I did not know what to expect when I went to CBF with my family, and may I say I was quite impressed! We were told at the restaurant that their main specialty was Portuguese food, from Portugal (duh!) aside from some Spanish dishes, like paella, very good. But the best by far was their cod fish with baked potatoes, olives and shrimp, just heaven! My kids loved it too, but my husband and I enjoyed it the most. It also seemed to have some of that atmosphere based on the country where the food originates from, Portugal. Anyway, quite a family-friendly spot for an afternoon lunch.

Praça Tiradentes 83, Downtown

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I did not know what to expect when I went to CBF with my family, and may I say I was quite impressed! We were told at the restaurant that their main specialty was Portuguese food, from Portugal (duh!) aside from some Spanish dishes, like paella, very good. But the best by far was their cod fish with baked potatoes, olives and shrimp, just heaven! My kids loved it too, but my husband and I enjoyed it the most. It also seemed to have some of that atmosphere based on the country where the food originates from, Portugal. Anyway, quite a family-friendly spot for an afternoon lunch.

Praça Tiradentes 83 Tel: 2232 3215

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Rio's 'Covent Garden'. A shopping mall but on an intimate scale without any chain stores. Not very far from Leblon. Also has several theatres with Sat/Sun afternoon programmes for children and a playcentre. If you have small children, you can buy excellent cheap clothes at Bebe Basico on the ground floor. The owners also have a nice educational toy shop on the 2nd floor (Enfim Enfant) which sells hand-made toys and brilliant towelling cushions shaped like elephants and hippopotamuses.

Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 52, Shopping da Gávea - 2º piso Sábado e Domingo, às 17h Mais informações: 2540-6004 Classificação: livre ...

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The best ice-cream in Rio - a small chain of posh ice-cream parlours. The one I went to was on the fanciest shopping street in Ipanema, which has a cafe. Try all those exotic fruits (e.g. pitanga) that you should also be tasting at the street juice bars, but in ice-cream!

134 Garcia D’Avila – Ipanema. tel: 2521.1384

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The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon at the back of Ipanema has a cycle-path and a park around its perimeter. There are kiosks serving food and you can rent pedalos, bikes for kids and on weekends have a go on an elasticated harness.

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This is a very cheap (approx $0.25) and exciting tram service that starts just beyond the white viaduct arches of Lapa and winds its way up into the hills around the glorious Cristo, into the area known as Santa Teresa, and is the last remaining tram service in South America.

Jump on and buzz through the scenic backstreets as schoolchildren jump on and off for free in an excited frenzy. Its a great journey which takes about thirty minutes from bottom to top and shows you the very best of the old Rio. At the top you can take the walk back down via craft and antique shops, wonderful little eateries, museums and the occasional art exhibition.

Truly a magnificent mini trip to fill an afternoon away from the beaches, amongst the true and vibrant spirit of Rio, with the added bonus of some of the best views of the city.

Estação Carioca is found near the city centre opposite the Petrobras Building. It is a bit tough to find but persist and it will pay off.

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Its actually just on the outskirts of the city, up on the hills. I'd never actually experienced one before - and it really was quite beautiful, with lots of twisting paths and waterfalls. I'm sure a deeper rainforest would seem more "authentic", but this one was only a half-hour cab ride from the city.

Just outside Rio

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