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Congress Tour Packages Will Take you to Brazil's Best Attractions

Whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro to take part in the 17th World Petroleum Congress will have the opportunity of experiencing the natural beauty, the dance, the music, the art and the food of a continental-size country with a diverse culture and which is internationally recognised for its hospitality and the up-beat nature of its people. 17th WPC organisers have put together a series of excursions that can be embarked on before or after the Congress. Also available is a tour programme for accompanying persons. Either way, unforgettable moments are in store for those who choose to go on any of these superb excursions, which range from a trip to the Amazon jungle to a simple cable car ride to the top of Rio's very own Sugar Loaf, where visitors have a panoramic view of the Wonderful City.

The pre-Congress excursions offer guests an opportunity to explore attractions located less than three hours away from Rio by car. On the menu: The world-wide famous beaches of Búzios, Angra dos Reis and Paraty, the latter a World Heritage town of colonial times. Another interesting tour includes a visit to Petrópolis and its museums. Nested in the mountains, Petrópolis hosted the Imperial summer residence in the nineteenth century. Post-Congress tours in turn explore the country from north to south, unveiling its contrasts and beauties. In the north, you will be able to see the biodiverstiy of the world's biggest rain forest, the Amazon jungle. In the north-east, you will be enthralled by the magic of exotic Salvador, a coastal city with a fascinating culture. Still in this region, Recife / Porto de Galinhas beckon with their beaches, vegetation and long sunny days. In the west-central region the Mato Grosso marshlands is a haven for the Earth's most extensive wild life variety. In the south-east, Ouro Preto, the world's largest eighteenth century colonial architecture complex, displays the unique art of the Brazilian baroque. In the extreme south, in the border with Paraguay and Argentina, Foz do Iguaçu attracts visitors from around the world eager to gasp at the spectacle of the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

The tours for accompanying persons offer the best of Rio de Janeiro: visits to the Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf, a tour of Tijuca Forest, a helicopter ride showing Guanabara bay in all its beauty. Another option is a tour of Historical Rio, where you will go back in time to get to know the monuments of colonial times.

Social events, a time to relax and network:
The social events programme will highlight the importance of Brazil in the global scenario: cultural and geographic diversity, a market displaying great potential and growing technological development, in sum, Brazil as a cradle of great wealth and natural beauty. The first event, of course, is the Congress' opening night, which will stage dance, music and art focusing on Brazil's cultural breadth.

Then there is the Brazilian Night, with great surprises in store for guests. Different theme rooms will exhibit the country's splendor by developing on its natural beauty, its importance in the world, its architecture, handcrafts, cultural influence and cuisine. Do not miss these attractions plus the many other surprises that await you.

The Maracanã Night has the world's largest and most famous football stadium for setting. If Brazil wins the World Cup, the night's main attraction will be a game between Brazil and a composite of players from other national teams; if it doesn't win the Cup, then the game will be played out between the Brazilian national team and the Cup winner.

The closing ceremony in turn will feature a video showing the Congress' best moments, a review of the 17th WPC as a whole, the presentation of a video that pays homage to South Africa, the 18th WPC host country and the ceremony where the baton will be handed to the new WPC board of directors.

Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209