Samba school Salgueiro was crowned champion of Rio's fiercely competitive Carnival parades on Wednesday, knocking off a powerhouse rival and overcoming a shooting that left three dead outside its headquarters just months ago.
Salgueiro's parade theme centered on the history of the drum and its importance to music in various cultures. An army of 4,100 marched alongside ornate floats featuring prehistoric beasts ridden by cavemen.
The school scored 399 points out of a possible 400 to win its ninth title and first since 1993. In second place with 398 points was Beija-Flor, which had won five of the previous six years and edged out Salgueiro in 2008.
"It's a huge win. Salgueiro really needed this victory," said a crying school president Regina Celia Duran. "Salgueiro is a family, and we are now all very happy."
Brazilians spent hours glued to their televisions, screaming in joy and groaning with disappointment, as judges announced scores for the schools' floats, costumes and how well they moved through the half-mile Sambadrome stadium.
Thousands jammed each school's headquarters, most of which are housed in Rio's hardscrabble outskirts. At Salgueiro in the Tijuca neighborhood, fans decked out in the school's red and white colors hugged, jumped up and down and cried in disbelief as their win became clear.
Schools spend upward of $2.5 million to create lavish 80-minute parades. A win brings a trophy, possible sponsorships and bragging rights — but no cash.
Authorities were on the alert for any violence, after three people were injured in a shooting last year during celebrations in front of Beija-Flor's headquarters.
Violence has in the past hit samba schools, whose funding is often suspected of being tied to illegal lotteries.
In December, a gunfight outside Salgueiro ended with two security guards and a bystander dead. No suspects were caught, and the motive for the attack is unknown. During Carnival 2007, a vice president of the school was shot dead outside headquarters.
Last week, more than 40 young tourists were robbed by armed men who invaded two hostels. There were scattered reports of at least 15 other foreigners being mugged.
Rio's Carnival officially ended Wednesday, but several large parties are still scheduled through the weekend. The top six finishing samba schools get to march again on Saturday in a champions' parade.
Officials had expected nearly 720,000 tourists to flock to the city's Carnival and pump $521 million into the local economy.
The top six finishing samba schools get to march again on Saturday in a champions' parade.
In Brazil's business capital of Sao Paulo, which holds a less celebrated parade, the Mocidade Alegre school was announced as the winner on Tuesday.
Military police used pepper spray to break up a rambunctious party outside the school's headquarters in northern Sao Paulo. Three people were hurt, none seriously.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ircGw24KLMeC_o2boCr0e961aOFgD96ISB580
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Brazil's Carnival Kicks Off in Rio de Janeiro
King Momo, the character considered the owner of Carnival, received Friday the key to Rio de Janeiro from Mayor Eduardo Paes at a ceremony where he officially declared the pre-Lenten festival open.
The figure of King Momo, who has reigned since the year 1933, was on this occasion represented by bank employee Milton Junior, 29, who took the honor after almost 10 years in which practically without exception the same person played the monarch.
At the ceremony held at the Copacabana fort, Milton was accompanied by Carnival queen Jessica Maia, who was escorted by princesses Shayene Cesario Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa.
Together they awaited the arrival of the mayor as samba rhythms played and other traditional festival characters made an appearance, including representatives of the samba schools' old guard.
King Momo was welcomed with honors, amid the music of trumpets and drums and a shower of flower petals, to be given a replica of the key made be relatives of Candonga, an artisan of yesteryear renowned for his contribution to the festival.
Paes, attending his first Carnival as mayor, said during his speech that this is "the happiest day of my 50 days in the government."
The mayor also joked about ceding power to Momo and said that if during the next four days there should be any traffic problems in the city, "look for King Momo and not for Eduardo Paes."
Once the Carnival king was handed the key and the festival was officially open, the delegation wrapped up the ceremony by taking a ride on the gigantic ferris wheel installed in the fort to promote Rio de Janeiro's candidacy for the 2016 Olympic Games, as the crowd gathered there looked on.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=328139&CategoryId=13003
The figure of King Momo, who has reigned since the year 1933, was on this occasion represented by bank employee Milton Junior, 29, who took the honor after almost 10 years in which practically without exception the same person played the monarch.
At the ceremony held at the Copacabana fort, Milton was accompanied by Carnival queen Jessica Maia, who was escorted by princesses Shayene Cesario Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa.
Together they awaited the arrival of the mayor as samba rhythms played and other traditional festival characters made an appearance, including representatives of the samba schools' old guard.
King Momo was welcomed with honors, amid the music of trumpets and drums and a shower of flower petals, to be given a replica of the key made be relatives of Candonga, an artisan of yesteryear renowned for his contribution to the festival.
Paes, attending his first Carnival as mayor, said during his speech that this is "the happiest day of my 50 days in the government."
The mayor also joked about ceding power to Momo and said that if during the next four days there should be any traffic problems in the city, "look for King Momo and not for Eduardo Paes."
Once the Carnival king was handed the key and the festival was officially open, the delegation wrapped up the ceremony by taking a ride on the gigantic ferris wheel installed in the fort to promote Rio de Janeiro's candidacy for the 2016 Olympic Games, as the crowd gathered there looked on.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=328139&CategoryId=13003
Brazil's Carnival Kicks Off in Rio de Janeiro
King Momo, the character considered the owner of Carnival, received Friday the key to Rio de Janeiro from Mayor Eduardo Paes at a ceremony where he officially declared the pre-Lenten festival open.
The figure of King Momo, who has reigned since the year 1933, was on this occasion represented by bank employee Milton Junior, 29, who took the honor after almost 10 years in which practically without exception the same person played the monarch.
At the ceremony held at the Copacabana fort, Milton was accompanied by Carnival queen Jessica Maia, who was escorted by princesses Shayene Cesario Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa.
Together they awaited the arrival of the mayor as samba rhythms played and other traditional festival characters made an appearance, including representatives of the samba schools' old guard.
King Momo was welcomed with honors, amid the music of trumpets and drums and a shower of flower petals, to be given a replica of the key made be relatives of Candonga, an artisan of yesteryear renowned for his contribution to the festival.
Paes, attending his first Carnival as mayor, said during his speech that this is "the happiest day of my 50 days in the government."
The mayor also joked about ceding power to Momo and said that if during the next four days there should be any traffic problems in the city, "look for King Momo and not for Eduardo Paes."
Once the Carnival king was handed the key and the festival was officially open, the delegation wrapped up the ceremony by taking a ride on the gigantic ferris wheel installed in the fort to promote Rio de Janeiro's candidacy for the 2016 Olympic Games, as the crowd gathered there looked on.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=328139&CategoryId=13003
The figure of King Momo, who has reigned since the year 1933, was on this occasion represented by bank employee Milton Junior, 29, who took the honor after almost 10 years in which practically without exception the same person played the monarch.
At the ceremony held at the Copacabana fort, Milton was accompanied by Carnival queen Jessica Maia, who was escorted by princesses Shayene Cesario Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa.
Together they awaited the arrival of the mayor as samba rhythms played and other traditional festival characters made an appearance, including representatives of the samba schools' old guard.
King Momo was welcomed with honors, amid the music of trumpets and drums and a shower of flower petals, to be given a replica of the key made be relatives of Candonga, an artisan of yesteryear renowned for his contribution to the festival.
Paes, attending his first Carnival as mayor, said during his speech that this is "the happiest day of my 50 days in the government."
The mayor also joked about ceding power to Momo and said that if during the next four days there should be any traffic problems in the city, "look for King Momo and not for Eduardo Paes."
Once the Carnival king was handed the key and the festival was officially open, the delegation wrapped up the ceremony by taking a ride on the gigantic ferris wheel installed in the fort to promote Rio de Janeiro's candidacy for the 2016 Olympic Games, as the crowd gathered there looked on.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=328139&CategoryId=13003
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Carnival revelers promise grand party with less $
Samba schools competing for local glory vowed Sunday to throw a magnificent Carnival party — complete with colorful floats, masked and face-painted dancers, and intoxicating musical rhythms — despite having less money to invest amid the global financial crisis.
Two big sources of revenue for the Carnival parades have fallen this year: Sponsorships from corporations and foreign tourists who pay for the privilege of marching with the participants.
Countless news media reports have reported on samba schools which, lacking the money for raw materials, have scaled back their productions, incorporating plastic bottle and other recyclables into their floats.
But school members are putting on a brave face, replacing cash with creativity and enthusiasm.
"They say this is the year of the Carnival in crisis, but the party that lives inside us all has no price," said Miqueas Cherry, 30, a seamstress who helped create costumes for the Grande Rio samba school.
The $2.5 million samba-school parades are the centerpiece of the world's largest Carnival bash — and schools compete fiercely to dominate the show.
The parades, in which Brazilian celebrities and slum dwellers dance alongside each other, take place over two nights and pit the top 12 samba schools against each other. The winning school earns bragging rights and massive attention from the local news media.
Samba school Beija-Flor, last year's champion and the winner of five titles in the past six years, is again the favorite. The school will parade just before dawn Monday in front of 80,000 spectators at the Sambadrome stadium.
Hundreds of informal, around-the-clock street parties — celebrations that many describe as the soul of Brazil's Carnival — hummed along outside the stadium Sunday, with the largest gathering attracting more than a half-million people.
Samba schools also staged early parades Sunday in Sao Paulo, a business-oriented city that some Brazilians say is too straight-laced to throw a proper party.
But Swiss tourist Christoph Fischer, 42, seemed to appreciate the milder version of events, noting that in contrast to the anything-goes chaos of Rio's pre-Lent bash, "Carnival in Sao Paulo is very organized."
Fernando Angelo Reis, 35, a nurse from Sao Paulo, acknowledged that the city's celebrations lacked the exuberance of those in Rio, or even those in the cities of Salvador and Recife.
But "even though Carnival might be a little better in Rio, I wouldn't trade it for Carnival in Sao Paulo because of security issues," Reis said.
In Rio last week, armed men with guns and grenades invaded youth hostels, tying up scores of foreign tourists and then robbing them.
Police have since reinforced patrols in tourist areas.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h1MORJNEkoFFW212KtDumevq_cXwD96GOK681
Two big sources of revenue for the Carnival parades have fallen this year: Sponsorships from corporations and foreign tourists who pay for the privilege of marching with the participants.
Countless news media reports have reported on samba schools which, lacking the money for raw materials, have scaled back their productions, incorporating plastic bottle and other recyclables into their floats.
But school members are putting on a brave face, replacing cash with creativity and enthusiasm.
"They say this is the year of the Carnival in crisis, but the party that lives inside us all has no price," said Miqueas Cherry, 30, a seamstress who helped create costumes for the Grande Rio samba school.
The $2.5 million samba-school parades are the centerpiece of the world's largest Carnival bash — and schools compete fiercely to dominate the show.
The parades, in which Brazilian celebrities and slum dwellers dance alongside each other, take place over two nights and pit the top 12 samba schools against each other. The winning school earns bragging rights and massive attention from the local news media.
Samba school Beija-Flor, last year's champion and the winner of five titles in the past six years, is again the favorite. The school will parade just before dawn Monday in front of 80,000 spectators at the Sambadrome stadium.
Hundreds of informal, around-the-clock street parties — celebrations that many describe as the soul of Brazil's Carnival — hummed along outside the stadium Sunday, with the largest gathering attracting more than a half-million people.
Samba schools also staged early parades Sunday in Sao Paulo, a business-oriented city that some Brazilians say is too straight-laced to throw a proper party.
But Swiss tourist Christoph Fischer, 42, seemed to appreciate the milder version of events, noting that in contrast to the anything-goes chaos of Rio's pre-Lent bash, "Carnival in Sao Paulo is very organized."
Fernando Angelo Reis, 35, a nurse from Sao Paulo, acknowledged that the city's celebrations lacked the exuberance of those in Rio, or even those in the cities of Salvador and Recife.
But "even though Carnival might be a little better in Rio, I wouldn't trade it for Carnival in Sao Paulo because of security issues," Reis said.
In Rio last week, armed men with guns and grenades invaded youth hostels, tying up scores of foreign tourists and then robbing them.
Police have since reinforced patrols in tourist areas.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h1MORJNEkoFFW212KtDumevq_cXwD96GOK681
Carnival queen sambas with Obama's face on thigh
A Brazilian carnival queen famous for her skimpy attire is grabbing headlines again for painting President Barack Obama's face on her body.
Viviane Castro paraded nearly nude early Saturday with the U.S. leader's visage on her right thigh. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's face was on her left thigh.
Castro's stomach read "for sale" — a message she said represented the sale of Brazil's Amazon to the U.S. Many here fear the U.S. wants to control the resource-rich region.
Castro appeared in last year's Rio Carnival parade wearing nothing but a strategically placed piece of tape 1 1/2-inches (4-centimeters) long , violating a little-enforced nudity rule and drawing a penalty for her samba group.
She wore the same patch this year.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMESWMrTm_1On-T3k0X5SyDQQ-GAD96G3NQG0
Viviane Castro paraded nearly nude early Saturday with the U.S. leader's visage on her right thigh. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's face was on her left thigh.
Castro's stomach read "for sale" — a message she said represented the sale of Brazil's Amazon to the U.S. Many here fear the U.S. wants to control the resource-rich region.
Castro appeared in last year's Rio Carnival parade wearing nothing but a strategically placed piece of tape 1 1/2-inches (4-centimeters) long , violating a little-enforced nudity rule and drawing a penalty for her samba group.
She wore the same patch this year.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMESWMrTm_1On-T3k0X5SyDQQ-GAD96G3NQG0
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Zannel Launches the First Mobile Carnaval and Mardi Gras Community Channel
Mobile bloggers around the world to capture Carnaval and Mardi Gras events in real time
For the first time ever, mobile bloggers will be broadcasting video, pictures and text updates of Carnaval (or "Carnival" in the United States) and Mardi Gras celebrations in real-time from around the world using Zannel, the service which allows people to see and talk about what's happening now. The channel was created in partnership with Bossabeauty.com, the natural, beautiful Brazilian skincare line.
The Carnaval channel, available on mobile and web at http://www.zannel.com/carnaval09, will allow people from all over the world to see and share in real-time the best moments of the week's festivities, parades, costumes, and general revelry. In San Francisco, Zannel will hold a "King and Queen of Carnaval" Event on February 20, 2009 to watch the celebrations unfold. At the event, the two people with the best costumes will be anointed the King and Queen. To learn more about attending, contact carnaval09@zannel.com.
"We wanted to create a channel that captured the fun and excitement of Carnaval and Mardi Gras," said Vanessa Zbar, President of BossaBeauty.com. "We partnered with Zannel to enable people worldwide to instantly capture and share their unique experiences through their mobile phones."
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/zannel-launches-the-first-mobile-carnaval-and-mardi-gras-community-channel,721500.shtml
For the first time ever, mobile bloggers will be broadcasting video, pictures and text updates of Carnaval (or "Carnival" in the United States) and Mardi Gras celebrations in real-time from around the world using Zannel, the service which allows people to see and talk about what's happening now. The channel was created in partnership with Bossabeauty.com, the natural, beautiful Brazilian skincare line.
The Carnaval channel, available on mobile and web at http://www.zannel.com/carnaval09, will allow people from all over the world to see and share in real-time the best moments of the week's festivities, parades, costumes, and general revelry. In San Francisco, Zannel will hold a "King and Queen of Carnaval" Event on February 20, 2009 to watch the celebrations unfold. At the event, the two people with the best costumes will be anointed the King and Queen. To learn more about attending, contact carnaval09@zannel.com.
"We wanted to create a channel that captured the fun and excitement of Carnaval and Mardi Gras," said Vanessa Zbar, President of BossaBeauty.com. "We partnered with Zannel to enable people worldwide to instantly capture and share their unique experiences through their mobile phones."
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/zannel-launches-the-first-mobile-carnaval-and-mardi-gras-community-channel,721500.shtml
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rio's Carnival: Why Just Watch, When You Can Join the Parade?
Tourists are no longer just watching the parade at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Nowadays, tourists don costumes, join a samba school for the night, and fully participate in the festivities.
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, February 16, 2009 (PressReleasePoint) -- Sure, you can watch Rio's Carnival from the Sambdromo, but parading is where the fun is.
The number of foreign tourists participating in Rio's Carnival parade has increased dramatically in the last few years.
"Joining the Carnival parade is definitely one of my top 3 experiences in life!" affirms Casey A. from San Diego, who participated in the 2007 parade in Rio. "Everything is so grandiose and exuberant, and you feel like the center of attention."
"It's like the difference between going to Pamplona and running with the bulls, as opposed to just watching. Obviously, the risk at Carnival is a lot lower," compares Josh M. from Wisconsin, who participated earlier this year.
Tour operators have started sneaking tourists into the middle of the thousands of samba school paraders. This is so they are not identified by the Carnival judges, who often penalize samba schools for marching with participants who are not singing or dancing according to the song. This rule does not discriminate against foreigners, but against anyone who is not fully participating. To make the tourists inconspicuous, tour operators have been forming small groups of a dozen participants and mixing them in with a large group of Brazilians.
"We teach our clients a few tricks to blend in, so they don't look like tourists. First we teach them to wave and throw kisses to the crowd. We give them bubble gum so they appear to be singing, and of course we make sure they learn a few dance moves," reveals Mauricio Bastos of RioCharm Travel Services, one of the tour operators offering Carnival parade packages. "It's amazing how ecstatic everyone gets afterwards."
The Carnival experience starts at the hotel, where participants don the Carnival costume, usually something large and sparkly. Once dressed, members of the group meet at a subway station in Copacabana and head towards the Sambdromo, a mile long stadium in the shape of a corridor, where the Carnival competition is held. There participants meet the rest of their samba school and wait for their turn while sampling caipirinhas and other traditional beverages. Fireworks go off to indicate it's time for the next samba school to go in the Sambdromo. In military style, 4,000 or so participants from one samba school get in line and wait for their turn to enter.
Once inside the Sambdromo, participants are encouraged to have fun, and reminded to not do anything touristy, such taking photos or greeting famous observers in the VIP balconies. Each of the 12 schools has 80 minutes to move their school through the Sambdromo. Once members exit the Sambdromo, they can buy tickets to watch the other schools parade, or they can continue on to Carnival parties happening throughout the city. Participants get to keep their costumes, which many think of as the ultimate Rio souvenir.
"How to actually participate in the Carnival parade is rarely mentioned in travel guidebooks," states Cristiano Nogueira, author of a travel guide to Rio de Janeiro. "We added parade coverage in the second edition of "Rio For Partiers." Now at Carnival time we get a flood of email enquiries from interested travelers."
The dates for the 2009 Rio Carnival are February 21-28. For photos, videos and to learn more about parading in Rio's Carnival, please visit: http://www.rioforpartiers.com/carnival.html
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/rio039s-carnival-why-just-watch-when-you-can-join-parade
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, February 16, 2009 (PressReleasePoint) -- Sure, you can watch Rio's Carnival from the Sambdromo, but parading is where the fun is.
The number of foreign tourists participating in Rio's Carnival parade has increased dramatically in the last few years.
"Joining the Carnival parade is definitely one of my top 3 experiences in life!" affirms Casey A. from San Diego, who participated in the 2007 parade in Rio. "Everything is so grandiose and exuberant, and you feel like the center of attention."
"It's like the difference between going to Pamplona and running with the bulls, as opposed to just watching. Obviously, the risk at Carnival is a lot lower," compares Josh M. from Wisconsin, who participated earlier this year.
Tour operators have started sneaking tourists into the middle of the thousands of samba school paraders. This is so they are not identified by the Carnival judges, who often penalize samba schools for marching with participants who are not singing or dancing according to the song. This rule does not discriminate against foreigners, but against anyone who is not fully participating. To make the tourists inconspicuous, tour operators have been forming small groups of a dozen participants and mixing them in with a large group of Brazilians.
"We teach our clients a few tricks to blend in, so they don't look like tourists. First we teach them to wave and throw kisses to the crowd. We give them bubble gum so they appear to be singing, and of course we make sure they learn a few dance moves," reveals Mauricio Bastos of RioCharm Travel Services, one of the tour operators offering Carnival parade packages. "It's amazing how ecstatic everyone gets afterwards."
The Carnival experience starts at the hotel, where participants don the Carnival costume, usually something large and sparkly. Once dressed, members of the group meet at a subway station in Copacabana and head towards the Sambdromo, a mile long stadium in the shape of a corridor, where the Carnival competition is held. There participants meet the rest of their samba school and wait for their turn while sampling caipirinhas and other traditional beverages. Fireworks go off to indicate it's time for the next samba school to go in the Sambdromo. In military style, 4,000 or so participants from one samba school get in line and wait for their turn to enter.
Once inside the Sambdromo, participants are encouraged to have fun, and reminded to not do anything touristy, such taking photos or greeting famous observers in the VIP balconies. Each of the 12 schools has 80 minutes to move their school through the Sambdromo. Once members exit the Sambdromo, they can buy tickets to watch the other schools parade, or they can continue on to Carnival parties happening throughout the city. Participants get to keep their costumes, which many think of as the ultimate Rio souvenir.
"How to actually participate in the Carnival parade is rarely mentioned in travel guidebooks," states Cristiano Nogueira, author of a travel guide to Rio de Janeiro. "We added parade coverage in the second edition of "Rio For Partiers." Now at Carnival time we get a flood of email enquiries from interested travelers."
The dates for the 2009 Rio Carnival are February 21-28. For photos, videos and to learn more about parading in Rio's Carnival, please visit: http://www.rioforpartiers.com/carnival.html
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/rio039s-carnival-why-just-watch-when-you-can-join-parade
Carnival in Rio
The carnival to end all carnivals begins on Feb. 20, and the Samba School Parades continue until the following (Shrove) Tuesday. The bad news about this spectacular party is the cost of the tickets to the Sambadromo, which is the only area where you can see the main events -- about $900 for the best seats. The good news is that it is still possible to get some.
www.carnivalservice.com.
www.carnivalservice.com.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Around Brazil: The Romance of Rio
Explore Rio‘s Romantic Side for Valentines Day
If you are hoping to take your loved one away on Valentine‘s, South America might seem to be a curious choice. But escaping the all-too-familiar breaks in Paris and Venice, Rio de Janeiro offers the budget traveler an intriguing alternative for a spot of romance.
Show your partner how much you really care by whisking them off to Brazil‘s golden capital for a truly indulgent trip that can add a bit of spice to your Valentine‘s Day without breaking the bank.
Dia dos Namorados
Translated as ‘Boyfriend/Girlfriend's Day‘, this is actually the Brazilian equivalent of Valentine‘s Day. The festivities are set in June instead of February, with the date coinciding with the traditional celebration of St. Anthony, who was considered the bearer of good fortune towards relationships.
A variety of concerts, performances and musical shows are hosted throughout the country on this day and it is not uncommon for couples to spend it partying with their friends and families.
Ilha Grande
During the day, take a bus or taxi out of Rio de Janeiro and head north to explore the cluster of beach islands famous for their beautiful and scenic landscape. The Ilha Grande is best visited in the hotter months of February when the expansive golden beaches, tropical forestry and blue ocean can be truly taken advantage of.
Once a part of the Atlantic rainforest (one of the largest ecosystems in the world) the region is home to a number of endangered species. The highest point is the Pico da Pedra D'Água, which stands at over 1000 meters high and provides unrivalled views of the stunning surroundings.
Zaza Bistro
Travelers looking for dinner on a budget can make a stop at Zaza‘s, located in the Ipanema district of Rio. The menu offers a wonderful mix of cultures and flavors, incorporating a blend of traditional Latin dishes as well as Asian and European foods to perfectly cater to all tastes.
Sit and eat outdoors to catch a glimpse of the vibrant nightlife life of Ipanema, or the plush seating inside can provide a more private and ambient surrounding, making for a very romantic setting.
Rio Scenarium
A trip to Rio would not be complete without taking in the exciting and varied nightlife that the city has to offer. The Rio Scenarium is a very popular bar that makes for a fabulous place to spend the evening with your loved one, thanks to its lively and colorful atmosphere.
With food and drinks at very modest prices, treat yourself to a fruity cocktail and a bite to eat, such as the local fish dishes which prove to be extremely popular. Spend the rest of the evening dancing long into the night to the sounds of samba music provided by live bands.
Backpackers can take full advantage of the sun, sea and sand of Rio, whilst indulging in the cultural spectacle of Brazil - making this Valentine‘s Day one to remember.
http://www.gringoes.com/articles.asp?ID_Noticia=2237
If you are hoping to take your loved one away on Valentine‘s, South America might seem to be a curious choice. But escaping the all-too-familiar breaks in Paris and Venice, Rio de Janeiro offers the budget traveler an intriguing alternative for a spot of romance.
Show your partner how much you really care by whisking them off to Brazil‘s golden capital for a truly indulgent trip that can add a bit of spice to your Valentine‘s Day without breaking the bank.
Dia dos Namorados
Translated as ‘Boyfriend/Girlfriend's Day‘, this is actually the Brazilian equivalent of Valentine‘s Day. The festivities are set in June instead of February, with the date coinciding with the traditional celebration of St. Anthony, who was considered the bearer of good fortune towards relationships.
A variety of concerts, performances and musical shows are hosted throughout the country on this day and it is not uncommon for couples to spend it partying with their friends and families.
Ilha Grande
During the day, take a bus or taxi out of Rio de Janeiro and head north to explore the cluster of beach islands famous for their beautiful and scenic landscape. The Ilha Grande is best visited in the hotter months of February when the expansive golden beaches, tropical forestry and blue ocean can be truly taken advantage of.
Once a part of the Atlantic rainforest (one of the largest ecosystems in the world) the region is home to a number of endangered species. The highest point is the Pico da Pedra D'Água, which stands at over 1000 meters high and provides unrivalled views of the stunning surroundings.
Zaza Bistro
Travelers looking for dinner on a budget can make a stop at Zaza‘s, located in the Ipanema district of Rio. The menu offers a wonderful mix of cultures and flavors, incorporating a blend of traditional Latin dishes as well as Asian and European foods to perfectly cater to all tastes.
Sit and eat outdoors to catch a glimpse of the vibrant nightlife life of Ipanema, or the plush seating inside can provide a more private and ambient surrounding, making for a very romantic setting.
Rio Scenarium
A trip to Rio would not be complete without taking in the exciting and varied nightlife that the city has to offer. The Rio Scenarium is a very popular bar that makes for a fabulous place to spend the evening with your loved one, thanks to its lively and colorful atmosphere.
With food and drinks at very modest prices, treat yourself to a fruity cocktail and a bite to eat, such as the local fish dishes which prove to be extremely popular. Spend the rest of the evening dancing long into the night to the sounds of samba music provided by live bands.
Backpackers can take full advantage of the sun, sea and sand of Rio, whilst indulging in the cultural spectacle of Brazil - making this Valentine‘s Day one to remember.
http://www.gringoes.com/articles.asp?ID_Noticia=2237
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