Antarctic Cruise - from Papeete - 122711

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.

This 171 km² large island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean has belonged to Chile since 1888. Three extinct volcanoes with crater lakes, sparsely vegetated elevated planes and the craggy-cliffed coastline dominate the island's surface. Surrounded by several thousand kilometres of seawater in almost every direction, it is one of the most remote islands in the world - and one of the most mysterious. Tourists travel to Easter Island solely to see the Moai, the mythological figures hewn in tufa stone, weighing between 80 and 100 tonnes and standing up to 20 metres high, whose secrets have still not been completely uncovered, despite the efforts of countless researchers. Today, Easter Island is home to more than 2,000 people. The airport was completed in 1967 in order to encourage tourists. The only town on the island is Hanga Roa.

This 171 km² large island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean has belonged to Chile since 1888. Three extinct volcanoes with crater lakes, sparsely vegetated elevated planes and the craggy-cliffed coastline dominate the island's surface. Surrounded by several thousand kilometres of seawater in almost every direction, it is one of the most remote islands in the world - and one of the most mysterious. Tourists travel to Easter Island solely to see the Moai, the mythological figures hewn in tufa stone, weighing between 80 and 100 tonnes and standing up to 20 metres high, whose secrets have still not been completely uncovered, despite the efforts of countless researchers. Today, Easter Island is home to more than 2,000 people. The airport was completed in 1967 in order to encourage tourists. The only town on the island is Hanga Roa.

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.

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.

Puerto Montt, the capital of the Chilean region of Los Lagos, is situated around 1,000 km South of Santiago at a wide Pacific bay. Despite having a population of 130,000, the port, which is the last stop on the North-South railway, has retained a small town atmosphere and charm. With its splendid rooftops and balconies, Puerto Montt is reminiscent of a small Bavarian village and was indeed inhabited for a time by Bavarian settlers. The city is famous for its eucalyptus and pine forests as well as the many lakes and snow-covered volcanoes.

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.

"Drake Passage" - over 100 km South of Cape Horn - is a strait measuring almost 1,000 km wide between the southern Shetland Islands and the tip of South America. The stormy strait is named after the 16th century English seafarer Sir Francis Drake.

"Drake Passage" - over 100 km South of Cape Horn - is a strait measuring almost 1,000 km wide between the southern Shetland Islands and the tip of South America. The stormy strait is named after the 16th century English seafarer Sir Francis Drake.

"Drake Passage" - over 100 km South of Cape Horn - is a strait measuring almost 1,000 km wide between the southern Shetland Islands and the tip of South America. The stormy strait is named after the 16th century English seafarer Sir Francis Drake.