See the Real Rio - Help Behind the Scenes of the Carnival

Leeds, United Kingdom, November 10, 2006 --(PR.com)-- i-to-i, the meaningful travel expert, is giving people the chance to make their mark at the legendary Rio Carnival with a unique trip behind the scenes of this world-famous event.

Travellers can help with the biggest show on earth, joining more than 50,000 participants and 22 hours of extravaganza. Participants will work alongside samba school members to assist with the decoration of the big carnival floats or help prepare the costumes for the carnival parade – all in the surroundings of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

Volunteers will be based at the new samba city where all the samba schools build their floats and create their costumes. The complex flourishes today in the same district where the samba started, reflecting its traditional roots, so people can truly get to know the ‘real’ Rio on this project.

Deirdre Bounds, founder of i-to-i says: “Think ‘Rio’ and you’ll probably think ‘carnival’ so what better way to experience this city than by getting involved with one of its biggest events? Imagine being able to point to a float, a costume or a stage and say 'I did that!'

“This is a unique opportunity for creative types to take part in a programme where they will be exposed to the culture of carnival. For those who want to get into the fashion or textile industries, it’s a great way to gain work experience. And for anyone else, it’s just an amazing opportunity to be part of something special!”

The project has start dates throughout December and January, ahead of the carnival which runs 17-20 February 2007. Individuals can spend between four and 12 weeks working their magic, with prices starting from as little as £695 for four weeks.*

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*Flights not included.

For further press information or photography, please contact Sarah Horner on 0113 205 4628/sarah.horner@i-to-i.com or Jo Little on 0113 205 4569/jo.little@i-to-i.com

EDITOR’S NOTES
1. i-to-i is a volunteer travel and TEFL training organisation based in Leeds, UK; Denver, USA; Melbourne, Australia and Co. Waterford, Ireland. Each year it sends around 5,000 volunteers to work on 500 projects in 22 countries worldwide and trains a further 15,000 people to teach English as a foreign language.

2. i-to-i is a founding member of the Year Out Group, associate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘Know Before You Go’ Campaign, member of the Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations and has training accreditation from the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.