SO What if the World Cup isn’t top of your priorities? Revelling in this summer’s Brazilian-inspired beauty turns the football thing into a whole different ball game...

English speakers got their moment in the Carnival sun as a wild, Beatles-themed street party took place in Rio de Janeiro.

SAYIT Travel and Kumuka Worldwide have launched a 49-day overland tour through South America, with the adventure departing from Rio the day after Rio Carnival. The bespoke tour has one departure only – February 17, 2010.

The award-winning Black Orpheus (Second Sight, €24.99) is a mesmerising film that takes Vinicius de Moraes’ musical play, Orfeu da Conceição, and brings the Greek myth alive to the backdrop of the Rio Carnival.

The Rio Carnival officially got under way when the key to the Brazilian capital city was handed over to “Rei Momo”, or Fat King.