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Our Xtreme Gap Brazil Carnival Package 2014 sees you flying into the bustling metropolis of Brazil for 5 glorious days of adventure. On day one you’ll check into your hotel (Hotel Fluminense) in Rio de Janeiro to get settled in before heading to one of the worlds biggest street parties the next night. These traditional ‘bloco’ parties have been known to contain over 1 million people, with everybody dancing, drinking and having a good time, Brazilian style! Be prepared to party until the sun comes up! It’s a travel experience not to be missed and is definitely one for the scrapbook! Day 3 is the big day; the day of the Carnival where you’ll be escorted from your hotel to the Sambadrome Pre-party before being taken to the huge stadium to witness the world’s greatest and biggest carnival! Hours of colorful floats, incredible costumes, spectacular dancers, and booty-shaking music will have you up on your feet the entire time. It’s impossible to not be infected with the contagious zest for life that Brazilian people radiate! Just join them for a dance and celebration during Carnival Week to truly experience the infectious energy, happiness and hospitality that Brazilian people are known for! The next two days, after the biggest party of your life, we’ll let you rest and spend the day however you like, whether that’s nursing your hangover on Copacabana beach or exploring the incredible sights of Rio, such as Sugar Loaf mountain and the epic Christ the Redeemer statue. Just make sure to get out and see the city, as it really is gorgeous, and fun! On day 6 you check out of your hotel for the next stage of your journey, whether that is continuing your travels around Brazil or South America, or heading home. When you do head home, just think, at least you’ve just experienced the most epic party on the planet! How many people can say that?!
Accommodation is for 5 nights at the beautiful 3-star Fluminense Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The hotel is located in the Lapa area, where there are lots of great bars, restaurants and entertainment (yes, lots of street parties!) to keep you busy. The famous Arcos da Lapa, impressive aqueducts built in the mid-18th century and the Passeio Publico, Rio’s first public park from the 1780’s, are both located close to your hotel, so there are plenty of must-see sights in the area too. The hotel also features an English-speaking help desk, so they can help you to plan your stay and coordinate your free time to make the most of the city.
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Hang out in one of the coolest cities on earth and you will get to do the following with Xtreme Gap Year.
On arrival you will be picked up from the airport. Our driver will be waiting for you in arrivals with a sign with your name on it. You will be driven to your accommodation for check-in. Over the next two days you will explore the city fully guided and we will even take you into one of the favelas. Xtreme Gap Year believes an adrenaline travel, and there’s nothing like exploring the slums of Rio de Janeiro to get the pulse racing. Despite what you may have seen in films such as city of God, it is pretty safe and you will be in good hands.
The favela tour is designed to be non-intrusive and respectful of the lives of the people living in the Rocinha favela. We will not cram you into cars and herd you around like sheep. We focus on a genuine experience with the aim to educate our guests about the favelas which are such a big part of life in Rio. Out transport is by public transportation (van and moto-taxi) to and from the favela. The guide will inform you of the history of the favela as well as the social and economic challenges found here. As the tour groups are small you will be able to meet some of the locals, inside the favela and hear their stories.
You can also take photos of the breath-taking views offered by the favela, of Ipanema, the Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer.
The favela tour usually takes about 4 hours.
The exciting day tour starts with pick up at the front of your hotel or hostel in Rio. You will be met by a professional English speaking tour guide and driven around on a mini bus. Our first stop will be the Tijuca National Park so you get a glimpse of the greenest tropical rainforest. From there we head to the Christ The Redeemer Statue (ticket price is included to the price of the package). Make sure you take enough photos!
After our visit to the Big Dude we will stop for a lunch (lunch is not included in the price of the package) in Santa Teresa. This is one of the traditional old neighborhoods of Rio. It still retains much of its original architecture and character of previous years.
At the end of your Rio day tour we will see The Great Madness (Escadaria Selaron) or secretLapa steps where Snoop Dogg shot his famous video for Beautiful with Pharell.
Finally, you will be offered two options. The first option is to be dropped off at Sugarloaf Mountain(ticket is not included in the package price) in time for sunset – this is an especially romantic time for couples! The second option is to simply be dropped off in front of your hotel or hostel.
Depending on availability you will stay in one of either two hostels:
This funky hostel is located in one of the exclusive areas of Rio: Leblon. Z.Bra Hostel is just one block away from the beach and near all the best bars, restaurants and stores. Z.Bra Hostel stands out for its bold design and vintage decor, developed to offer a comfortable and soothing experience for the guests.
It’s not a massively large place with 52 guests it always provides a great atmosphere. We have three mixed dorms, with capacity for nine people, an eight Person dorm, a five Person dorm, two double rooms with shared bathrooms, and four suites. Accommodation on this program is based on dorms. You have the option to upgrade locally pending availability. Z.Bra Hostel offers free wi-fi internet and breakfast included in all the daily rates.
All bunkbeds in dorms are equipped with mobile phone chargers, individual reading light. All dorms have private lockers including a smaller locker next to the bed, so you can keep your most valuable belongings next to you while you’re sleeping. Each bed also has its own individual power outlet.
Our bar opens in the late afternoon, you can relax in our lounge, interact with other guests and have some caipirinhas made with local fruits, and other cocktails. Z.Bra Hostel hosts an art exhibition every month. We book transfers, tours and we even have some skateboards for you to take a free ride in the famous calçadão. Come and enjoy! We are here to make your trip amazing!
CabanaCopa is located next to a beautiful national park, one block from the metro and just a few minutes from the famous Copacabana Beach. Our large colonial house is fully renovated with new clean spacious dorms and bathrooms with hot showers and excellent social areas (indoor and outdoor), in a street with 24hr security. Our friendly hostel has a good balance of nightlife and quiet atmosphere, with an onsite bar & lounge open until around 10pm. Also we offer has some nice little essential features like complementary breakfast, high-speed internet and Wi-Fi, bed linen, maps and even free drinkable water. The hostel was probably not as boutique as Zbra but come on you are right by Copacabana beach. How good is that!
£490
You can start this any time please contact us with your arrival dates. Please note during Carnival period this tour will not run however we do have specific Carnival options for you.
If you want to spend longer in Rio we have other options like The Rio adrenaline overload with hang gliding surfing and other exciting options.
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]]>All you need to travel between two of South America's most exciting cities: Buenos Aires in Argentina and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and covering a lot of exciting locations between. It's a fair distance, and if you speak little Spanish or Portuguese it takes a lot of the hassle out of finding your way on this ultra-popular South America backpacking route.
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This ultra convenient hop-on hop-off bus pass is the best way to organise your transportation and adventure activities when travelling in South America. If you do not speak Spanish or Portuguese it can be quite a hassle and a bit of a minefield to make your way around this fascinating continent. Don’t let language issues put you off exploring these amazing countries
With this travel pass backpacking in South America is so much easier. We include all your transportation and loads of free activities en route. What’s more all the itineraries are flexible and the daily departures make this the ideal solution to travel South America.
The following itinerary does not include all the places you are able to stop, it only highlights the major overnight stops and main destinations. You will find that there are many other places you can stop off along the way. After booking you will receive a detailed guide about where some of the best places to visit are.
Starting in Buenos Aires you head north through the top of Argentina close to Paraguay arriving at Puerto Iguazu, the gateway to Iguazu Falls. On the borders of Brazil and Argentina, with a span of nearly three kilometres and a height of 80 metres, the falls are surrounded by rainforest and are home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans. Next you head onwards to Florianopolis on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, and then heading north to Sao Paulo with an optional stop in Curitaba should you wish. Paraty is the next destination, before moving onto Ilha Grande. A stopover is included and there is easy access to the island. Finally you arrive in Rio de Janeiro where an included tour takes you to see the Favelas.
Day 1
Buenos Aires Tango Night Experience, day tour.
Day 2
Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu.
Day 3
Enjoy your free day in Puerto Iguazu or add an optional extra activity.
Day 4
Argentina Iguazu Falls Day Trip & Transfer to Foz do Iguacu
Day 5
Foz do Iguacu to Florianopolis
Day 6
Enjoy your free day in Florianopolis or add an optional extra activity.
Day 7
Florianopolis to Sao Paulo
Day 8
Enjoy your free day in Sao Paulo or add an optional extra activity.
Day 9
Sao Paulo to Paraty
Day 10
Schooner Boat Trip
Day 11
Paraty to Ilha Grande
Day 12
Enjoy your free day in Ilha Grande or add an optional extra activity.
Day 13
Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro
Day 14
Favela Experience
There is no accommodation included with this pass, however you do have access to an on-line travel desk who can help you arrange accommodation at the various stops.
Easy! Contact us via e-mail, GMAIL chat, Skype or over the phone and let us know when you wish to depart. We will confirm your departure by sending you an e-mail with your confirmation numbers and information.
If your next route is by mini-van… we will ask you where you are staying so we know where to pick you up. All you have to do is wait at your hostel to be picked up at the specified time.
If your next route is by first class public bus or flight… We will send you an e-ticket number, departure time and bus station / airport address via e-mail where you will need to arrive on your own at least 30 minutes prior to your departure. There you can present your photo ID and e-ticket number at the indicated ticket counter to pick up your paper tickets or boarding pass.
If your next route is by local bus or train… We will send you a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how and where to pick-up your ticket so you can board the bus. Sometimes, we will deliver the tickets to your hotel reception.
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You can start this any time.
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If you want to train under some some of the worlds top BJJ masters, then this is a step in the right direction. We work with some of the top academies in Rio. The training is superb with a roster of some incredible names including several world champions in the martial arts world. We will do our best to enroll you in your preferred academy of your choice but please note there is some flexibility needed. The teams are as follows
The BJJ programme follows the Renzo Gracie Curriculum.
We begin class with some light callisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.
It goes with out saying, if it takes you 12 years to become a black belt, you will not become a master overnight, but, training in Rio will advance your skills at a much greater speed than back home, because this is a dedicated training holiday and life outside of the training is not bad either!
The blue belt programme is the first level for adults (over the age of 16) starting their BJJ training. During the blue belt programme you will learn the fundamentals of BJJ and basic techniques. Typical class structure is formed around a warm-up, with cardio, stretching and panda rolls and then a lesson in technique and partner training to practice the technique from the lesson.
Not all people who join have limited experience. If this applies to you, you may join the advanced classes.
The RGA Advanced Curriculum is primarily focused on sports BJJ with the Gi.
This program is built upon three different curriculum’s: BJJ, BJJ No-Gi, and BJJ for MMA. The student will consolidate his/her jiu-jitsu game and complete the path towards their black belt.
During your stay you will be located in a shared house very close to the training academy in Barra de Tiujaca, or at our hostel.
At the shared house
Your room will be equipped with two sets of bunk beds and one single bed for a maximum of five people, located next to a restroom and second kitchen. The room also includes lockers for valuables and shelves for luggage.
There is a shared kitchen and laundry.
We have connections with some of the top gyms in Rio, so if you have a preference please let us know at the time of booking we will do our best to accommodate if not we will select the preferred be BJJ clubs for you Just tell us what you want to get out of your training and whether you have experience of the sport.
BJJ is one of the most effective, reality-based fighting systems in the world. The basic premise of BJJ is that 90% of fights end up on the ground. As such, BJJ is focused primarily on effective ground fighting. The goal is to put an opponent into situations on the ground where joint locks and/or chokes can be applied to force him/her to submit.
There are lots of BJJ academies in Rio, but not all are particularly accessible to gringos. Finding the right training school, where communication is easy, and you will not get ripped off can be a bit of a lottery.
Fortunately our partners have been there and done it all, they are westerners with over 8 years of experience of training in Rio, who have settled to develop their BJJ skills with the top martial artists in their field. Having learnt the pitfalls and mistakes first hand, ensures you will not encounter the same problems, just world class training from black belt masters
BJJ is different from other martial arts because it is a complete fighting system. Meaning it takes into account all the different possible scenarios you could encounter in a fight.
Whereas other disciplines like tae kwon do or karate centre on striking or rely on a person’s own strength and speed to deliver damage, BJJ recognises that speed and strength do not come into play when you are on the floor or on your back. In fact BJJ comes into its own when the fight goes to the floor relying on superior technique and leverage. This is one of the reasons why most ultimate fighting champions, MMA fighters and cage fighters have BJJ as their main arsenal when they step in the ring.
As with other martial arts, as you advance in your training you will receive different coloured belts.
The belts in order are:
Many different schools award four stripes for all belts, until black. Black belts can take up to ten years to gain, and once attained further stripes can be awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes.
Instructors and students have different classifications for black belts. Instructors have black belts with red bands and black belt fighters or students have white bands. Customs dictate that black belt instructors can not award belts up to black belt rank until they receive their first stripe.
There are no set start dates for this trip please contact us with your preferred travel dates.
“Training BJ J in Rio de Janeiro was properly living the dream for me, it’s a surreal place and the superb combat sport and these guys were at the top of their game”Marcus Wates
“Training during the carnival was perfect. I learn more here in four weeks that I could have at home in two years.”Jonathan Mavers
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How would you like to get a diploma, spend four weeks travelling somewhere exotic with the possibility to get paid for your efforts at the end of it. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.
Not only can you do all that, you will get mentored by one of the top journalists in the country Beci Wood who spent 10 years at the biggest newspaper in the UK. Get assistance publishing your piece and sending out through news channels with the aim of it being picked up as newsworthy. This will give you an amazing exposure and a genuine opportunity to try out and launch a new career in journalism.
On this program you can either undertake the diploma only and use it to boost your qualifications whilst you undertake any of our gap year programs, or you can involve yourself On our Xtreme journalism assignments. Set in 2 locations where you can study and learn more about journalism.
For the assignments, you can choose either Thailand, or Mexico and you have four weeks to complete the course and we throw in some adventure activities along the way. What they are depends on the time of year, we do not keep it set so we can react to any newsworthy stories or events.
The course involves quite a bit of coursework, so where better to undertake some investigative journalism, or get inspired than abroad by paradise beaches.
You have full backup and support of our UK-based tutors, who have considerable experience in the industry. You can actually study anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and a laptop.
Once you have completed the course and have written your final piece we will assist you in sending this out to our media houses who may or may not pick up on the story. If you do get published you will receive 60 percent of your royalty fees which could be enough to cover the cost of the entire course.
What you report on is up to you, but you will have the full back up and support and guidance of professional journalists (including the head mentor on the programme – Beci Wood with 10 years experience on staff at the UK´s biggest newspaper).
Not only is journalism and exciting career, it’s something you can take with you to your next stage after travelling, whether that be a part-time job at University, or something you do on the side or launch phone into as a career.
So whether you want to do something genuinely rewarding while you travel, or want to have something that not only looks amazing – really is amazing on your CV then the Xtreme reporter as you.
On the Thailand option we have a completely unique and very exciting work experience attachment to this program. You will work in a genuine media Company that produces monthly magazines all over Asia. Working from their offices in Phuket, you will put your newfound skills to use: tasked With writing articles and uncovering stories as a reporter. You will go out develop and write stories and make a valued contribution to the magazine and online websites. Working under the CEO and his media team this is a genuinely unique opportunity to gain work experience and do a really fun job which will build your resume and give you an insight into an exciting industry as you travel.
The company is called think media and is American run running various different franchises of popular magazines, what’s on guides and delivers local news and features in and around Phuket.
The work experience option can either last two weeks or four weeks, depending on your preference and includes all accommodation.
In Mexico you will stay in Playa del Carmen, a short walk from the beach at our base the Bendito Rancho. This is based on a dormitory (shared accommodation).
In Thailand you will stay in Phuket where you will also be involved in a work experience module with think media. You will stay on a bungalow either your own or shared with one other person the same sex. The bungalow is located close to the officers.
Journalism needs specialists. People with knowledge and passion for their subject. We provide a range of courses in specialist subjects ranging from health to the environment through to investigative and travel journalism.
Journalism courses currently available:
Yes our courses are accredited by third party organisations
Our diploma is widely recognised in the UK and overseas. It is a vocational award, equivalent to an NVQ level 1 or 2.
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and the ABCC validate it.
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