Punta Arenas to Rio de Janeiro

Punta Arenas or ‘Sandy Point,’ is the most prominent settlement on the Strait of Magellan and the capital of Chile’s Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region. Founded in 1848, Punta Arenas was originally a remote military garrison and penal colony. Today, it is the charming gateway for a number of exhilarating experiences viewing the awesome majesty of Torres del Paine with its soaring peaks and rugged beauty .

Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile. For years it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. After the opening of the Panama Canal, the need for ships to sail around the horn was greatly reduced. However, sailing around the Horn is widely regarded as one of the most difficult challenges in yachting, and it is still included in several prominent ocean yacht races.

Located about 480 miles northeast of Cape Horn, the Falklands Islands are the most easily accessible sub-Antarctic islands. The English navigator, John Davis, aboard the Desire made the first confirmed sighting of the Islands in 1592. The Falklands have been a disputed area between Great Britain and Argentina. Argentina invaded and occupied the islands in April 1982, spurring a British counter-invasion that June. With all the charm of a rural English village, Stanley is characterized by its bright rooftops, red telephone boxes, shops, and local pubs. Nearby is the Grave Cove penguin colony.

Situated snugly in a well-protected bay of the Golfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn is the Chubut region’s natural access point for the plains of Patagonia, a vast area covering a third of the country, but occupied by less than four percent of the population. The area was originally settled by a group of adventurous Welsh immigrants some 120 years ago. Although the town appears today unmistakably Argentine, Welsh customs, names and even some of the language have survived. Purto Madryn is your portal to the amazing nature reserves of Punta Tomba and the Peninsula Valdes.

Laid-back Montevideo is home to nearly half of Uruguay’s population. The relatively small capital is the nation’s only major city, yet visitors do not come here in search of the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis. It is said that Montevideanos themselves travel to Buenos Aires and São Paulo when they crave big city excitement. As Uruguay’s cultural, political and economical center, the city boasts a good number of monuments, museums and impressive architecture.

Rivaling Madrid or Paris for sophistication and culture, the tree-lined boulevards of fashionable Buenos Aires are home to superb restaurants, art galleries, museums, the magnificent Teatro de Colon and the brightly colored houses of La Boca barrio. As the sun sets, Recoleta awakens and the passionate melodies of the tango rise from the milangas along San Telmo’s cobbled streets. Few cities in South America share the ambiance, lifestyle and amenities that make Buenos Aires so endearing.

Rivaling Madrid or Paris for sophistication and culture, the tree-lined boulevards of fashionable Buenos Aires are home to superb restaurants, art galleries, museums, the magnificent Teatro de Colon and the brightly colored houses of La Boca barrio. As the sun sets, Recoleta awakens and the passionate melodies of the tango rise from the milangas along San Telmo’s cobbled streets. Few cities in South America share the ambiance, lifestyle and amenities that make Buenos Aires so endearing.

There’s a little bit of Carnival celebrated here everyday. From its famous beaches to its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio radiates an air of exuberance that is hard to find anywhere else. Make the scene on trendy Ipanema or take a cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Sway your hips to the rhythm at a samba show or enjoy the tranquility of king Dom João VI’s Botanical Gardens and verdant Tijuca Forest.