Today, you leave the UK and head to Brazil with connecting flights along the way.

At the airport in Rio de Janeiro, you will be picked up by an English-speaking guide who drives you to your hotel, depending on the traffic, the drive from the airport to your hotel takes about an hour.

Rio is both wonderful and chaotic at the same time, and this can give even the most seasoned traveller butterflies in their stomach – in a good way.

To ensure that your visit to Brazil gets off to the best possible start, our partner will come to your hotel and hold a short welcome meeting of around 30–60 minutes. This is an opportunity for you to run through your tour together and get answers to any questions you may have about the tour or other practical questions about Brazil.

At midday, you will be picked up from the hotel and be taken on an exciting, guided tour of Rio’s major sights.

The tour starts by taking you up to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue on the 710-metre-high Mount Corcovado. The statue is one of the city’s landmarks and has been named one of the 7 new wonders of the world. There is an indescribable view from up here of Rio’s scenic bays, beaches, favelas and Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, as well as a glimpse of the famous Maracaña Stadium.

You’ll then visit the cosy neighbourhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa, where you can admire the colourful Selarón steps, designed and built by the late Chilean-born artist, Jorge Selarón. Lunch is not included on this tour, but it is possible to buy a sandwich and other snacks along the way.

You will also experience Rio’s stunning location from Pão de Açúcar, also known as the Sugar Loaf. This 396-metre-high mountain is located by Guanabara Bay, and to get to the top, you have to take two different cable cars – a thrilling ride affording spectacular views of this magical city, coast and lush mountains in the background.

You’ll be back at your hotel at 7-8 pm and have the rest of the evening to yourself.

Today, you can explore Rio at your leisure, but you also have the opportunity to purchase exciting optional excursions from home. You can, for example, go behind the scenes of the carnival, ride around the city on two wheels or go out and experience the festive nightlife with a guide.

You have the day to yourself to explore Rio. You can choose to relax on the beach or purchase extra excursions, giving you the opportunity to experience even more of what this adventurous city has to offer.

In the morning, the tour heads to Paraty along the lush green coast of Rio de Janeiro. The drive takes around 4–5 hours.

There is a marked contrast when you come from the bustling city of Rio to the cosy little colonial gem of Paraty, where everything takes place at a sedate pace. The town is known for its beautiful, well-preserved buildings from the Portuguese empire. Paraty was an important port for the shipping of gold, sugar, coffee and slaves. The town’s former wealth is clear to see in its beautiful buildings and churches.

In the afternoon, you can look forward to strolling around the cobbled streets and admiring the beautiful churches and whitewashed houses with their colourful shutters over the windows and doors. A local guide takes you on a tour and gives you a good introduction to the town and an exciting insight into the history of the town – good and bad.

You have the day to yourself in Paraty. Perhaps you’re not yet done exploring the small streets and drinking coffee at the cosy cafés and restaurants.

You can also choose to go on a boat trip to the beautiful beaches and bounty islands in Paraty Bay or go on a trip out to the rain forest near Paraty where you will find beautiful waterfalls, learn about the famous and infamous “gold trail” and sample the famous Brazilian brandy cachaça, which is produced in this region and used in Brazil’s national cocktail, Caipirinhas.

After breakfast, you head to the port of Angra Dos Reis, from where you sail over to the paradise island of Ilha Grande. A boat ride of approx. 1½ hours. On your arrival at the island’s biggest town, Vila do Abraão, you have a short, 10-15 minute walk to your hotel. A porter from the hotel will be there to meet you, carry your luggage and show you the way to the hotel. There are no roads on the island, so you get about on foot, by bike or by boat.

Look forward to relaxing on the last few days on the island of Ilha Grande, which means the big island. The island offers stunning, unspoilt nature and more than 100 beautiful beaches. The hilly island measures 193km2, and its highest point, Pico da Pedra D’Água, is 1,031 metres above sea level. Almost 90% of the island is either a protected reserve or a national park to conserve the unique flora and fauna found on the island.

The day is spent at your leisure. Be sure to explore the island on one of the many trekking trails and experience its breathtaking scenery. You may be lucky enough to spot exotic birds, howler monkeys and perhaps even sloths.

You can also purchase a trekking excursion from home to the beautiful Lopes Mendes beach, which, with its white sand and azure waters, captivates most people. This beach has been voted one of the most beautiful in Brazil. You can only get there on foot or by boat.

Your time is your own today, too. If you wish to engage in water sports such as kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling, you have every option to do so.

You can purchase a boat trip to the beautiful Blue Lagoon where you can swim with the colourful fish in the clear waters.

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to this little piece of paradise. You will be sailed over to the mainland again, and from here, you will drive by minibus to Rio and on to the airport where your journey home begins. Travel time is approx. 5 hours

You land in the UK after a fantastic holiday in Brazil.