For a Half-Day

Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park): Occupying an area of 120 sq km (46 sq miles), Tijuca National Park (tel: (21) 2492 2252) is the world's largest urban forest and Brazil's only inner-city national park. Thick vegetation tumbles down steep hillsides into the backdoors of many of Rio's neighbourhoods. Much of the forest was cleared for coffee plantations in the 19th century but a successful reforestation project has restored the Atlantic Rainforest habitat, home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife. Natural attractions include eucalyptus, jacaranda and jakfruit trees, forest flowers, and many species of birds, plus ocelots, monkeys, insects and reptiles. There are also waterfalls, grottoes and high viewpoints to be discovered and hundreds of walking trails through the forest. Paths are well signposted and maps are available at the park entrance. For travellers who do not want to go alone, many companies offer guided walks (see Tours of the City). There are also 6km (3.7 miles) of cycle paths to be explored. If all this sounds too strenuous, there are various picnic spots and lookout points for relaxation and enjoyment of the fresh air and natural surroundings.

Buses marked Boa Vista, such as bus 231 from Centro or 454 from Copacabana, go to Tijuca. The entrance to the park is at Praça Afonso Viseu, Alto da Boa Vista. The park is open daily from 0600 to 2100 and admission is free.

For a Whole Day

Paraty: An enchanting colonial town, situated approximately 400km (250 miles) south of Rio, Paraty has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's churches, squares and townhouses with flourishing courtyards are still much as they were when Paraty was a chief port for the export of gold and coffee in the 17th and 19th centuries respectively. The cobbled streets are open only to bicycles, horses and pedestrians and are surrounded by a wealth of old buildings containing appealing art galleries, restaurants and handicraft shops. The town sits on the ocean and is backed by lush Atlantic Rainforest. The most imposing church is the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of the Remedies). Originally built for the white elite, it now contains works of art by local artists. Approximately a 20-minute walk north of the Old Town is the Forte Defensor Perpétuo (Perpetual Defending Fort), on the Morro de Vilha. Its purpose in 1703 was to defend Paraty from gold-plundering pirates but today it houses the Museu de Artes e Tradicoes Populares (Museum of Popular Arts and Tradition).

Paraty deserves more than a day's visit, but for those who only have 24 hours, a return flight from Rio is advised. Although it is possible to visit by road (nine buses leave daily from the Terminal Rodoviária Novo Rio in Rio), the journey along the winding coast takes around four hours 30 minutes, although it is slightly quicker by hire car or taxi. No vehicles are allowed in the Old Town itself, however. Centro de Informações Turisticas, Avenida Roberto Silveira, 1, Paraty (tel: (24) 3371 1266; website: www.turisrio.rj.gov.br), can provide further information. The website www.paraty.com.br is also a good source of information.