The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Travel

Travel Story: Rio de Janeiro

by Nadeen
December 28, 2014
A A

Although many people dream of going to Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, there are a lot of myths and misjudgements that cloud this beautiful city. I was able to interview one of our male readers who recently returned from a trip there to ask him about his experience.

1) Three words to describe why you chose Brazil for vacation

I can’t sum it up in 3 words but I chose Brazil because I have always heard great things from other men and woman who have visited there. I went to Rio de Janeiro. I like to travel and see the world and I particularly like to go to places where there is a beach and some culture. I chose Rio as the city to visit in Brazil since I was going for the first time with a group of 5 people and I wanted to go to where I felt it would be the most tourist friendly. It was my 40th bday so I wanted to do it up big. We rented a 4000 sq. ft. penthouse condo right on the beach with a great view.

 

2) Favorite food

For me it wasn’t really a favorite food but a favorite restaurant. The restaurant was called Porcao (https://www.porcao.com.br/porcaosite/porcao/unidade_ipanema.php) if you have ever been to a Brazilian steak house then you know what I’m talking about. They bring out all different cuts of beef, pork and chicken until you can’t eat anymore and there is also a buffet salad/seafood bar. That was by far my best meal while in Brazil.

3) Favorite drink

Caipirinha

4) The beaches were…

The beaches were nice. Ipanema beach was much nicer than Copacabana beach. Less touristy and more of the local working crowd. The water was a bit rough most days so I did not venture into the water but it was nice to just relax on the beach sipping on drinks and taking in the sites.

 

5) The first word that came to your mind when you saw the Christ the Redeemer statue was…

Amazing

6) Biggest Misconception about Brazil…a)people from all over the world, especially men, go to Brazil just to “party” b)It is obvious everywhere how poor the people are c) there is a lot of crime and tourists need to be very careful

Choice A is the biggest misconception. While there are definitely beautiful women there, it’s not like some land where perfect 10 women are just wandering around the streets looking for men. There are prostitutes but they are not everywhere you look and they don’t harass you so if that’s your thing then you can find them. There are plenty of regular college educated working class women that are there as well and they are like women anywhere else. There were tourists from all of over the world there. Men and women. I’ve been to third world countries where it’s very poor and I did not see that in Brazil. They have favelas which are their ghettos/projects, whatever you want to call it and yes it is very poor there but they are not located right in town so you could very easily be in Rio and never see them other than when you are up in the mountains sightseeing where you can see them from a distance. As for the crime- I felt completely safe the whole time. I do not doubt that there is a high crime rate there but I felt like the locals were very welcoming to other black folks so we were fine.

7) Did you feel safe?

I felt very safe. You obviously know that there is crime there as is anywhere so as long as you stay on the main streets and take cabs everywhere you will be fine. I never felt threatened.

8) Favorite tourist spot

Christ the Redeemer statue

9) Favorite non tourist spot.

Lapa –Lapa is an area downtown where on the weekends they have a huge outdoor kind of block party but it spans several blocks and streets with bars lining the streets and people hanging out in the streets listening to live bands, street vendors, dancing etc.. The vibe was electric and again everyone was welcoming considering it wasn’t really a tourist area. It was like one big party in the streets or you could go in and out of the many bars that lined the streets. Great time.

10) Three words that describe the people of Brazil

Friendly, Fun, Accommodating

11) Would you go back?

I would definitely go back

12) Three words that describe your overall experience there

Amazing, Adventurous, Relaxing

 

A generous thank you to D.Bass for sharing his thoughts and experience with us!

N.S.White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign up to learn about luxury travel with food + wine experts all over the world.

Curated small group trips where all you have to do is pack your bag, relax & enjoy!

+ Receive my free packing & to-do lists for International travel!

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: rio de janeiro
Previous Post

Bisa Butler: African American Quilter Extraordinaire

Next Post

Wine Story: The Art of Wine Tasting

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

Travel

Travel Around the World with Passport Players!

December 28, 2014
Next Post

Wine Story: The Art of Wine Tasting

Summertime on Martha's Vineyard!

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

by Nadeen
June 19, 2023
Travel

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

by Nadeen
April 11, 2023
  • ***SAVE & SHARE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL! 
How many of these things do you do on a regular basis when you are taking off 🛫 on an international trip?

After the Maui and Morocco natural disasters I started thinking more about these things especially since I visited both places this year. I started to let some of these action items slip! 

In case you missed my LIVE broadcast of “How to Prepare for Natural Disasters While Traveling” you can still catch it on my YouTube channel The Sophisticated Life. But these are some of the highlights! 
https://youtu.be/0hK0LseyX9E?si=B-MCsaQc3Xm_wRM2

And let me tell you about the last one——we are already seeing Flu in our hospital and COVID is NOT going anywhere! So protect yourself! Wear your masks 😷 and please get vaccinated! 

#naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #traveltips101 #traveladvice #travelguides #travelbloggervibes #travelexperts #travelblogs #blacktravelblog #moroccoearthquake #mauifires
  • These memes have been cracking me up all week! 😂😂 
Ever since my husband @parrishu70 and I met a couple in Champagne France 🇫🇷 with the most intense, printed color coded itinerary that even included times for naps 😴 -I kid you not-we have used their terminology of “trips” vs “vacations”. 

TRIPS: usually go go go. You are in a city or place for a limited time so you want to see it all. These are tours and reservations and an itinerary. IE our group trip to Morocco. 5 cities in 9 days! Things have to be organized, you may pack outfits based on activities that are planned and you may be tired when you get back. Hence the term “I need a vacation from my vacation”. 

VACATION: more relaxed. Go with the flow vs reservations and tours. Sleeping in in the mornings. Strolling around locations and popping into places. Relaxing on a beach all day for days at a time. Room service. Being lazy in a comfy bed. Going on a cruise. 

Now it is possible to have a mix of these 2! Over the years I have learned a lot from my husband and since he prefers vacations, even if we visit cities, I make sure we have time to relax and stroll around. AND as I have gotten older I definitely need to recharge with vacations. I do feel energized on trips thou lol. 

How about you? What’s your favorite? 

#tripvsvacation #funnymemes4ya #husbandmemes #couplestravel #couplesvacation #couplesgoal #blackcouplestravel #blackcouplestraveltoo #blacklovematters #blacklovecouples #theofficememes
  • Is anyone else holding on to summer like I am? Or are you ready for fall? I have no issue w less humid weather and crisper morning and evening air, I love pumpkin 🎃 but I do know that fall leads to winter and that IS not OK with me!! 

I am already planning my winter 🥶 escapes. And I live in Atlanta!! My skin gets dry, my hands and feet stay cold and I miss feeling the sun 🌞 on my skin!! Maybe it’s my island 🏝️ 🇯🇲 roots lol 

So which one are you? Summer? Fall? Or are you a winter or spring person? 

#summerlover #summerlovers #fall2023 #fallweather🍁 #summer2023☀️🏖🏝 #summer2023collection #travel2023 #travelexperts #blacktravelfeed #melaninmagic
  • My heart is heavy today. I am incredibly sad as I read reports and see the news about the earthquake in Morocco and the effects in Marrakech. 😔😔

As many of you know I traveled with 16 other adventurers for 9 days thru 5 cities in Morocco 🇲🇦 just 3 months ago!!! 

We met so many incredible people. Of course after being on the road that long together we felt close to our guides and drivers. I even had a meeting with two of the team members yesterday while they were in Marrakech and the earthquake happened a few hours later. 

My mind quickly went to them and all the people in my pictures wondering and hoping that they were safe. So far they are. But the death toll is over 1,000 and homes are crumbling. It’s a disaster. 

As a physician this also made me wonder—-are you prepared to handle a natural disaster while traveling? Do you know what to do? Do you have things in order before you go on vacation? Let’s talk about it tomorrow evening LIVE here on Instagram and Facebook at 5pm PT and 8 pm ET. You can share your thoughts on the Maui fires as well. My husband and I were in Maui in April and I’m still trying to comprehend that places we visited are gone. People have lost so much the past few months. Please stay safe. But let’s also get prepared! 

Sound off in the comments with any questions you would like answered tomorrow night! 

Swipe left to see pics from cities all over Morocco 🇲🇦 the people make the place ❤️

#moroccoearthquake #marrakech #marrakechearthquake #naturaldisaster #naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #survivaltips #earthquakemorocco
  • Do you have a favorite spa in your city 🌆 that you go to regularly?
I do but recently I tried a new one and it was VERY RELAXING! 

I have been to @stregisatl several times over the years but this was my first time using the spa. I had their version of an aromatherapy massage with hot stone add on. 

A few things I truly enjoyed..
1) the changing rooms and relaxation areas were spacious. There was even a “blush room” if you wanted to change in private. 
2) clean showers, saunas and steam rooms (the steam was too hot so I couldn’t stay in there 😣)
3) after my treatment I was offered Prosecco OR at St.Germaine spritzer! I went for the spritzer and it was pretty and refreshing 😋
4) the cool rags and cucumber slices-I took advantage of everything! Lol but it did help my headache 
5) it was not crowded-I always make weekday appointments for the spa. 
6) I was offered macarons and chocolates! I think this was a first for me. I received my own little tray and they were delicious! 
7) The St.Regis does Champagne 🍾sabrage every evening at 6pm. So I ended my spa day with a glass of Champagne 🥂!

The only down side is you have to be a hotel guest to use the pool. I brought my bathing suit ready to relax there and have a late lunch but nope. 

Have you been to this spa or a StRegis spa near you?

@stregishotels #stregisatlanta #stregisatl #buckheadatlanta #discoveratlanta @discoveratlanta #visitatlanta #luxuryatlanta
  • ***SAVE FOR YOUR TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC! 
For those of you that have been following me you know how serious I am about supporting Black-Owned businesses when I travel.

Earlier this month I traveled to Washington DC for the inaugural “Future of Black Tourism” conference held by @blacksintourism . It was an epic event! 

Prior to the conference I spent 2 days exploring Loudoun County Virginia thanks to @visitloudoun Funny story-I used to work at Loudoun County hospital as a physician over 20 years ago! It was hard to believe I was returning as a wine writer and content creator  with @wsetglobal degree! 

Northern Virginia is now a booming wine region and also the location of the 5-star luxury Black-Owned resort @salamanderresort in Middleburg-owned by Sheila Johnson. I was able to take a look around the grounds and it is lovely. 

“The Family Reunion” event in collaboration with @chefkwameonwuachi took place there this past weekend. It is in its 3rd year. I haven’t been yet but I have seen & heard good things. Tickets sell out fast and it’s a lux $$ item so start planning! 

I did spend a few nights @salamanderhoteldc It was the former Mandarin Oriental and there are plans for further renovations including the spa. I loved the spacious room and bathroom. 

These are just 2 of the Salamander properties located in the US and Caribbean. Have you stayed in any of them? Remember, you do not have to be Black to support Black-owned businesses! 

Please like, comment & share! 

#salamanderhotelsandresorts #salamanderhotels #thefamilyreunion #chefkwameonwuachi #sheilajohnson #middleburgva #loveloudoun #washingtondc #blackownedhotel #blackluxurylifestyle #blackluxury #beautifulhotel

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

san francisco golden gate bridge, most romantic cities in the us, valentines day

The Most Romantic Cities in the US for Getaways.

February 12, 2023
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

April 12, 2023
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

April 12, 2023
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 12, 2023
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

morocco travel planning guide, morocco travel guide, morocco first time visitors guide, merzouga, the sahara, glamping

Planning a trip to Morocco: First-Timer’s Visitor Guide

July 29, 2023
luxury cruise lines, cruises, cruising, top cruise lines,

Top Rated Luxury Cruise Lines!

June 27, 2023
napa valley sign, black-owned wineries in napa and sonoma

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

June 19, 2023
river cruise vs ocean cruise: which one is better, river cruising, ocean cruise liner,

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

April 11, 2023
The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Travel With Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life