After LIVE!42K Brasília: The Capital, Then Pirenópolis

The Route: Brasília (1 night) → Pirenópolis (2 nights) → Brasília → Airport (BSB) Logistics: One night in the hotel you already have, a morning of sights on Tuesday, then a coach or car of about 3 hours to Pirenópolis. Return on Thursday. Marathon Month: August Duration: 3 nights

Monday:  Brasília hotel (night 1)
Tuesday: Hotel ──(taxi)──> Catedral ──> Torre de TV ──(taxi)──> Rodoviária Interestadual ──(coach, about 3 h)──> Pirenópolis (nights 2 and 3)
Thursday: Pirenópolis ──(coach or car)──> Brasília ──(taxi)──> Airport (BSB)

This is the slowest version of the trip, and it fits the opening hours. The cathedral and the TV tower are shut on Mondays, and the Rosário church in Pirenópolis is open from Thursday, so the order works.

August in Brasília and Pirenópolis is dry, with cool mornings, warm afternoons and strong sun. Carry water, wear a hat and book the coach in advance.

Night one: Brasília

Keep your race-weekend room and spend Monday doing little. If you want one outing, book the Congress guided visit, which runs in half-hour groups of up to 50 and needs an identity document. Cullinan Hplus Premium, in the Setor Hoteleiro Norte on Quadra 04, Bloco E, is one of the operator's hotels in the sector. Ask about the extra night, late checkout and luggage storage.

Tuesday morning: the cathedral and the tower

The cathedral's visitor page lists Tuesday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:45. Covered shoulders are expected and caps come off. A guided visit costs R$15 per person and needs email confirmation beforehand. Afterwards, take a taxi to the Torre de TV, which a local directory lists open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:45. Confirm the hours, then take a taxi to the interstate bus terminal for an afternoon coach.

Nights two and three: Pirenópolis

The coach runs twice a day, takes about 3 hours and costs from about R$77. Published departure times are inconsistent, so check them before you plan your afternoon. A private car takes roughly 2½ hours. Pousada das Cavalhadas is in the centre, in front of the Igreja do Rosário at the start of Rua do Lazer, in a historic mansion with breakfast and a pool. Pousada Casa Grande is on Rua Aurora, in another historic mansion near the Pé di Café.

On Wednesday walk slowly. The Museu das Cavalhadas on Rua Direita, number 39, is listed open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 with free entry. The Igreja do Carmo and its Museu de Arte Sacra open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, and the Igreja do Bonfim is listed open Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 for R$2. On Thursday morning the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário, built from 1728, is listed open from 07:00 to 17:00 for R$2, before you leave for the coach.

Where to eat

Ask your pousada for a lunch and dinner place on the main street, and ring ahead, since small restaurants keep short winter hours. In Brasília, the Brasília Shopping lists food-court and restaurant hours from noon to 22:00 on Sundays.

Getting home