Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

As Gilberto Gil sang, Rio de Janeiro is still stunning. The most well-known Brazilian city outside Brazil is said to be home to content people who enjoy samba and football. Many people are unaware that the "wonderful city," as the Brazilians refer to it, has a colorful past as the colony's administrative center, a residence for the Portuguese court, and later the nation's capital. Cristo Redentor, the most well-known tourist destination in Rio, was named one of the world's new seven wonders.

Visitors to the city should also include Po de Açcar on their itinerary. Visit the Copabacana beaches and the Jardim Botânico, which Dom Pedro II had imperial palms planted there, if you want to learn about the Brazilians' fervor for soccer. You should also check out the Maracan stadium. Rio has a thriving nightlife with lots of bars, restaurants, and locations to learn about the samba and carnival traditions. Rio de Janeiro offers both a breathtaking natural setting and an urban experience.