With an add-on trip to the colonial town of Paraty, January 2-4, 2015!.
What better place to celebrate New Years than Rio de Janeiro! Experience the unmatched beauty and charm of this famous city, as well as its friendly, captivating people, known as Cariocas. Located between the mountains and sea, Rio de Janeiro is a tropical urban resort that offers delicious cuisine, terrific shopping, and stunning scenery.
The beaches are loaded with eye candy as far as the eye can see, and the night scene explodes with some of the best venues and music in the world.
Don't spend another day in the cold. With the World Cup and approaching 2016 Olympics, the word's eyes are on cast on Rio, and there has never been a better time to visit. Let Zoom Vacations® give you the vacation of your dreams in stunning Rio de Janeiro!
This trip combines the perfect hotel, exclusive Zoom events, plus plenty of free time to give you a vacation that is fabulous, fun, personalized, and relaxing. This trip is escorted by Zoom Vacations owners, Joel Cabrera and Bryan Herb.
Extend your South American Vacation!
Enjoy our add-on post-trip to the colonial town of Paraty, January 2 - 4, 2015.
• Signature Zoom Event™ - An Incredible welcome cocktail reception and sumptuous Brazilian dinner, poolside, with commanding views of the Corcovado, and featuring one of Rio's hottest DJs! Open bar and dinner included.
• Signature Zoom Event™ Our helicopter tour of Rio de Janeiro with a sensational lunch and tour of Sugarloaf Mountain!
• Zoom Picnic on the Praia, enjoy one of the most famous gay beaches in the world, while Zoom Vacations takes care of all the logistics, from beverages to bites to beach chairs and beyond!.
• 5 nights twin share air conditioned Accommodations of your choice (standard rooms and suites available) at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel, the newest luxury hotel in Rio, just one block from Ipanema beach.
• A hearty Brazilian hot and cold Buffet Breakfast daily.
• Signature Zoom Event™ - Special New Years Eve Dinner with champagne.
• All private transfers to/from Zoom Vacations® events.
• Services of a full time and dedicated Zoom Concierge™ throughout the trip.
• Rio de Janeiro gay survival guide, complete with information on nightlife, restaurants, beaches, shopping, and much more.
• Optional Signature Zoom Tour™ - "Taste of Rio" allows you to experience the various tastes, sounds and sites that make Rio so marvelous.
• Optional excursions such as hang-gliding, Favela tour, Tijuca Forest, Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, and Recovery Brunch.
• Advance ticket purchase options for the best dance events of the week, such as Alegria Rio and Revolution, exclusively for Zoom Vacations® travelers.
• All this and more . . . Exclusively for Zoom Vacations® travelers.
Day 1 - Monday, December 28, 2014
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant (If you arrived the night before or pre paid this day for early check in)
Late Evening: Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet as well as an open bar of caipirinhas, wine, Brazilian beer, water, soft drinks, and juices throughout the entire event (exact location TBD).
Accommodations: The Ipanema Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner and Cocktails
Day 2 - Tuesday, December 29, 2014
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant.
6 AM - 6 PM: Handcrafts & Art Fair of Ipanema The official name is Feira de Artezanato de Ipanema (Handcrafts & Art Fair of Ipanema), but everybody still uses the original name, Hippy Market, reminiscent of the 70īs. Typical foods, handmade art, Brazilian leather goods, paintings, jewelry, and many more attractions are found at this weekly event. It is the perfect place to find a souvenir with local colors. Or, just walk around leisurely, and enjoy the moment. This is a short walk from the hotel, and once there, you may choose to wander on your own within the market plaza and return to the hotel (or beach) whenever you choose.
Afternoon: Helicopter Tour and Lunch at Sugarloaf Mountain. Signature Zoom Event™ Our helicopter tour of Rio de Janeiro with a sensational lunch and tour of Sugarloaf Mountain!
Accommodations: The Ipanema Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet breakfast
Day 3 - Wednesday, December 30, 2014
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 10 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant.
Late Morning: Picnic on the Praia Today, you will enjoy one of the most famous gay beaches in the world, while Zoom Vacations takes care of all the logistics, from beverages to bites to beach chairs and beyond! Just steps from our hotel, Farme Beach is very international and friendly, and offers beautiful views of Ipanema, Corcovado, and the Dois Irmaos (Two Brothers) Peaks. Of course, these may not be the main things catching your eye on Farme Beach.
Accommodations: The Ipanema Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet breakfast, lunch and open bar all day
Day 4 - Thursday, December 31, 2014
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant.
Evening: New Years Eve Dinner Bring your cameras and a healthy appetite to this special New Years Eve celebration exclusively for Zoom Vacations® guests at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel.
Nighttime: Copacabana Beach & Fireworks We take a slow, 30 minute walk to Copacabana Beach where we will watch the fireworks.
You will be invited to give a flower offering to the Brazilian sea goddess Yemanja, and in exchange she will cleanse your sins for the past year. We will watch a spectacular fireworks display on the waters edge where millions of Cariocas (as Rio locals are called) dress in white and gather to greet the New Year. The tradition in Rio over New Years is that everyone from the locals to the tourists wear white on New Years Eve.
Accommodations: The Ipanema Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet breakfast and dinner
Day 5 - Friday, January 1, 2015
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant.
Today, the day is free to recover from New Years Eve. You may also wish to attend the pool party or one of the many other parties and events taking place today. Our Zoom Concierges will help make sure that your New Year is off to a great start!
Accommodations: The Ipanema Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet breakfast
Day 6 - Saturday, January 2, 2015
Rio de Janeiro
7 AM - 11 AM: Included Buffet Breakfast is served in the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Opium Restaurant.
12 Noon: Hotel Check Out If you are leaving Rio today and not joining Zoom on the Paraty extension, the Ipanema Plaza Hotel will gladly store your luggage while you explore the day in Rio prior to your flight. You are welcome to use the showers in the gym area if you wish to freshen up before your flight home.
9:30 AM -10 AM: Paraty Travelers Only Check out of the Ipanema Plaza Hotel early, meet at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Lobby, and load luggage onto bus for departure to Paraty.
10 AM (sharp): Paraty departure Paraty Departure for the group attending the Paraty add-on.
Meals Included: Buffet breakfast
Ipanema Plaza Hotel
This 4 star property is the closest hotel to the gay beach, and is an epicenter of all the activity!
Hotel Amenities:
• Bar/Lounge
• Business Center
• Concierge
• 24 Hour Front Desk
• Hairdryers Available
• Pool
• Parking
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe Deposit Box
• Fitness Center
• Laundry/Valet Services
• AM/FM Alarm Clock Modem Lines in Room
• Free Newspaper
Television with Cable
Frequently asked questions, specific to our trip to Rio for New Years
Is the TAM flight upgradeable?
As much as we wish it were, this incredible air deal is only available in coach, and unfortunately upgrades are not available. However, we would be happy to book your Business Class reservation at a special Zoom rate.
Will I receive miles on a partner airline if I take the TAM flight?
Currently, you will accrue miles on United and Air France. However, we recommend you check directly with TAM for their current frequent flyer partners as partnerships tend to change frequently.
Is safety a concern in Rio?
Our experience is that Rio is a safe destination, and that using common sense will go a long way in providing a fun, carefree holiday.
Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?
If you are a United States citizen and/or are traveling from the United States, you will need a visa to travel to Brazil. You must wait until 90 days prior to arrival into Brazil before you apply for your visa, and visa forms are available on our website. We will provide you with answers to several of the visa questions before you go obtain your visa. It's a relatively easy procedure, and Zoom is always here to help in any way possible.
Into which airport do I need to fly?
You need to fly into the Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG).
What day should I depart my home country?
You must depart your home country for arrival into Rio de Janeiro on December 28. Our first event is our welcome rooftop party, which starts at about 8:00 PM. For those coming from the States, most flights depart the States the evening of December 27th. Our Zoom Group flight departs JFK on December 27.
Can Zoom book extra days for me at the beginning or end of this trip?
Absolutely! Simply let us know the amount of days you need at the beginning and/or end of the trip, and we will book the nights you need (additional room night charges will apply).
If I am traveling as a single, does Zoom offer a roommate pairing program?
Absolutely! Before the trip, we will get to know all of our travelers, and we will use what we know about you to make the best pairing possible.
May I travel as a single without a roommate?
Absolutely, you may travel as a single and pay a single supplement, which varies depending on your time of booking.
What is the fitness level required for this trip?
This trip is easily accessible to a variety of fitness levels. None of our included activities require a high degree of athletic skill. However, your optional activities will give you the opportunity to make your vacation as active and/or adventuresome as you choose.
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