Rio’s culinary scene has undergone a quiet renaissance, moving well beyond the iconic churrascaria and the boteco into a new generation of destination dining. Contemporary chefs are reimagining Carioca cuisine — fish caught in the bay, hearts of palm from the Mata Atlântica, tropical fruit from the Zona Norte markets — through a fine dining lens that has drawn serious international attention. Leblon and Ipanema concentrate the city’s gastronomic elite, while Santa Teresa offers a more bohemian and deeply local alternative. Merola curates private dining experiences ranging from intimate chef’s table evenings in penthouse apartments overlooking Ipanema Beach to market-to-table lunches with Rio’s most celebrated culinary personalities.

Rio is a city of extraordinary cultural abundance. The MAR (Museum of Art of Rio) and the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil anchor a thriving institutional scene, while the galleries of Ipanema and Jardim Botânico sustain one of Brazil’s most active contemporary art markets. The Sambódromo and its year-round preparations offer a window into one of the world’s most complex cultural productions. Carioca architecture — from Niemeyer’s modernist landmarks to the baroque churches of the colonial centre — is a visual education in itself. Merola provides private museum access, studio visits, and bespoke cultural itineraries designed around each guest’s specific interests.

No city on earth has a more intimate relationship with the sea than Rio de Janeiro. Ipanema and Copacabana are iconic — but Merola’s approach goes further. Private beach setups on the quieter shores of Grumari, accessible by speedboat from Marina da Glória. Stand-up paddleboard sessions at dawn on the calm waters of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Dive excursions to the reefs of Ilha Fiscal and the wrecks of Guanabara Bay. Sailing at sunset beneath Sugar Loaf, with champagne served as the lights of the city come alive. Rio’s Atlantic is a playground — and Merola knows every corner of it.

A private helicopter flight over Corcovado and Sugar Loaf at dusk, landing on a hilltop terrace for dinner. A sunrise hike to the summit of Pedra da Gávea with a private guide — and a cold caipirinha waiting at the top. An after-hours visit to the Escadaria Selarón, followed by a private percussion master class in Santa Teresa. An invitation to a Samba rehearsal in the Cidade do Samba, far from the tourist circuit. Rio rewards those who go beyond the postcard — and Merola is your guide into its deepest layers.

June through September is Rio at its most ideal — warm, luminous, and lower humidity, with calm seas perfect for all water activities. February brings Carnaval — best experienced through Merola’s private access to Sambódromo camarotes and exclusive Carnaval balls. For beach culture, December through March delivers the full Rio summer energy. Ipanema and Leblon are the natural bases for the luxury traveller; for those seeking altitude and forest tranquility, Santa Teresa and the Paineiras hillside offer an extraordinary alternative.