For a vacationer looking for a city to holiday in that offers unparalleled pleasure, the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is one of the best choices. The city of Rio de Janeiro is a melting pot of races, colors and creeds. Rio de Janeiro is a Portuguese term meaning, River of January.

Rio was the country's capital until 1960 and is the second largest city in Brazil after Sao Paolo. The residents of the city are known as Cariocas. They have made extensive contributions in the fields of history, culture, music and literature, particularly when Rio de Janeiro was the federal capital and the hub of Brazilian growth.

Rio is famous for its hotel-lined tourist beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. The best way to enjoy in the city is by organizing a trip to Sugar Loaf Mountain or Po de Acar. The mountain offers a spectacular view of Rio and Guanabara Bay and is a paradise for rock climbers. It also has the biggest forest found inside an urban region, called Floresta da Tijuca, or 'Tijuca Forest'.

Christo Redentor, the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, is a 38-meter statue of Jesus overlooking the city of Rio. The statue has become a symbol of the city and reflects the warmth of the Brazilian people.

Perhaps, at no time is the city's festive reputation better displayed than during the annual carnival, which enlivens the city for 4 whole days with music, singing, parties, balls and street parades of brilliantly costumed samba dancers.

For a true football fan, a visit to the Maracana Stadium carries the importance of going a pilgrimage. They can lay their feet in the imprints of football greats like Pele and other Brazilian legends.

Rio's unique landscape, with a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and a rising mountain range on the other, justifies its title of Cidade Maravilhosa, or 'Marvelous City'. With its world famous beaches, splendid bay and wonderful climate, Rio de Janeiro has achieved a reputation as a great tourist destination.