From the enormous Rio Music Conference to the annual boat show, Marina da Glória's pavilions play host to a diverse mix of events, and why not? The setting overlooking the picturesque harbour, complete with aircraft taking off and landing at Santos Dumont airport to one side and the cable cars of Sugarloaf Mountain to the other, is nothing short of postcard-perfect.

Anyone looking to hit the water will find plenty of options to choose from, with daily schooner trips (9.30-11.30am Mon-Sun) available that pass under the Rio-Niteroí bridge as well as infront of the impressive Santa Cruz fort and a former prison in the middle of the bay (saveiros.com.br), with even the very occasional dolphin sighting thrown in. Private hire is also available for parties of various sizes, complete with soundsystem, DJ and fully stocked bar.

Budding fishermen and women are well catered for too, with 8-10 hour fishing trips for upto 7 people out to the Ilhas Cagarras to catch anything from Grouper to Sailfish depending on the chosen itinerary (riofishingpro.com.br). Qualified divers also get a look in (though the waters further up the coast towards Cabo Frio have considerably better visibility), again courtesy of the fertile waters around Cagarras Island (8am Sat-Sun, mardorio.com.br).