Travel Icons: Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue stands atop 2,330-foot Corcovado, or “Hunchback” Mountain. Recently, the city has made it even easier to visit with a series of elevators and escalators replacing the final 220-step ascent (the initial approach is made by car or rail). Whatever your mode of transport, though, the view on a clear day is nothing short of divine.

Photo Credit: Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro (PhotoDisc)

Set High on Top of Sugar Loaf, Brazil

See Copacabana from the summit of 900-foot Sugar Loaf. Named for its resemblance to the molds used to set sugarcane, Brazil's Sugar Loaf sits at the mouth of Guanabara Bay and towers over neighboring Rio de Janeiro. Visitors can take a two-stage cable car to experience the spectacular sights at Morro da Urca or view the breathtaking panorama of the city from the summit.

Photo Credit: Rio de Janeiro's Sugar Loaf Mountain, Brazil (PhotoDisc)