Packages to Rio Carnival

QUESTION: I have always wanted to go to Rio during the carnival period and intend going next year. Please can you give me any helpful websites, or reputable travel agencies that offer packages including travel and accommodation? - Jeremy Kali

ANSWER: The 2008 Carnival takes place from February 2-5. Most travel operators offer packages to Rio over this period, although they can be pretty pricey. Contact your travel agent to find out when the packages will become available and regularly check out the websites for Rennies Travel (www.renniestravel.com), Seekers Travel (www.seekers.com), Thompson Tours (www.thompsons.com) and Sure Travel (www.suretravel.com). You could also hedge your bets by reserving flights to Rio with SAA via Sao Paulo or on a European airline via Europe. As these flights sell out early, it pays to have seats in hand. Then you can try to get accommodation at a hotel or in private accommodation (rented apartments, bed and breakfasts, etc). As many of the packages available from South Africa do not include tickets to the main events or the parade in the Sambodrome, you should book seats well in advance. Tickets for the 2008 Samba Parade go on sale at the beginning of eptember. Prices for a grandstand seat range from 50-220 US dollars per day. You can book tickets through the website www.rio-carnival.net and have them delivered to your hotel in Rio when you arrive.