The Fla-Flu derby: Flamengo v Fluminense at Maracanã

5 (1 review)  •  South America, Rio de Janeiro

Today is gathering day, people from all over the world will arrive today at different times. Regardless of that, if you have booked an airport transfer (as an extra), it will be waiting for you. Your Trip Manager will arrange a private car for you once you land.

If you arrive in the afternoon, check-in and room will be ready. For arrivals in the morning, we will do our best to accommodate you, but please bear in mind will be upon availability.

For the rest of the day, you can take it easy and recover from your long travels. At night, your travel manager and local host will be on hand with the best recommendations for a great dinner.

And why not begin the experience with some Brazilian steaks and some caipirinhas? Enjoy the most out of your first day and feel the heat!

Today, we meet in the afternoon. In the morning, you can do some sightseeing around Christ The Redeemer, Sugarloaf or get to know other amazing beaches close to Copacabana. The best ones are Ipanema and Leblon. Matheus will be at your disposal for anything. After that, in the afternoon, we will go to the most old school and authentic stadium in Brazil, São Januário, from Vasco da Gama. We will get a tour at the stadium that is located in the middle of the favelas. Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. We can also have lunch in their headquarters and taste some beautiful codfish. The ground has a capacity of around 20,000 supporters and the Ultras are one of the most intense in Brazil. A nice curiosity to know about: The club raised through their youth academy names such as Romário, Juninho and Phillipe Coutinho. So there’s plenty of history to learn about!

It is time for Maracanã Stadium Tour! Officially called Estádio Mário Filho, was built to serve as the flagship venue for the 1950 World Cup. It was meant to become the biggest football stadium in the world. Construction began in August 1948 and was completed almost two years later. Eight days later, Maracanã hosted the opening match of the 1950 World Cup between Brazil and Mexico (4-0). It would go on to host four more matches in the first round group stage and a further three in the second round stage, among which the deciding final match between Uruguay and Brazil (2-1). The official attendance of the final was about 173,000 paying spectators, but it is estimated that more than 200,000 witnessed the game live from the stands. When Brazil got awarded the 2014 World Cup in 2007, it was clear that Maracanã was destined to host the final and would, therefore, need a massive redevelopment.

The stadium can be easily accessed by metro and train. Maracanã station is a stop on metro line 2, which can be boarded in downtown Rio or the Flamengo and Botafogo areas. It can also be reached with a transfer from line 1, which runs from the Copacabana and Ipanema areas.

Our local host will meet you in the hotel and head by subway to the stadium. We've been many times with groups over there and we can't get enough of this! Every time you step on the field, magical things can happen!

Get yourself ready for one of the biggest football Derbies in Brazil between Flamengo and Fluminense. The Fla-Flu match is known everywhere and considered by Four Four Two Magazine one of the most intense in the world! Both clubs play at the iconic Maracanã and in the game, they are separated in 50-50. Our local host is a Flamengo's fan, so he knows everything about his club and will be able to share some amazing stories. Before the match, he will take you to a bar called Chico's and have some beers with Flamengo supporters. They always play a lot of music before the match starts! The Fla-Flu derby is magical, and anything can happen in a thrilling Maracanã.

Vasco! Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama and was founded originally as a rowing club before later building its football team. It has an impressive success rate with 22 wins at the state championship and four wins at Brazilian National League. The team’s colours are black and white, as with Botafogo, but the mascot of Vasco – a red and white admiral ship that represents the Portuguese helmsman Vasco da Gama – clearly distinguishes it from rivals. In terms of fans, Vasco is the second largest team in Rio de Janeiro.

In the morning, Matheus will offer you a range of activities to do in the good Brazilian weather. Why not do a Homefans Favela Tour and get to know the life inside the slums and try different local food? Or hike the "Two Brothers" hill and have the view of the city? In the afternoon, after experiencing the behind the scenes of this beautiful Olympic stadium, today is the first matchday experience! Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos will pack with black and white fans. You will meet our local host around 4 hours before the match, take the subway and go to the pre-match, where you will have some beers with Botafogo supporters. Around 1 hour before the match starts, Matheus will escort you to your seats. Then, sit down and watch 90 minutes of football! One tip: In Rio de Janeiro, cold beer is allowed in the stadium and it costs 1,5 euros. Enjoy!

End of the journey!

It is time to say goodbye, pack your stuff and go back home!

If you booked the extra airport transfer, a private car will pick you up in the hotel and take you to the airport, called Galeão. Please be ready around 4 hours before your flight, because of traffic and possible delays.

Our Operations Team will send you the exact times when we receive your flight information.

Safe travels to everybody!