Rome | Rio de Janeiro

About the destination: Rome Province, surrounding the Eternal City, offers a rich tapestry of landscapes, historic towns, and coastal escapes that complement any visit to Rome itself. Stretching from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the rolling hills of Lazio, this region is dotted with ancient ruins, medieval villages, and Renaissance villas, all easily reachable on day trips from the capital. It’s the ideal base if you want to balance big-city sightseeing with quieter, more authentic corners of central Italy. To the north of Rome, the Lakes District is a peaceful alternative to urban bustle. Lake Bracciano is crowned by the perfectly preserved Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, where you can wander through grand halls and climb towers with sweeping views. Nearby, the smaller Lake Martignano is a protected natural area, popular with hikers and swimmers seeking a tranquil, car-free environment. Charming lakeside towns serve local wines and fresh lake fish on scenic terraces. Heading south, you reach the Castelli Romani, a cluster of hilltop towns long cherished as Rome’s countryside retreat. Frascati is famous for its white wine and noble villas, while Castel Gandolfo, overlooking Lake Albano, was once the Pope’s summer residence and still exudes a serene, aristocratic atmosphere. These towns are ideal for leisurely lunches in rustic trattorias, tasting porchetta (roast pork) and other regional specialties under vine-covered pergolas. On the coast, resort towns such as Santa Marinella and Anzio boast sandy beaches, clear waters, and relaxed promenades, perfect for a day by the sea after intensive museum visits in the city. History buffs can explore Roman ports and archaeological sites, while nature lovers follow coastal trails and enjoy dramatic sunsets over the Tyrrhenian. With frequent trains and buses from Rome, the province is easy to explore, rewarding curious travelers with a diverse mix of culture, cuisine, and countryside.

About the destination: Rio de Janeiro, often simply referred to as Rio, is a municipality in Brazil and the capital of the state with the same name, situated in the Southeast region of the country. It is the most popular international tourist destination in Brazil, Latin America, and the entire Southern Hemisphere. Rio de Janeiro is the most recognized Brazilian city overseas, serving as a national "mirror" or "portrait," whether positively or negatively. It is the second-largest metropolis in Brazil, following São Paulo, and the sixth-largest in America. The city is often referred to as The Marvelous City, and those born there are known as cariocas. A portion of the city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the country's primary economic, cultural, and financial hubs, internationally renowned for several cultural and scenic landmarks, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado Hill with the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the beaches of the Copacabana, Ipanema, and Barra da Tijuca neighborhoods, Maracanã Stadium, the bohemian Lapa neighborhood, the Tijuca and Pedra Branca forests, Paquetá Island, Copacabana's New Year's Eve celebration, the Rio Carnival, Bossa Nova, and samba. Rio was the capital of Brazil, from the Portuguese colonial period until 1960, when the government's office was relocated to the newly constructed Brasilia. Welcome to this marvelous city, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

About the destination: Modern and ancient, past and present coexist, constantly. Whether you're in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be ready to step into the world's largest open-air museum. Rome will charm you and it will hardly leave you unaffected. It will astonish you, as it has so much to offer to any visitor, and its beauty has merely been slightly obscured by the passage of time. Rome is one of the world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you consider what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lounging in cafes watching the world pass by, it will be your turn to star in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay for at least a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.

About the destination: Once the capital of several historic Georgian kingdoms, Kutaisi is now being revitalized after years of post-Soviet decline. In 2012, Georgia’s parliament was moved from Tbilisi to new facilities here, and Kutaisi’s airport has become a hub for international budget airlines. Several notable natural, historical, and architectural attractions are located within easy day-trip distance from the city.