M. SILVER ASSOCIATES INC. Varig Travel Vacations
747 THIRD AVENUE Alain Riesco
NEW YORK, NY 10017 Tel: (786) 924-0017
CONTACT: Nathalie Pilovetzky/Carmen Letscher
Tel: (212) 754-6500
Fax: (212) 754-6711
E-mail: cletscher@msilver-pr.com

VARIG TRAVEL VACATIONS CELEBRATES RIO DE JANEIRO'S 500TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A SPECIAL VACATION OFFER

Seven-day Air-inclusive Vacation Package

Features South America's Most Exciting City and Much More

MIAMI, FL -- Rio de Janeiro, the cosmopolitan Brazilian city that is famous for its joie de vivre, is 500 years old this year. To celebrate, Varig Travel Vacations has created a seven-day, five-night "500th Anniversary Celebration" vacation program that includes round-trip airfare on Varig Brazilian Airlines from New York, Miami or Los Angeles, accommodations, sightseeing and many extras, starting from $692.

Overnight flights to Rio de Janeiro depart daily from the United States. In addition to five nights' accommodations at selected hotels in the city, the Rio package features a morning sightseeing tour of the city and a visit to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain, or a drive through the magnificent Tijuca Forrest and a scenic train ride to Corcovado Mountain with its gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer and spectacular views of the city. Also included in the itinerary is a visit to H. Stern World Headquarters and its "Jewels of Brazil" collection, one of the largest gem and jewelry displays in the world.

The rest of the vacation is at the discretion of the traveler, allowing plenty of time for individual sightseeing, sunbathing, shopping and relaxing. Optional tours are also available and include a full day in the Tropical Islands offshore, a traditional "churrasqueria" BBQ dinner followed by a traditonal samba show or a visit to romantic Buzios, a natural paradise of 22 white sandy beaches.

Three day, two-night extensions to the Rio de Janeiro program are also offered. These include Angra dos Reis, 100 miles south of Rio, a region of 300 islands and pristine beaches that is called the Green Coast; Buzios, the popular beach resort of Rio residents, and Paraty, a colonial village from the 17th century with some of the finest architecture in Brazil as well as 42 islands and beaches. The extension packages include accommodations, transfers, and daily buffet breakfast.

Varig Travel Vacations is the official tour operator for Varig Brazilian Airlines, Brazil's national carrier. Varig Travel Vacations offers all-inclusive vacation programs featuring a variety of regions in Brazil as well as the option to combine Brazilian destinations with other countries in South America, including Argentina, Chile and Uruguay or to customize vacation packages to meet individual interests.

Established in 1927, Varig Brazilian Airlines has offered extensive service to Brazil from the United States for nearly fifty years. Flying a modern fleet of jetliners, the airline has been named the best in Latin America by OAG magazine and has an outstanding reputation for passenger service, comfort and safety. The largest carrier in Latin America, Varig transports almost 10 million passengers a year to and from 19 countries on four continents, including 30 flights weekly from the United States.

For more information contact Varig Travel Vacations at (800) 352-9188 or at info@varigtravelvacations.com or visit the website at www.varigtravelvacations.com. For reservations contact your travel agent or Varig Travel Vacations.

T:/VTV/Presskit/Rio Package Sept. 2000

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