Our expert answers your travel questions

The road to Rio

We are considering driving from Sao Paulo to Rio to see the countryside. How long would it take and should we overnight en route? - Lionel Chang

Getting in and out of these huge cities can take time and test a driver's patience, but it is a drive worth considering. Rent a car with a GPS navigation device and you should not have a problem.

The route runs along the Costa Verde, a stretch of coast with mountains, rainforests, lagoons and islands. The distance is around 400km, so you can do it in a day. However, as you are on holiday, it makes more sense to break your journey. A perfect stopover is the charming colonial town of Paraty, which is sandwiched between secluded beaches and steep mountains.

Or visit the Ilha Grande, an island just off the coast of Angra Dos Reis, which may just make you want to stay a day or two.

Driving gives you flexibility but you may want to consider going by bus. This way, you would see just as much of the scenery, but would not have the hassle of city driving. You could still stop over in Paraty for a night.