Atlantic Islands & Brazilian Icons

Funchal, the capital of Portugal's Madeiran archipelago, has a timeless old-world charm. Enhanced by a subtropical climate that fills this 'floating garden' with the year-round colours and perfumes of flowers and fruit, Funchal was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill. His praise of the city has ensured British visitors always receive a warm welcome from locals.

Backed by rolling hills, the town is famous for its harbour, the 17th century São Tiago Fortress (now the Contemporary Art Museum) and world renowned Madeiran wine cellars. Funchal’s parks and gardens are a delight, and a hike through the Laurel Forest nearby is highly recommended. The ancient Funchal Cathedral mixes Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and is noted for its impressive carved wooden ceiling.

Sophisticated Santa Cruz - Tenerife's capital - is built around boulevards and wide avenues that link elegant squares and parks.

Well-preserved buildings feature in the old town, including the colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception and the 18th century Palacio de Carta, which has impressive Baroque and neoclassical features. Recently redesigned by the architects Herzog & de Meuron, the city’s largest square, Plaza de España, is a pleasant spot to lose a few hours. Lively beaches such as Playa de Las Americas are within easy reach of Santa Cruz too. 

Away from the capital, many of Tenerife's highlights await on tours, including the exotic Botanical Gardens or the mystical lava stone Pyramids of Guimar. Exploring the volcanic El Teide National Park to marvel at majestic Mount Teide, or even climb Spain's highest peak, is an unmissable experience. 

The port city of Mindelo in the volcanic archipelago of Cape Verde, retains many features of its colonial past, and is known for its music, carnival atmosphere and blend of Portuguese traditions and Brazilian style.

Situated in Porto Grande Bay, Mindelo is surrounded by low mountains and boasts some of the best sea views and scenery in the region. The coastline is awash with natural points of interest, while the man-made Fortim d'El Rei – an abandoned fort that sits on top of a hill above Mindelo port – is well worth a visit.

The Municipal Market, with its vast fish market, is fascinating, as are the well-preserved Governor’s Palace and City Hall – both attractive examples of Portuguese-style architecture. The Torre de Belém is a scaled-down replica of the ancient tower in Lisbon. The fine, wide esplanades around the harbour offer a host of interesting little cafés and tiny shops.

The festival city of Salvador has an energy and an austere beauty that rivals any Latin city. Originally the capital of Portugal's New World colony, Brazil’s ‘Capital of Happiness’ is a living museum of 17th and 18th century architecture and gold-laden churches.

Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian culture comes alive in the endless carnivals, parties and celebrations that make any visit a joy to behold. This vibrant atmosphere takes over the city regularly and visitors are encouraged to join in and soak up the immersive sights and sounds. Alternatively, the city's beautiful beaches like Porto de Barra, are the perfect place to relax, soak up the sunshine and get away from it all.  

Clinging to the hills above a sparkling island-dotted bay, the city’s Portuguese colonial architecture is on full show in the Pelourinho neighbourhood. This historic heart with cobblestone alleys opening onto large squares and baroque churches, is home to the lavishly-decorated São Francisco Church and Convent.

Divided into an upper and lower section, the city is easy to navigate and the imposing public buildings in the cliff top Cidade Alta (Upper City) – monuments to the wealth generated by sugar-cane and tobacco, demand discovery. Elsewhere in the UNESCO-listed historic centre, the multi-coloured homes with red-tiled roofs, great market, and some 300 churches make this photogenic city irresistible.

Planted between lush, forest-covered mountains and breath-taking beaches, Rio de Janeiro – the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City) – has many charms at her disposal, and is a rich melting pot of cultures.

Famed for its Carnival and Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the samba-fuelled nightlife and raucous football matches of this huge, iconic Brazilian seaside city more than delivers on its romantic promise.

Home to the glorious 38-metre Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mount Corcovado and the stunning Sugarloaf Mountain, a remarkable granite peak with cable cars to its summit, truly make Rio a place like no other. Music is the city’s heartbeat; a soundtrack that blends rock, bossa nova, funk and, of course, samba – the African influenced beat that’s synonymous with Rio.

Carnival means parade floats, flamboyant costumes and samba dancers, and Rio’s festival is considered the world’s largest. Other occasions for partying around town include funk parties in the favelas (shanty towns) and boat parties on the bay. Food is a treasured part of local life, with its dishes roots deep in African and European traditions. Cuisine options vary from meaty churrascarias, tasty feijoadas, vibrant street food and gourmet restaurant selections.

Rio is far more than just a frantic seaside resort, and the area offers access to some outstanding outdoor adventures: hiking in the Tijuca rainforest, cycling alongside the lake and beaches and sailing across Baía de Guanabara.

Stretched along the banks of the beautiful Rio de la Plata, Montevideo – South America’s southernmost capital city – is a remarkable place to visit. With stunning natural landscapes to explore, an exciting city centre and a vibrant culture to discover, Uruguay’s lively capital caters to all.

The city revolves around the Plaza de la Independencia, once the site of a Spanish citadel. The Ciudad Vieja (the Old City) is home to many of Montevideo’s most beautiful historic buildings, including the 26-storey Palacio Salvo – once the tallest building in South America, the neoclassical performance hall, Solís Theatre, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. A number of these iconic buildings have recently been converted into stylish cafes, bars, fashionable shops and art galleries.

Mercado del Puerto is an old port market located by the city’s harbour and has also been refurbished to create one of the city’s most exciting spots. An array of charming shops and mouth-watering steakhouses can be uncovered, while the street entertainers and artists build a real buzz of excitement.

Stretched out along the Rio de la Plata, the nation’s capital, Buenos Aires, is a rich mix of European splendour and Latino passion. Its centre, Plaza de Mayo, is lined with impressive 19th century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace. It’s also the location of the Pirámide de Mayo, built to celebrate  Argentina's independence in 1810. 

French and Italian-style palaces grace the Avenida de Mayo, while other attractions include the Teatro Colón opera house, and the modern MALBA museum, which exhibits Latin American art. The city’s complexity is exemplified by the diverse architecture, unique urban landscape and boulevards lined with cafes, shops and galleries.

The food scene is increasingly dynamic, and satisfying the craving for one of the region's famously-juicy steaks is easy given Parrillas (steakhouses) sit on virtually every corner. A late-night cone of the local caramel ice-cream is a popular favourite, and an evening in this energetic city can be finished off with music and dancing in one of the many jazz clubs and tango bars.