A tour designed to discover the cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro. It covers the centre of Rio, highlighting the buildings, neighbourhoods, squares and stores that were part of the history of this city from its beginnings as a Portuguese colony until it became the Capital of Brazil. The tour includes the marvellous Nova Friburgo Palace, now the Palacio de Catete, which was built between 1858 and 1867 by a wealthy merchant and owner of Coffee Haciendas Antonio Clemente Pinto, Baron of Nova Friburgo, considered today a monument of extreme historical, architectural and artistic wealth. Built in the city of Rio when it was still the Imperial Capital, this palace became the symbol of the economic power of the slave-owning coffee-growing elite of 19th Century Brazil. With the death of its owners, this unique Palace inspired by the Florentine Palaces became the residence of the President of the Republic through which 18 presidents passed, until the capital was transferred to Brasilia in 1960, the year in which the palace became the Museum of the Republic.

The architectural and artistic wealth of the Palace is truly incredible with its rooms decorated in different styles, imitating the great European palaces, both in its construction materials as in its furniture, ornaments and decorations that lead the visitor to compare this palace with the rooms of Versailles themselves.

The Palace has 3 floors full of rooms and ante rooms, meeting rooms, banquet and party halls that show the wealth and sophistication of Imperial Brazil. The visit is completed with a short walk through the Palace gardens with their imperial palm trees, native Brazilian species in the midst of nurseries and artificial lakes.