Rio de Janeiro

Imagine the Corcovado mountain rising above the city like a lushly green tidal wave, with the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue at its head. From the peak, you can see the granite Sugarloaf Mountain thrust from the forest, with cable cars running running from bottom to top for a birds-eye view. Far on the other end, hikers and cyclers explore Tijuca National Park, and every once in a while, a hang glider will lift off to float serenely down to Copacabana Beach. Here, a crowd of people in swim shorts and bikinis spike volleyballs and relax on the warm, white sand. Beyond those surfing off Prainha Beach, people sail to and from islands. Music pulsates from the city, especially the bohemian Lapa neighborhood, where open-air samba breezes into bars and clubs. The vibrant and altogether jubilant personalities of the Cariocas is contagious. In February, they’ll gather to celebrate Carnival, the world’s biggest and most exuberant festival. Then, the city becomes a parade filled with enormous floats and dancers in elaborate Brazilian costumes. This energy seamlessly mixes with the laid-back beach culture to crown Rio the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).