Departing the pier by motorcoach, we proceed to Dalcahue, a picturesque village located 12 miles north of Castro. Along the way, we will glimpse the colourful hamlet of Llaullao where we are able to appreciate the "tejuelas" -roofed houses and a beautiful chapel in a nice setting.

Spread out across the Isla Grande and two smaller Islands, Castro has energy and charm. The town sits on a cliff overlooking the shorelines, the banks of which are lined with palafitos – houses built on stilts above the water.

As we depart from the pier and proceed to Dalcahue, a picturesque village located 20 km (12 ½ miles) north of Castro, we will have a glimpse of the colourful hamlet of Llaullao, where we will be able to appreciate houses roofed with “tejuelas”, and a view of a beautiful chapel in the distance.

The Chiloe National Park is situated in the western region of the Isla Grande de Chiloe (Grand Island of Chiloé), which is an extension of the divided coastal mountain range.

This tour will provide us with a look at some of the impressive landscape in this wet and windy region that comprises part of the Chilean Patagonia. Puerto Chacabuco, one of the few places where the Andes touch the coastline, compensates for the harsh climate with incredible beauty.

As you can imagine, due to the nature of the location of Chacabuco, trying to arrange tours is a little challenging at times. Buses have to come from a town 186 miles away, and so prices reflect this distance. Guides used are usually college students who, although not professional, are the best source of knowledge in such an isolated area.

The currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso – the US Dollar may be accepted.

Departing from our ship we will take a drive through the dramatically beautiful Aysen district on our approximate 45 minute journey filled with canyons, rivers and valleys.

This short tour will give us a glimpse of the impressive landscape of the region.

Departing from our ship we will begin our short drive from Puerto Chacabuco to reach Lake Los Palos. Once we have arrived we will be given a short safety briefing. Once over we will start our navigation kayaking along the western shore of the lake northward until we reach the Tabo River which feeds the lake.

Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on Earth, overlooking the Straits of Magellan. Situated astride one of the world’s historic trade routes, its prosperity has risen and fallen with that trade. Punta Arenas enjoyed its first great boom during the California Gold Rush, when it served as a haven for great clipper ships. Although the port’s importance diminished after the opening of the Panama Canal, the city reached even greater prosperity early in this century as the centre of Chile’s international wool trade. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranches to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Punta Arenas is also the starting point for excursions to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

The currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso – the US Dollar may be accepted.

Leaving Punta Arenas, the route takes us some 65 kilometres (40 miles) north-west into the Patagonian countryside. The drive is across undulating land with just enough low shrubs to offer camouflage to guanacos (which resemble llamas) and rheas (the South American ostrich). The last stretch is on a gravel road past an open-pit coalmine, ranking among the world’s largest coal reserves.

We board a coach pier side for a sightseeing drive around this bustling frontier town, the capital of the Magallanes Region. We will be taken to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, and to the Cerro la Cruz – a viewpoint of the city, the Magellan Strait, the port and the legendary island of Tierra del Fuego.

On this tour we can discover the charm of the southerly city of Punta Arenas situated by the Strait of Magellan, and be introduced to the main points of interest. While there are sights and attractions to be seen around town, the major highlights are found in the rugged, beautiful scenery outside Punta Arenas.

We will travel by coach, for 30 minutes, as we head towards Club Andino, a unique ski centre that is one of the very few in the world with a view of the ocean. During our journey we will be able to enjoy the beautiful Patagonian landscape.

There is no better way to take in some of the Falklands landscape features than by air. We will fly in a five twin engine Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.

Our tour commences with a trip aboard one of our local tour providers launches to a purpose-built landing stage in Sparrow Cove, located on the north coast of Port William. We will be met and transported across country by modern four-wheel drive vehicles, for approximately 30 minutes.

This tour has very limited capacity and will be sold on a first come, first served basis! We understand that this tour may be the highlight of your cruise, but please appreciate that once capacity has been reached it will be very difficult for us to secure further departures – your understanding with this matter will be greatly appreciated.

This is an exclusive opportunity to view Falkland birdlife.

If we want a tour that has everything, then this is the tour for us. We will join our experienced local guides on this fantastic tour out to the North Coast of the East Falklands.

The Falkland Islands are a remote and beautiful group of over 700 islands deep in the South Atlantic. They are 645 kilometres (400 miles) east of the South American coast, 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) north of Antarctica and almost 12,800 kilometres (8,000 miles) from Britain, with a population of 2,379 (as per the 2001 census). The scenery is reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, with small groups of farm buildings nestling almost unseen amongst the wild backdrop.

The currency of the Falkland Islands is the Falkland pound.

Departing from the jetty we will have an approximate 20 minute journey before we reach the starting point for our ‘off-road’ 4x4 experience. We will be able to get an insight into the ranch style of Falklands farming, as the route to the Lagoon is working farmland.

Our tour takes in Fitzroy and three battle memorials commemorating the fierce conflict between Argentina and Britain, in 1982. Our guide will be a local battlefield expert who has lived in the Falklands for over 20 years and has dedicated much of his time to researching the 1982 conflict and meeting war veterans. Our guide also enjoys hiking the once battle-fierce mountains and valleys of 1982.

This is an ideal tour, if we want to see the highlights of Stanley in a short space of time!

The journey takes in the fantastic rugged beauty of East Falklands, passing close by a military radar site, Estancia Farm, to the head of Berkeley Sound. En route we will have the opportunity to learn about the historical Port Louis Settlement and the unique stone runs – appearing like rivers of stone running down the mountain, formed by intense frost action.

Join a veteran for this exclusive and inspiring tour of the Falklands War.

We will join our guide on an epic journey in a 4x4 vehicle to Volunteer Point, home to 1200 King Penguins, the largest colony of King Penguins outside of South Georgia. There are also approximately 500 Gentoo Penguins and Magellanic Penguins to be seen, a superb location where three species of penguin can be viewed.

The drama and destiny of the legendary German “pocket” battle ship “Admiral Graf Spee” are still alive in Montevideo. This tour will take us on the trail, with several stops along the way.

In this three and a half hour tour we can enjoy the quaint charm of the Old Town of Montevideo, along its narrow streets and admire the development of architecture and arts in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Our tour will include views of Montevideo’s monuments, parks and gardens, the main points of interest being; the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), Solis Theatre and Independence Square – at the centre of which stands a monument dedicated to national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas, and his Mausoleum. Facing Independence Square is Government House (housing the museum of the Presidents).

On our tour today we can experience an exciting ride on an old steam train, rebuilt by Montevideo’s Local Association of Rail Friends.

Our tour will include views of Montevideo’s monuments, parks and gardens, the main points of interest being the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), Solis Theatre and Independence Square – at the centre of which stands a monument dedicated to national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas, and his Mausoleum. Facing Independence Square is Government House (housing the Museum of the Presidents).

Montevideo is an eclectic mix of architectural influence with some amazing buildings that date back to more prosperous times. The city is an open-air exhibition of monuments and sculptures, as well as museums displaying the wonderful work of Uruguayan artists.

Commencing with a short orientation tour of Montevideo, we are then transferred to Estancia La Rabida – a drive of approximately 90 minutes. The owners will welcome us upon our arrival and take us on dray trucks, or traditional old wagons, for a ride around the fields, including the three kilometres (one-and-a-half miles) of beaches on the shores of the Rio de la Plata.

With nearly one and a half million residents, Montevideo is home to nearly half of Uruguay’s population. It is divided into 19 departments, each with its own capital city. As Uruguay’s cultural, political and commercial centre, Montevideo boasts a number of monuments, museums and impressive architecture. There are sidewalk cafés, fine restaurants, chic shopping centres, casinos and miles of clean beaches.

The currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso.

We begin our tour with a journey through the fashionable riverside suburbs of Olivos and San Isidro, where time permitting we will make a brief stop to view the beautiful cathedral.

Founded 400 years ago along the River Plate as the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires is one of the world’s most elegant and exciting cities. Designed around wide boulevards that lead to large squares and manicured public parks, Buenos Aires has a decidedly European feel and is a modern centre of art and culture. The city is a remarkable blend of charming Old World traditions, such as the lively Italian Boca district, within a vibrant, urban centre. From the Colon Opera House, to the San Telmo Antique Market, to cruises along the fashionable riverside neighbourhoods of Olivos, San Isidro and San Fernando – Buenos Aires is a diverse city with lots to see.

The currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso.
 

IGUAZU

A truly amazing sight and wonder of the world. Nature blessed the Argentine, Brazilian and Paraguayan border with a show of her splendid talents. Iguazu Falls will leave us all speechless. Imagine standing a few meters (that’s right, a few meters) away from a volume of water dropping over 70 metres through 275 falls over 2,7 km at a rate of millions of cubic litres per second.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TOUR IS NOT BOOKABLE ON OUR WEBSITE - PLEASE COMPLETE & RETURN YOUR SHORE TOUR BOOKING FORM

Starting with the historical areas of Buenos Aires, we will trace the history that shaped the city. Our first stop is Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, laid out by Don Juan de Garay in 1580 during the second foundation of the city.

This is an ideal opportunity for us to absorb the atmosphere of country life at a really colourful Argentine feast in the pampas. Buenos Aires is a sprawling metropolis, which abruptly ends where endless fields of green pastures dotted with cattle and horses begin.

Our tour goes back to the origins of the so called "South American Paris”, and we can view Beaux Arts palaces on grand boulevards and renowned monuments of the beginning of the 20th century, including the famous Recoleta Cemetery with the mausoleum of Eva Perón. We will experience the atmosphere of lifestyle of the old upper classes, which gave a European appearance to the area.

Tango is the soul of Argentina. Our history begins at the turn of the 19th century when the whole Rio de la Plata regions received great waves of immigrants in the growing ports of Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Get in touch with the town where the Tango was born. During this tour we will visit Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, which is surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo which is the first City Hall, built during the Spanish rule. At the other end of Avenida de Mayo we will find the stately Congress building.

Within the aquarium is a fantastic array of aquatic organisms from South American waters – with an area of three thousand square metres and 1,200,000 litres of water in more than 35 tanks and mini lakes, this really is an amazing place.

Departing from the port, an approximate 20-minute drive takes us into the city. We begin our tour with a panoramic drive and pass through the historic centre.

Discover the flavour of this beautiful holiday resort with its magnificent beaches and stunning views. In addition, Santos offers a bustling town centre as befits Brazil’s most important port. Over 40% of all Brazilian imports and about half the total exports pass through it.

Millions of immigrants reached Brazil via the port of Santos in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, proceeding to the country's interior by railway. Santos was, for a few decades, the true gateway to Brazil for millions of emigrants.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

At the pier, we will board an air-conditioned minibus for an approximate one hour drive through the downtown area with a stop for photos at the Barreiro's lookout point. Next, we shall proceed on to Ilhabela’s foremost church, Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda, built in 1806.

We shall board a private wooden schooner and sail for approx 60-minutes through the bay and to the beautiful Jabaquara Beach.

We shall enjoy our day on the amazing island of Ilhabela and discover the peacefulness of nature, in a tour with our guide in a powerful 4x4 jeep.

Beautiful beaches, more than 300 waterfalls and an enormous variety of the Atlantic Rain Forest's fauna and flora are all factors that helped name the island "Ilhabela" - the beautiful island. Approximately 85% of the island is defined as a National Park and it is one of the last untouched areas of the Atlantic Rainforest.

Depending on the air humidity, there can be the presence of the "Borrachudo" (a type of tiny mosquito). Extra caution is recommended to those who are allergic to insect bites.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

From a privileged viewpoint, we will see modern skyscrapers and broad avenues that contrast with colonial structures and narrow pedestrian malls of downtown. We shall also be able to view the Municipal Theatre and Rio Opera House, inaugurated in 1909 with a discreet elegance, rich in neo-classical inspiration.

For half a century, Rio has been a chic getaway for people from all over the world. It is no wonder why, as this large city and former capital of Brazil sits on one of the world’s most magnificent harbours, surrounded by the most fabulous of beaches! Rio is not only lovely, it is lively. Cariocas, as locals are called, are fun loving people who live to celebrate their proud heritage. Evidence of Portuguese culture abounds in everything from language to food. A colony, a kingdom, an empire and now a republic, the country is shared by descendants of European immigrants, African slaves, Native Indians, Japanese farmers and even Confederate refugees from the US Civil War.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

For those of us who have never experienced Carnival in Rio, tonight's show offers a glimpse of what the excitement is all about. Following dinner onboard, our evening comes alive with a fabulous samba show at one of Rio's most famous nightclubs, Plataforma.

We can discover the highlights of vibrant and captivating Rio as our tour introduces us to one of the most famous cities in the world. Our tour starts with a drive through the downtown commercial district and residential areas en route to Copacabana, Rio’s celebrated curve beach, which is backed by skyscraper hotels and apartments.

Situated in one of the city’s most beautiful regions, lying between the Corcovado Mountain and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the gardens were opened in 1808 and feature over 5000 tropical plants and trees. A stroll along the many paths will allow us to admire the Brazil wood, centenarian mango trees, the majestic imperial palms, the cannonball trees, and the colourful clumps of azaleas and bamboo groves offering shade from the sun and the heat.

This leisurely tour combines a drive through the lush Tijuca Forest and a trip up to Corcovado Mountain – home to Rio’s most famous monument, the statue of Christ – for a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful city.

Salvador, Brazil’s former colonial capital, lies on beautiful Santos Bay. This is a striking city and the largest in the north-east with a population of more than 2,300,000. Its strong African influence derives from the slaves brought to work in the sugar cane fields more than 400 years ago. Their cultural heritage is evident in music, dance, cuisine and the Candomble religion. The African culture is greatly contrasted by the city’s colonial past, with its enduring Portuguese flavour. Like Rio, the people of Salvador know how to celebrate life. They also have their own Carnival at the beginning of each year.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

Salvador boasts multi-colour homes, red-tiled roofs, a bustling market and winding, cobblestone streets. Our tour will allow us to gain a lasting impression of this city’s fascinating sights as we take a glimpse into its interior.

Discover the many faces of Salvador da Bahia during our tour. We will be able to see a glimpse of the city’s intriguing cultural mix of African and European heritage.

On this unique tour we will discover the many contrasts of the city, visiting the modern and the historic sections of the “Land of Happiness”.

After journeying across graceful bridges, we will begin our tour at the splendid Golden Chapel, part of the Convent and Church of Saint Anthony. Its intricate Baroque design, covered in gold leaf, makes it one of the most beautiful and historic examples of religious art in Brazil.

Our exploration of Recife begins aboard our coach with a short drive from the port that will take us to the 16th-century colonial town of Olinda. Here we will leave our coach and board a minivan to traverse the narrow winding streets of this historical centre.

Recife is located on the Atlantic ‘Golden Coast’ of north-eastern Brazil and is the country’s fourth largest city. It is less modern and cosmopolitan than its counterparts and is a relatively new tourist destination, so we may appear a novelty to its inhabitants, particularly in the nearby fishing villages.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

Fortaleza, the capital city of the State of Ceará, has been for decades one of the most popular destinations of Brazilian tourists. In recent years, the fame of Fortaleza has been increasing throughout the world, and the number of Europeans, North and South American travellers coming to Cearás has grown fast.

What attracts so many Brazilian and foreigners to Fortaleza? Rather than pointing out one single reason, it is safer to say that visitors are attracted by a combination of the sunny beaches, the busy and safe nightlife, the delicious culinary opportunities, the rich Brazilian culture, the very peaceful and friendly people.

The currency of Brazil is the Real.

This comprehensive overview will encompass the commercial and residential districts as well as the beach and resort areas of Fortaleza.

Departing the ship we head for the beach! Cumbuco is an exotic beach located only 20 mile west of Fortaleza. It's one of the most popular beaches in the area. The landscape consists of high white sand dunes and coconut trees.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore the ecosystem of the Amazon. The lakes of this section of the river are especially lush, containing a wealth of vegetation.

This tour starts with a drive along the bustling waterfront of Santarem, where boats dock from all over the Amazon. Since boats are the main mode of transportation for people in the region, it is common to see both passenger and cargo vessels transporting many different products to the market.

The first settlement in Santarem was a Jesuit mission built in 1661. Following the American Civil War, a group of Confederates settled here and the American traditions they passed down are still evident in many of the local customs. During the rubber boom of the 1920s, Henry Ford spent US $80 million building an enormous rubber plantation in the area to supply his cars with the raw material to make tyres.

Please note that there may be quite a long walk from the pier (approximately 400 metres) in order to reach the tour vehicles.

Please note that the tour transport used in the Caribbean normally consists of coasters (similar to small mini buses), which do not have suitable storage space to accommodate wheelchairs, therefore unfortunately our tours are not considered suitable for wheelchair users.

From the pier in Santarem, we travel on the Cuiaba Road before continuing south on the Santarem-Cuiaba Highway – the only road connecting this part of the Amazon with other points in Brazil. At this point we will reach an elevation of 158 metres (518 feet), which might be considered the Alps for the Amazon!

The Cape Verdes were a Portuguese colony and there are many traces of this colonial heritage in the towns and villages. Mindelo, on Sao Vincente Island, is fringed by arid mountains and a deep water port that has long been a stopping-off point for transatlantic ships.

The currency of Mindelo is the Cape Verdean Escudo

The Cape Verde Islands emerged from a colonial culture - aspects of this culture are clearly seen on this tour, from its mixed population, buildings, monuments and traditions.

Our tour takes us from the harbour in Funchal up into the mountains, along narrow, winding roads. As we climb higher up into the hills, we will pass pines, acacias and eucalyptus as we head to Terreiro da Luta.

Set within the magnificent Palheiro Estate and lying adjacent to the 5 * Madeira Island Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro – the 18-hole, par 72 Championship golf course meanders through a pristine environment of maritime pine and botanical woodland embroidered with lush, sub-tropical vegetation.

Departing from the quayside in our landrover-style jeeps, our tour will take us inland to one of the most beautiful forest areas of the island, passing through typical streets, which are mainly used to transport agricultural goods that supply the population living in these rural areas.

Henry the Navigator of Portugal, at the beginning of the 15th century, planned to extend his knowledge of the coast of West Africa. In pursuit of this objective, two young sea captains, Joãn Goncalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixaira, were blown off course on their journey around the African coast. After many days at sea they found land on a small island that they called Porto Santo; the year was 1419. It was a year later that the next discovery was made. The captains had reported a possible island on the southern horizon. Approaching the island they were met by huge Atlantic rollers breaking along the north coast, and the boiling turbulence of the crosscurrents at the Ponto São Lourenço. However on rounding the headland they discovered the Bay of Machico, and the heavily forested island they called Madeira.

The currency of Madeira is the Euro.

Our bicycle tour will offer us a fun way to explore the city of Funchal as we wind our way through the interesting streets.

Departing from the quayside we will have a short transfer to the cable car station. On a clear day we will have magnificent views of the madeiran landscape as we travel by cable car to the Monte Tropical gardens!

Leaving the pier, we drive through the city of Funchal for a brief sightseeing tour before continuing to Pico dos Barcelos. Here we can admire the breathtaking panoramic views over the city.

This tour allows us to discover the natural beauty of the island. We begin from Vale Paraiso, where we will walk along the levada – a traditional manmade irrigation system ideal for walkers.

Departing the pier by coach, we shall travel by highway to the village of Machico, the most historical and interesting town on the island! Machico was the landing point of the first discoverers of Madeira, and as such we will discover some beautiful old buildings including the oldest church on the island.

We begin our tour with a drive towards Pico dos Barcelos, from where we can see distant Funchal and its surrounding villages scattered over the green slopes.

Departing from the pier we shall travel to the belvedere of Eira do Serrado, where we will be invited to gaze upon the Curral das Freiras Valley (Nun’s Valley). It is located within a deep valley which has one of the island’s most spectacular landscapes, where dizzying views will take our breath away.

Departing from the pier, we begin our drive towards Pico da Torre, a viewpoint over the small fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. We shall make a brief photo stop at the viewpoint before continuing.