How To Spend A Day In Brazil

Lucinda Riley is the New York Times bestselling author of The Orchid House, The Girl on the Cliff, The Lavender Garden, and The Midnight Rose. Her books have sold more than five million copies in thirty languages. She lives in London and the English countryside with her husband and four children. Her book The Seven Sisters is available now in paperback.

Featuring gorgeous beaches, fantastic food and a fascinating history, Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's best cities to visit, and the inspiration behind Lucinda Riley's The Seven Sisters, available now in paperback. Lucinda visited Rio as part of her research for the book, and shares her one-day guide of where to eat, drink and dance in this seaside city.

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Only a couple of minutes' walk to Ipanema Beach, Balada Mix offers a wonderful selection of local and South American dishes, with their Argentinian steak a must eat! Excellent service from friendly staff, reasonably priced food and a great setting in a gorgeous Colonial house.

Alternatively, the 'Feira', meaning mobile farmers market, is held at Praca Nossa Senhora da Paz in Ipanema every Friday and is an absolute must. The vendors offer fresh local produce – mangos, pineapples and figs, vegetables, fish and meats - to name but a few. Open from early morning until about 1pm; there's nothing better than choosing your own lunch and strolling down Rua Maria Quiteria to eat it on the beach.

No trip would be complete without a pilgrimage to one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. Christ the Redeemer – my inspiration for The Seven Sisters – sits atop Corcovado Mountain, offering spectacular views of Rio de Janeiro beneath. The best time to visit is first thing in the morning. Take the funicular train up the mountain from Cosme Velho station and enjoy the ride.

A Caipirinha - the national cocktail of Brazil. The sugar cane based liquor is mixed with fresh lime juice, a teaspoon of sugar and crushed ice. And there's no better place to have one than at the Copacabana Piano Bar at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, listening to the resident pianist play soft jazz. Alternatively, buy a fresh coconut anywhere along the beaches and sip its juice through a straw watching the spectacular sunset.

Buy yourself some Cuban heels like Maia, and head to 'Rio Scenarium' in Lapa - one of the best Samba clubs in town. The good news is, wherever you are and whatever you are doing in Rio, you will always hear the Samba beat emanating from somewhere in the distance. The problem is, you just won't be able to control your feet!

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