South America Cruise - from Buenos Aires - 95596

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.

Punta del Este is the most famous beach resort in Uruguay. It is particularly busy during the hot Summer months from December to February. The main street Gorlero has lots of boutiques and watchmakers as well as exclusive restaurants, cafés and shops selling souvenirs and postcards. At night, the shopping street is transformed into a huge party area and the bars, pubs, discos and the three large casinos never shut before sunrise.

The coast of Rio Grande do Sul, the most affluent of the Brazilian states, is bordered by beach resorts with white sandy beaches, restaurants, bars, shops and a vibrant nightlife. Gaucho culture is the trademark of Rio Grande do Sul, where dark-skinned cowboys with their typical flat hats with chin straps, wearing baggy trousers, red kerchiefs and leather boots roam the pampas. Excursions to the surrounding area lead to caves, lighthouses and picturesque cliffs that serve as excellent viewing platforms. Visitors can take a boat trip along the small river of Mampituba, which is just a few kilometres away, and discover the countryside.

Santos is the largest and busiest port in Latin America. Opulent facades are a reminder of the era of the coffee traders in the 19th century. The city's aquarium on the wide Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmao has tropical fish, turtles, eels and sea lions. Even today, Santos is the largest coffee export port in Brazil.

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 idyllic port of Búzios is hidden away on a peninsula in the South Atlantic Ocean. This fishing village, with its South Seas flair, free of giant concrete hotels and not far from Rio de Janeiro, is considered to be Brazil's top beach resort. Despite the varied options on offer to tourists, Búzios is far from being a Brazilian version of St. Tropez. Thanks to environmental initiatives it was possible to prevent it being developed into a faceless concrete hotel-lined beachfront - houses are not permitted to be built higher than two storeys. As a result, this once-remote fishing village has been able to retain its traditional charm.

Salvador da Bahia, the 'black heart of Brazil', lies on the North-East coast. In the 16th century it was the largest city in the entire southern hemisphere. Today, Salvador is a melting pot of cultures and the centre of African culture. The city at "All Saints Bay" is probably the most exotic and eccentric city in Brazil. Two thirds of the population are the descendants of African slaves. African rituals, cults and religion can thus be found at every turn. In the historic old town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, baroque buildings are a reminder of colonial rule. Lots of churches and a market for arts and crafts are also to be found in the town centre. A pure, exotic atmosphere, happy people, palm-lined beaches stretching several kilometres, music and the Afro-Brazilian culture are ever-present.

Maceió is in the North-East of Brazil and is the capital of the state of Alagoas. The city is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Brazil. The harbour has optimal infrastructure for tourists with a large number of hotels and local attractions and the hospitality of the locals only increases this city's popularity.

Recife, with a population of well over a million, got its name from the coral reefs that lie before the port and the beaches, creating unusually still waters by Brazilian standards. On account of its canals, spanned by narrow bridges and its old colonial houses, Recife is often referred to as the "Venice of Brazil". "Boa Viagem" beach with its many bars, restaurants and discos is reminiscent of Rimini - but with a special South American charm. Sights include: the historic quarters Santo Antônio and São José, the old monastery Capela Dourada, the Museu do Estado de Pernambuco with furnishings from the imperial and colonial age and handicrafts, the anthropological Museum do Homem do Nordeste, Boa Viagem beach.

With a population of around 1.4 million, Belém is the economic centre of the North and the capital of the Brazilian state of Pará. The port of Belém is the largest in the entire Amazon region, and is located around 125 km from the Atlantic Ocean. This beautiful town, which is almost 400 years old, has magnificent churches, a zoo, botanic gardens, the fascinating "Ver-O-Peso" market, the "Nossa Senhora de Nazaré" basilica and many lovely parks. Belém is also home to the famous Goeldi Museum with the world's largest collection of exotic plants. The museum is totally committed to the conservation of the natural environment.

Castries is the capital city and port of the Antilles island of St. Lucia. With a population of around 65,000 it is the island's largest city and lies between the Caribbean Ocean and the green hilly hinterland. It is the starting point for trips on the island of St. Lucia. There are almost no historical sights left in Castries, since the many wooden houses have burned down over the course of the last few decades. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Columbus Square and the Government House are well worth seeing. The best time to take a stroll around the town is on Saturday mornings, when the market stalls are set up at the deep-sea port of The Carenage. Duty free shopping is available at the Point Seraphine shopping centre. To the North-East of Castries lies the Vigie Peninsula, where tourists can enjoy the modern holiday village at the beach.

Roseau is the capital and the economic and cultural centre of the island of Dominica, in the Lesser Antilles. Directly by the harbour is 'Market House', which dates from 1810, and the lovingly restored 'Old Market', where tourists can buy souvenirs. The Anglican church is particularly worth seeing, as is 'State House', once the seat of the governor, and the new parliament building dating from 1811. The Methodist Church, the Botanic Gardens and the Roman Catholic cathedral are also worth a vist. The elevated plateau at Morne Bruce - once an excellent defence post -provides a fantastic view of the capital and the bay. But what the island of Dominica is most famous for is the extinct volcanoes, the huge tropical forests with hot springs, waterfalls and deep blue lakes.

Sint Maarten with its capital Philipsburg is the smaller, Dutch part of the magical Caribbean island peacefully shared by the Netherlands and France since 1648. The Dutch part of the island is one of the most popular shopping and holiday destinations in the Caribbean. In Philipsburg alone there are more than 500 shops in the pastel-coloured Dutch style where tourists can buy luxury goods at up to 50% less than the standard retail price. The best place to experience real Caribbean atmosphere is at the Saturday market in the capital. Sights include: the zoo, the Philipsburg Museum, the fort at Great Bay Harbour, the casino and the beaches.

Miami is a city at the South-East coast of the US state of Florida. The "Coconut Grove" district was the heart of the settlement in 1884. Today, the city is dominated by elegant boutiques and pavement cafés. Often, free street concerts are held in the side streets - usually reggae or jazz music. The city has numerous high-rise buildings, hotel complexes, areas with palm trees, shopping centres, cultural and recreational facilities. Sights include: the Southeast Financial Center - the tallest building in Florida at 55 storeys high; Dade Country Courthouse; Metro Dade Cultural, a cultural centre that houses Miami Dade Main Library; the Centre for Fine Arts and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.