Brazil Family Tour

After a sumptuous breakfast you begin a day of exploration in one of the worlds most famous and picturesque cities – Rio. You begin with a drive through downtown Rio, passing by the Sambodrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral, in pyramid form, with internal diameter of 96 meters and height of 80 meters. Visit the traditional Cinelandia Square with the many historical buildings, the Municipal Theatre, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Visit the neighbourhood of Urca where one of the worlds most recognizable landmarks sit: Sugar Loaf. The journey by cable car is made in two steps. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high and from where one can have a beautiful view of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Hill. It is then onto the Sugar Loaf itself where panoramic views of downtown Rio, the city airport, Christ the Redeemer in the distance and Copacabana Beach are all on offer. Lunch is at the Zozo restaurant near the cable car to Sugar Loaf. A popular restaurant for visitors and locals alike the many glass walls and ceiling offer amazing views of Sugar Loaf, and the tree in the middle of the dining room adds a whimsical touch. The head chef trained under Daniel Boloud in New York. From one stunning view to another it is now onto Corcovado to stand at the feet of the immense statue of Christ. Taking a cog railway to the summit it is a short walk through the many stalls selling all incarnations of the statue to arrive at the countries most recognizable site and yet another world icon the statue of Christ the Redemeer. With stunning views all over Rio it is a photo opportunity not to be missed and never forgotten. Dinner tonight is at Satiricon where the likes of Sting and Madonna have dined. Some of the best seafood in town is served at this eclectic Italian restaurant. A tank of snapping lobsters at the entrance gives diners an indication of the freshness of the fare served here. The carpaccio enter is a specialty it and the daily specials, such as red snapper baked in red wine and herbs, are rendered beautifully. Grilled swordfish and sea bass are other popular orders, and the homemade Italian-style ice cream is a sweet way indeed to round off a meal Fodors Food Review

Petrópolis, in the mountain range known as Serra Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro State, is a favourite getaway for Rio de Janeiro residents. With cooler weather, historic buildings, plenty of ecotourism and adventure opportunities, and charming hotels, Pet polis is the closest mountain resort around Rio and often thought of as part of a trio of towns that also includes Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo. Emperor Pedro I, who declared Brazil independent from Portugal on September 7, 1822, spent a night on a farm belonging to a priest, Padre Correia, when traveling to Minas Gerais earlier in 1822. The farm was located by the Royal Road (Estrada Real) which connected the coast to the gold mines (minas) of the southeast. Pedro I was pleased with the weather and thought it would be good to have a summer residence where he could receive visitors from Europe away from the hot weather in Rio, then the seat of government. He also felt the local climate would be healthy for his daughter, a fragile child who died at 10. The royals purchased a farm next to Padre Correia's farm. When the emperor was forced to resign and return to Portugal in 1831, leaving his young son, Pedro II, as the ruler of Brazil, plans to build a palace on the Petrópolis farm were abandoned. In 1843, newlywed, eighteen-year-old Pedro II created Petropolis by decree. The city and the summer residence were built largely by European immigrants, mainly Germans. You return to Rio early evening and the evening is free.

Today is free to explore. Your local representative will be happy to assist in arranging any activity. No matter what your choice the day ends with a visit to a visit to one of Rio's most famous night stops for a cultural show Plataforma and then dinner at Fogo de Cho n authentic Brazilian steakhouse. Enjoy the delicious menu as prepared by the gaucho chefs along with a gourmet salad bar, authentic Brazilian side dishes, and award-winning wine list.

After breakfast it is to the airport for your flight Iguassu Falls. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel within the Iguassu Falls National Park. One of the best ways to appreciate the scope and grandeur of Iguassu Falls is to see them from above. This can only be done from the Brazilian side so after checking in you head off for your helicopter ride over the falls. Dinner tonight is at the hotel Das Cataratas. The only hotel located within the Brazilian Iguassu National Park, Belmond Hotel das Cataratas enjoys an unrivalled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls. Enjoy exclusive access to this magnificent sight in the evening and at dawn, when the park is closed to other visitors. A Portuguese-colonial residence, this classic luxury hotel is redolent with the atmosphere of lazy days lounging on a veranda or beneath sub-tropical palms. This natural paradise also offers thrills and excitement in abundance: white water rafting, helicopter trips over the gorge and jungle treks to view amazing wildlife including colourful toucans and giant butterflies.

While 70% of Iguassu Falls is located on Argentinean territory, most of the Falls face Brazil. For this reason it is advisable to see and experience these incredible Falls from both sides. Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguassu River, Iguassu Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750-metres cubed) per second. These matter of fact details do nothing to describe the grandeur of the falls, the tremendous amount of water (an average of 553 cubic feet per second) thundering down 269 feet, the tropical location and the sheer beauty that led Eleanor Roosevelt to say, "Poor Niagara." Four times the width of Niagara Falls, Iguassu Falls are divided by various islands into separate waterfalls. This morning is spent on the Brazilian side of the falls with a scenic helicopter flight OVER the falls. The optional Macuco Safari - available ONLY on the Brazilian side of the falls and based on available time - is highly recommended (own expense).??Cross the bridge into Argentina to discover the other half of the falls. The tour begins at the Visitor Center where you board the train at Central Station, some 400 metres away from the main gate. The train travels along Sendero Verde (Green Trail) finishing at Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) Station, the starting point of your journey. You will walk via the catwalks out and over the river, finally reaching Devil's Throat, the apex of the mighty Iguassu Falls. It is a 70-metre-deep point where several branches of the Iguazu river converge, causing a violent but spectacular sight. You will return to the station and re board the train to the Visitor Centre, and then to the start of the Upper Trail Walk. The Upper Circuit is a half-hour walk along a 1200- metre trail, with a low degree of difficulty and no stairs, which takes you deep into the jungle and over the precipice of the many falls on the Argentinean side. Early evening you return to your hotel in Brazil and dinner.

After breakfast you are in for a day of travel as you head to the Brazilian equivalent of Botswanas Okavango Delta ] the Pantanal. A forgotten wildlife paradise sitting almost in the centre of the South American continent, the Pantanal is a vast expanse of waterways, lush vegetation and a high concentration of wildlife. Its fields and mountain ranges, inlets, rivers and lakes cover an extremely flat area of 210,000 km2, fed by tributaries of the Paraguay River, which runs through the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as Bolivia and Paraguay. The unique combination of location, gently sloping topography and seasonal water rise, characterized by intense rainfall in summer, gave rise to a lush, mega-diverse biome. The imposing and magnificent scenery is the habitat of the largest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. It shelters over 650 species of birds, 400 species of fish and 80 species of mammals, many threatened with extinction. Home for you stay is the Caiman Eco Lodge.

Caiman Ecological Refuge is located on a 53 thousand hectare ranch adjoining the small town of Miranda, in the Pantanal wetland. Established in 1985 as the first ecotourism operation in the Southern Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul it consists of two lodges Cordilheira and Baiazinha which have fully independent operations and are 22 km from each other. Cordilheira Lodge integrates harmoniously with Pantanal nature. On one side, a wooded hillside to observe local fauna throughout the day. On the other, a branch of the lake, either dry or full, depending on the season, demonstrates the flood-water cycle to visitors. Recently renovated, Cordilheira has 5 double suites, decorated in contemporary style. Each of these has a separate bedroom and living room, bathroom, powder room and balcony, and can accommodate two people. Cordilheira offers guests outstanding comfort and pampering, with pure cotton bed linen and towels, down-filled pillows and heated showers: a real treat after long walks in the Pantanal natural environment. In the social area, a cozy living room extends to a dining room for 10 people. Outside, a large room with TV, DVD and games welcomes visitors in the intervals between trips. There is also a pool on a deck , surrounded by the vast expanse of the Pantanal landscape.

Daily, the lodge offers a new schedule of activities, with two daylight tours and an evening activity. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Photographic Safari Walking Tour Canoe Tour Jeep Safari Night Safari OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Bird watching Bike tour * These activities require advanced notice. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES (mid June to mid September) Astronomy Workshop Around a campfire and under the starry sky, an expert guide shows visitors the planets and constellations, using powerful telescopes that even allow participants to observe Saturns rings. Jaguar Program All guests visiting Caiman during the high season will have the opportunity to get to partake in the Onçafari Jaguar Project. The activity starts with a lecture and guests will then be taken to the field. All excursions are led by Caimaners, bilingual (English and Portuguese) and natural science graduate guides, and local guides, who have a deep knowledge of local nature and regional culture.

After breakfast it is a return journey to Rio and the Copacabana Palace Hotel. To finish your Brazilian journey in style tonights dinner is at the Chefs Table at the Cipriani Restaurant. With only six seats, the Chef's Table at the Hotel Cipriani Restaurant places diners right by the kitchen for a meal personally prepared by chef Luca Orini. The tasting menu is paired by the restaurant's sommelier with wines from the restaurant's fine cellar. At the end of the meal, you receive a customized menu signed by chef Finamore. What better way to your Brazilian stay!

After breakfast and based on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travels.