Lapa, an old and charming area of Rio de Janeiro, features some fabulous mansions which have been restored into works of art during a recent cultural renaissance.

Lapa is now one of Rio's most popular night spots, with many people enjoying the street parties, samba clubs and other bars. The best concerts, delicious food and beautiful people, make this place different from the rest! The informal atmosphere is one of the main characteristic of Lapa's neighborhood. Many famous Brazilians pop singers perform here.

On this tour, you will enjoy the tastiest Brazilian dishes and appetizers for dinner at Lapa Star House, while being entertained by groups performing Brazilian music. After dinner, you can dance the night away!

Appreciate Rio from the sea, and get a different perspective of the famous sites such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach and Corcovado - the statue of Christ Redeemer.

Sail the Niteroi beaches and make a stop for relaxing in the sun and enjoying the view. Don't forget to bring your swimming suits and towels as you will also have the opportunity to take a swim. Lunch will be served at a seafood restaurant in Rio.

On 1st January, 1502, a Portuguese squad, commanded by Goncalves, discovered the Guanabara Bay and, judging it to be a great river, and being January, he gave it the name of Rio de Janeiro (January River).

Guanabara Bay is the largest bay in the world based on volume of water, and has several islands such as the Governor's Island, Fundao and Snakes Island. While on this cruise, you will see the city of Rio de Janeiro to the west, and facing east, the municipal district of Niteroi.

The mountain retreat of Petropolis is located 60km away from Rio de Janeiro and it has been called the Imperial City since the times of Emperor Pedro II.

This tour starts with a visit to the Imperial Museum, which has been the summer residence of the Emperor D. Pedro II and here you can see furniture and objects such as the crown of gold, pearls and diamonds used by D. Pedro I and D. Pedro II.

The tour will continue on the Gothic Cathedral where Princess Isabel was buried along with the tombstones of D. Pedro II and his wife. From there you will see the Crystal Palace, built in France and mounted in Brazil, destined to shelter exhibitions and great parties promoted by Princess Isabel.

Rely on Gray Line when you arrive in Rio de Janeiro. You will be met at International Airport Tom Jobim or Santos Dumont and be taken directly to your hotel.

Gray Line can handle all your ground transportation needs. English-speaking staff will greet you when you clear airport customs - just look for your name and the famous Gray Line Blue Diamond.

Arrival Information:
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the 'Special Requirements' box:

• Airline
• Flight Number
• Departing City / Arrival City
• Arrival Time
• Hotel Name
• Hotel Address

Enter the Tijuca Rain Forest on a open jeep where it is possible to see the contrast of a tropical forest in the middle of a big city. Pass by the 'Cachoeira dos macacos' (monkey's waterfall). At 'Vista Chinesa' (Chinese view) where you can take pictures, you will hear the history of the reforestation process of the forest and the importance of the 'Mata Atlantica' (Atlantic Forrest). You will also pass by the 'Mesa do Imperador' (Emperor's table), Cascatinha (Taunay's waterfall), and Capela Mayrink (Mayrink Chapel).

This tour involves trekking of approximately 1 hour through an easy trail, where the botanical aspect is developed, and you will have straight contact with the local nature ecosystem. During this tour you will be able to see different types of tropical fruits, trees, monkeys and other animals, as well as various kinds of birds and butterflies.

You will board a high-performance boat at Marina da Gloria port, and will head to the Cagarras Archipelago, a group of uninhabited islands located off the southern coast of the city of Rio de Janeiro, outside Guanabara Bay. On your journey you will cruise along the coast to the sounds of Brazilian tunes and will have great views of Rio, including the Sugar Loaf, Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach.

You will be able to see a lot of wildlife on this tour as the islands are a refuge for thousands of marine birds. Dolphins and other numerous marine life are also often seen swimming around the boat and in the area.

Your tour begins as you ride along Arpoador beach, Ipanema beach and Leblon beach, then through Ala garden canal to reach the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, before arriving at the Botanical Garden (admission to Gardens not included).

Here you will stop for a 1 hour walking visit (no bikes allowed in the garden). You will then return to Arpoador where you started, and this time ride by Catacumba park and the other side of the lagoon before heading back for the end of your tour. Stops for pictures are allowed.

The tour is accompanied by a guide and mechanical back up car. Helmets and tee shirts will be given to all passengers.

Rely on Gray Line when you depart Rio de Janeiro. You will be met at your hotel and taken directly to the airport for your flight home.

Gray Line can handle your ground transportation needs. English-speaking staff will greet you at your hotel - just look for your name and the famous Gray Line Blue Diamond.

Hotel Pickup:
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the 'Special Requirements' box:

• Airline
• Flight Number
• Departing City / Arrival City
• Departure Time
• Hotel Name
• Hotel Address

With an archipelago of more than 300 islands and countless beaches, the town of Angra lies in the heart of this paradise, some 130 km south of Rio. This spectacular view, winds over mountainous terrain covered in lush Atlantic rainforest. Graceful coves and sandy beaches, little islands and crystal clear water make the journey a memorable occasion.

The town of Angra dos Reis has been continuously settled since the early 1500's. There are many lovely old buildings from the colonial past when the town was a great port and agricultural center. A saveiro schooner waits at the dock to take visitors on a cruise of those many islands, stopping for a swim in the enticing turquoise blue waters. A delicious lunch of hot and cold self-service buffet will be served.

Your coach will pick you up from your hotel and will take the Rio-Santos road to Itacuruca. There you will board a schooner (locally known as 'saveiros'). A tray of tropical fruits will be served on board. A bar is also available on the boat. (Beverages are not included in tour price).

The schooner cruises the Sepetiba Bay, an area rich in natural beauty, where it is common for passengers to spot dolphins, giant king-fishers, parrots, turtles and sting-rays.

After stopping for a swim, you will continue to a tropical island where a delicious buffet lunch will be served. After lunch, there will still be time to explore the island before returning to Itacuruca.

The coach returns via Barra, a charming residential area of Rio, as well as America's Avenue with its modern shopping centers and buildings, Ayrton Senna Avenue and Sernambetiba Avenue, where exciting night life resides.

Rely on Gray Line for your airport transfers in Rio de Janeiro. You will be met at either the International Airport Tom Jobim or Santos Dumont and be taken directly to your hotel.

Gray Line can handle all your ground transportation needs. English-speaking staff will greet you when you clear airport customs - just look for your name and the famous Gray Line Blue Diamond.

For your return journey, you will be met at your hotel and taken directly to the airport for your flight home.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details for BOTH your arrival and departure flights, in the 'Special Requirements' box:

• Airline
• Flight Number
• Departing City / Arrival City
• Arrival Time
• Hotel Name
• Hotel Address

Special Offer - Book a Roundtrip Transfer and save $8.00 per adult off the combined one way prices - BOOK NOW!

This is an excellent option to see the best of Rio de Janeiro if time is limited. Two of the best tours combined to make one great day!

Corcovado Tour
The tour begins as you head to the Cosme Velho station to catch the cog train (ticket is included) for a journey through the dense Atlantic Rain Forest of Tijuca, and on to the statue of Christ Redeemer on Corcovado mountain. You will spend between 40 and 60 minutes here with your tour guide, who will show you the wonderful sights of Rio.

After the morning tour, relax and enjoy lunch at a seafood restaurant.

Sugar Loaf Tour
In the afternoon, join the Sugar Loaf tour, driving by downtown Rio, with its fine colonial-style Portuguese buildings, and continuing on to the cable car at Prai Vermelha (red beach). A ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain gives the visitor a wonderful view of the city nestling between the mountains and the sea, and the sight of the sun going down over Copacabana beach is magical.

Begin your tour by passing over the Rio-Niteroi bridge and on to Buzios. Known as Brazil's St Tropez, Buzios was a fishing village until it was made famous by French actress, Brigitte Bardot. At this time it became fashionable and sophisticated with many fancy boutiques, fine restaurants and posh villas.

Upon arrival in Buzios, you will be guided on a walk through the narrow, cobbled streets, full of quaint charm, and will even have time to stop for a relaxing bite to eat at one of the restaurants (not included) before heading back to your hotel.

It was the mixture of the Portuguese, native and African races, that molded the Brazilian people and produced the essence of the popular samba music culture of Brazil. This is shown in this great stage full of lights, songs, colorful costumes and dances. Thirty beautiful Mulata dancers, together with a competent male cast, take you on this cultural journey.

Before the show, you can choose to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the typical Barbecue House.

On this tour you will combine three great Rio de Janeiro destinations in the one tour:

• The Botanical Gardens - a 350-acre garden that holds about 7,000 tropical species, including native Brazilian plants. A popular feature of the garden are the avenues of royal palms that measure approximately 100 feet (30 meters) high.
• Maracana Stadium - the giant stadium that accommodates over 100,000 people and has been host to many championship games over the years, including the World Cup match of 1950 and Pele's last game.
• The Mac Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteroi - designed by Brazil's most famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer. The museum boasts stunning views to Rio de Janeiro across the river.

This walking tour gives the visitor a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio de Janeiro.

The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, including the following highlights:

• Sao Bento Monastery
• Candelaria (the candle-makers)
• Praca XV de Novembro, originally a convent built in 1590, and later becoming a place where historic events took place such as the coronation of Brazil's emperors
• Imperial Palace and much more

The walk continues on down Uruguaiana Street, then Carioca Square and up to the Metropolitan Cathedral where you will meet the transportation that will take you back to your hotel.

Get to know the traditional Cinelandia square with the historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. By taking the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located - the Sugar Loaf.

This visit is made in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high and from where one can have a beautiful view of the Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Nitero Bridge and Corcovado Hill.

From this stage, a second cable car will be taken up to the top with 395 meters to find a splendid view of Copacabana Beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and some beaches of Nitero.

From your hotel, you will be taken to Maracana Stadium to enjoy the electric atmosphere of a Brazilian Football match. The giant stadium accommodates over 100,000 people and has been host to many championship games over the years, including the World Cup match of 1950 and Pele's last game.

Rio de Janeiro's Championship is played in 2 Cups: Gunabara's Cup and Rio's Cup. The 2 champions of each Cup will play the final in 2 games and become Rio de Janeiro's champion.

Seating is individual, under cover (ticket is included) and your guide is always in attendance. After the game, passengers are returned to their hotels.

Game schedule and team names can be seen by clicking the 'View Icon' button. This schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

This is a rare opportunity for the visitor to view Rio de Janeiro from the air! See the city nestled against the backdrop of powerful granite mountains and the Atlantic Ocean twinkling at their feet.

The flight takes in the Maracan? Stadium, the golden beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the Christ Statue on Corcovado Mountain, the Sugar Loaf and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake. Besides these incredible views, visitors will be able to take some of the most spectacular photos of their visit to Rio.

Actual helicopter flight time is 11 minutes

The tour begins as you head to the Cosme Velho station to catch the cog train (ticket is included) for a journey through the dense Atlantic Rain Forest of Tijuca, and on to the statue of Christ Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. You will spend between 40 and 60 minutes here with your tour guide, who will show you the wonderful sights of Rio.

The tour continues to Sao Conrado and Pepino Beach where you can watch the hand gliders land and surfers show off their skills in the waves.