3 Days in Rio...other things to do?

Australia
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3 Days in Rio...other things to do?
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We (couple in 50's) will be in Rio for three days in October with a tour that will take in the ususal tourist sights. Apparently, we will also have a fair bit of free time, so.....

We were wondering if there are any special cultural/historical things to do.....any strongly recommmended art galleries or museums? Are there any theatres/opera/ballet etc?

We would appreciate any suggestions

Thank you

Margaret

Rome, Italy
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1. Re: 3 Days in Rio...other things to do?
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Hi Margaret,

I don't know if a samba school rehearsal is included in your tour but I do sugguest you ckeck out one! (ask your hotel concierge or reception about one of the many tours to samba schools which are organized weekly, usually Mangueira or Salgueiro schools)

Once you've picked up a bit of samba moves you could check out a gafieira (samba club) in Lapa, it's indeed super fun even for total amateurs (of all ages), just go and shake it!

As for museums, there are many in Rio, . Many are in the Centro (downtown). I personally like the exhibits at IMS in Gàvea.

Concerts

The Rio edition of Veja magazine has all the listings, but it really depends on what music you like.

Australia
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Thank you Luca....Samba sounds fun and we will give it a go!

We both enjoy classical music as well

Margaret

Rio de Janeiro
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Greetings Bil,

Rio's OPERA HOUSE is under renovation and there's no classical concerts scheduled during your period in the city.

Rio's MUSICAL CULTURE - Brazil has no less than 178 rhythms - is more into Samba, Gafieira, Bossa Nova, etc. As an excellent option of what we could define as jazz infused samba, check Vinicius Piano Bar in Ipanema.

CULTURAL/ HISTORICAL things: the whole city is an opened air art gallery. There are some tours being offered covering Santa Teresa & Downtown which would perfectly fit in your request and overwhelm your expectation. Fell free to PM me for more consistently information.

MUSEUMS: 1) MAC - Contemporary Arts' Museum located in Niteroi (other side of Rio's bay) is a master piece of Oscar Niemeyer and its architecture is a piece of art itself! 2) The NATIONAL ARTS MUSEUM is opened with half of its capacity, offering either the 18th or the 19th Brazilian Arts' Collections. 3) CASA DO PONTAL is a sweet museum offering naïf Brazilian Art - kind of distant of main Rio's sites but a lovely side trip. 4) I myself like very much CHÁCARA DO CÉU - a tiny museum located in Santa Teresa.

J

Salvador, BA
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4. Re: 3 Days in Rio...other things to do?
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Margaret, my suggestion would be to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the local culture. ..... a samba school rehearsal or a samba club in Lapa like Carioca da Gema where the locals go to dance, a museum that features Brazilian painters such as Portinari or Lazar Segall, a look at the work of a famous Brazilian architect who designed the museum in Niteroi (take the wonderful ferry ride over there), a show by a world-reknowned musician like Jaques Morelenbaum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaques_Morelenbaum), a visit to the bookstore to buy something by a Brazilian author like Clarice Lispector (http://www.vidaslusofonas.pt/clarice_lispector2.htm)or making an appointment to see the Museum of Naif Art (assume that is still possible?) which houses works of a style pretty unique to Rio.........to name a few.

Rio de Janeiro
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It's true that the Brazilian Naïf Art Museum is awesome but unhappily it's been closed for over one year - sponsors' miss. It's a private collection which includes the longer South American Naïf Art Painting.

J

Australia
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Thank you everyone for such helpful information....we are looking forward to absorbing some of the exciting Rio culture...including the Samba!

MArgaret

7. Re: 3 Days in Rio...other things to do?

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