Brazil Friendship Tours

In Rio you may stay in the Windsor Copacabana Hotel is just 350 yards from Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, Windsor Copa features a gym, air-conditioned rooms and complimentary WiFi. Cardeal Arcoverde metro station is 550 yards from the property.

With an LCD cable TV, minibar and work desk, all rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and hairdryer. Some are larger and boast city views from the balcony.

The restaurant serves à la carte dishes and buffet breakfast with fresh fruits and juices.

Windsor Copa Hotel is 15.5 miles from Galeão International Airport. The Maracanã Stadium and Christ the Redeemer are 8.1 miles from the hotel, while Sugar Loaf hill is 2.2 miles away.

Whilst in Búzios you could stay in Hotel Pousada do namorado which is in an idyllic location, only 350 yards from Geribá Beach in Búzios, this charming hotel features rooms with fine décor, a pool, a hot tub and sauna. Wi-Fi and parking are free.

With colourful décor and garden views, rooms at Pousada do Namorado provide air conditioning, TV, telephone and minibar. Some also offer a private balcony and a hot tub.

Guests enjoy a tropical breakfast daily, with natural juices, regional fruits and a variety of fresh bread and cakes. Later in the day, you can relax in the hammock area while drinking an exotic refreshment from the bar.

Pousada do Namorado is situated 1.9 miles from Das Pedras Street in downtown Búzios, where visitors find shops, restaurants and intense nightlife. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, so guests can come and go at their convenience.

Getting there: Galeão International Airport is the main International airport serving Rio. Only BA from London-Heathrow and Norwegian from London-Gatwick fly there directly.

There are, however, several airlines that fly there with just one stop. For example, Lufthansa flies from London-Heathrow with a stopover in Frankfurt, KLM flies from London-Heathrow with a stopover in Amsterdam and Air France flies from London-Heathrow with a stopover in Paris.

From Manchester, Air France fly there with a stopover in Paris, Lufthansa flies there with a stopover in Frankfurt and BA fly there with a stopover at London-Heathrow.

We can deal with certain airlines on your behalf if you wish, alternatively, we can pass your details on to a company called AVIATE GROUPS which is a division of Aviate Travel, who are committed to providing the best group flight booking service in the industry for both trade and consumers.

Booking group flights offers many benefits, but can be a confusing and stressful process. Aviate take the stress out of booking group travel. They organise flights and manage the booking from beginning to end, using their experience of the market and relationships with their airline partners to find you the best itinerary at the best group fare. Their ethos is customer service led, and their friendly and knowledgeable team will help you plan and manage your group booking.  Also when you book your flights with AVIATE GROUPS you are protected under their ATOL licence.

Day one: After your transatlantic flight you will be met a Rio de Janeiro airport by your tour guide and a private bus which will transfer you to your hotel. (Windsor Copacabana Hotel or similar).After check-in you will take a tour of the City, this will give you an ‘overview ‘of this fantastic place. Dinner at the hotel.

Day two: After breakfast, you will take a sightseeing tour to Christ the Redeemer statue. Go all the way up to the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer by the Corcovado Train, this was the first electrified railroad in Brazil. Inaugurated in 1884 it is older than the statue itself, In fact, it was the train that, during four consecutive years, transported pieces for monument’s construction. The Train rides through a railway inside Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world, making a unique view over Rio de Janeiro city.

At the foot of the statue of Christ, you’ll be able to take in the most beautiful view over the city and see from above what makes Rio de Janeiro so special.

Day three: After breakfast, you will take a sightseeing tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Named after the traditional sugar loaves, the Sugarloaf Mountain is a tall 395-metre peak rising from the Guanabar Bay in the Atlantic Ocean.

To reach the summit, passengers take two cable cars. The first ascends to the shorter Morro da Urca, 220 m (722 ft) high. The second car ascends to Pão de Açúcar. The Swiss-made bubble-shaped cars offer passengers 360° views of the surrounding city. The journey takes three minutes from start to finish.

At the top, you will have the chance to capture pictures of the sparkling Rio beaches, the statue of Christ and the green forests.

Dinner will be taken at a Barbecue restaurant in Ipanema District At the restaurant they carve succulent meats at table side which are offered with a variety of freshly prepared gourmet salads and traditional Brazilian hot dishes.

Ipanema is one of the fantastic neighbourhoods of Rio with its beautiful beach and vibrant vibe. Whilst it has all the buzz of a city, it also has the cosiness of a small town so it’s easy to fall into the local lifestyle.

After your meal, you will visit a flea market in Copacabana.

Markets are a great way to get to know a culture, so in Rio, you will see everyone bargaining until they get the best price. And after that, they will talk for an hour or so about everything that happened that week in their personal life.

These markets sell everything from artwork and kitchen utensils to handmade arts and crafts, paintings, semi-precious Brazilian gemstones, sarongs, embalmed piranhas, bikinis; the list goes on.

Day four: A free day for you to relax and enjoy the beach before playing your second match of the tour against a local team.

As with all of the matches on the tour, we match you against teams of your own ability level.

After the match you will return to your hotel for an evening meal.

Day five: Today will mainly be at the beach. After a tour of Rio’s beaches, you will visit the Olympic Park before returning to Leme’s Beach for a foot volley clinic.

In the evening you will attend a match at the Maracanã which was, until recently the largest football stadium in the world.

Officially inaugurated during the 1950 World Cup, this all-encompassing stadium features a capacity to hold 100,000 cheering fans. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, major football clubs like Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama play their matches here.

Day six: After breakfast, you will leave Rio and Travel the 106 miles to Búzios eating lunch on the way

Upon arrival, you will check-in at your hotel (Pousada do Namorado or similar) for the next 4 nights

After check-in, there will be time for some practice at the local soccer field before having your evening meal.

Day seven: After breakfast at the hotel you will have a free morning to explore the area before your third match of the tour at the Cabo Frio Stadium.

After the match you will eat dinner at an all you can eat Pizza restaurant in Cabo Frio.

Day eight: After breakfast at the hotel you will enjoy an unforgettable experience on a boat tour in the beautiful Bay of Buzios.

Set sail through the crystal-clear waters. See places such as Lighthouse Island, Gorilla Rock, Blue Grotto, Pontal do Atalaia, and Forno Beach. Take in views of the exquisite landscape and the mighty sea.

After the tour return to the hotel in time for your evening meal.

Day nine: After breakfast at the hotel you will have time to do that last-minute souvenir shopping. The resort offers some great opportunities to shop. Speciality stores located on Rua das Pedras offer a unique shopping experience with traditional Brazilian arts and crafts and much more, which you aren’t likely to find easily. Grab the chance to chat with local shop owners and you can have an expert view on places to shop for what you are looking for.

Don’t wear yourselves out though as you will be playing the final match of your tour in the early evening.

After the match return to the hotel in time for your farewell evening meal.

Day ten: Time to pack, check out of hotel and transfer to Rio de Janeiro International Airport.