2015

Nestled between the continent's two giants, Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is the second-smallest country in South America. Punta del Este, or the 'Peninsula of the East,' is a charming city, a picturesque peninsula known for its beautiful beaches and beautiful people. This bustling seaside resort plays perennial host to international film festivals and yachting events and is home to global jet-setters. But in addition to its glorious beaches, glamorous casinos, chic boutiques and divine dining opportunities, Punta del Este showcases a plethora of cultural attractions and museums. Photograph the open-air art collection and iconic The Hand sculpture at Brava Beach, and peruse the collection of contemporary and surrealist art at the Ralli Museum. Just outside of town, you will find Casapueblo, a museum-residence artistically constructed to resemble a huge sculpture, which served as the home of one Uruguay's most innovative artists, Carlos Paez Vilaro. And for a bit of added fun, cross La Barra, the unique undulating bridge. Traversing it is like riding a mini rollercoaster!

 

This is the time to personalize your cruise experience—you can participate in any or all the activities scheduled onboard or do nothing more strenuous than lift an umbrella drink while reading a book poolside.

 

Brazil's third largest island, famed for its tropical scenery and gorgeous beaches, has an unusual history. It was once a leper colony and later a prison. Today the entire island is a protected area and is home to a tiny beachfront town, Vila do Abraão, where cars are banned. With fine-grain sand and clear turquoise waters, the two-mile-long Lopes Mendes Beach is virtually a postcard. Another picture-album sight is Abraão Cove, considered the most beautiful bay on the island.

 

"Passionate" best captures the wild beauty and heady sensuality that is Rio de Janeiro. For Rio is the Cidade Maravilhosa - the "Marvelous City" that throbs to a samba beat and revels in the hedonism of Carnival. There is no place on Earth like Rio - as the city natives, the famed Cariocas, delight in telling you. The geographical facts read like dry dust: over five million souls live in the city, another four million live in the surrounding suburbs, the metropolis is the cultural center of Brazil. The reality is Rio: the white sand beaches of Copacabana, the swaying palm trees, the immense statue of Christ the Redeemer and always the never-ending rhythm of life lived with passionate intensity.

Founded in the early 16th century, Rio was once the capital of Brazil. The city remains the nation's cultural and spiritual center, an amalgam of Latin and African cultures.

 

Buzios is a land of beaches, with more than 20 in all. Just within walking distance of the tender pier lie the Praia de Armação and the Praia dos Ossos beaches. But if you prefer something a bit more private, head to Praia Tucuns or the Praia dos Amores ("Beach of Love"), popular with romantic couples. A "must" for any visitor to Buzios is a stroll along the mile-long Rua das Pedras, named for its beautiful stones. Lined with shops and restaurants, it's right on the ocean and a great place to enjoy refreshments and to people-watch.

 

Step onto Ilhabela, or "Beautiful Island", and you'll instantly understand why it was given its name. Green mountains, emerald green waters and golden sand beaches welcome you to this kaleidoscope of natural wonders, an archipelago off the mainland of Brazil. Almost 85% of the island's 350,000 square miles is designated as Ilhabela State Park and no further development is allowed. The 25 miles of beaches and the costal Atlantic rainforest delight visitors with their unspoiled beauty.

Discovered in 1502 by Américo Vespúcio, Ilhabela has a rather colorful past, having once served as a haven for pirates and smugglers. The local waters are rumored to hide over 50 shipwrecks?no wonder the island is a favorite destination for scuba divers! Water sports is just one of the many reasons outdoor enthusiasts flock to Ilhabela. Hikers enjoy around 300 waterfalls that thunder into the ocean and sailing enthusiasts enjoy the favorable winds that have earned Ilhabela an international reputation in nautical circles. On dry land, you can explore the charming downtown area with its graceful colonial buildings, museums, and restaurants. Fresh seafood is always on the menu and you'll want to be sure to try the shrimp, rumored to be the best in Brazil!

 

This is the time to personalize your cruise experience—you can participate in any or all the activities scheduled onboard or do nothing more strenuous than lift an umbrella drink while reading a book poolside.

 

This is the time to personalize your cruise experience—you can participate in any or all the activities scheduled onboard or do nothing more strenuous than lift an umbrella drink while reading a book poolside.

 

Founded in the early 16th century, Buenos Aires was transformed from a colonial port into a cosmopolitan metropolis - the "Paris of the South" - by the cattle boom of the 1880s. As in the American West, boom was followed by bust. But that did not stop Buenos Aires from becoming the city it is today. With its air of haunted grandeur, Buenos Aires is a place of icy intellect and smoldering passion. It is a city where the elegant Colon Theater, one of the world's great opera houses, stands in counterpoint to the working class barrios that gave birth to the tango. Perhaps the city's enigmas and contradictions are best embodied by its two most famous citizens - the reclusive librarian and literary genius Jorge Luis Borges and the showgirl turned First Lady, Evita Peron.