Brasilia - Brazil

For a view, request a west-facing room in the adjacent sister hotel, Manhattan Plaza (0055 61 3319 3060, www.manhattan.com.br). Double rooms in both hotels from £97. Blue Tree (0055 61 3424 7080, www.bluetree.com.br). A 15-minute drive from the city centre, this large, five-star lakeside resort hotel has a huge pool and designer flourishes. Great for a stopover, it can fill up with conferences. Double rooms from £79.

What to see
JK Memorial
Retro shrine to the city's founding father in Praça do Cruzeiro. Highlights include original furniture by Niemeyer and the President's last car, a maroon 1973 Ford Galaxy. Closed Monday.

Setor Militar
A mighty complex of military buildings designed by Niemeyer in the 1970s, including the sword-like Cúpula da Espada de Caxias.

TV Tower
Skeletal tower with an observation deck and superb views of the city. Be prepared for unsavoury lifts and a touristy market at its base.

Catedral Metropolitana
Designed by Niemeyer, this icon of Brasilia has graceful - but damaged - stained glass.

Praça dos Três Poderes
The city's official heart is a terrific ensemble of architectural masterpieces created by Niemeyer in 1958, including the elegant Palácio da Justiça and Palácio do Planalto - worth seeing at night.

Congresso Nacional
Crowned by two eyecatching "dishes", the Brazilian parliament is normally open to visitors, but check. Take your passport.

Palácio do Itamaraty
Designed by Niemeyer in 1962, this is a favourite of many visitors and residents, and includes a sensational staircase like a twisted spine. There are guided tours in English on weekday afternoons.

Santuário
Dom Bosco Radiant with blue stained glass, this restful church in Sul (Quadra 702) honours an Italian priest who in 1883 prophesied the rising of a city such as this.

Superquadras
Brasilia's superblocks are a successful fusion of housing, amenities and commercial streets. A good original example is Quadra 308 in Sul, which is close to Niemeyer's Igreja Nossa Senhora de Fátima with its striking triangular roof.

Tours
Brasilia's sights are spread around the city, so ask your tour operator to book a private tour by car with an English-speaking guide. Sightseeing trips can also be arranged through hotels or local travel agents such as Prestheza (00 55 61 3226 6224, www.prestheza.com.br). Some buildings may be closed for government functions.

Where to eat and drink
Prices are for a meal for two, with drinks.

Spettus (0055 61 3225 1596). An enormous and busy churrascaria in the southern hotel sector (Quadra 5). Streams of waiters come bearing barbecued meats on mighty skewers. Best for ravenous carnivores. £35.

Dudu Camargo (0055 61 3323 8082). A small, refined and upmarket contemporary restaurant amid the Sul superquadras (Quadra 303). The atmosphere is quiet, the cooking superb and the area good for an after-dinner stroll. £80.

Carpe Diem (0055 61 3325 5300). A buzzy bar and restaurant in Sul (CLS 104), great for caipirinhas and people-watching in the superquadras. £36.

Bargaço (0055 61 3364 6091). Pontão do Lago Sul is a popular lakeside stop on the outskirts of the city with three large restaurants that are busiest at evenings and weekends. Bargaço specialises in fish and seafood. £38.

Further information
Well-illustrated but only available in Portuguese, Guiarquitetura Brasília (Empresa das Arte, £8) is a detailed guide to the city's buildings. The JK Memorial has a selection of architectural books, as do branches of the Siciliano bookstores (www.siciliano.com.br). Brazil (Lonely Planet, £16.99) is helpful for touring, while useful websites are www.turismo.gov.br, www.brasiliaconvention.com.br and www.infobrasilia.com.br.

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