Romance is not dead, at least not yet. It may be languishing beneath a pile of life, but it can be excavated and resurrected. If you feel like your relationship is buried and lacking in the romance department, a weekend in Rio de Janeiro is just what the doctor ordered. While a city known for tiny bikinis on not so tiny backsides may not be your idea of romance, give Rio de Janeiro a chance. Couples can enjoy the cidade maravilhosa just as much singles. Honestly ask yourself, would Carioca couples really allow themselves to become boring just because they settled down?! I don’t think so. [caption id="attachment_2144" align="aligncenter" width="610" class="lazy "]Champagne Parque da Lage Sparkling wine to celebrate love at Parque da Lage / source[/caption]

Friday Night You’re in Love:

Start your romantic weekend in Rio de Janeiro with a sunset on Arpoador beach. This rocky beach spot promises a sunset that will make you fall in love with Rio de Janeiro hours after arriving. Find a spot on the rock and have your camera ready! After this perfect start to your romantic weekend, saunter over to Azul Marinho on Rua Francisco Bering. Also offering a spectacular view of the beach, Azul Marinho is the spot for Brazilian seafood. Get an authentic taste of Rio de Janeiro by trying their Moqueca, a coconut milk based fish stew. Once finished with dinner, it’s time to shower and change for a night out in Lapa. Tonight is the perfect night to enjoy live music and samba with that special someone and Rio Scenarium is the perfect place to do it. The atmosphere and location will make you easily fall in love with this hotspot for locals and tourists alike. For those of you who are a little nervous about exploring Rio de Janeiro at night try this Rio Scenarium tour. [caption id="attachment_2146" align="aligncenter" width="610"]Pedalinho Corny? Yes, but definitely Instagram material / source[/caption]

A Lovely Saturday in Rio:

Saturdays in Rio de Janeiro were made for lovers. Start your day with a French breakfast at La Bicyclette in Jardim Botanico. May I suggest ordering a Premium which comes with a mixed bread basket, deli meat, fruit, yogurt with granola and a warm beverage. After breakfast walk the 100 meters to Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Gardens. You do not need to be a botanist to enjoy the 6,500 species of Flora that make Jardim Botanico one of the city’s most loved parks. Make sure to keep your eyes open for Micos and tropical birds! Once you are ready to leave nature and return to the city, walk towards Lagoa and rent a bike or enjoy a fun bike tour. Lagoa (Lagoon) is a hot spot of activity for Rio de janeiro locals. While cruising along the bike path, keep your eyes open for the swan boats. Paddling out onto lagoa in a swan is the perfect way to raise your Romantic weekend’s corniness factor. If done correctly, it also makes for an ideal couples instagram selfie! Of course I’m going to, once again, recommend that you eat. What can I say, romantic weekends make couples hungry, especially if you manage to stay as active as this post suggests. If you’re as hungry as I imagine, I suggest hitting up the Garota de Ipanema restaurant, located in the heart of Ipanema. Meat eaters should go for the picanha a brasileira no rechaud, which is raw beef served with a heated grill so you can cook the meat to your liking at your table. Finally Saturday night has arrived and you are ready to go out on the town. I doubt you’ll be surprised that I’m suggesting you eat once again, though you won’t regret checking out Zaza Bistro in Ipanema. Zaza Bistro will blow you away with their charm, atmosphere, and food. This spot is a no brainer. A Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lapa. While not all clubs are ideal for romance, in the right place a night of shaking your hips will remind even the most seasoned couples of how hot they still find each other. Carioca da gema is just the spot to relight that fire. Hold your partner close and let the rhythm of samba move you. [caption id="attachment_7216" align="alignnone" width="640"] Hard not to feel over the moon with a view like this[/caption]

Sunday for Lovers:

A romantic weekend wouldn’t be complete without Sunday brunch. Brunch at Caesar park doesn’t only serve yummy food, it also offers a delicious view. Fill up on local fruits and goodies while gazing upon the beaches that have made Rio de Janeiro famous. Once you’ve had your fill of the view, go down to the beach and become a part of it. The main street in front of the beaches are closed on Sundays thus making it the perfect day to stroll, joining the locals cruising at the top of the sand or those along the water. Find a spot on the beach and enjoy the very beach culture that makes Cariocas who they are. Once you’ve absorbed your quota of Vitamin D, it’s time to take things down a notch. No matter how romantic the weekend, Monday is still coming. Sad face. After you’ve showered and changed, hop down to Village Mall in Barra de Tijuca, and enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at Cavist before catching a movie. Be sure to buy tickets early so that you can enjoy the new CineMark Prime Theater with reclining seats and specialty snack and drink services.