As the undisputed grand dame of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Palace has hosted the breadth of high society throughout its 100 years, from Ella Fitzgerald to Princess Diana. Its white-stone walls pulsate with energy during Carnival in February, when live samba music drifts across the open-air restaurant Pérgula as guests sway, sipping potent caipirinhas and indulging in a brunch of black beans and tapioca, cheese-filled pasteis and fried plantain.
During the day, couples should avoid the queues and see the sights of Rio on a private helicopter tour of the city. A short cable-car ride takes you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can board your craft to explore the sandy expanses of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches from above, and enjoy unmatched views of Christ the Redeemer. In the evenings, indulge in Michelin-starred fare at the hotel’s candle-lit Italian outpost Cipriani, before heading out to join 90,000 others for a night watching the parades at the Sambadrome.
Copacabana Palace, a Belmond hotel, from £350 a room a night.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfqrhwwNGarZ6kX5yBdIWXcnBucF%2BXsrTAjKGmp52porywuoyhpq2dnKh6pbHSraCnmaSevK%2B%2Fjg%3D%3D