FIFA world cup 2014: Other attractions in Brazil (see pics)

New Delhi, What to do while you are staying in Brazil for the FIFA world cup 2014? If the question is still unanswered then this article is going to really help you.Brazil is a very diverse country with some really exotic natural beauty.Apart of being the site for the World Cup, Brazil has a lot of tourist places. For instance, take the beaches from Rio do Janeiro to Florianopolis or Santa Catarina Rio is a hiker's paradise. More energetic visitors should take a three-hour bus ride to Petropolis and walk the two-day mountain trail to Theresopolis. Or take a boat to one of the many nearby islands.So, if you are visiting Brazil for FIFA 2014 don't just watch soccer but also enjoy the exotic beauty of Brazil. Have a look at various places where you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.Christ the Redeemer: This statue, which towers over Rio, made the list of the Seven New Wonders of the World in 2007. It stands 120 feet tall and is perched on the top of Corcovado Mountain, overlooking Rio de Janeiro. It has become a symbol of Rio and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms. Rio de Janeiro's beaches and mountains: Rio de Janeiro is lined with glorious tropical beaches such as Ipanema and Copacabana. Rio is all about its beaches, which hug the city along its meandering coastline. Some of Rio's best hotels are located along the beachfront, such as the legendary, opulent Copacabana Palace. You can walk out the front door of your hotel, cross Avenida Atlantica onto Copacabana beach and enjoy.Iguazu Falls: The mighty waterfalls of Iguazu are an unforgettable sight, a vivid portrayal of the gigantic forces of nature. They can be viewed from both the Brazil side and the Argentina side. Manaus, gateway to the Amazon: Manaus is a colonial city in the heart of the Amazon forest on the Rio Negro a few miles before it joins the Rio Solimoes to form the Amazon River. Today it is having regeneration as the gateway to the Amazon River Basin and Amazon rain forest. A few hours' boat ride takes you deep into the heart of the forest. Ponta Negra Beach in the city center is good for beach activities.Salvador da Bahia: The city is rich in colonial history and architecture, the center of Afro-Brazilian culture and home to the second-best Carnival.Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo is Brazil's largest and richest city, the country's business center and the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the world. Landmarks include the Museu Paulista do Ipiranga, the gothic Metropolitan Se Cathedral, the Sao Paulo Museum of Art, the Bandeirantes monument and Ibirapuera Park. Ibirapuera is a cultural complex with a museum, planetarium, auditorium and a Japanese garden. The Pantanal: The Pantanal is tropical wetlands, the largest of any kind in the world. It's mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul but extends into Bolivia and Paraguay. You can experience the Pantanal through boat tours, horseback riding, hiking and fishing. Safaris will take you in an open vehicle up close to alligators, deer, anaconda, wolves and anteaters The Baroque hill towns of Minas Gerais: One of the 26 states of Brazil, Minas Gerais is the second richest and most populated. It is known primarily for its colonial art and architecture in such historical cities as Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, Serro and Diamantina.Fernando de Noronha: This is an archipelago of 21 islands, the remains of volcanic mountains, in the Atlantic Ocean. Only 420 visitors are allowed at a time. It has been held by the Portuguese, the English, the Dutch and the French. It was used as a prison and was also visited and written about by Charles Darwin in his “Voyage of the Beagle.” It's a favorite of divers, who enjoy its rich undersea flora and fauna. Florianopolis: Florianopolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, is made up of a main island, also called Santa Catarina. Its main attractions are its 42 beaches, which are popular with surfers. Among the other top attractions are fishing boats, folklore, lace-makers, colonial architecture, cuisine, and such traditional villages as Santo Antonio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha.