A Trip to Brazil. Part 1-- Rio!! by guest writer and tastemaker Perrine Meistrell

I had been longing to go to Brazil for some time and last year, while visiting the equally enchanting Buenos Aires, spontaneously booked a flight to Rio with a friend who knows the country well and made the perfect traveling companion and guide.  After a little snafu with visa issues, (Americans have to secure a visa through the Brazilian embassy in advance, which usually takes a couple of weeks) we were off on my first Brazilian adventure.

The view landing in Rio de Janeiro at night was stunning- the size and sprawl of the city is striking. We even were able to see the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain so I managed to get a little obligatory sightseeing in.  Due to our schedule having been delayed we unfortunately only spent one evening in Rio, but while there were lucky to stay at the classic, old school Copacabana Palace Hotel. The hotel looks out onto the famous Copacabana beach and has a beautiful, large swimming pool. The rooms were spacious and elegant if slightly in need of a renovation (particularly the bathrooms.)

We had dinner and did a little dancing right next door at the newly opened Café Del Mar, which was cool but at the time still very new; it had not perfected its groove just yet.  I had expected something a bit more chic given the global brand of Del Mar and the area; but it was still fun and the fresh seafood dishes, particularly the ceviche, and the capirihinas (Brazil’s traditional drink) were terrific. After hours, watching the dance moves of the young sexy Brazilians inspired us to get on the floor with a bit more abandon and zeal.

I wish we had had a few more days to explore Rio’s beach and nightlife scene, especially areas such as Ipanema, Leblon, Joa (Rio’s “Beverly Hills”), and Santa Teresa (a more bohemian vibe) but waking up to a rainy and grey Rio the next morning, we did not feel too much regret about moving on to Paraty....

-Perrine Meistrell

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