Your TV screen this August is likely to be blanketed with gorgeous helicopter tracking shots of Rio de Janeiro's gorgeous hills, lagoons, bays and beaches, but of course the real Rio has so much more to offer than the standard view from the Christ Statue. Rosie Tobin from South America specialists RealWorld takes a look at some of the ways you could get away from the hype and hustle of the Olympics, and off the beaten track (and field...) in Rio this summer.
With the 2016 Olympic Games fast approaching, the world has its sights firmly set on the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. And with the media awash with stunning photos of Brazil's carnival capital, it's no surprise that so many people are dreaming of a holiday to Rio this year.
Rio has undergone what is probably its biggest transformation this year, with sports stadiums, shopping malls and nearly 100 new hotels being constructed in preparation for the 31st Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America. The city's metro system has been renovated with new lines added, and the iconic yellow trams have been reinstated in the bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, which should mean the hordes of visitors will find getting to and from the games and the major sites easier than ever.
