding - Another sport that is popular at Sao Conrado Beach is paragliding. This is an instructor assisted sport as well. The beginning allows a site of the Tijuca Reservation and the Atlantic Rain Forest. This is an area that has many colorful birds, squirrels and wild berries. This is guaranteed to be an adventure that will take your breath away.

Proximity of Favela of Rocinha - Above the beach is Favela of Rocinha, which is the largest slum in Rio de Janeiro. There are approximately 200,000 people who live there. These areas of Rio are called favelas, which means shantytowns. If you decide on a tour of the Favela of Rocinha, it is advised that you take a guided tour for the safety as well as the learning experience.

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ROYAL TULIP HOTELLocated in front of São Conrado beach, The Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro offers 418 rooms, spread out into 17 floors of complete charm and comfort. Large bedroom with balcony, offers the finest views of São Conrado Beach or Gávea Stone.

Amenities include high speed Internet access, a two-line telephone with voicemail, mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, alarm clock radio, work desk, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. The hotel also has a variety of facilities and services that assure to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers: meeting facilities with capacity to accommodate up to 2.000 people, business center, 24-hour laundry and room service are available to meet your needs at any time.

The hotel also offers a large leisure area with two tennis courts, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym with modern equipment, a Sauna, a Beauty Salon, a Con-venience Store, a Gift Shop, a Newsstand, 2 restaurants and 2 bars.

http://www.royaltulipriodejaneiro.com/default.aspx

The Hotel

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ACCOMMODATIONThe Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro offers 418 rooms, spread out into 17 floors of complete charm and comfort. Large bedroom with balcony, offers the finest views of São Conrado Beach or Gávea Stone. Amenities include high speed Internet access, a two-line telephone with voicemail, mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, alarm clock radio, work desk, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

MEETINGThe hotel has one of the biggest business complex in Rio de Janeiro. Counting with a total of 20 rooms all located at the same level, exclusive entance and capacity for up to 3.000 people.The Pool area can also be used for some kinds of events. Several rooms offer natural daylight.

DININGThe hotel Restaurants offer sophisticated international dishes. The traditional Feijoada is available on Saturdays and a Brunch on Sundays. If the idea is just to relax and have a drink, the cozy Lobby Bar is the perfect choice, with a terrace facing to the beach and a magnificent sunset.For those who prefer to stay in, the Hotel also offers 24 hrs room service.

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DA

Y 1 “If leisure is your task

We can make it.”

Gávea Beach Club

Right in the middle of São Conrado’s beach, one will find the most charming neigh-borhood kiosk: the Gávea Beach Club & Fun. As the name suggests, the kiosk is located right in front of the Gávea Golf Club and it is there where the coolest and hippest residents of the neighborhood stop by, at the end of the afternoon, for a drink and an appetizer while watching the sunset.

The kiosk is simple in its design. The kitchen, however, looks like a class restaurant. The restaurant offers appetizers that make anyone’s mouth water. Bruschetta’s, cod and shrimp dumplings, pastéis (a typical Brazilian pastry stuffed with your choice of cheese, meat, or shrimp), Carpaccio, oysters, among many other snacks that satiate every type of hunger. For an entrée, pasta and oven-baked fish, all fresh and made to order. Not to mention the drinks menu: beers, national and imported wines, Gin Tonic and other drinks, as diverse as possible, for all tastes and occasions.

Its ambiance is the best possible. Good music, -inspired decoration, Wi-Fi, strategic lighting and other pleasant surprises, such as a wine cellar, toilet facilities, make the end of the afternoon extend into candle light dinner. The comfort of being between the sea and the mountains with good food and drinks in priceless.

The beach area located in front of the kiosk will be set up especially for your leisure or incentive group, including beach chairs and sunshades. A private entertainment staff will be also at disposal, organizing several sport activities for costumers, such as Beach soccer and beach volley, racquetball.

Enjoy a day in a beach like a carioca. Good food, sun, comfort and sports.

GÁVEA BEACH CLUB

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DAY 1

TRANSFER AIRPORT TO HOTEL

LUNCH AT BEACH CLUB WITH ENTERTAINMENT

DINNER CHURRASCARIA PALACELarge variety of meat skewers. Great pork, cow and lamb rib and the best amazonian fish steaks (tambaqui or fil-hote). This steakhouse (churrascaria) is located in Copac-abana, is all you can eat and serves other dishes like sushi and salads, brazilian dishes and has live bossa nova music.http://www.churrascariapalace.com.br

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Prado Barbecue Restaurant

DAY 2

CARIOCA DAY WITH LUNCH BEACH CLUB

DINNER PRADOOpened at the end of 2010, Prado conjures up thoughts of farm houses and colonial abodes even without the views out on to the nearby Jockey Club. The menu fea-tures typical Brazilian grilled meats, the varanda is an at-traction in itself, and diners get an unspool view of the racecourse with Christ, the redeemer up above. Also well worth a visit with the kids for an afternoon of all-you-can-eat pizza with the horse’s thundering by if its a couple of aspiring young jockeys you’re after.http://www.pradogrill.com.br/

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22 Christ the Redeemer

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DAY 3

FULL DAY CORCOVADO & SUGAR LOAF WITH LUNCH

Corcovado, meaning “hunchback” in Portuguese, is a mountain in central Rio de Janeiro The 710-metre (2,329 ft) granite peak is located in the Tijuca Forest, a national park. It is sometimes confused with nearby Sug-arloaf Mountain.Corcovado hill lies just west of the city center but is wholly within the city limits and visible from great dis-tances. It is known worldwide for the 38-metre (125 ft) statue of Jesus atop its peak, entitled Cristo Redentor or “Christ the Redeemer”.The most popular attraction of Corcovado mountain is the statue and viewing platform at its peak, drawing over 300,000 visitors per year. From the peak’s platform the panoramic view includes downtown Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lake), Copaca-bana and Ipanema beaches, Estádio do Maracanã (Sta-dium), and several of Rio’s favelas.

Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar.The mountain is only one of several monolithic hills of granite and quartz that rise straight from the water’s edge around Rio de Janeiro. A glass-walled cable car, capable of holding 65 passengers, runs along a 1400-metre route between the peaks of Pão de Açúcar and Morro da Urca every 20 minutes. The original cable car line was built in 1912 and rebuilt around 1972/1973 and in 2008. The cable car leaves a ground station located at the base of the Babilônia hill, to the Urca hill and then to the Pão de Açúcar.

LUNCH BUFFET AT CONFEITARIA COLOMBOStained-glass windows, brocaded mirrors and marble countertops create one of the most lavish settings for cof-fee, a meal or most importantly dessert – including an excellent pastel de nata (custard tart). Scenery will take you back in time, where politicians, business men and artists used to meet. http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br

DINNER GAVEA BEACH CLUB WITH LIVE MUSICThe location is the same, but at the night, the atmosphere chance completely. Time to enjoy a delicious dinner with an ocean breeze. A live guitar singer will enrich even more this night performing good Brazilian music.

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Beach Volley

Bike Ride, Lagoa

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DAY 4

LUNCH GAVEA BEACH CLUB WITH BEACH ENTERTAINEMENT

FAREWELL DINNER AT MARIUS DEGUSTAREAlthough the price is sky-high here, this all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant has many fans. The waiters file through the dining room bearing delectable fruits of the sea - lob-ster, mussels, oysters, tuna, salmon, scallops and more.In the same building is Marius Carnes, serving delicious cuts of steak.http://www.marius.com.br

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DAY 5

DEPARTURE TRANSFER FROM ROYAL TULIP RIO DE JANEIRO HO-TEL TO RIO DE JANEIRO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport

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TRAVEL TIPS

NORTHSIDE is pleased to welcome you to our city, and take this opportunity to give you some useful hints, in order to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

ELECTRICITYMost of Rio de Janeiro uses 110 volts. Some cities in Bra-zil and a few hotels use 220 volts.

CURRENCYReais, divided into 100 Centavos. Banks, “Casas de Câm-bio” and most hotels are able to exchange your Dollars. Opening hours; from 11.00 am to 04.00 pm.

LANGUAGEPortuguese, with a strong and characteristic Brazilian ac-cent. Those fluent in Spanish will be able to communi-cate with minor adjustments. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Brazilians are very patient with foreigners, and a smile and a few gestures go a long way.

TELECOMMUNICATIONSDirect international dialling is available from all hotels. As service charges are rather high, it would be more eco-nomical to place collect calls, or using telephone cabins in our Cyber Cafés. There are also Tele cards available at the newsstands for local, long distance and international calls.

Direct-dial international call: 00 + 21 (Operator) + coun-try code + city code (without zero) + telephone number.

Direct-dial domestic long distance call: 00 + 21 (Opera-tor) + city code (without zero) + phone number

Atlantic Forest

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WATERAs the chemical treatment of the water is different in Brazil, we would suggest that you only consume min-eral water, sold in bottles or plastic cups. Ice in res-taurants and hotels can be consumed normally, as the water used for this purpose, has been treated for con-sumption.

RESTAURANTSRio de Janeiro has a large variety of restaurants in all categories. The “A LA CARTE” Restaurants normally serve very big portions. For this reason, we recommend our guests to order one portion to be shared, what is absolutely normal in Rio.

TIPPINGIn restaurants and hotels, a tip of 10% is usually added to your bill. On top of that, a tip of another 5% is usu-ally expected.

TAXISTaxis are the most economical way to get around the city. Taximeters are used, and at the end of the trip a 10% tip is usually given. All major hotels offer limou-sine service. These cars are air-conditioned, and accom-modate up to four passengers. Tickets for these cars are purchased at the car service desk, usually situated in the lobby of the hotel, at pre-established rates.

HOTELNormal check in is at 14:00 or 15:00 and check out hour in the hotels is at midday. Safety deposit boxes are available in the rooms.

TOURSA large number of tours, within Rio de Janeiro, and outside the city, are on offer to suit all tastes. For the planning of your individual program, please consult our hospitality desk, your Tour Escort or our office.

IDENTIFICATION CARDIt will be your document during your stay in Rio and contains your name, hotel address, telephone and fax number. We recommend also a copy of passport.

RECONFIRMATIONYour guide will be in charge of the reconfirmation of your flight booking. Remember that passports are required for domestic flights.

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTAmerican Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa.

CARDS X CASHWithdrawal service to the tourist in Brazil is available using an international credit card or debit card. It is

TRAVEL TIPS

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possible to withdraw in “Reais” the necessary amount to continue your trip comfortably. 24 hour banking: BANCO DO BRASIL, HSBC, CITIBANK, BRAD-ESCO and ITAÚ. For this operation you need your PIN NUMBER.

DRESS CODERio is very informal. However, coat and tie for busi-ness, dark suit and cocktail dress for formal occasions. Saturday is the exception, when men wear open-necked shirts and no tie even to five-star restaurants. For wom-en, we would suggest a smart-casual.

POSTAGEPurchase stamps and mail letters preferably at post-offices (CORREIOS). Delivery is slower from yellow mailboxes in streets and hotels. SHOPPINGFor shopping, Rio de Janeiro is the right place to find almost everything you can imagine in any one of thou-sands of shops, from the most sophisticated jewelry and clothing boutiques to the street-markets stands. Large concentrations of shops and stores are locat-ed in Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon and in the downtown area. If you are interested in popular art, do not miss the picturesque “Feira de Arte Popular” or “The Hippie Fair” held on Sundays at General Osório Square in Ipanema.

The best buys are jewelry, leather and handicrafts. In terms of jewelry Brazil is the main miner of COLOR-ED PRECIOUS GEMS in the world: Emeralds, Aq-uamarines, Topazes, Amethysts, and Tourmalines. But remember that buying jewelry is an investment, which should be done with a necessary recommendation of confidence. Bargaining is not practiced in shops, but when pay-ing cash you usually get a discount. You may bargain though at the Hippie Fair. The RIO SUL SHOPPING CENTER consists of four floors, housing hundreds of shops and several restau-rants. A FREE BUS service connects Rio Sul with the length of Av. Atlântica every hour. Please contact the front desk of your hotel regarding to the bus schedule.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

As in any city in the world of the size of Rio de Janeiro, the key to an uneventful stay is to protect yourself from pickpockets and carry as little cash and as few valuables as possible.

The Rio de Janeiro military police and the municipal guard corps have stations and reporting centres. In case of need, do contact the hotel Front Desk for guidance and assistance.

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Estrada da Gávea, n.712 / Grupo 407 São Conrado – Rio de Janeiro - RJ.Cep: 22610-010.Tel: (021) 3216-7200FAX: (021) 3322-7737e-mail: marketing@northside.com.br