While I was in Rio I was lucky enough to meet Batman (Resident-March/April 12 issue of AFAR) and his assistant (no, his assistant isn't named Robin). We met at Parque Lage and had a coffee in the cafe. They hadn't seen the copy of AFAR yet so it was great to see their faces as they flipped through the issue! Definitely a big highlight! Here is a link to the AFAR article: http://www.afar.com/afar/batman-zavareses-rio-de-janeiro

Cristo Redentor (Christ the Reedemer) panoramic view, at the top of Corcovado moutain, is u-n-s-p-e-a-k-a-b-l-e. I visited him shortly after my arrival in the city, but my advice is to go in the last days. During my stay in Rio de Janeiro I flirted the statue. Whereaver I looked up I found it and was always magnificient, and by night - lighted and alone in the sky – it’s powerful. Therefore, first flirt the statue, then you are able to go there and try to find every place you had been in Rio de Janeiro. Do not forget to smile to Cristo Redentor and thank him for the wonderful city where you are.

Corcovado. Check. Sugarloaf. Been there. Ipanema. Yeah, I saw that girl on the beach too. Botanical Garden. Now that’s a new one. Located at the base of Corcovado Mountain, and under the right arm of Christ the Redeemer, you will discover the 140-hectare gem that is the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro. I stumbled upon this not-so-hidden treasure while tooling around the city on a bike that seemed like it was from 1822, the same year the garden was opened to the public. Once inside the perimeter, you will step into a world that is populated with over 6500 species of foreign and domestic plants, and an assortment of tropical birds, fish and mammals that will kindly greet you (or scurry away) along your journey. If I saw a dinosaur here I would surely think that I had discovered the Lost World. The photo above is of Barbosa Rodrigues’ Alley, one of the most well-known avenues within the park. It runs for about 700 meters, and has about 137 royal palms, all of which are descended from a single tree that was destroyed by lightning in 1972. The sheer magnitude of the garden, along with all the thriving life that resides within it, surely gave me pause to ponder for a bit: If God rested on the seventh day, perhaps it was because the other six were spent creating something as wonderful as this. www.jbrj.gov.br

The Santa Teresa district is a tangle of cobblestone streets and crumbling landmarks perched above the city. It’s undergoing a renaissance thanks to anchors such as the restored Hotel Santa Teresa and the working-class eatery Bar do Mineiro. The latter lures diners with its feijoada (bean and mixed meat stew).

Corcovado - Jardim Botanico For the past 10 years I thought that Rio de Janeiro was ruled by our Lord of Corcovado. From his majestic location he seems to protect the whole city day and night. Now I realize that Rio de Janeiro is not only ruled, but also protected by our Lady Mother Nature of the Botanic Gardens. There is not a single day in which all the human beings residing in Rio are not amazed of what our Lady is able to do to make Rio the most beautiful city in the entire World. In the winter time and during the early hours, with her grace she may be able to cover her son and the hills surrounding him with a blanket, then with the rise in temperature, uncover him to let him shine under a striking blue sky. What a wonderful life this can be by simply contemplating the city from Vista Chinese. But Rio's physical beauty is only one aspect that our Lady revels to us. In reality, Rio is deeper than its beautiful looks; it is a state of mind, an overwhelming combination of passion, emotions, sensitivity and romanticism. If a broken heart arrives to Rio, our Lady can heal it with grace and compassion. She will detach any soul from the feeling of disappointment, the dramas of the self-pity and unnecessary suffering. She will never let a broken heart give up and she will do everything to always make it hopeful, thankful and grateful. Our Lady always accentuates the positive and eliminates the negative.

During my week long trip to Rio de Janeiro I decided I needed a break from the beach. A friend from Sao Paulo recommended the Botanical Gardens so I gave it a shot. The gardens are quite elaborate and amazing. They were founded in 1808 by the King of Portugal and it is still known as one of the most diverse and largest tropical botanical gardens in the world. Some highlights include the Fountain of the Muses, the Amazonian Lily Pads and the Bromeliad House.

Acai became popular in the US several years ago, but Brazilians have been enjoying this antioxidant-rich superfruit for years. A berry-like fruit of of the Acai palm that is native to Central and South America, it is mixed with Guarana and blended into a sorbet-smoothie like texture that can be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack anytime of the day. Often mixed ‘com granola,’ you can also get it mixed or topped with fresh fruit such as bananas and mangoes, as well as ‘com proteinas' to make it more of a filling meal. Hang out at the bar and enjoy your acai like a local Carioca at this Bibi right near Jardim Botanico. Acai is also served at almost any local stand in Rio- it is fantastic anywhere but I found Bibi’s to be the best.

Rio has never been busier. The city is building up and out for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Part of a massive port facelift, the Museum of Art of Rio opens later this year. But in colonial bairros, such as Santa Teresa, fresh paint hasn’t changed the carioca spirit. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue.

A new addition to the hopping Leblon neighborhood, Brigite’s is perfect for a low-key bite. Parquet floors and an open kitchen complement dishes that range from namorado whitefish with flaxseed farofa (a mix of flour and yuca) to steak tartare with plantain fritters. 55/(0) 21-2274-5590. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue.

Leaving Rio de Janeiro without knowing the Arpoador beach is almost a sin. Between Copacabana and Ipanema, this beach is mostly known for being one of the best surfing spots in Rio de Janeiro. It was also here that I saw how elders look so young. Short, tall, think, fat, white, black, they all have that healthy and good life look. Is it a Cristo Redentor age miracle? The rocks at Arpoador have trails that are great for walking and to see sunrise and the best sunset in the city. People used to clap during sunset. It’s wonderful. Go to Rio de Janeiro and lived this powerful nature show.

While in Rio you must go to Sugarloaf Mountain. It has beautiful views of the entire city. I went on a day that was misty and cloudy and was a little disappointed that I couldn't see the Christ the Redeemer statue from the mountain, but soon the wind started to blow and the clouds started to move and the statue stood among the clouds. It was beautiful and I ended up being happy it wasn't a crystal clear day.

Ipanema’s iconic Fasano hotel, conceived by renowned designer Philippe Starck, features wooden armchairs by local architect Sergio Rodrigues and rooftop views of the city’s mountains. Expect three Fasano outposts to open elsewhere in Brazil before the World Cup. From $770. 55/(0) 21-3202-4000. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue.

Absolutely every type of person in Rio comes here, where city meets ocean. On Sundays, a section of road is closed to traffic and you see people walking, jogging, and rollerblading along the promenade, and playing volleyball on the beach. Most travelers frequent the Copacabana side, where you will find the beautiful black-and-gray mosaic promenade designed by Roberto Burle Marx. I like to run along the other side of the peninsula, between the Leblon and Arpoador neighborhoods. —Zahira Asmal Photo by Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue. Read more about Designing South Africa and Designing Brazil founder Zahira Asmal.

The AFAR March/April 2012 issue featured Jardim Botanico in Rio de Janiero so while I was there I had to check out some of the places that were featured. I ate at JoJo Cafe Bistro and tried Batman's recommendation of shrimp risotto--it was amazing!