This week, Martin Frankengberg, one of our associates, saw the first concrete glimpse of the long anticipated Museum of Tomorrow, one of the cornerstones of the Porto Maravilha project – a comprehensive urban renewal of the Port Region, promoted by the city of Rio de Janeiro.
– Museum of Tomorrow prototype –
Designed by the iconic Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the site was conceived as a next generation science museum, with a special focus to interactive installations and audiovisual displays to examine the past, present and future of Humanity. The museum is due to open sometime later during the year of 2015.
“The pictures below were taken from my favourite museum um Rio, the MAR – Rio Art Museum – the first of the 3 major museums to have opened in the effort to revamp the city’s cultural offerings in time for the Olympics”.
– view from Rio Art Museum – – Museum of Tomorrow preview –
Without a doubt, Rio de Janeiro will be the most exciting place to be during the World Cup. Not only will it host some of the most interesting first round matches of the tournament, it will also be an incredibly fun place to join the crowds and watch the matches taking place in other cities. We have prepared a selection of packages for some of the First Round matches taking place in the city. And for those looking for an extra dose of excitement, see our Round of 16 packages and also our stunning collection of Private Apartments and Villas, the perfect base for the Finals and Semi-Finals.
Belgium vs Russia Match | June 20 – June 24 | 4 night package
: 4 nights at the Fasano Hotel | June 20-24 | Rio’s Best 5 star deluxe Contemporary Style Hotel
:: 4 VIP tickets at Match Club Hospitality Level (sourced directly from FIFA) for Russia vs Belgium match on June 22nd
:: 5 days of car at disposal with driver and private guide for touring Rio and access to match
:: Entrance to any of Rio’s major tourist attractions: Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, and any museum
Special Price: U$ 9,000 per person based on a package for 4 people. Based on 2 people sharing Deluxe Ocean View Room and King Bed at the Fasano. Consult us for other categories of accommodation including the Presidential Suite or other categories of match tickets.
France vs Ecuador Match | June 24 – June 27 | 3 night package
:: 3 nights at the Fasano Hotel | June 20 – 24 | Rio’s Best 5 star deluxe Contemporary Style Hotel
:: 4 VIP tickets at Match Club Hospitality Level (sourced directly from FIFA) for France vs Ecuador match on June 25th
:: 4 days of car at disposal with driver and private guide for touring Rio and access to match
:: Entrance to any of Rio’s major tourist attractions: Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, and any museum
Special Price: U$ 7,500 per person based on a package for 4 people. Based on 2 people sharing Deluxe Ocean View Room and King Bed at the Fasano. Consult us for other categories of accommodation including the Presidential Suite and other categories of match tickets.
Round of 16 Match | 1st of Group C (Colombia, Greece or Japan) vs 2nd of Group D(England, Italy or Uruguay) | June 26 – June 30 | 4 night package :: 4 nights at the Copacabana Palace Hotel | June 26 – 30 | in an Ocean Front Suite plus an Ocean Front Room (can be connecting)
:: 4 VIP tickets at Match Pavillion Hospitality Level (sourced directly from FIFA) for the 1st of Group C vs the 2nd of group D match on June 28th
:: 5 days of car at disposal with driver and private guide for touring Rio and access to match
:: Entrance to any of Rio’s major tourist attractions: Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, and any museum
Special Price: U$ 10,200 per person based on a package for 4 people. Based on 4 people in an Ocean Front Suite and an Ocean Front Apartment. Consult us for the possibilities of triples and also for other room options or other categories of match tickets.
The Most Incredible Private Villa Portfolio in Rio
For those looking for accommodation for the Finals, we can offer an incredible portfolio of Private Apartments and Villas in and around the city. Have a look at some options here and consult us for pricing.
It will be the most amazing and exciting days in the city, and we are looking forward to meet you there!
See you in Rio!
Hidden in the West side of the Marvelous City, a few desert beaches are worth the hike
If being original is the rule nowadays, these beaches are the hipsters of Rio de Janeiro. Not too far from crowded neighborhoods such as Jacarépaguá and Recreio, lies a hidden treasure, even for many locals; more precisely at Barra de Guaratiba, there are five beaches off Rio de Janeiro’s coast which are considered desert: Buzios, Perigoso, do Meio, Funda and Inferno are only accessible by treks or boats.
Being a desert beach means nothing was modified on the coast lining, that there are no signs of urban life whatsoever, no kiosks, or anything. It´s you, and nature, and hopefully the best company you can think of to help you carry food, water and maybe a beach umbrella.
All treks have the same starting point, at Guaratiba beach. After a 40min mild hike, you´ll reach a fork, one way leading to Perigoso and Búzios, while the other way will take you to Funda, Inferno and do Meio beaches. How long you will take from the fork to each destination depends on the individual’s physical conditions as well as how much weight is being carried. The easiest to get to, and first beach you will cross is Perigoso. Another 45min-walk will lead to Praia do Meio. The furthest is Inferno beach (in English, this would be the Hell beach, but the only Hell here is not bringing sunscreen), and it has an alternative trek back to Guaratiba village, about 2h walk.
For the not-so-active crowd, the boats leave from Guaratiba port, and prices may vary according to number of passengers, luggage and the route desired. But the views you will find during the treks, can’t compare. As they say, best things in life are free – and very well kept.
The Portuguese had a very creative idea that is spreading around the world – they have transformed Lisbon cobblestones in QR codes containing historical information and curiosities about the city.
To build the mosaics they had to take out some historical stones from the floor that couldn’t just be thrown away. This led to another incredible idea – to take them to other places in the world and make other QR codes, containing information about each place with those same stones. The first place to get it was Bracelona, and now it’s arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
The idea is not only to give easy access to touristic information, but also to blend technology with tradition, and bring a creative and fun urban intervention.
The 1st QR code in Rio is at Arpoador beach, but there will be 30 more until the end of the year in Rio´s main touristic sights. That way the city will not only have a bit more of Portuguese history influences, but also an innovative way to tell its own history to the many tourist that are about to come.
To understand a bit better this Portuguese idea, check out the movie about the project!
According to the Condé Nast Traveller, Brazil is one of the “Destinations to watch in 2013”. So why not come to enjoy Carnaval? If you start planning now you can still make it! The festivities starts on February 8th and officially ends on the 12th. However, there will be plenty of things going on until the 17th.
This great party is celebrated all over the country, but Rio is definitely one of the best places to go. There you have many ways to celebrate:
THE SAMBADROME
The Sambadrome is the Carnival mecca. It’s where the magic happens and where the amazing Samba Parade on Carnival week takes place. It’s a must go! Rehearsals that are almost like the Parade but without costumes and with less participants also takes place there, starting already in December. It is also possible to do a tour during the day.
CARNIVAL BALLS
Rio de Janeiro, as the City of Carnival, offers a selection of Carnival balls. Though hundreds of balls happen all over the city, some are always better bets than others. The most traditional and popular ones are at the Scala and Mangueira Samba School. But the most glamorous is definitely the Copacabana Palace Ball.
STREET CARNIVAL
Each neighborhood in Rio has its favorite Bandas or Blocos. Both consist of an orchestra marching along a pre-determined route, followed by hordes of enthusiastic samba dancers. They may come dressed in costumes, bathing suits, plain clothes, special T-shirts, or even in drag. It’s free, spontaneous, and everybody’s welcome to participate!
– Museum of Tomorrow prototype –
– view from Rio Art Museum – – Museum of Tomorrow preview –
