Best destination that exotic in Brazilia

In its young history, Brazil has established itself as one of the most exotic, culturally diverse nations in the modern world.  Its people, its nature, its cuisine and its architecture are amongst the world’s most beautiful– and we are hopelessly obsessed.  Join us to explore 10 of Brazil’s most amazing destinations, from the beaches of Ipanema to the metropolis of Sao Paulo.  Our journey starts in Rio de Janeiro, the stunning city celebrated in the video above. -

Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

In the 1960s, a cultural revival was thriving in the beach neighborhood of Ipanema.  Artists, poets and musicians would gather in Ipanema to celebrate its world-class beauty and vibrant culture.  In writing an ode to this neighborhood, composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes penned a song about a beautiful young girl who walked the streets of Ipanema each day on her way to the ocean.  Nearly fifty years after it was written, “Garota de Ipanema” (“The Girl from Ipanema“) remains a cultural icon of Brazil, just as the Ipanema neighborhood remains a cultural epicenter of Rio de Janeiro.  The streets of Ipanema and the beach at their end are celebrated as some of the world’s most beautiful, with the Travel Channel calling Ipanema the sexiest beach in the world.

Lapa, Rio de Janeiro

Across town from Ipanema is another cultural hotspot, the Lapa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.  Located in Rio’s urban center, Lapa is host to 18th century architecture, a growing arts community and an active nightlife scene.  Amongst Lapa’s most recognizable landmarks is the Arco de Lapa, a series of raised aqueducts constructed in the mid 1700s.  On Saturdays, a street party is held adjacent to a section of the Arcos in Lapa, a weekly celebration for natives and tourists alike.  Another point of interest in Lapa is the stunning-yet-strange Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio, a brutalist concrete cone that stretches 80 meters into the air.

The Painted Favelas of Rio de Janeiro

Far beyond the shinier parts of Rio are the famed “favelas” of the city, or large shanty towns that are home to Rio’s poorest.  If you’re comfortable with your Portuguese and your self-defense, a guided visit to the Painted Favelas of Rio reveals a sight to behold.  A duo of artists worked with a few favelas in Rio to engender new pride in their homes.  Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn worked with the locals to paint large sections of favelas into bright, colorful works of art.  The result was a down-on-its-luck neighborhood that had been transformed by art into a place of pride for its inhabitants.  Enter at your own risk, but be prepared for some truly inspirational, transformational art. 

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