Cultural and historic city tour – private

Informazioni generali

Destinazione	Categoria
Rio de Janeiro, Brasile	Visite guidate

Il programma nel dettaglio

This historical tour is the perfect introduction for any visitor wishing to understand the culture and heritage of Rio de Janeiro. Learn all about the colonial heritage of this great city as we visit several churches built by the Portuguese and then relax in a magnificent art deco café. Also on the itinerary is the National Museum of Fine Arts and the impressive Paço Imperial, home to the colonial government.

The tour will start with a visit to the Monastery of São Bento, dating from 1586. This UNESCO-listed building is an oasis of silence situated on a hill in Rio’s hectic Downtown district. The monastic simplicity of its outer façade contrasts with the tropical exuberance of its interior in the Brazilian Baroque style

We’ll continue on to Pio X Square, where we’ll stop to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Candelaria Church, dating from the end of the 18th Century. This magnificent building is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Rio with its Baroque façade and beautifully decorated Neo-Classical ceiling. Nearby in complete contrast is the Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre’s, a modern hub for the city’s vibrant cultural activities.

Next stop is the Paço Imperial, built in 1743 as the residence of the Portuguese Colonial Governor. This building has played an important role in Brazilian history and is now a museum and cultural centre. We’ll move for a buffet lunch at the traditional Confeitaria Colombo, founded in 1894 and ever since then a meeting point for the city’s intellectual and aristocratic elites. The enormous mirrors, original paintings, crystal chandeliers and skylights all combine to offer an authentic and sophisticated art nouveau environment.

To close this stimulating tour we’ll pay a brief visit to the national Museum of Fine arts, where you’ll have the opportunity to admire many masterpieces by Brazilian artists from many periods.

Meeting/pick-up point: The departure time can be decided by the passengers. We advise you to plan pick-up between 8 and 9am.
Duration: 6 hours.
Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian.