What attracts me are the free, sensual curves—the curves I find in the mountains of Rio, in the sinuous course of rivers, in the waves of the sea, in the body of a beloved woman.

— Oscar Niemeyer

Arms outstretched, gaze slightly downward, covered in millions of soapstone tiles, and placed atop a pedestal, Christ the Redeemer stands watch over Rio de Janeiro from its perch on Corcovado. With Brazil’s Guanabara Bay in the distance, the statue keeps an eye on the fabled beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Passionate, dynamic, colorful, Rio is a city that is bursting with a zest for life. This energy is palpable during the numerous celebrations and events that have taken place in the city, including the Summer Olympics, two World Cups, Carnival, and more. Rio de Janeiro is home to the expressive dance of the samba, which perfectly embodies the high-tempo rhythms of the city.

Whether it is the sound of a record by bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto or the reverberations of a massive Madonna concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio does not cater to those looking for peace and quiet. Beyond the musical output, the city is also a major influence in the world of design, inspiring the likes of Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx. Then there is Copacabana Palace, a true icon of the Rio landscape and the hotel of choice for members of the jet set for the past century. This and more pop off the pages of Assouline’s Rio de Janeiro, a travel coffee table book that captures the soul of one of Latin America’s most vibrant cities, with local insights from Bruno Astuto.