South America Cruise - from Valparaíso / Santiago de Chile - 102114

Valparaíso is one of the first cities founded by the Spanish in Chile. What is today Chile's largest sea port lies in a picturesque bay around which the city centre is built. This is where you can see historic buildings in the Victorian and neoclassical styles, huge squares and a modern port facility. The residential areas are for the most part situated on the hills surrounding the city to which the many stairways and a unique cable-car system with 16 carriages lead. It is well worth the journey uphill - the view of the harbour and the city centre is simply breathtaking. Probably the most unusual city in Chile, it is known for its interlinked houses with their traditional inner courtyards.

Valparaíso is one of the first cities founded by the Spanish in Chile. What is today Chile's largest sea port lies in a picturesque bay around which the city centre is built. This is where you can see historic buildings in the Victorian and neoclassical styles, huge squares and a modern port facility. The residential areas are for the most part situated on the hills surrounding the city to which the many stairways and a unique cable-car system with 16 carriages lead. It is well worth the journey uphill - the view of the harbour and the city centre is simply breathtaking. Probably the most unusual city in Chile, it is known for its interlinked houses with their traditional inner courtyards.

Punta Arenas is said to be the most southerly city on the planet. Prior to the opening of the Panama canal, the city on the Strait of Magellan was an important port shaped by a colourful mix of European immigrants. Luxurious villas owned by the sheep farming barons around the plaza line the city. The view over the colourful rooftops stretches across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. In the Summer people meet at the plaza, where large trees provide some much-welcomed shade.

Ushuaia, the capital of the Argentinean part of Tierra del Fuego, was built by prisoners. The old prison has become an attraction and is a must-see. The town, which is considered to be the most southerly town in the world, lies directly by the snow-covered mountains of the Andes and by the Beagle Canal.

Cape Horn (Spanish: Cabo de Hornos) is the most southerly point of South America and was named by Dutch sailors after the city of Hoorn. It is situated on an island that is part of Chile and for a long time was one of the routes most feared by seafarers. Passage to the West in particular was extremely dangerous and difficult due to the constant Westerlies. In Cape Horn there is a monument in the shape of an albatross that is visible from out at sea. The monument is dedicated to the many sailors who perished in these waters aboard their heavily-laden cargo ships during the first few decades of the last century.

Modern architecture dominates the most part of Puerto Madryn, founded in the mid-19th century by colonists from Wales. There are lots of beaches in the centre of the city and the surrounding area that are excellent for swimming and sunbathing. The idyllic beaches of Playa La Mimosa and Playa El Indio to the South of the city centre are sheltered and especially popular. Puerto Madryn is also the most famous diving centre in Argentina. Crystal clear water and the rocky reefs in Golfo Nuevo as well as the untouched fauna attract a great number of visitors. The Valdés peninsula nature reserve with its sea lion, seal and elephant seal colonies, as well as whales and other sea animals is also nearby.

Buenos Aires is the capital of the Republic of Argentina and was founded in 1536 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza. The Latin American city, also known as the "Queen of La Plata" has a very European feel, both in terms of architecture and local customs, spiced with a dash of Latin American warmth and informality. A megalopolis with eleven million inhabitants (making it one of the largest cities in the world) Buenos Aires has always had great allure. Incomers see it as the gateway to the New World, the city of tango, football, a vibrant cultural life and elegance in South America.

Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay and the municipality of the same name is seen to be the economic, administrative and cultural centre of the country. The nearby resorts with their beaches make the harbour particularly attractive. In addition to the varied cultural offerings, the city also has many tertiary education institutes, such as the University of the Republic, founded in 1849. Sights include: Montevideo hill; the mausoleum dedicated to the national hero, José Gervasio Artigas; the former seat of the national parliament, "Cabildo"; the cathedral, the National Museum of History and the Fine Arts.

The metropolis of Rio de Janeiro lies nestled in beautiful countryside with a view of islands and paradise beaches. The city's landmarks are Copacabana beach and the Sugar Loaf Mountain, which gives the city its unmistakable silhouette. Opposite, on Corcovado hill, stands the world-famous statue of Christ. Historic churches and monuments compete with modern architecture; typical traditional street markets stand directly beside ultra-modern shopping centres. A trip in a cable car to the peak of the Sugar Loaf, which is over 700 m high, promises a truly breathtaking view of the city. Sights include: Metropolitana Cathedral, the municipal theatre, the city palace Paco Imperial, the National Historical Museum, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ.

The metropolis of Rio de Janeiro lies nestled in beautiful countryside with a view of islands and paradise beaches. The city's landmarks are Copacabana beach and the Sugar Loaf Mountain, which gives the city its unmistakable silhouette. Opposite, on Corcovado hill, stands the world-famous statue of Christ. Historic churches and monuments compete with modern architecture; typical traditional street markets stand directly beside ultra-modern shopping centres. A trip in a cable car to the peak of the Sugar Loaf, which is over 700 m high, promises a truly breathtaking view of the city. Sights include: Metropolitana Cathedral, the municipal theatre, the city palace Paco Imperial, the National Historical Museum, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ.