Elite Traveler March-April 2016

EXPLORE RIO DE JANEIRO

PLAY

LITTLE BLACK BOOK Luis César Rodrigues, above, concierge director at boutique hotel Casa Amarelo and a member of Les Clefs d’Or, the exclusive “golden keys” club for concierges, shares his favorite haunts in the city. BEST FOR DRINKS In the trendy Leblon district, Stuzzi does amazing drinks and delicious tapas with a Brazilian signature. stuzzibar.com.br BESTWALK Do the six-mile loop around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas looking up at the mesmerizing Christ the Redeemer and Pedra da Gávea mountain. BEST FOR CULTURE The Museu de Arte do Rio; it overlooks the Museum of Tomorrow, which opened in December last year, and may well become my next favorite cultural hangout. museudeartedorio.org.br BEST FOR ADVENTURE It has to be paragliding over Barra da Tijuca – just awesome. cscvl.com.br BEST FOR COFFEE Sit outside the Café 18 do Forte at the Copacabana Fortress and feel the breeze as you sip a perfect Brazilian espresso. confeitariacolombo.com.br BEST FOR RELAXING Parque Lage is ideal for chilling or reading a book – take a picnic and forget the world. BEST SECRET GEM The hidden garden behind Parque das Ruínas, a stunningly beautiful spot in the mountains of Santa Tereza, where the former owners used to host big parties. Charming and unique. Rua Murtinho Nobre 169, facebook.com/parquedasruinas Rua Jardim Botânico 414, eavparquelage.rj.gov.br

From top: Parque Lage; Café 18 do Forte; Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas; Museu de Arte do Rio; Parque das Ruínas