Rio de Janeiro

A vibrant haven for life-loving locals and tourists looking for carefree living, Rio de Janeiro boasts one of the world's most famous beaches, in Copacabana, and masses of affordable accommodation.

Be it sight-seeing, sun-bathing, surfing, relaxing or plain old partying you are after, Rio has it all. The locals live off a diet of sport, sun and having fun, so it would be rude not to do the same when on holiday.

The carnival is not to be missed, featuring hundreds of thousands of revellers and kaleidoscopic street parades.

But Rio's locals are aware of the powers that be as well, something signified by the giant, looming statue of Jesus Christ which can be seen for miles around.