What a fabulous experience it was staying with Marcelo and his family at their lovely home in Rio. We were made to feel like one of the family from the moment we arrived and Marcelo was only too pleased to passionately recommend to us places to eat and to visit in his home city, indeed several of his recommendations weren't in any guidebooks but turned out to be hidden gems! The house is set in a fairly hilly area but anyone with a decent level of fitness will have no problem getting around - It's hardly the Andes! - and those who make the walk up into the village centre of Santa Teresa will be rewarded with a wonderful, Bohemian mix of restaurants, bars and craft shops and a breathtaking view of Rio City Centre.