About 80 km north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was once the capital of Siam. Today, the Historical Park is full of temple ruins, giant Buddha statues, and prang (reliquary towers). Wat Mahathat is famous for the Buddha head caught in tree roots, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal temple of the old city. Most travellers do a day trip from Bangkok by train, bus, or river cruise, though staying overnight gives you a quieter look at the ruins.

Watch the local baseball or football teams Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and Consadole Sapporo play on their home field. The dome has also been the venue of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is the planned venue for future Olympic Games and Asian Winter Games as well.

Standing on top of Corcovado Mountain, 710 meters above sea level, Christ the Redeemer overlooks the metropolis below with outstretched arms. The statue named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, embraces the whole city, welcomes and protects, yet appears to keep a watchful eye on locals and visitors. Venture up through the Tijuca Rain Forest to the top of the mountain for a closer look and be rewarded by fabulous views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, the Maracanã Stadium, and the Serra do Órgãos mountain range. You can hike up to the statue or comfortably reach it by way of a twenty-minute tram/car ride.

In an old stone building that was once a corn market, Saturday mornings become the best time to capture the fusion of flavours, music and nice banter. With its grand new canopy, it’s a place buzzing with activity that gives the opportunity to savour the best pastries of the city and to buy the local artisan's works.