Visit Brasília, Brazil

Brasília rose from the unpopulated plains of central Brazil in the shape of a soaring bird or plane, and took the title of capital city from Rio de Janeiro in 1960.

Architecture

Designed and built in under five years, Brasília today is a late 1950s vision of the future in concrete, a retro testament to Brazilian architecture (in particular to the genius of Oscar Niemeyer) and urban planning.

Sights like the Metropolitan Cathedral with its radiant stained glass interior (so designed because the architect believed dark interiors to be too redolent of sin) and angels hanging from the ceiling, and the Square of Three Powers with its Congress, Judicial and Presidential buildings, are well worth the time to explore.

Whether you end up loving it or hating it, the city makes for a fascinating 24-hour stopover.