Sights & Sounds of Rio

Enjoy a carefree driving tour of Rio de Janeiro, the cultural capital of Brazil whose name alone evokes images of samba dancing, bikini-clad sunbathing and an irrepressible exuberance for life. Rio is also known for its historical buildings, the finest of which you will see in the heart of downtown.

Boarding your coach at the pier, you'll head to the heart of the city where you will see modern skyscrapers and broad avenues that contrast with colonial structures and narrow pedestrian malls. There is the beautifully ornate Municipal Theater for ballet and classical music performances, whose design resembles that of the Paris Opera House. Highlighting the diversity of the architecture, you will also see the new Cathedral, a conical-shaped building inspired by a Maya pyramid in Mexico. In fact, you will pass one architectural landmark after another, including the Museum of Modern Art and the soaring World War II monument that towers over Flamengo Park. Afterwards, you will drive through several historical neighborhoods and on past the Jockey Club racetrack and the city's immense Botanical Garden, which was founded more than 200 years ago.

Still, it's the beaches that in many ways define Rio de Janeiro, and you will gaze upon several of the most famous ones, such as Copacabana and Leblon, which is actually an extension of the iconic Ipanema. Afterwards, you will drive back to the pier, stopping en route at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon for refreshments where you will also have a beautiful view of Corcovado and Tijuca Forest.