It's fair to say that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most spectacular cities in the world. The peaks of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, home of Christ the Redeemer, provide magnificent views over a metropolis that sprawls between mountain, forest and beach, and is home to Brazil’s best architecture, museums and galleries.

Buzzing with joie de vivre, Rio is powered by an ever-present samba beat, that’s only enhanced by its tropical climate. Cariocas (Rio residents) spend much of their time on the beach, but seeing as they have the world’s most famous – Copacabana and Ipanema - who can blame them! It certainly is the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City).