Dominica
Set halfway between Guadeloupe and Martinique, you'll find Dominica, the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands. Abundant with rushing rivers, cascading waterfalls and lush rainforests, Dominica is a treasure chest of hidden natural wonders. Explore the beauty of this tropical paradise with a bike ride through the Layou River Valley, or a tour through the capital of Roseau. This is one island that is sure to take your breath away.
Barbados
High tea and cricket in the afternoons remains a tradition on the very British island of Barbados, also called the "Little England" of the Caribbean. The Bajan landscape, with its breathtaking panoramas of oceans and valleys, and endless pink- and white-sand beaches, is one of the most majestic in the Southern Caribbean. Barbados is the perfect setting for snorkeling in turquoise waters, touring historic sites or taking in a round of golf.
Fortaleza, Brazil
This scenic coastal city is tucked away on the northeast corner of Brazil and has been for decades one of the most popular destinations for Brazilian tourists. In recent years, its fame has spread all over the world, and the number of European, North and South American travelers visiting the city has grown rapidly. Tourists visit Fortaleza to enjoy its white-sand beaches, nightlife, delicious food, and rich Brazilian culture. The city’s main attraction is the beautiful neo-Gothic Cathedral with gorgeous stained glass windows. Also, the quaint Central Market offers delicious exotic tropical fruits and fine lacework, embroidery, leather goods, and ceramics.
Recife, Brazil
A city of rivers and bridges, Recife is a historic settlement known as the “Venice of Brazil” that offers a fascinating mixture of a modern metropolis and a tropical beach resort. Its most famous beach is Boa Viagem with white sand, emerald waters, natural rock pools, and a beautiful reef teeming with colorful creatures. The city has a rich tradition as a centre of culture and the arts. The old quarters of the city house the oldest synagogue in the New World. Olinda, Brazil’s old colonial capital declared World Historical Monument by Unesco, is few miles from Recife. Olinda boasts beautifully preserved 16th- and 17th-Century buildings.
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
The oldest and most historic city in Brazil, Salvador de Bahia – designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco – boasts one of the largest collections of colonial and Baroque architecture in Latin America and offers a pleasant tropical climate, miles of pristine beaches and lush tropical vegetation. The historical heart of the city with its two million inhabitants is the Pelourinho Plaza, not long ago center of illegal activities. After Unesco sponsored a restoration project, the area has become the focus of cultural life in Salvador, the third city of Brazil. During the day, the area is the domain of craftsmen and artists. At night it becomes a rhythmic extravaganza. This is the soul of Bahia samba, a thrilling beat of African drums and intoxicating percussion.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The cidade maravilhosa (the “beautiful city”) is literally a unique place on Earth. Founded in 1565, Rio – once the Brazilian capital – offers a coastline of breathtaking beaches set against a mountainous backdrop. In contrast to its spectacular natural setting, every year, Rio hosts the Carnaval, an incredible five-day celebration that draws tourists from everywhere in the world. Sun lovers will find Ipanema and Copacabana ideal for sunbathing and fun. The Sugarloaf Mountain and the “Christ the Redeemer” statue are the distinctive landmarks of this city.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The cosmopolitan capital of Argentina combines South American flavor with European style. Buenos Aires boasts intense French influences in its architecture, Parisian-style cafés, beautiful parks and sweeping boulevards. There are opera houses, museums and cathedrals that rival any in Europe. Puerto Madero, the city's oldest port, has been transformed into a vibrant restaurant and boutique center.
Montevideo, Uruguay
One of South America's most beautiful capitals, Montevideo is a haven of open-air cafés and European-inspired squares. The city has an old and new town featuring many historical sites as well as restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and casinos. The best way to discover its charm is by walking through the port area and exploring old neighborhoods. Montevideo’s many historic sites can be visited within a few hours.
Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Situated at the center of Argentinean Patagonia on the Guelfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn is at the heart of one of the wildlife wonders of the world. The city is the gateway to many natural splendors, such as Punta Tombo National Reserve (home to the world's biggest colony of Magellanic penguins), as well as the Península Valdés (the world-famous wildlife sanctuary). As a perfect vantage point from which to witness the beauty of nature, Puerto Madryn has become a dream destination for nature lovers. The city also offers several attractions, from its beaches to its historic sites.
Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and one of two main cities on the island territory of Tierra del Fuego. Surrounded on three sides by towering peaks, the city is located on the border of the Beagle Canal and offers unforgettable scenery and a National Park framed by the sea, forests, lakes and mountains. This protected land includes the beautiful Lakes of Fagnano and Roca and the southernmost sub-Antarctic forests. Once a small fishing village, Ushuaia is today a welcoming, busy town with a growing population, at present numbering about 50,000 inhabitants.
Punta Arenas, Chile
Founded in the 17th Century by J. Byron, Punta Arenas lies at the entrance to the Strait of Magellan and is the gateway to Antarctica, a land of snowcapped mountains, icebergs and frozen fjords. The city is dominated by the mountain Cerro de la Cruz, from which there is a spectacular view of Punta Arenas, its orderly streets, colorful tin roofs, and the Tierra del Fuego. The city overlooks the Strait of Magellan and Otway Sound, home to colonies of sea lions and Magellanic penguins.
Puerto Montt, Chile
Founded by German colonists in 1853, Puerto Montt is one of southern Chile's most important cities. Located at the very end of the Pan American highway, it is the gateway to the magical, mystical land of fjords, canals and snow-capped volcanoes, the scenic Lake District, and the enchantment of southern Chile. Glaciers carved out this terrain, leaving the jewel-like lakes in their wake. The Lake District was a magnet for German immigrants, and their legacy can be seen today in the manicured rose gardens of Puerto Varas, the "German Villages" like Frutillar, and the gabled homes with elaborate balconies of Puerto Montt. In this idyllic setting, surrounded by national parks, lakes and mountains, it's easy to understand why people come here to enjoy the outdoors "South-American style."
Santiago, Chile
Founded in 1536, Valparaíso is Chile's oldest city. It is also the gateway to Chile's central valley and the beautiful Viña Del Mar, the popular seaside resort only few miles away. Santiago, the nation’s capital, can be reached with a 90-minute ride across rolling valleys. With a population of over five million people, Santiago sprawls at the foot of the snow-capped Andes. One of the city's prime cultural highlights is the excellent Pre-Columbian Museum, which displays 4500 years of indigenous Latin American culture in modern surroundings.
Arica, Chile
Bordered by desert sand dunes and fertile valleys fed by the melting and life-giving snows of the Andes, this city is located in the heart of some culturally fascinating attractions. Founded in 1570, Arica is Chile's fifth-oldest city and a commercial gateway for neighboring Peru and Bolivia. It is a city rich in heritage and home to both a splendid neo-Gothic church with wrought-iron details designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1876 and to pre-Columbian treasures from the Chinchorro culture dating back to 5,000 b.C.
Lima (Callao), Peru
Callao, founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadores, is the gateway to Lima. The Peruvian capital is the cultural and economic heart of the nation and once served as the seat of power of the Spanish Empire of South America. In 1988, its historic center was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco for its historical buildings from the Spanish colonial era. Tourists cannot miss the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco and the monumental Plaza Mayor with its 16th-Century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace.
Manta (Quito), Ecuador
The small port of Manta is the gateway to Ecuador and its capital, Quito, the second highest capital in the world. Ecuador has one of the world's most varied terrains: the Galapagos, 600 watery miles to the west, and to the east, the Andes, home to Ecuador's important cities, including Quito. Founded in 1534 and one of the best-preserved cities in South America, Quito was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978 by Unesco. The city, apart from its unique position right by the equator, boasts superb Baroque colonial architecture, such as the Monastery and Church of San Francisco – the first major religious structure built in the New World.
Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco, which is virtually synonymous with luxury, is a place where the rich and famous come to escape. Take the scenic highway for a striking panoramic view of the beaches and mountains, and note the beautiful homes and lush gardens as you pass through Las Brisas. And make sure you take time to see the thrilling cliff divers plunge into the turbulent waters of Le Quebrada.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta has all the amenities of a classic beach resort: surf, sand and sun. But, that’s just the beginning. Perfect for honeymooners, families and seniors alike, Puerto Vallarta features fun-filled activities including: sport fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking and whale watching. A modern destination that remains loyal to its traditional Mexican roots, this port is distinct from any other destination in Mexico. The mountains, jungles, beaches, rivers and waterfalls make Puerto Vallarta the perfect vacation destination.
Scenic Cruising
Beagle Channel
The Beagle Channel, with its picturesque bays, inlets and rich flora and fauna, separates Puerto Williams, Chile from Ushuaia, Argentina. The Channel – 150 miles long and three miles wide – is surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of Martial Mounts and the Cinco Hermanos and offers fantastic views of sea, sheer rock and glaciers, perfect for beautiful pictures.
Chilean Fjords
The Chilean Fjords are simply amazing. Snow-capped volcanoes, mountains, icebergs, canals, islands, rivers, valleys, small harbors, fishing villages, dense forests, and thermal springs are fantastic jewels of this extraordinary voyage in the wildlife.
Cape Horn
Cape Horn, the dream destination for the ultimate traveler. Sailing around the southernmost tip of South America is a unique experience that will get you back in touch with nature.
Strait of Magellan
Long 530 miles, the Strait of Magellan is one of the most picturesque waterways in the world. It separates Tierra del Fuego from South America and connects the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, the Strait was an important route around South America before the construction of the Panama Canal.
Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia)
Once El Fin del Mundo (The End of the World) – as Tierra del Fuego locals refer to their region – was a place inhospitable and remote. Today, the extraordinary sceneries of this legendary region draw tourists from all over the world who come here to explore one of the most amazing places on earth.
Crossing the Equator
Crossing the Equator, the imaginary line dividing the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres, can be an exciting experience. Discover the secrets of the law of physics when you are moving from one Hemisphere to the other. Fill a sink with water and observe how the water drains. Clockwise, counterclockwise, or no spin at all? You can find the answer during your cruise crossing the Equator.