Carnival, Great Beaches and the Largest Waterfall in the World

It is a brand new year and many of us are looking for unique destinations to visit. One of my favourite places is also one of the world’s best-kept secrets, Iguaçu Falls, on the border of Argentina, Paraguay. Many people do not realize this nearly 3 km long waterfall is the largest in the world, and at twice the height of Niagara, is also one of the tallest.

A good way to see Iguaçu is by combining it with Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil (next to São Paulo). The city is amazing, and the biggest decision is where to stay. I chose Ipanema beach, as I thought it was prettier than Copacabana or Leblon, the other two beaches of Rio.

One of the most amazing sights in Rio is Corcovado, and the statue of Christ of the Andes. The mountain is 710 metres above sea level, and on the tip of its peak, stands the famous monument of Christ the Redeemer. Built in 1931, it is made of reinforced concrete and covered with small, soapstone triangles. The views of Rio from the top of Corcovado are among the best anywhere.

Corcovado Mountain is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Brazil. I would suggest getting there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and certainly try to avoid weekends when the local people visit.

Another reason to visit Rio de Janeiro is of course Carnival, which takes place every year In the 5 days leading up to Lent. The bleachers set up to view Carnival, are located at the base of Corcovado, but there are usually two million people per day on the streets.

More than half a million people travel to Rio for carnival, which is termed the world's largest party. The festivities take place on the beaches of Copacaba