Whether you call the sport soccer or futebol (pronounced 'foo-chee-bol' in Portuguese), make your pilgrimage to Maracan Stadium, hallowed ground for the game. After hotel pickup, your private driver takes you to the site originally completed in 1950 to host the World Cup. Inaugurated at the time as the largest stadium in the world, its official name is Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho. People have popularized it as the Maracan, after the flocks of noisy parrots that flew to the area from north of Brazil.

With your personal guide leading the way, walk around in awe of the majestic stadium that can hold up to 183,000 fanatical fans, and learn about the renovations made in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. Amble your way into VIP press areas and stroll like a player into locker rooms, decorated with T-shirts of well-known players, then watch videos of history-making goals that have given the stadium mythological stature.

Sit on a team bench and enjoy the same vantage point as players from Brazil’s ‘big four’ teams ─ Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco ─ as they look out onto the field. Hear how the stadium filled with thousands to bid farewell to Garrincha, an all-time great of Brazilian futebol, whose remains were transported to the Maracan. Picture the madness as your guide talks about Pele’s 1,000th goal here, or the gaping silence that followed Brazil’s shocking defeat during the final match of the 1950 World Cup.

And last but not least, indulge your fantasies and pretend you are Ronaldo, as you strut up the same ramp that players use to step out onto the field. Don't worry, it's just you and your private group on this tour. Afterward, your chauffeur takes you back your hotel.