Carnaval in Rio for five exuberant days….a celebration you'll never forget. Experience the beauty and joi de vivre of Carnaval, the country's most popular traditional celebration. You'll see parties, parades and dancing like nowhere else in the world. Rio is beautifully set between mountains and the beach, and, in addition to the old town, the beach and the nightlife, there are many local tours available for you to get a taste of one of the world's favorite vacation destinations. Rio has a total of about 45 miles of white, sandy beaches! This outstanding holiday package includes the international flight from Miami or New York.

February 8, Friday - Departure
Depart from Miami or New York to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

February 9, Saturday - Rio de Janeiro
After our flight arrives in the early morning, our representative will meet us at the airport and give us an orientation to our program as well as tips, precautions and a selection of possible sightseeing destinations not included in the itinerary. We'll drive to our beachfront hotel on Copacabana Beach. Check in and rest or take in some of the sights in Rio. In the evening, go out on the town, or optionally attend one of many wonderful private Gala Parties. Overnight at the Olinda Othon Hotel or similar.

February 10, Sunday - Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we'll depart for a city tour, going downtown to visit the Cathedral, known as the Church of the Candelaria, built by the Portuguese in the late 1700s in Baroque style. The two dome-topped towers of Rio's largest church rise over 230 feet above the urban jungle. Next, we'll tour the beaches of Copacabana, Flamengo and Ipanema (remember the famous Bossa Nova song "Girl from Ipanema"?). We can take an optional tour at the Sugar Loaf with the cable car or Corcovado Mountain, which towers 2000 feet over the city. Both sites offers an magnificent view of this gem of a city and the sea below. In the evening, we will transfer to the Sambodromo for our first taste of Carnaval (the Catholic celebration has its roots in Italy, where Carne Vale was the festival of "putting away the meat" in order to fast for Lent). We'll see members of the top Samba schools assemble in costume to perform their hearts out. The groups sing, beat percussion instruments and dance in precise choreographed fashion to favorite Carnaval numbers to impress the judges and the thousands of spectators. Overnight at the Olinda Othon Hotel or similar.

Sunday school of Samba Schedule:

February 11, Monday - Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Many of Rio's neighborhoods put on their own colorful Carnaval festivities. Neighborhood bands and dance groups will dazzle you with their lively songs and antics. Most of the parades begin in the late afternoon as traffic is rerouted to keep the streets open for revelers. Feel free to take part in any one of several joyous pageants around the city during this very special time. Overnight at the Olinda Othon Hotel or similar.

February 12, Tuesday - Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. You'll be free to take in local celebrations, explore the city or go on one of many optional excursions available. Overnight at the Olinda Othon Hotel or similar.

February 13, Wednesday - Rio de Janeiro - Home
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending upon the flight option you have chosen, you'll either depart to the airport for your morning flight back to the States, or spend your day in Rio as you please and transfer to the airport in the evening for an overnight flight back home. Brazil will be here to welcome you again another time!