Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson didn't let a little thing like a hostage situation keep them from filming in Brazil. After hostages were taken at the Intercontinental Rio de Janeiro back in August, there was some speculation that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn's pivotal honeymoon scenes would be shot somewhere else.
Despite the controversy, the producers of Breaking Dawn decided to shoot in Brazil anyway and filming is officially underway this week. ]]>
This week we've learned there is at least one thing that can scare off vampires and werewolves: hostage situations.
The next installment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn, was expected to shoot a few key scenes in Rio de Janeiro. But, after last weekend's deadly shootout between cops and gang members at the InterContinental Rio de Janeiro, they may be backing out. ]]>
These first few months of 2010 have welcomed everything but tourists it seems, as natural disasters like earthquakes, floods ands even volcanoes put a crimp in itineraries. And although we're hoping that the sun of summer will wipe the problems away, it looks like Mother Nature will have her last laugh...in shutting down the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What they've got down there is a Machu Picchu-type flooding and mudslide emergency. Already the torrential rains and mudslides have killed 246 people, with almost another 200 still missing. And they're not risking more lives just so people can take a quick picture of themselves with one of the seven "new" wonders of the world. ]]>
If it's good enough for Madonna and Jesus, then it's good enough for you. As we reported today, the transformative Queen of Pop recently landed in Rio de Janiero for "humanitarian" work and quite possibly to meet her boyfriend's parents. We're not sure if this contributes to Rio's international appeal or detracts from it, but we did happen to stumble across a four-night travel package, airfare included, for Thanksgiving travel to the Brazilian city.
Travelzoo recently posted a $699 (base price) all-inclusive deal which includes roundtrip travel from New York City, daily breakfast, four nights accommodations, and the option to tack tour extras onto your package. The catch is, as we mentioned, the date that you'll have to depart—either dangerously close to Thanksgiving on the 19th, or the day itself. So, you'll have to decide whether forgoing turkey, football, and that yearly screening of the MACY*S parade is worth the $700 pricetag. ]]>
Madonna landed in Rio de Janeiro yesterday for a week long trip that may include meeting her boyfriend's mother and speaking with government officials about poverty.
Several reports are saying that the superstar is nervous about meeting Jesus Luz' family for the first time and that it may be a sign things are heating up between them. But Madge told Page Six the rumors aren't true and she is "there strictly for fundraising and humanitarian purposes.” We find it suspect that she would visit her boyfriend's hometown with him and not stop by to say hi to his moms. Maybe it's the age difference that is keeping her away, and we're not talking about the age difference between her and Jesus. Madonna also happens to be 14 years older than his mother! ]]>
This is how we want to spend our Labor Day weekend: kicking it in Rio de Janeiro and staying only two blocks away from the famous Copacabana Beach. And only $599 for a four-day trip with airfare, hotel and breakfast included? We'll be there with yellow feathers in our hair and a dress cut down to there.
Vacation-planning/tour-guide company Gate 1 teamed with Travelzoo to run the holiday special, which includes round-trip airfare from New York City to Rio (other departure cities are available, but you have to check with Gate 1). The airline that will swoop you off to Rio depends on availability; we tried booking the package several times and both American Airlines and Delta popped up as our carriers. With taxes and fees (and a "package airfare" charge of $362.44), the final price is $1,068.14.
To take advantage of the deal, you have to start your extended Labor Day vacay on Sept. 3, though you can opt to leave Sept. 10, 17, 24 for an extra $50. ]]>
If you've seen the cult film City of God (Cidade de Deus), or talked to any middle class Brazilians, then the infamous favelas, or shanty towns, of Rio de Janeiro won't be top on your list of places to go. Considering, however, that an estimated 20 per cent of Rio de Janeiro's population live in the 750 or so favelas distributed not only around the outskirts but within the city centre, and considering that many of the maids cleaning your hotel room or the bellboys carrying your luggage will have come from a favela that morning, you'll be missing out on a huge part of Rio's cultural mix if you ignore them completely.
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