Just Back From: Rio de Janeiro

Andrew Harper travel advisor Victoria Wykoff recently returned from nine days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she visited Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro and Hotel Santa Teresa. She insists Rio is the "perfect city to waste time in" — and she means that in the best possible way. "You can go to the beach, get a beer at a boteco and then suddenly be immersed in a spontaneous samba party. You can have a full, fun day without having to plan a thing!"

Overall impressions: Rio de Janeiro is visually stunning and offers something few other places do on earth: a stark contrast between the sea, sky, cityscape, urban jungle and mountains.

Insider's tip: The popular Zona Sul is fantastic to visit because of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, but I would recommend staying in a neighborhood that's within the vicinity of Zona Sul but with a more local vibe, such as Santa Teresa. You'll feel much more like a Carioca (a native of Rio de Janeiro) and connected with the city.

Favorite moment: Brazilians are known for their ability to have a good time. We were wandering through the neighborhood of Lapa after dinner in the evening and encountered a spectacular spontaneous street party complete with samba singing and dancing. It was a truly authentic Brazilian moment.

You can't stop thinking about: The view at the top of Trilha da Pedra Bonita, a trail that leads to the very top of the Tijuca Forest. The view is remarkable and well worth the hour hike through the jungle. For those not interested in hiking, another marvelous view can be found at the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, which is accessible by cable car.

Where or what to drink: A trip to Brazil would not be complete without dining in two types of restaurants: a boteco and a churrascaria. A boteco can be likened to a community watering hole. It's a place to relax, drink and enjoy Brazilian snacks such as pastel (similar to an empanada), coxinha (a street food similar to a croquette but filled with shredded chicken) and bolinho de bacalhau (codfish cakes) — all my personal favorites! Churrascarias are Brazilian steakhouses that offer unlimited servings of delectable meats.

Day-trip suggestions: Armação dos Búzios or Paraty. These beautiful beach paradises provide an escape from busy city life.

Surprising fact or tidbit: Leading to the World Cup and Rio Olympics, the country placed a lot of emphasis on welcoming visitors to Brazil. Because of that, the country is much more accessible to English speakers and more prepared than ever to receive them.

Brought back/souvenir: A bottle of cachaça (a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice) made in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, an agriculture state known for the best cachaças and cheeses in the country. Or pick up a beach sarong (or canga as the Brazilians refer to them) adorned with the Brazilian flag. Beach towels are a big no-no here, so you'll quickly want to pick up a multipurpose canga as soon as you arrive. Upon first use you'll see why it's the ultimate beach accessory: It's light to pack, dries fast, doesn't hold sand and can be quite decorative.

What to pack: If traveling in summer, it's wise to pack very light clothing that can be easily dried due to the humid climate.

Other tips: Rio is a city like any other, and travelers must take precautions as they would anywhere else, but neither crime nor the Zika outbreak is nearly as bad as the press has implied. The country's response to Zika has been wonderful, and it's rare to encounter mosquitoes outside the jungle. Brazil is a fantastic country to visit for its hospitality, climate and diversity, and I wholeheartedly believe the rewards outweigh any risks of travel here.