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Why just Watch, when you can Join the Party through City-Discovery.com?

Samba and soccer tours in Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil

Carnival in Rio is one big party, and City-Discovery.com lets you join in the fun with a host of sightseeing, samba, and soccer tours. This year, the main events, including the world-famous Samba Schools’ Parade, will fall on February 13 to 16, but festivities are in no way limited to these dates.

Preparation for Carnival, marked by street parties, fireworks, and masked balls, is year round. As early as January, groups of revelers dress in costume and gather in squares or neighborhood bars to dance and march to the beat of drums.

Dating back to the 17th century, modern Carnival in Rio as well as the rest of Brazil has attracted thousands of revelers from all over the world year by year. According to the travel website, the trend lately is not simply to watch but to participate in the festivities.

Before the culminating event at the Sambadrome Stadium, where all 14 competing Samba schools let it all out in a spectacle of fabulous costumes, singing and choreographed dancing, special effects, decorated floats, and almost-naked beauties, numerous events and activities that welcome the participation of tourists are held. Jumping into street parties is totally free while experiencing the samba beat in carnival balls requires ticket purchases.

Booking activities designed to give participants a piece of the Carnival action before and after Lent is also a good option. City-Discovery.com has one such package, drawn up below. Tours to the city’s famous landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ Statue at Corcovado Mountain are included.

Note that activities mentioned in this list may not be available during the official Carnival dates. Interested travelers are advised to check with City Discovery through its customer service hotline.

In Rio’s Samba Town, tourists can stop being tourists and become a member of Brazil’s elite samba groups.

Samba!

Samba the night away right in the birthplace of the famous dance. In Rio’s Samba Town, tourists can stop being tourists and become a member of Brazil’s elite samba groups.

Sultry dance moves are the highlights of this Samba School Parade, which invites visitors to dress up in festive costumes, dance along to the pounding beat of the bateria (percussion band of a Samba School), and share in the spirit of Carnival. The event takes place in a large area at Central Square, with two massive tents, one for shows, and the other for exhibitions.

Also in the Carnival theme are these Show and Dance tours, the Plataforma Night with Dinner and the Plataforma Show Only. Featuring live samba music, brilliant costumes, professional dancers, and rhythmic drumming, Plataforma shows recreate the Carnival atmosphere night by night.

Rio’s Highlights

In the following Sightseeing Bestsellers, Rio’s top attractions are highlighted. Rio by Day promises a one-day tour of all the city’s major attractions, including Corcovado, Sugarloaf, Botafogo Bay, Niteroi Bridge, downtown Rio, and the Maracana Soccer Stadium.

The Helicopter Tour in Rio, on the other hand, presents participants the rare opportunity to see Rio as well as the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema from the air.

The Corcovado Tour takes participants on a journey through the dense Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca all the way to the Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain, where awaits a spectacular view of Rio. Last but not the least is Guanabara Bay with Lunch, characterized by a cruise on the Guanabara Bay framed by Rio’s historical buildings and imposing fort.

Soccer

In Brazil, soccer is king. The Maracana Soccer Stadium, the largest stadium in South America plays host to Brazil’s most thrilling matches among Brazil’s best soccer teams.

The Rio de Janeiro Soccer Tour in Brazil is an opportunity to enjoy one such match and experience the electrifying combination of fans roaring, giant flags waving, and firework displays right on the stadium’s spectator area.

For soccer fans with sophisticated tastes, there is the option to watch the game in the comfort of a private box with air conditioning, plasma TVs, comfortable seats, open bar and catering. Is there any better way to watch a soccer game?

But Samba also rules. Carioca’s Passion – Soccer and Samba holds Brazil’s two greatest national passions in equal measures.

The experience starts at the soccer museum at Maracana Stadium for an overview of football in Brazil in the last 58 years.

The contribution of such soccer stars as Maradona, Beckenbauer, Garrincha, Romário, Zico, and Pele will be touched on.

Next in the agenda is a visit to Samba Town, where preparation of the Samba Schools for Carnival is underway.

For samba enthusiasts wishing for a behind-the-scenes experience, Carioca’s Passion is an excellent opportunity.

The Carnival is big in other parts of Brazil. Travelers wishing to experience the Carnival fever outside Rio can take advantage of City Discovery’s tours and activities in Buzios, Chapada Diamantina, Fortaleza, Fernando de Noronha, Salvador, Recife, Paraty, Natal, Macejo, Joao Pessoa, and Foz Do Igaucu.

For more tips, inspiration and insider information on Carnival in Rio, Brazil, and other parts of the world visit http://www.city-discovery.com

About City Discovery

City Discovery is a leading provider of sightseeing tours, activities, and ground transportation worldwide. Featuring over 5,000 travel activities in 300 destinations, it sells directly to consumers with a best price guarantee through http://www.city-discovery.com and through a network of over 7,000 travel agencies and affiliates. Established in 2004, City Discovery is managed by Tours and Co Inc, a leading e-travel service company based in the United States with offices in France, Greece, Italy, and the Philippines.