On the beach in Impanema, Rio de Janiero

This past holiday I decided to do something different for vacation. I’d never been to South America and my daughters and I were dying to go. We planned a girls trip to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires – and I must say it was a very exciting adventure.

Rio de Janeiro

The Copacabana Palace

Rio was AMAZING. We stayed at Copacabana Palace, the famous old-world hotel right on the Copacabana beach. They have a gorgeous swimming pool (which we all know I love) and the service was fabulous.

A few people warned me to be extra careful while traveling in Brazil. So I left the major jewels at home and opted for some costume pieces from J.Crew and a Saint-Tropez flea market (they’re more fun to wear anyway). I never felt nervous there, though. We enjoyed some sight-seeing, delicious restaurants, nightlife…this trip was all about exploring a new city and culture.

Overlooking the famous Rio seascape

Visitng Christ the Redeemer with my daughters

The main attraction was Christ the Redeemer – truly spectacular. We went there on Christmas Eve which I thought was appropriate. Later that night we ate at the new La Fiducia Ristorante. All the restaurants were terrific in Rio – we like seafood and everything was fresh. Some of our other favorites were Satyricon and Giuseppe Grill in Leblon. Afterward, we hit Boox for some nightclub dancing.

Outside La Fiducia with my daughters Alexis and Elizabeth

In front of our favorite restaurant Satyricon

Elizabeth and Alexis dancing at Boox

There’s a steamy sexiness to Rio that’s hard to describe. The weather was super-hot – just how I like it – and people walk the streets in their bathing suits. Kind of a funny sight. When my daughters and I visited Ipanema Beach, it was so crowded – but great for people-watching. I think I was happiest by the pool at the Copacabana – it was so divine to simply relax – and I happened to bump into several acquaintances from Paris – who knew? Claude Ott (who throws amazing parties in Saint-Tropez), Laurent-Marie Affre (who hosted a chic dinner party during Haute Couture a few years back) and Nicolas Brochet (PR and event planner who I know from both Paris and Saint-Tropez) were all staying at the hotel.

There wasn’t much shopping to speak of. I love flea markets – you never know what you’ll find – so we went to one in Ipanema. I bought a few trinkets, Alexis bought a leather bracelet that ended up being a hit and Elizabeth got a nice painting for her room at college. All in all, Rio proved to be incredible.

Buenos Aires

Poolside at the Faena

Buenos Aires, on the other hand, was a tad disappointing. I’ve heard that it’s the “Paris of South America,” but I’d have to disagree. The streets are huge and lack that intimate charm of those European cities I love. The city is very sprawling, making it tough to get from one destination to the next. We did stay at a very chic place – the Faena Hotel + Universe. Decorated by Philippe Starck, it was a boutique hotel – very different feel from the Copacabana in size and feel. The highlight for me was the pool scene. I met interesting people from all over the world, and the New Year’s Eve party there was a blast.

A giant clock was projected on the side of the hotel, building excitement as midnight approached. Everyone was dancing – such a great energy. Pictured below are Alexis, Elizabeth and me before the festivities began. We partied with new friends from around the globe.

With Alexis and Elizabeth on New Year’s Eve

The New Year’s Eve party at the Faena

I was expecting a little more from the fashion scene here – didn’t really find anything that intrigued me. I stopped into a few local Argentinian shops that were so-so. I couldn’t leave without a new purchase, though, so I did buy a new pair of shoes from Ricky Sarkany. But I can’t help wonder, was I missing something in Buenos Aires? Any shopping secrets from that city?

A local Argentinian shop

One site I really did enjoy was the famous La Recoleta Cemetery where some of the country’s most influential and important figures are buried, including Eva Perón. It was extraordinary.

La Recoleta Cemetery

Eva Perón’s grave at La Recoleta Cemetery

Though my flight home was canceled and the return to New York took ages, it didn’t diminish the incredible time I had in South America. International travel is my passion – each city has a different style that I love to experience.

Walking along the river after dinner in Buenos Aires