Everyone’s heard about Brazil. They’ve heard about Carmen Miranda, know about the football team, the carnivals, and the fact there is an awful lot of coffee in Brazil. And everyone’s heard Barry Manilow singing “At the Copacabana……” and seen pictures of the beautiful Rio beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana that have inspired musicians from all over the world………

Well ‘Virgins On Tour’ got to experience all the fun, passion and exuberance at first hand when 105 VOTs flew down to Rio last week! Known as the “ Wonderful City”, Rio de Janeiro welcomed the salsa dancing revellers with open arms and from the minute they arrived it was an action packed programme from start to finish! Before even arriving at the hotel, they were transported by cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for champagne cocktails before sitting down to a tasty brunch luncheon surrounded by lithe Lombardo dancers! Just to get them into the Latin spirit of things! For the VIPs, there was an extra treat – a heli flip over Rio and circling around the Christ the Redeemer statue (just like you see in the movies!). Then in the evening it was off to Porcão Rio’s Restaurant for a typical ‘in door’ barbecue dinner Brazilian style! Musicians serenaded everyone on arrival as delicious canapés and caipirinias were served. Then it was onto dinner where an unlimited buffet dinner was laid on with an amazing array of local delicacies. The musicians then reappeared, accompanied this time by some very exotic dancers who encouraged everyone to join in! Definitely a great welcome to the party capital of the world!

The next day it was up early to board one of the 15 smart open jeeps lined up outside the hotel to drive to the top of Corcovado Mountain, 2,400 feet above the city, and a few steps away from the 125 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer, which offered the most amazing views of Rio – and a view of a bi-plane that flew overhead with the VVAH banner! Then it was off for a short trek through the Tijuca Rain Forest, stopping here and there to see and hear about some of the amazing aspects of a tropical rain forest. Then, just as one was thinking it MUST be time for a caipirinias, there was the Esquilos Restaurant ready and waiting for us! Dating back to the 1800’s, this colonial style building was once the main house of a coffee plantation farm and its cosy and relaxing atmosphere combined with a touch of old traditional grace was a welcome oasis in the midst of the forest!

Once again the jeeps were ready and waiting to transport everyone back in to town where the shops awaited including H Stern’s, renowned the world over for its stunning array of Brazilian gemstones – a few purchases were made here with plans to hold a few extra parties once back home to warrant the rings and earrings!

As nightfall fell, it was time to leave for ‘The Copa’, the renowned hotel built in the 1920’s right by the Copacabana Beach to which the rich and famous have flocked ever since. Now it opened its doors to Virgin Vie At Home, having transformed its salon into a Rio carnival scene! As the VIPS were transported there in exclusive vintage cards, this had to be the party of all parties. Starting with a cocktail reception where caipirinias were mixed on the spot using limes, kiwi, passion fruit or strawberries before having specialist make up artists painting flower motifs on one’s face ready for the Carnival Extravaganza! After a delicious dinner with plenty of Brazilian wine, it was time for the carnival.

Considered ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, Carnival is an integral part of Brazilian life and one of life's greatest celebrations and we were certainly celebrating! There were exotic samba dancers, tumblers and musicians, all of which relied on audience participation! Before you knew it the whole room was singing and dancing to the Brazilian beat, waving maracas, blowing whistles and throwing streamers in true carnival style!

Our last day was spent on the calm seas with an unforgettable excursion to the quaint fishing village of Itacurussa, where we boarded schooners to cruise around the beautiful Sepetiba Bay with a caipirinias in the hand and being entertained by the ever present Brazilian dance troupe. We then stopped off at our very own exclusive island for another first for Virgins on Tour – beach games! With a merry band of Brazilian pirates to assist (sadly we couldn’t bring them home with us…), the games ranged from a Carnival squeeze (nothing to do with the pirates!), building a Carioca sandcastle to, amongst other things, filling bottles hanging from trees, with sea water – no containers allowed! The games certainly brought out the highly competitive nature of Virgin Vie Consultants and there was much encouragement, shouting and laughter as the 6 teams competed to win. In the event everyone was a winner, collecting a well deserved medal (and a kiss) from the happy band of pirates!

All in all it seems from the feedback received so far, it was the best tour so far with the consensus being that Rio most definitely IS the party capital of the world!

“I’m in the Sheraton Hotel lobby in Rio, on VClub, whilst waiting for the coach to the airport! We have all had the most fantastic timer over the last few days and I just want to say thank you sooooo much! This is my first trip with Virgin Vie and I’ve been so overwhelmed! I have laughed and cried, danced and sung, been wined and dined and treated like royalty. I can’t believe I have a job that gives me all this and more!” Liz Hall, South Central & N Ireland

“It just happened again!    I have woken up having dreamt that dream.....a truly indescribable holiday - pure luxury from start to finish....travelling the world with fun loving friends, doing things you might never have believed you ever would or could!  But you see you can....and I did...so its true....don’t just dream it  ....live it.” Jane Lynch, East Anglia & South East

“It was the first time I have been on a trip as a VIP... and what a treat it was to experience all the VIP extras, starting with champagne at the airport, the helicopter flight from Sugar Loaf Mountain all around Rio, the champagne and goodies in the room, the vintage car ride to The Copacabana Palace Hotel (it made me feel like a film star when I got out and there was a photographer there to record the event) and the surprise luxury speed boat ride to the island, complete with cocktails...Thank you for memories I will cherish forever .....”, Carol Massey, South West

“What a trip! A fabulous location with fabulous people. I haven't laughed so much in a long time. The highlight? Too many to choose from..... Champagne on Sugar Loaf Mountain, watching the girls getting washed out to sea (!), the Gala dinner ‘the games’ on the private island, the food….. Oh I could go on for ever. Thank you for making this job so wonderful and giving me the opportunity to share this with my team as I was lucky to bring one of my downline Managers along with me this time. Roll on the next trip !” Sandra Miskimmin, South Central & N Ireland

“The flight was long, but boy was it worth it. Sun, sun and more sun, superb scenery, stunning surroundings and fabulous friends to share it with. The dancers, well I’m still excited by them, and the pirates of course! The Gala Dinner was the best yet of all my trips and this is up there in my top 3 best ever trips – with Cape Town and Dubai! Shopping – it just has to be done and yet another jewel for my collection! Now back to work as I’m not missing out on the next one!” Jane Easter, Yorkshire

“Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. I have had the time of my life and have come back so motivated and focused, you would not believe. We did so many things and it makes it so difficult to say which was the best! However, the day on the beach with the team games will be a day that will go with me to my grave, I have not laughed so much in a long time. It is trips like this that make me remember why I do this job.” Julie Futcher, East Midlands

“A huge thank you for yet another wonderful trip! I just can't quite believe that I've actually been to Rio and fulfilled another one of my dreams. It was most definitely fun and laughter all the way and if I close my eyes, I can still see that fabulous view from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Those memories will stay with us for ever! So where to next?” Lesley Hodgson , North East

“What a first Virgin trip to experience! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime carnival of fun, laughter and glamour from start to finish. Rio was my dream destination and this trip exceeded even my wildest dreams! I will never forget the best party I’ve ever been to - at the Copacabana, the champagne reception at the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the awe inspiring sight of Christ the Redeemer, especially from my first ever helicopter ride, the sheer beauty of Brazil as we made our way by boat (escorted by dolphins) to the private island party. On our last morning, Ellie and I sat out on our balcony overlooking the incredible view and cried with laughter at the fun we had. The memories will stay with me forever and I can’t thank you all enough for organising 3 days of one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life! Miss another trip? I don’t think so!” Alice Wood, South Central & N Ireland

“A huge thanks for the best trip I have ever been on! What an experience! All of us had such fun, great team bonding - we all made new friends and caught up with old! I really think that every Consultant and Manager must make 2007 a real landmark year for qualifying for the next trip - especially if they have never been on one before. WORK HARD IN 2007 AND YOU CAN PLAY HARD IN 2008!” Rachael Knight, South West

“Please pass my thanks on to everyone involved in organising our trip to Rio. To say it was awesome is just a total understatement. I'm not even going to try and put into words how wonderful it was. I couldn't do it justice! Many thanks once again - and here's to the next trip, although God knows how you'll top this one!” Sylvia George, Yorkshire

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Five Star treatment and the experience of a lifetime .......... Wish you were there? Well you could join us on one of these fabulous trips just by joining Virgin Vie At Home. If you would like to know more about it then call
0845 300 8022.