Best of Rio de Janeiro

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 05:00 — Anonymous by Joe RobinsonTravel fantasies don't
always live up to the reality, but the "marvelous city," as Rio de
Janeiro's citizens call their beloved hometown, can knock even the most jaded
travelers off their seen-it-all perches.  Even just walking under the sun
can get sexy in Rio. The marvels range from singular settings -- primo
beaches surrounded by jungled slopes and granite monoliths -- to some of the
best music on the planet, to a lifestyle that invites all to slow down and
sample life at a beachside kiosk, sidewalk bar or juice stand. Famed for
girls from Ipanema and Carnaval, the best of Rio is all that but a lot
more.  The party goes on year-round in the cultural heart of Brazil, from
the samba renaissance in the Lapa District, where you can choose from an
array of great clubs, music and restaurants; to Carnaval rehearsals at local
samba schools that redefine the word "celebration."  As it prepares for
the Olympics in 2016, the city has launched a massive security program
that's finally addressing long-standing safety concerns. The best of Rio
beaches of the Zona Sul are heavily patrolled and many other areas --
especially those troubled by crime and drugs -- have been cleaned up.read
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