Visit Rio de Janeiro With Michele
Brazil, With a Brazilian
A small-group journey through Rio de Janeiro — curated by someone who was born and raised into its rhythm and flavors, not just its résumé. April 2027. Limited spots.
There's the Rio most people see, and then there's the Rio I grew up in.
I was born here — this is my city, my language, my table. On this trip, I'm not performing as a guide; I'm simply opening the door to the Rio I know personally: the bossa nova drifting from a quiet bar in Ipanema, the family-run kitchens that never made it into a guidebook, the golden hour view I still stop for, every single time.
This is a small selected group, a thoughtfully curated few days, and me — as your host — genuinely showing you my hometown in Brazil.
Why This Trip Is Different
You could see Rio on your own, or with a guide who studied it. This is neither.
I'm Brazilian — Carioca, actually, which just means "born and raised right here in Rio." That's not a detail on a brochure; it's the whole reason this trip feels different. Every stop, every recommendation, every quiet moment comes from a lifetime of actually living here, not research.
You'll stay comfortably, eat exceptionally well, and move through the week at an unhurried pace — because the best parts of Rio were never meant to be rushed.
This trip is organized through Trovatrip, a platform built specifically for small-group travel like this one — they handle the secure booking, payments, and logistics behind the scenes, so everything is protected and straightforward. My role is everything in between: I'm the one curating the experience, adding the local touches, and traveling right alongside you as your Brazilian host and friend.
Moments Along the Way
The full day-by-day itinerary lives on the trip page — what follows is a preview of extras, the local insider moments I personally weave in to make our trip special, the kind that only happen because you choose to join me. The exact mix shifts a little with each group, season, and occasion. And I might through you some other treats along the way, who knows...
An Evening of Bossa Nova
Soft guitar, unhurried conversation, the sound Rio is quietly famous for. A perfect introduction to the city's more intimate side.
A Taste of the Real Roda de Samba
For an hour or two, we'll step into an authentic samba circle — the kind locals have gathered around for generations. Not a show, just Rio being itself. A wonderful contrast to the evening's calmer moments.
Santa Teresa
Cobblestone streets, colonial mansions, and hillside views that stop you mid-step. Rio's bohemian, artistic heart — a slower, more reflective side of the city.
Pequena África (Little Africa)
A quiet walk through the neighborhood where samba, and much of Rio's soul, was born. History most visitors never get close to.
Sunset Happy Hour
Cocktail in hand, the city glowing gold in front of you. Some of the best conversations of the whole trip happen right here.
Beach lounge, Ilha Grande
A boat ride away from the mainland's pace, a short walk along the shore — I'll take you to one of my favorite beach spots for a lounge day and a cocktail, turquoise water at your feet.
Every trip I host carries the same spirit, but never looks exactly the same twice — the season, the occasion, and the small details shift group to group. What stays constant is this: real access, real culture, and me, personally, there with you the entire way.
Curious about the full itinerary, accommodations, and dates?
"Michele is Rio born and raised and brings an authentic perspective to create a vacation that is full of culture, music and amazing food!"
— Kari D., San Diego, California
"Before our trip, my biggest concern was the language barrier. Portuguese was completely new to us, and we knew that outside of hotels, navigating vendors, small restaurants, and taxis on our own would be genuinely challenging. Michele was there every step of the way — and I can honestly say there were countless moments where having her made all the difference between a frustrating situation and a perfect memory.
Any tourist with a smartphone can find Cristo Redentor and Sugarloaf Mountain. But Michele took us to Pedra do Sal for live music — the actual birthplace of samba. She brought us to Rua do Senado on a Saturday morning for one of the most vibrant street market experiences of my life, and made sure we had feijoada there the traditional way — because Michele knows that this national dish is a Saturday ritual, not just a menu item. That context is everything.
The moment I will never forget: she took us to Samba do Trabalhador at Renascença Club on a Monday night. We sat in a drum circle led by Marcelinho Moreira — lead singer of Canto do Batuqueiro and a friend of Michele's who she personally introduced us to. We were surrounded by local families, local merchants, local music. It was pure Rio. I am absolutely certain we would never have found that experience without her.
And then there was the boat. On our way to lunch at Ocyá — a stunning restaurant on Ilha Primeira in Barra da Tijuca that you can only reach by water — Michele quietly asked the boat driver to take a small detour through the mangrove. None of us expected it. We glided through this wild, green waterway right in the middle of the city, spotting wildlife, completely speechless. That's Michele. She doesn't just plan a trip. She creates moments you didn't even know to ask for."
— Kari D., San Diego, California, USA · Traveled February–March 2026 with her husband and friends
"My biggest question before the trip wasn't about safety or language — it was about depth. I didn't want to skim the surface of Rio. I wanted to actually experience it.
Michele's guide took us to Baródromo — a samba bar decorated with real Carnival costumes that have crossed the Sambadrome — where the music was infectious and the energy was electric. And then to Rua do Senado on a Saturday, where we found ourselves in the middle of one of the most authentic street samba circles in the city. I don't speak a word of Portuguese, but I made genuine friends at both places. That's what the right local knowledge does — it removes the invisible walls.
I also booked a private consultation call with Michele, which is where she discovered my passion for landscaping and pointed me toward Sítio Roberto Burle Marx — one of the most breathtaking landscape gardens in Brazil, and something I would never have connected to my own interests without that conversation. That's the difference between a guidebook and a real local friend who actually listens.
We spent 99% of our trip enjoying Rio. Not planning it, not figuring it out — just living it. We've already started talking about going back."
— Jonathan D., Miami, USA · Traveled April 2026 as a couple · Self-described foodie
More of Brazil is Coming
This is only the beginning — future trips will explore Rio in different seasons, and eventually, other corners of Brazil. If you'd like to hear first when a new group opens, I'd love to keep you posted.
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