Exploring Brasília
The city, laid out in the shape of an airplane, is divided by two main highways. Eixo (AYshoo) Monumental runs east-west, the “fuselage” runs dead-straight, while Eixo Rodaviario, running north-south, forms the curving wings which cross at the center of the plane. There’s no grand monument where the two meet – rather the city’s local bus terminus is there. An attractive building, it is the only one in the city designed by Costa himself. He envisioned the crossroads as Brasília’s Time Square, but it did not work out that way.
The city’s highlights, of course, are its modern structures and the architecture and design of the city itself. The designers left lots of open space, so it’s a hearty walk from one point to another; taxis and buses are readily accessible. You might consider a city-tour to orient yourself a bit. The largest structure in the city, the Television Tower, is in the “business class” section of the plane, while the “first class” and “cockpit” sections (east) house a parallel row of 19 government buildings that lead to the twin towers of the legislative branch of government. Flanked by a large cup and saucer, the towers begin the circle of Three Powers Square (Praça dos Três Poderes) made up of the legislative, judicial and executive buildings. Here too are historical buildings and a museum.
Between the tail and the cockpit on both sides of Eixo Monumental are the planned sections designated for hotels, banks, businesses or cultural activities. The north and south wings of Eixo Rodaviario are the residential sections where important government officials reside. Each is divided into super-quadras and is totally self-contained, with schools, shops, cinemas, athletic facilities and restaurants.
Ischgl is a small mountain village turned hip ski resort, with massive appeal among the party-hearty young crowds. It is... Read More
Andorra la Vella is its own little world, and not just because it’s a 290-square-mile independent principality (a fifth the... Read More
Bariloche (officially San Carlos de Bariloche) is the place to be seen. It is to Argentina what Aspen is to the... Read More
Aspen is America's most famous ski resort. And that's an understatement. For, as a ski complex, Aspen is unsurpassed. Its... Read More
Zermatt is a small but glamorous mountain resort town, with a population of approximately 5,700. It is one of Switzerland's... Read More
St. Moritz is a glitzy, alpine resort town in the celebrated Engadin Valley of Switzerland, with huge notoriety as the... Read More
Lake Tahoe is the premier lake resort of America, and the largest alpine lake in all of North America. It is an absolutely... Read More
St. Anton, Sankt Anton am Arlberg in German, is Austria's premier ski-bum resort! It's actually a small village cum... Read More
Kitzbühel, a small, Tyrolian resort town in the Kitzbüheler Alps, comes with international renown and huge snob appeal, and... Read More