days halcyon
As host to last year’s World Cup and the Olympic Games in 2016, Brazil is enjoying the sort of exposure that money just can’t buy, says Andy Hoskins
sellingtravel.co.uk
H
as Rio de Janeiro ever had it better? Last year the city played host to the football World Cup fi nal; next year the
Olympic Games come to town for three weeks. And as if that wasn’t enough, last month Rio
marked its 450th anniversary and has a busy programme of events planned throughout the year (see
rio450anos.com) to celebrate the city’s cultural and social diversity. For many, it is images of Rio that draw them to Brazil, with the peaks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain rising above Copacabana and Ipanema – the sun-baked beaches populated by tanned and toned ‘cariocas’ – while the city streets pulsate by night to the sound of samba. The vast majority of fi rst-time visitors will
begin and/or end their visit to Brazil in beguiling Rio, and some will pay the infl ated rates and minimum stay requirements in place when visiting during the city’s famous annual carnival, held every February or early March. Rio was among 12 host cities to have enjoyed signifi cant investment in hotels and transport ahead of last year’s World Cup, and the money continues to fl ow with a staggering 400-plus hotels due to open ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. Passion Brazil’s owner, Mariana Rosa, says:
“We now have great hotel chains opening new properties in Rio, such as Accor, Hyatt, Hilton, Pestana, Windsor, Emiliano and Vila Galé. Many hotels have been renovated and their quality has really been improved.” Sunvil Traveller’s Lloyd Boucher says: “The
World Cup was great for Brazil’s exposure worldwide. It was the sort of coverage you just can’t buy, although I think there was too much focus on Rio.” However, he cautions that costs on the ground remain high in Brazil, although air fares are becoming more reasonable. Journey Latin America’s Stuart Whittington
agrees. “The World Cup pushed prices up and the Olympics are likely to do the same over the key booking dates, but good value rates are still possible if you are fl exible on dates and location.” Beyond Rio, the top destinations that are commonly included in ‘classic’ Brazil itineraries
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68