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32 | Brazil BRAZIL RIO DE JANEIRO City Tour Famous beach districts Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana provide a sun-drenched welcome as you begin your tour, and Botafogo Beach, home of the exclusive Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club, introduces a level of glitz usually only seen in movies. Here, you'll get your first sight of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Your busy day continues with a stop at Flamengo Park, one of Roberto Burle Marx's famous landscaping achievements, and the business district, with its contrast of colonial and modern design. The Municipal Theater, a replica of the Paris Opera House; the National Library; Fine Arts Museum; and cone-shaped Metropolitan Cathedral are all found in this neighborhood. The return ride takes you past the Maracanã Soccer Stadium, the largest in the world, and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico). Petropolis Tour A scenic drive up the Organ Mountains that surround Guanabara Bay ends in the European-style city of Petropolis, the "Imperial City" and former summer resort of Dom Pedro II, the last emperor of Brazil. Have an included lunch with the group in one of the many restaurants (of your guide's choosing) between the visit to the historic cathedral and the Imperial Museum, the latter of which houses one of the finest collections of furniture, china, and jewels from the Imperial Court and the House of Santos Dumont. Entrances are also included; beverages can be purchased at your discretion. IGUAÇU Guided Walking Tour of the Brazilian Side of Iguaçu Falls Begin on foot in front of the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas on the walkways of Iguaçu National Park, where breathtaking views of the falls greet you on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Here, a gigantic horseshoe canyon opens up to the majestic waters of the Iguaçu River. MANAUS Meeting of the Waters A regional boat takes you to a surreal seascape where five miles of the black-watered Negro River meet and run alongside the lighter Solimões River, forming the mouth of the mighty Amazon River. Between February and November, you'll be able to stop at Lake January to see a typical floating handicraft store, then take a motorized canoe trip on the small creeks that feed into the lake. A novel lunch on board the boat or in a local floating restaurant is part of this exceptional experience. Morning City Tour Visit the most intriguing monuments and historical sites of Manaus, such as the Museum of Natural History, the Indian Museum, and the Rio Negro Palace. The old city features the Customs House, Cathedral, and Opera House, all of which you'll be able to see. Sugar Loaf Tour Drive along the world-renowned beaches of Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana, and pass by Botafogo Beach and Flamengo Park before reaching the Urca district. From here, a thrilling cable car ride from the bottle-neck entrance of Guanabara Bay zips you up 1,200 feet of vertical rock to the top of spectacular Sugar Loaf Mountain, pausing at the crest of Urca Hill. At the end of the line, 360-degree views of Rio, Guanabara Bay, the city of Niteroi, and the Atlantic Ocean are your reward. Consult your travel agent for more details on these and other tours. VACATION ENHANCING TOURS Experience all of the exhilaration of Brazil by pre-arranging your activities. Hit the ground running and understand why this country fascinates so many.