Don’t miss the Niemeyer designed Brasilia Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Nossa Senhora da Apareciada.) The subterranean building’s 16 concrete support pillars resemble a crown of thorns when viewed at street level. They support the massive stained glass panels one may view from within.
If time permits, take an organized tour of Brasilia and the surrounding area. There’s much to see and the residents of Brasilia are proud to show it. Remember to pack plenty of film, or batteries if your camera is digital. It’s almost impossible to take a mediocre photo in Brasilia.
Dining and Lodging in Brasilia
Brasilia is a global city and restaurants offer menus to please all tastes. Brazilian buffet style dining is hard to beat. Hotels offer an array of breakfast fare including fresh fruit, pastries, egg dishes, various porridges and cereals, juices, Brazil's famed coffee, and more (and Brazilian breakfasts are almost always included in one's room rate throughout the country. Great bargain!). Lunch and dinner buffets consist of vegetable and fruit salads, meat and fish entrees, rice, beans, pasta, bread and rolls, and a wide variety of cakes, puddings, and fruits for dessert. Everything is fresh and pleasantly seasoned. Buffet style dining allows one to try a little of everything at a moderate cost.
No one should leave Brazil without visiting a churrascaria (barbeque restaurant) where waiters bring skewers of various meats to the table until you ask them to stop. A buffet of salads, vegetables, beans and rice, and dessert round out the meal. Be sure to try a caipirinha, Brazil's most popular drink. It consists of crushed fresh lime, sugar and cachaça, a potent sugarcane liquor.
