It has taken a while for us to obtain room rates for 2010, but we are at last pleased to announce that the Royal Tulip Brasilia Alvorada has given us an excellent offer

Being a political and administrative centre, Brasilia has always been a city where the major focus of hotel occupancy occurs during the week. However, the hotel has agreed to extend their special promotional weekend rate to cover our entire stay of five nights.

The rate is fixed for us at 215 reais per room (twins/double) + 5% service tax. At the current very low rate of exchange, this works out at US$ 126 + 5%, but there is a strong possibility that the dollar will rise a bit by May. Sorry, but it's not our fault the dollar, euro and pound have all crumbled! This is an excellent rate for Brasilia's best 5-star hotel, in a great location.

The hotel, built in 2001, is set on the banks of Parano?Lake (an artificial lake created at the dawn of Brasilia), with the grounds of the Alvorada Palace (the president's residence) on one side. It commands a great view of the water, and has considerably more to offer a visitor than most Brasilia hotels, which are tower blocks located in the city centre. It is a peaceful location just 10 minutes' drive from downtown, should anyone have the burning need to visit a shopping mall.

Although predominantly used by businessmen and politicians, it offers full leisure options: lovely swimming pool down beside the lake, three tennis courts, a gym and a "spa". You can use these facilities in the moments of free time, when not being whisked away to other locations.

http://www.royaltulipbrasiliaalvorada.com

ATTENTION! CHANGE OF DATES!! 6th-11th May 2010

Whilst negotiating room rates for hotels over the period 13-18th May, we were fortunate enough to discover that there will be a huge gathering of mayors from all over Brazil, in Brasilia, that week-end.

This not only makes it impossible to obtain a good deal (the mayors' bills are paid with tax-payers' money, so no-one is counting, of course!), it means we would be continually bumping shoulders with an unruly bunch some 800 strong.

So, for the sake of peace and quiet, we have brought the meeting forward by one week, to 6th-11th May.

Some people are querying why it the venue is Brasilia and not Rio de Janeiro. Here are four good reasons:
a) It is, after all, the capital of Brazil.
b) Many people already know Rio, but few know Brasilia.
c) It is a World Heritage site.
d) We happen to live here!

Others ask why we have chosen to do the meeting in May. Here are a couple of good reasons. a) Brasilia turns 50 on 21st April 2010. As you can imagine, it is undergoing a face-lift to celebrate this landmark birthday, and it will be advantageous to see it in all its tidied-up glory. b) In May, we are going into our dry season and the weather should be wonderful!

So we hope that you still can and will join us!

Gérard & Margi Moss

Good news for anyone arriving commercial from the USA

After struggling for 50 years, Brasilia is finally becoming a capital with a few international flights! TAP began the first direct flight to Europe a couple of years ago, and direct flights to the USA will come into operation with Delta Airlines, three times a week, as from mid-December. By May, of course, they might have put on a daily flight, who knows? For those coming from the States who take this option, it will avoid flying on to Rio or São Paulo and then changing flights to turn back north again to Brasilia.

And especially good news for pilots arriving in their own aircraft.

Life has suddenly become simpler! A new airport for light aircraft has become available on the outskirts of the city and can by used by those arriving in Brasilia in their own planes. SIQE (Botelho) is situated on a perfect plateau, as you can see in the satellite image below (taken here from Google Earth, but the image is not recent).

The runway is 1,700 metres long (n.b. metres), of which 700 metres are asphalt (in the middle) and construction of hangars is to begin shortly. The huge advantage is easy access to the runway, coming and going to and from your aircraft, compared to the infernal restrictions and security checks at a huge international airport. However, it means that pilots who opt to land at Botelho's should clear Customs and Immigration at some other Airport of Entry on the way.

Coordinates are: 15 ° 5' 30" South // 47° 42' 13" West

Altitude: 1,036 metres, 3,399 feet

We will meet-&-greet all those flying into this airport - there isn't exactly a taxi-rank there, but don't worry, there will be security.