Weather: 

                The average daytime temperature in Brasilia around the time of the wedding should be in the mid 20s.  Evening temperatures
                will probably average around 17 degrees centigrade.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Places to visit:

                For a comprehensive list of tourist sites in Brasil, see a list of web links below.

                Brasilia is the only modern world capital that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The city is most famous for its architecture,
                most of it designed by Oscar Neimeyer.  It is quite compact, and many of the tourist attractions are within walking distance of the hotel districts. 

                Please see the accompanying websites, your guide book, and tourist maps (available at the airport) for lists of attractions.

                            Some of our favourites:

                            •    The Cathedral.  You’ll get a good view of this during the wedding!
                            •    The Presidential Palace.  Tours are available.  Bring ID.
                            •    The market at the TV tower.  Takes place every Sunday.  Going up the tower also gives the best view of Brasilia.  It is also a good                                           place to watch some Capoeira (Brasilian martial arts)
                            •    Parque da Cidade.  This is the second largest urban park in South America.
                            •    Parque Ecologico Dom Bosco.  Located in Lago Sul, it is on the edge of the lake.  It also features a miniature chapel by Neimeyer.
                            •    The JK Memorial.  Dedicated to the founder of the city.
                            •    The Botanical Gardens (Jardim Botanico)
                            •    The Zoologico de Brasilia
                            •    Parque Agua Mineral.  Swim in mineral water!
                            •    The JK Bridge
                            •    Dom Bosco Sanctuary

                 Near Brasilia:

                            Caldas Novas (4 hours away). 
                            The largest hot springs resort in the world!
                             http://www.caldasnovas.com.br/
                             http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldas_Novas

                            Pirinopolis (150 km away)     
                            http://www.pirinopolis.com.br/
                          

                            Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapada_dos_Veadeiros

                            Itiquira water falls (60 miles away)
                            http://www.igougo.com/attractions-reviews-b97407-Brasilia-cachoeira_de_Itiquira_(Itiquira_Waterfalls).html

                            Brasilia is surrounded by many large parks at varying distances.  The federal district itself is located in the Cerrado Savanna,
                            one of the largest, and the biologically richest savannas in the world. 

                Other places we like in Brasil:

                            Salvador
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador%2C_Bahia
                            Check out the Candomble

                            Recife
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recife
                            For many people, the Northeast is the best part of Brasil.

                            Florianopolis
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florianopolis

                            Iguaçu
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguacu
                            I’ve heard the Iguaçu Falls make Niagara look like a trickle.  Located on the Argentinian border, the view from the
                            Brazilian side is reportedly the best.  It is also just a few miles from Paraguay.  If by any chance you should be tempted to
                            visit Paraguay while you’re in Iguaçu, be careful.  Probably best to take a bus, and keep an eye on your possessions!

                            Natal
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natal%2C_Rio_Grande_do_Norte

                            Rio de Janeiro
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro
                            *Please pay attention to your guidebook if visiting Rio.  Follow its recommendations.  It is recommended that
                              you travel by taxi, especially at night, and stick to the tourist areas.  Use official tours if going further afield,
                              like to the favelas.  Don’t unnecessarily flash money or any expensive equipment! Enjoy Rio - many people I know
                              say that it is a wonderful place, but you do need to be careful.
                              As a matter of trivia, Rio de Janeiro means River of January!  Brazilians will pronounce Rio “Hio”.  You’ll find this
                              to be the case with any word starting with “R”.  In Brasil, Robert is Hoberto.

                            Ouro Preto
                             http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouro_Preto
                            Another of the World Heritage Sites in Brasil.  Ouro Preto sounds really interesting .  I look forward to visiting.

                            Fernando de Noronha
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_de_Noronha
                            The place to go if you want to dive whilst in Brasil.  Also a WHS.

                            Serra da Capivara
                            http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/606
                            25,000-year old cave paintings!

                            Pantanal
                            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantanal
                            Wetlands area.

                            The Amazon
                            We will look into tours to the Amazon for those who are interested.  Going without taking an organised tour
                            is not recommended.

                            For those who are interested, the South (state of Rio Grande de Sul) has a strong German influence, with German architecture,
                            and the language widely spoken.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Currency

                The currency of Brasil is the Real (pronounced hey-al; plural is reais, pronounced hey-eyes).  Symbol is R$. 
                Rates of exchange are around R$3.5 to the     GB pound; R$2.6 to the Euro, and 1.8 to the US dollar (rates on February 10). 
                You cannot spend American dollars here.  You can exchange currency at the banks.  You can withdraw money at a limited
                number of bank machines. Look for the Visa symbol.  The most reliable is Banco 24h (Banco 24 horas).  ATMs are usually
                found in clusters in shopping malls.  I’ve found that Banco24h charges R$8 per withdrawl. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Driving in Brasilia

                Cars can be rented at the airport.  You can usually rent with an American drivers licence.  British and Irish are probably safe too. 
                Please let us know if you would like us to arrange car hire for you.

                Driving in Brasilia is not difficult, the city is not huge, and traffic is not very heavy.  However, it can be frustrating, and though
                you will never get badly lost, it is easy to get a little bit lost (it is not unusual to see the place you want to get to, and suddenly find
                yourself driving away from it!).  There are three main arteries running north-south through the city, and one main route through the
                centre which will take you from the TV tower, through the hotel districts, past the Cathedral, through the Esplanade dos Ministerios,
                and to the lake.  We will put together a list of tips. 
                The speed limits are low, and should be observed, especially if you find yourself approaching a speed control area which is a large
                black structure (see below) crossing over the road and displaying the speed of cars passing through.  If you are 1km/hr over the limit,
                you will get a ticket.