South America
It's difficult to describe South America in just a few words as
it is so diverse, untamed and contradictive. One side shows you
cities, sophistication and cosmopolitan living. The other shows you
wild mountain ranges, lush green rainforests, staggering coastlines
and tremendous waterfalls.
Argentina kicks us off with the main port of call being Buenos
Aires. Here you will be whisked away in a world where everything
moves fast. Colour flashes everywhere and seductive music plays
from street cafes. This is the home of the Tango after all, the
dance of passion. Argentina stirs your soul like no other place on
earth.
Lima is the capital of Peru, and one of the largest cities in
South America. Local customs include bartering at the markets and
taking a tipple of Pisco, the country's national drink. After
one or two of those, you'll be ready for anything, including
sightseeing in a range of museums and Monasteries. When the day
comes to a close, Parque Del Amor, the most romantic setting in the
city overlooks the Pacific and is the place to be at sunset.
Columbia's port of call is Cartagena, a picturesque Spanish port
surrounded by a fortress wall. Named after the famous port on the
coast of Spain, Cartagena grew as the main point of departure for
South Americans. It has a mix of Spanish, Indigenous, African and
Caribbean influences, making it a melting pot of cultures.
Beautiful leather crafts can be bought in the shopping areas, the
most popular being Pierino Gallo Mall. For people watching, Plaza
de Bolivar is the place to be.
Cozumel in Mexico is our next stop, although better known for
being the gem of the Mexican Caribbean than South American.
Located just off the Yucatan Peninsula, diving and snorkelling are
the most popular past times here due to the exquisite coral reefs.
However, when you're not swimming with the fish amongst the coral,
there's gold and silver jewels to be bought in San Miguel, plus
bars and restaurants galore. Sounds like heaven!
Chile is yet another land of contrasts. Turn one way and see
snowcapped mountains, turn the other and see the giant pacific
ocean. At the tip of the Americas, Chile is also home to fjords and
glaciers, rich vineyards and vast plains. You have to see it for
yourself to believe it. Sailing around Cape Horn is possibly one of
the most sought after experiences, with the Tierra Del Fuego
National Park attracting most visitors for it's wildlife.
Brazil, the carnival capital of the world has so much to offer.
Rio de Janeiro is the most well known port of call, with the world
famous Christ The Redeemer standing tall above the city. You can't
walk far without a parade sweeping you along into their dance, a
perfect chance to let your hair down and be one of the crowd.
Montevideo in Uruguay presents you with European architecture
mixed with South American cowboy style living. Even more confusing
is the long white sandy beach in one hand, and cafes, museums and
theatres in the other. Montevideo is Uruguay's only major city, and
the locals often travel out to Buenos Aires or San Paulo for big
city life but it offers a real insight into life and culture of
Uruguay, and is a must see for any cruiser.
Possibly one of the most sought after cruise destinations, The
Panama Canal is a once in a lifetime experience. Completed
100 years ago, its history is rich, with stories of human tragedy
and engineering triumphs. Taking in both Caribbean islands and
Mexican resorts, the canal is not quite what you would expect at
first sight. The season for cruising spreads from September to
April but most travellers prefer to avoid the rain season in
November.
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