Distrito Federal Travel Forum

Hello, I'm off to Brazil in September and I have 8 hours in Brasilia between planes from Rio and to Manaus.
I wanted to book a trip to all major sites and I found one at
http://www.prestheza.com.br/english/produtos_lista.cfm

for 139US$.

However, I've checked the net and Lonely Planet and it seems to me that this price is like 4x higher than usual. Is it possible to get a similar tour for less money? Can you suggest any operators? (I'm attaching the list of sites at the end).

Thanks a lot for your help, cheers,

Gerry


Panoramic tour including SQS - Super Block South residential, Our Lady of Fátima Church, Dom Bosco Sanctuary, TV Tower, Setor Militar Urbano - Army Headquarters , JK Memorial, Buriti Palace, N.S Aparecida Cathedral, Ministries Esplanade, Itamaraty Palace, Três Poderes Square, Pantheon of Democracy and Freedom, Lúcio Costa Cultural Space, Jaburu Palace, Alvorada Palace, JK Bridge (Architect Alexandre Tchan), Embassies Area. Does not include admission ticket at JK Memorial. Internal visit to the Museum of Currencies of Central Bank, Caixa Econômica Federal Main Building, Itamaraty Palace, National Congress and University of Brasília. This tour is not available on Mondays.

That's more than the one minimum salary most working Brazilians earn in a month, even given the high cost of living in Brasilia!

In my opinion, Brasilia is BORING, insofar as "seeing the sights" tourism goes. I have been driven all over by friends who live there and can't imagine driving by all those listed buildings in one day. The architecture shows its age (1960s)and is no longer really interesting--aside maybe from the inside of the Cathedral (airy) and the newer bridge (lovely). But you have to see the ministries, etc. to say you have seen them and maybe take in the 'view' from the top of the TV tower, which also has a gem museum. The residential blocks in Asa Norte and Asa Sul are pleasant, but all look so much the same that I can get lost, except for "landmarks" like McDonalds. Other than that, I would suggest getting a taxi to go out to the Parque Nacional (way on the other side of the city from the airport) to one of the two huge swimming pools to hang out. (Arrange for the taxi to come back for you.)