South Seas Cruise - from Valparaíso / Santiago de Chile - 131268

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.

Robinson Crusoe Island belongs to Chile and lies around 700 km from the Chilean coast. The mountainous island has unique vegetation and several species of bird that can be found only here. The island got its name from Alexander Selkirk, who was stranded here, providing the inspiration for Defoe's famous novel "Robinson Crusoe". The island enchants visitors with its beautiful landscape and bizarre, almost primordial looking rock formations. Those who enjoy sports will find a wide range of options here: mountain biking, diving, angling, kayak and catamaran tours. It is also the perfect place for a long walk, since one of the island's attractions is its lush, unspoiled countryside. Forested mountainsides and wide, snow-white palm-lined sandy bays are the perfect place for peaceful relaxation.

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. This is where most of the 2,000 residents, the majority of whom are Polynesian, live. The most important attraction is Rapa Nui National Park, which was founded in 1935. Today it encompasses almost all of the Easter Islands. In the centre of Hanga Roa there is a football pitch. The most important street is "Policarpo Toro" with its many restaurants and shops. The popular meeting place for the local residents is "Playa Pea", a natural swimming pool with a pebble beach sheltered by cliffs.

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. This is where most of the 2,000 residents, the majority of whom are Polynesian, live. The most important attraction is Rapa Nui National Park, which was founded in 1935. Today it encompasses almost all of the Easter Islands. In the centre of Hanga Roa there is a football pitch. The most important street is "Policarpo Toro" with its many restaurants and shops. The popular meeting place for the local residents is "Playa Pea", a natural swimming pool with a pebble beach sheltered by cliffs.

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti. The island is a mixture of beautiful coves, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and French vanity.

Moorea, the pineapple island, was formed from the remains of an extinct volcano. The island has excellent tourist facilities and a large range of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. Moorea can be explored in just a few hours - a bike tour is highly recommended. Several diving schools also offer interesting underwater tours.

The volcanic island of Bora Bora is home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, "the pearl of Polynesia". It is surrounded by several small islands. The region's airport is on one of these islands, the other has hotel resorts. There are also orchids growing in the wild, making this a wonderful area to take a long walk. Thanks to the lagoon, there is also a wide range of water sports on offer, such as sailing, glass-bottomed boat-trips, snorkelling, diving ... The main atttraction is the 100 metre-high mountain "Muto Toopua" with "Hiro's bell" - uniquely shaped basalt rocks that sound like a bell when struck.

Alofi is the capital of the Island of Niue, 2,400 km to the North-East of New Zealand. Tourism is still in the early stages on this small island state, with around 1,500 visitors per year.

'The 'sugar city' of Lautoka, an economic and cultural centre, is the second-largest city on the Fiji Islands. The main palm-lined street gives the city a friendly feel. Mosques, Hindu temples and Christian churches bear witness to the turbulent past and the diverse population. There are several restaurants and hotels, but the highlight is an excellent art gallery at a hotel direct by the water. Lautoka is also the starting point for many tours to the neighbouring islands.