Rock Climbing Holidays in Rio
By Christopher Mill, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – “Rio is the greatest spot on earth for urban climbing. There are more than 400 routes of all grades and styles just minutes from the city center,” enthuses Clarissa Martins, manager of the Climb In Rio guided climb group. “We have the world’s largest urban forest [...]
Rio’s Best Foreign-Run Pousadas
By Oliver Bazely, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Whether you are backpacking on a budget or seeking the perfect pousada, or guesthouse, at any price, the Cidade Maravilhosa has a lot to offer. The sheer number of options available can be confusing, but here are five of the best foreign-run locations across the city [...]
Umbanda Christianity Ceremonies
By Robbie Blakeley, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – For a great many Christians, their faith can be divided into two simple halves – Catholic and Protestant. In Rio, things are not so simple, and Christianity has blended with multiple variations of faiths, most notably Umbanda, which attracts between one and a half and two [...]
Rio Gains New Direct Flights
By Mira Olson, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – In light of the rapidly approaching 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, airlines are already preparing for the expected increase in travel to Rio de Janeiro. In upcoming months, various airlines will be launching several new direct connections between Galeão, Rio’s international airport, [...]
Hip Montevideo’s Off-Beat Appeal
By Joshua Rapp Learn, Contributing Reporter MONTEVIDEO – Come and witness the southern metropolis where gaucho culture comes together with chic imported fashion. Where great steak combines with a proud heritage for football that belies the country’s small population. Waves roll through the Rio Plata Delta from the Atlantic Ocean and crash against the seaside [...]
Romanticizing Caribbean Cartagena
By Joshua Rapp Learn, Contributing Reporter CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA – From the lapping turquoise waves of the Caribbean rise centuries old ramparts erected to rebuke the onslaught of pirates from a bygone time. Sailboats and yachts ply the waters of the port while the walls protect the gem-colored colonial buildings of Getsemaní, the 500 year old [...]
Amazonian Isolation in Leticia
By Joshua Rapp Learn, Contributing Reporter AMAZONAS, COLOMBIA – Haphazard houses made from wooden slats and corrugated metal rooftops rise out of the surrounding jungle as flocks of mopeds cruise by. Several-dozen paved roads quickly deteriorate to pothole-filled gravel before being swallowed entirely by foliage. Isolated by road from all three of the countries at [...]
Touring São Paulo on a Budget
By Christine Wipfli, Contributing Reporter SÃO PAULO – While many get discouraged at the sometimes elite and pricey São Paulo scene, there are still a variety of trendy places that are easy on the wallet and well worth checking out. Abundant in cultural diversity, São Paulo offers a plethora of attractions for the budgeted tourist [...]
Across the Bay: Discovering Niteroi
By Oliver Bazely, Contributing Reporter NITEROI – If you ask a typical Carioca what is best about Niterói, they will probably answer, “The view of Rio,” while if you ask a resident of Niterói about Rio, they will likely shudder, check if you really need to go there, and tell you to watch your wallet. [...]
Sampling the Fortune of Fortaleza
By Joshua Rapp Learn, Contributing Reporter FORTALEZA – Glistening skyscrapers reflect the baby blue waters across a thin border of white beach. At night, the city illuminates the ocean and gradually comes alive to the sound of dance music and forró. Fortaleza is Brazil’s modern metropolis of the north, attracting both international and Brazilian tourists [...]