Thanks to everyone who posted here in the past couple of months about Rio. Our group of 10 (ages 42 - 74) just got back from an absolutely amazing week (plus travel) to Rio and then on to Manaus and the Amazon. We booked everything through Edson Alessi at fredson.com. He is from Rio (now living in Miami) and specializes in Brazil. Everything worked like magic the whole time we were there (except for the airlines, but that's not his fault). Varig, in particular, has a tendency to change seats for no apparent reason (although the flight attendent did manage to get things straightened out for us). Here's what we did:
Day 1 - Flew from various places in the States to Miami and 9 of us ended up doind mad dash through the airport to make our connection (barely). Thanks to the Harvard rugby team who were faster than us and managed to get them to hold the flight till we could get there! Arrived in Rio the morning of day 2.
Day 2 - We were met by Vera Reitmaier from Turismo Classico who was our guide (and a wonderful one) for the next 4 days. She took us to the Orla Copacabana and managed to get them to find us some rooms by 9:30 in the morning. We had a quick breakfast and then took a nap. It was a bit drizzly that day, but many of us walked on the beach or went next door for lunch. Then she came back and got us at 4 for a tour up Sugarloaf. It was supposed to be for sunset, but it was still a bit cloudy. We did get some great views and watched the lights of Rio come on. She dropped us off at Kilograma (a churrascaria where you pay by the weight of what you choose) and then an early night to sleep in one of the most comfortable hotel beds I have every met!
Day 3 - Vera picked us up for an all day tour of Rio. It was Easter Sunday and we started with a trip up Corcovado on the train to see the Christ the Redeemer statue. It was in and out of the clouds which made it very interesting. Quite crowded, as you can imagine, but we got some great shots. Then we went to the Santa Teresa neighborhood for a fabulous lunch at Aprazievel (we never could have found it on our own). After lunch we were off to the Hippie Fair since it was Sunday. Verao dropped us off with instructions on how to walk back to our hotel. She, very sweetly, offered to take all of our cameras and other valuables back to the hotel and leave them at the desk. We did some shopping and looking until the fair closed at 6. Then we went back to our hotel and scattered for dinner. I was in the group that went up Copacabana beach about 4-5 blocks and had a terrific pizza (we're from Chicago, so we are very picky about our pizza!).
Day 4 - Day at liesure. Some of took a helicopter flight over Rio (a wonderful way to see the city). Then off to the Botanical Gardens which are incredibly beautiful. After that, a few of us were off to Ipanema Beach for lunch at one of the "umbrella" stands. Best caipirhina (sp?) so far and a tasty little sandwich of pastry and ham and cheese filling. We strolled the beach and people watched. Then finally back to the hotel to go up on the roof and watch sunset before leaving for a tour called "Rio at Night". We went to a terrific Churrascaris where they carve the meat right at your table (Barra Brasa). After dinner we went to a folklore show which was lots of fun.
Day 5 - Off to Manaus with lots of delays by Varig airline, but we made it there finally. Got to see the meeting of the waters from the air. We were met by our local guide, Marco, and taken to the Hotel Tropical at Ponte Negro. A beautiful hotel and very comfortable. Swam in the pool, walked up to the Ponte Negro for dinner and then early to bed.

Now it's time for me to crash (jet lag). I'll finish the report tomorrow.

Did you enjoy your hotel in Rio? We are planning a trip to Brazil in August and are looking for hotel recommendations (top-end). Thanks for any info.

You got to Rio the day we left! How was the weather? It had been raining for a few days when we left on Saturday.

Hi!
Thanks for your report so far. We're leaving London for Rio this Friday and will be in the Amazon next week so looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip. Sounds like you had a great time.

I would recommend the Orla Copacabana to anyone. Great location, comfortable beds and attentive staff. The weather cleared on Sunday - a few clouds in the morning over the Christ the Redeemer statue, but that made for interesting photos. It was drizzling and then cloudy Saturday, but every day afvter that was sunny and warm (hot in the Amazon). I'll get the Amazon part posted tonight!