Rio pulls out the stops for New Year's Eve, too. (Hotels fill up months in advance for both.)
Cariocas are intensely proud of their national sport, soccer. Its temple in Rio is Maracanã stadium, best experienced during a game featuring one (or two) or Rio's four teams. Stadium tours on non-game days draw the devout.
Rio's 1920s-vintage horse racetrack, Gavea (also called the Jockey Club), furnishes a relaxing day at the races — except during the last seconds of a race you've bet on.
The Nelson Piquet Racetrack hosts sporadic Formula One and other auto-racing contests.
A note to couples planning a Rio honeymoon after a very long engagement: Rio has been chosen as the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Plan accordingly.
