Amazon Cruise - from Rio de Janeiro - 121013

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.

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.

The Brazilian town of Santarem "at the centre of the Amazon" has been shaped mainly by the two rivers, the Amazon and the Tapajós. The town's inhabitants live from trade in fish, wood, Brazil nuts, beans and rubber. Santarem bears many reminders of the old colonial age, with the 'house of seven doors' built in the colonial style and owned by the Baron São Nicolau von Santare and the white church "Nossa Senhora da Conceição". On the banks of the rivers are popular beaches with fine, white sand; in the surrounding area of Santarem visitors can explore the flood plains and the dense jungle.

The small riverside village of Boca da Valeria with its typical houses built on stilts is the perfect place to get to know the "Cabolos", the "River People" and discover the Amazon. Explore the secrets of the rainforest, the largest forest on the planet, and also the largest reservoir of freshwater with its countless varieties of flora and fauna.

The capital of the Brazilian state Amazonas is in the north of the country by the banks of the Rio Negro and is surrounded by beautiful rainforest. Manaus was founded in the 17th century by the Portuguese military. Due to the industrial boom in the city at the end of the 19th century, ports, market places, monuments and impressive buildings were built on the island. The city is famous for its rubber and latex production and its nickname is the "Paris of the tropical rainforests". Sights include the "Teatro Amazonas" with its distinctive dome, which even today is the greatest symbol of this rich city.

This Brazilian town with a population of 50,000 is not far from the capital of the state of Amazonas, Manau. This small town is located on the island of the same name in the Amazon river. Important attractions include the many churches and cathedrals.

The tiny fishing village Alter do Chao is just a 30-minute car journey from the city of Santarém, which has a population of 270,000. The breathtakingly beautiful area in which the city lies is renowned for its unique beaches, an expansive dune landscape and the abundance of fish. The 'Centre for the Conservation of Native Art and Culture' is particuarly worth a visit .

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados. This city, with a population of 6,700 lies at the South coast of the country. Tourists will find a huge range of shopping options and an exciting nightlife at the ultra-modern port facility of this idyllic little town. Bridgetown has a historic synagogue, built by Brazilian Jews in 1627, shortly after the founding of the British colony. A variety of water sports are on offer at the beaches at Dover, Rockley and Needhams Point.

Pointe-à-Pitre, the capital of the French Antilles island of Guadeloupe, is a colourful port and trading town surrounded by long, white, sandy beaches, The town has a number of attractive buildings, include the Place de la Victoire, the Schoelcher Museum and the St. John's Perse Museum in the former manor houses in the colonial style. The colourful market and lots of shops and boutiques on the Rue Frebault, the Rue de Nozière and the Rue Schoelcher make them the perfect place for a stroll.

Tortola, the "pigeon island", is the largest and most densely populated of the British Virgin Islands. At 543 m, Mount Sage is the highest point on the island and offers the best view of the coral reefs and many bays. Large areas of the forest are nature reserves. Not far from Road Town, the capital of the island, are the remains of the British fort, Fort George, which dates from the 18th century, and Harrigan's Hill still has the remnants of Fort Charlotte. Fort Recovery is assumed to have been established by the first Dutch settlers. The ruins of "The Dungeon", which can be seen by Pockwood Pond are also well worth a visit. Even today, you can see pictures scratched into the walls of the vaults.

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.