Grand Latin America Discovery

Recife, originally a colonial town in old Brazil, is one of the largest cities in Brazil with a stunning coastline of fine beaches and world class diving, together with excellent golf courses, shopping facilities and attractions.

El Grande! This Grand Voyage exploring Central America and circumnavigating South America promises an invigorating cocktail of culture and landscapes.

Mexico, Honduras and Belize - the heartlands of the ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations, are a tantalising mix of wildliferich jungle and millennium-old ruins tangled in forests. In contrast Colombia's gem is colonial Cartagena - founded on the wealth from gold and silver mines.

San Blas Islands introduce indigenous cultures, whilst Panama's icon is the eponymous canal. Ecuador is your gateway to the extraordinary Galapagos and a close-up wildlife encounter like no other.

Colourful Peru holds the key to Machu Picchu, the Nasca Lines and Chan Chan - the largest adobe city in the world. Towering volcanic Andean peaks, ancient forests of the Lake District, a baffling maze of fjords and the incredible Atacama Desert are all part of Chile's remarkable diversity of nature.

Known for its drum-flat pampas and seductive sounds of the tango, Argentina is where remote and wild Patagonia reaches to the tip of the continent. Here Tierra del Fuego - the 'Land of Fire', embraces ice.

Gloriously isolated the Falkland Islands are a natural paradise in the South Atlantic Ocean, whilst with rolling hills and verdant pastures - Uruguay is the 'Land of the Gaucho.

The land of the mighty Amazon, Brazil brings vast coils of lush rainforest, endless miles of sandy beaches and pulsating cities epitomised by Rio. Where the Andes meet the Caribbean, Venezuela turns the spotlight on the mighty cascade of Angel Falls.

Voyage to the Natural Wonders of Latin America

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay - laid back and lively all at once - has magnificent beaches of white sand and a coral reef just off the coast, which is a favourite destination of snorklers.

Montego Bay - since the 1950's one of the favourite playgrounds of the world's jet set! Nature has been generous to Jamaica - a place Columbus is said to have called "the fairest isle mine eyes ever beheld". From the island's premier resort explore the truly breathtaking Dunn's River Falls, relax on a traditional bamboo raft on idyllic River Lethe, or spot wildlife around Black River Morass - Jamaica's largest wetland area.

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Progreso, Mexico

Infused with flavours of Mexico, Progresso is the start of a journey into an ancient past. Witness how history shapes the present on Yucatan Peninsula where Mayan culture, customs, language and belief remain strong. Visit Dzibilichitun - the 'Place Where the Writing is on the Stones', or the famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza where Kukulkan Pyramid is one of the 'new' Seven Wonders of the World!

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Belize City, Belize

Bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and Caribbean Sea, Belize possesses the second largest Barrier Reef in the world and vast lush tropical rainforests inland.

Five centuries ago finding nothing of interest, Spanish Conquistadors left Belize largely alone, resulting in Belize becoming a base for pirates plundering treasures of the Spanish Main! A pulsating mix of rustic, old-fashioned Caribbean charm and bustling modernity, Belize City introduces one of Central America's most exciting countries. Under a canopy of vast rainforests discover a world teeming with flora and fauna. Altun Ha and Tikal - the 'Place of Voices', uncover the mystery of the ancient Maya. Belize Museum is a historical roadmap on a vibrant past.

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Puerto Cortes, Honduras

Puerto Cortes is Honduras's main sea port and it is considered the most important seaport in Central America.

Copan - the jewel in the Mayan crown of artistic achievement and one of the greatest treasures of art and architecture in the Americas. Beautiful temples, altars and stelae are invaluable to understanding the sophistication of this lost civilisation. Ornithologists will love the natural paradise Lake Yojoa. Both are possible from the bustling port of Puerto Cortes in Honduras - the original banana republic.

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Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Puerto Limon is Costa Rica's main port on the Caribbean, birthplace of United Fruit and capital of Limon Province.

Lying between two oceans, blessed with a stunning collection of natural treasures, Costa Rica is a tropical quilt of many colours. Puerto Limon opens the door on a host of eco adventures. 'Costa Rica's Amazon', Tortuguero Canals, are a fascinating window on wildlife. Ride high through the rainforest canopy, or step back in time and explore age-old farming techniques at a unique, family-owned, century-old 'Hacienda.

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Cartagena, Colombia

Imposing but intimate, wrapped in high stonewalls, Cartagena's Old City has an air of cloistered cosiness. Spanish colonial buildings huddled along cobblestone streets create a palette saturated with deep blue, dusty rose, burnt orange and ochre. A city once filled with silver and gold, the New World's collection point for loot en route to Spain was also at the centre of South America's slave trade.

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San Blas Islands, Panama

The islands of the San Blas Archipelago are strung out along the Caribbean coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the Colombian border.

Strung out along the Caribbean coast a cluster of over 300 islands display a remarkable beauty. Forty-nine of the archipelago are inhabited by Kuna Indians and stepping ashore is a stepping-stone to the past. Watch as they go about their daily business, or ride in local dugout canoes to a neighbouring island. Sands are brilliant white, seas crystalline blue and Kuna Indian crafts just as spectacular.

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Panama Canal, Panama

The Panama Canal allows ships to pass between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, saving about 8000 miles (12,875 km) from a journey around the southern tip of South America, Cape Horn.

Often referred to as 'the eighth wonder of the world', the Panama Canal was built between 1904 and 1914 at an initial cost of $366,650,000. Although it is only half the length of the Suez Canal, it took the same amount of time and cost more than three times as much to build, due to the complexity of the terrain.

Interrupting Discovery's canal transit gives the chance to experience Panama from the 'banks of the canal'. Appreciate the scale and wonder of this engineering achievement from the ground, visit an area rich in natural wonders and wildlife or simply experience Panama on our choice of fascinating excursions.

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Balboa, Panama

Take a day out in vibrant, cosmopolitan Panama City. Beyond the beautiful skyline of gleaming skyscrapers myriad pointers speak volumes about the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific coast that fell foul to pirate Henry Morgan. The past meets the present with a sturdy dug-out canoe ride into the heart of rainforest and a glimpse into the life of the Embera Indian tribe.

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Manta, Ecuador

Manata's main beach, Murcielago, has a modern boardwalk with a variety of restaurants offering local culinary specialties and the region's most delicious drinks.

A commercial centre - the second largest port after Guayaquil - and a thriving holiday centre, Manta and its people are drawn to the shore and its curving Malecon, the promenade that lines the bay. All of life is here - restaurants, bars and their music spill out, with revellers splitting their time between these and favourite beaches like El Murcielago. Don't miss the chance to learn about the many talents of the locals and their ancestors - not least of which is the Panama hat that originated in nearby Montecristi.

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Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador

All economic roads lead to Guayaquil, Ecuador's city with the Midas touch. The 'Pearl of the Pacific' once harboured silver and gold bound for Europe - a magnet for plundering pirates. Today a beacon of modernity, its crowning glory is an immaculate riverside boardwalk. Venture into rural Ecuador and explore the lifestyles that uphold this vibrant city's tradition with trade.

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Salaverry, Peru

Salaverry is the port for Trujillo - founded by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro - and has managed to retain much of its colonial flavour.

Huaca el Dragon and Chan Chan - legacies of the ancient Chimu people, Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna - adobe masterpieces of the great Moche civilisation, Salaverry is the key to an incredible trove of pre-Inca archaeological treasures. Alternatively Trujillo showcases a fascinating colonial past.

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Callao, Peru

Callao - gateway to Lima 'City of Kings'! A rich archaeological heritage, colonial legacies and fine traditions of craftsmanship speak volumes about the city that gained prestige as Viceroyalty of Peru and flourished when 17th century merchants channelled silver bound for Spain through Callao. With an extended stay you have time to view the best private collection of pre-Columbian art at Larco Herrera Museum, visit a hacienda for a breathtaking Paso Horse show, or immerse yourself in the world of the Incas with a superb 2-night tour to discover the 'Lost City' of Machu Picchu.

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General San Martin, Peru

Significant in Peruvian history as the birthplace of Peru's struggle for independence, General San Martin is named after the country's liberator. Enjoy a glimpse into the Inca culture at the ruins of Tambo Colorado, admire the unique flora and fauna native to the Peruvian coastal desert, or enjoy a taste of the Pisco Valley and its famous yellow grape brandy. An option to fly over the incredible Nazca Lines promises a once in a lifetime experience!

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Arica, Chile

Arica is the gateway to archaeological and natural wonders in Lauca National Park, the geoglyphs at Putre, and the high altitude lake Chungara.

The 'City of Eternal Spring', Arica is a green oasis in the middle of the world's driest desert. Learn about the early civilisations that laid its foundations as you follow the trail of the Incas. Sense ancient history in the silence of the desert, for the sands of Atacama hide a mysterious past.

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Coquimbo, Chile

Coquimbo is renowned for the stories of the pirates that attacked the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the heart of the city stands the famous Cross of the Third Millennium. Coquimbo's beautiful beaches are suitable for bathing, water sports and recreational activities.

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Valparaiso, Chile

Valparaiso is famous for its nightlife, especially its bohemian pubs and bars where poets, writers, tango aficionados, and just about everyone else spend hours drinking, dancing, and socializing well into the early morning hours.

A rich labyrinth of brightly-coloured houses clinging to impossibly steep cliffs, bisected by twisting footpaths, stairways and a unique system of funicular cars, Valparaiso is an enchanting, nostalgically bohemian city. In contrast is the fashionable resort Vina del Mar. Streets redolent of the past and avenues leading towards the future, Santiago, both seduces and enlightens.

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Puerto Montt, Chile

The city of Puerto Montt has a beautiful view to the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes and is the starting point for travel to places and tourist attractions in southern Chile.

Hundreds of picturesque lakes, snowcapped peaks and dozens of active volcanoes present a stunning canvas upon which charming towns and quaint villages lend an almost Alpine air to Chile's Lake District. A flight over the spectacular landscape, or cruise on the lake Theodore Roosevelt described as 'the most beautiful lake I have ever seen' are possible from Puerto Montt cradled at the end of an island-studded gulf.

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Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

Home to a spectacular wilderness of deeply cleft fjords, hanging glaciers and snow-covered Andean peaks, the Chilean archipelago is where cascading waterfalls tumble over steep canyon walls, and hundreds of bird species flock to play and feed amidst mist-shrouded islands. Remote, unspoiled and truly one of the last frontiers, Puerto Chacabuco is a window on wildlife and nature in its purest form.

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Chilean Fjords (Cruising)

Enjoy a kaleidoscope of cascading waterfalls, lush islands and glacier-capped mountains.

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Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on Earth, overlooking the Straits of Magellan and sits astride one of the world's historic trade routes.

Punta Arenas - gateway to Patagonia and some of the world's most spectacular scenery. Torres del Paine National Park promises lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, forests and a profusion of wildlife. Nature lovers will adore a close-up encounter with Magellan penguins at Otway Sound. Meet Chile's 'baqueanos' - expert sheepshearers from the Patagonian pampas. A simply breathtaking overland tour to Puerto Montt is possible from Punta Arenas - a haven for great clipper ships during California's gold rush days.

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Cape Horn

Sailing round Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, still remains the most treacherous navigation in the world, owing to notoriously fierce winds, strong swells and often icebergs.

Relax onboard as mv Discovery cruises around the famous Cape Horn.

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Ushuaia, Argentina

Situated on the Beagle Strait, Ushuaia is the capital city of Tierra del Fuego Province, and arguably the southernmost city in the world.

Ushuaia - on its doorstep Tierra del Fuego, the 'land of fire'... and ice! There's a frontier feel about this Argentine outpost that's about as close as the civilised world gets to the 'White Continent'. An almost whimsical wilderness of rugged mountains, forests festooned with luxuriant lichen, glacial peaks and shimmering lakes is the backdrop for an 'End of the World Train Ride'. Follow Charles Darwin on a passage of the breathtaking Beagle Channel.

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Port Stanley, Falklands

Stanley, situated on the isle of East Falkland, is the capital and only true city in the Falkland Islands.

Sapper Hill, Mt William, Fitzroy, Port Pleasant, Wireless Ridge, Darwin and Goose Green, names that paint a vivid picture of the 1982 conflict fought on these shores. Visit the battlefields or explore the capital, whose red phone boxes and English pubs are reminders of a British heritage. Britannia House Museum illustrates the glory days when majestic square-rigged clippers sailed around Cape Horn and Stanley was centrestage of a great seafaring era.

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Puerto Madryn, Argentina

On the wild southeast coast of Patagonia, nature reigns supreme. Puerto Madryn is gateway to the UNESCO recognised Nature Reserve of Peninsula Valdes. This world, ripe with abundant wildlife, promises sea lions, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, the indigenous llama-like guanacos, rheas and squadrons of shore birds. Follow in the footsteps of 150 settlers for an insight into Puerto Madryn's unlikely Welsh roots.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, capital city and gateway to Argentina, is a seductive port city that stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata.

Glass-sheathed skyscrapers cast slender shadows on 19th century Victorian homes, La Boca's pressed tin houses painted a rainbow of colours, and San Telmo where Spanish colonial design coupled with Italian detailing and graceful French classicism embody a multinational heritage. Buenos Aires architectural styles are a mosaic as diverse as the city's culture. Delve into the rural heart of Argentina, or cruise the beautiful Parana River delta. With an overnight stay before your flight to the UK enjoy an evening of entertainment in the city where 'Tango' is part of the fabric!

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Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo is the largest city, the capital and chief port of Uruguay and is home to charming small museums, a lively old city and only a handful of tourists.

A curious mix of old-fashioned formality and laid-back South American style, Uruguay's capital is less well known than its more glamorous neighbours. Lacking none of the glitz and glamour, Punta del Este is Uruguay's exclusive resort frequented by the jet set. Visit an 'Estancia' for an authentic glimpse of Uruguayan life or simply admire the architectural heirlooms adorning Ciudad Vieja - Montevideo's 'Old Town.

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Santos, Brazil

Santos, founded in 1546 by the Portuguese nobleman and explorer Bras Cubas, has many interesting places to visit, such as the Museum of Coffee where visitors learn about the history of Coffee in Brazil. Football enthusiasts will want to see the football memorial, dedicated to the city's greatest players, which includes Pele, who played for Santos Futebol Clube. The beachfront garden, some 5.3km in length, features in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest beachfront garden in the world.

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Ilhabela, Brazil

Former hideout for pirates, smugglers and slave trader haven - since Portuguese explorers discovered the island in 1502, all succumbed to the blatant white-sand, blue-sea beauty of Ilhabela - the 'beautiful island'. Step ashore and you will discover incredible waterfalls, virgin beaches, dense tropical rainforest, and uncover legends of galleons, ships and caravels whose secrets lay hidden in deep Azure seas.

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Paraty, Brazil

Paraty, is a pleasant colonial town founded in 1531, on Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil's south-eastern coast. The historic centre is a national historic monument, where the streets and buildings are preserved and the roads are closed to vehicles.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, is one of Brazil's most spectacular cities for it scenery, beauty, climate, lifestyle, beaches, beautiful people, and world famous annual Carnival.

A natural amphitheatre with the city in the stalls and two granite peaks in the gods, Rio's setting provides the first spectacle. Venture up the iconic Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains, visit one of the world's greatest botanical gardens or mingle with locals on famous Ipanema Beach. Discovery stays two nights in this vibrant, spellbinding city - an eclectic mix of tropical relaxation and cosmopolitan excitement.

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Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Nowhere in South America is closer to Africa than Bahia State. African traditions, music and worship are at the heart of this pulsating city, known for slavery, samba and spice. Explore the one time colonial capital of Brazil, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Recife, Brazil

Recife is one of the largest cities in Brazil and is popular with tourists who come to explore Recife's rich cultural roots and beautiful beaches.

Native Indians, black slaves, Portuguese settlers and Dutch colonists all left their mark on Pernambuco. Behind its capital, Recife's go-ahead, high-rise skyline, old and new scramble together, and on the city's doorstep Olinda is a baroque jewel and Dutch colonial gem. Before an overnight flight to the UK you have time to explore the 'twin cities', cruise the waterways of Brazil's Venice, or relax on the beach 'Boa Viagem.

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Natal, Brazil

4,000 acres of dramatic wind-swept dunes decorated with a sprinkling of natural, clear lakes, Natal is a gateway to spectacular Sahara-like scenery where an exciting dune buggy adventure awaits. 16th century Fort Reis Magos, the fort of 'Three Wise Men', stands a stoic reminder of the city's European past. Natal - meaning 'Christmas', was founded by Portuguese explorers on December 25th, 1599.

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Fortaleza, Brazil

Jangadeiros' - local fishermen aboard jangadas - crude log rafts with triangular sails, skim Fortaleza's green waters as they have for centuries. In the city, artisans handcraft gossamer pieces of heirloom lace. Tradition is very much alive if you look beyond Fortaleza's impressive, sprawling skyline! Cachaca is Brazil's national spirit, the essential ingredient in a caipirinha. Sip one on Cumbuco Beach - one of Brazil's best-kept secrets.

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Belem, Brazil

Belem, at the mouth of the Amazon River, is a large city with millions of inhabitants and is one of Brazil's busiest ports. It has a long and varied history as colonial port, wealthy from the rubber boom, and retains the charm of tree filled squares, churches and traditional blue tiles.

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Santarem, Brazil

Santarem, first settled in 1661 by Jesuit priests, is a city of about 200,000 people and is the second largest Brazilian city on the Amazon River.

Numerous riverboats tied up along the pier, some unloading goods and produce, others transportation for far-flung river communities. Santarem - surrounded by lakes and lush forests, is the hub of Middle Amazon. Take a look at the simplicity of the Amazonian way of life, or an eco-adventure in Santa Lucia Forest Reserve. Cruise to the 'Wedding of the Waters' where the crystalline waters of the Tapajos meet the murkier waters of the Amazon running side by side before entwining like a braid of hair.

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Boca da Valeria, Brazil

This small Indian village, where you can buy handmade crafts, is hidden in the midst of the jungle lakelands where the screeches of colourful parrots fill the air and trees stand waist-high in water.

A one-room school, a small church and an even smaller museum greet our arrival by tender on the shores of the Amazon. Tucked against the forest canopy, this typical village is home to a population of about 75 locals of Indian and Portuguese descent. Stepping ashore where the Valeria River meets the Amazon, visitors will be greeted by the children, decked out with exotic pets that range from parakeets to iguanas. In exchange for a small gift, they will happily give you a tour of their homes, built on stilts to cope with rising water levels during the rainy season.

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Manaus, Brazil

Manaus is 900 miles (1,450 km) inland from the Atlantic in the heart of Amazonia, and a hub of tourism for the rivers, the jungle tours and the river cruises.

Following one of the tributaries that leads from the Amazon, Discovery will reach the meeting of the waters. This unique phenomenon sees the Rio Negro run for miles side by side with the Rio Solimoes. Watch as the waters, with their distinct colours and densities, run alongside each other.

One thousand miles up the Amazon lies its greatest city: Manaus. Hemmed in by the rainforests, this is an unlikely place to find an ornate opera house. Built in 1896 on the crest of the city's rubber boom, the spectacular three-tiered theatre gathers together a variety of styles. Elsewhere, our visit to the region is an opportunity to admire the giant Victoria Regia water lilies, their pads stretching up to seven feet across!

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Parintins, Brazil

Parintins is a large city which is world famous for the Boi Bumba Festival, said to be second only to Carnival in Rio, that happens over three nights every year in June.

Oblong riverboats moor shoulder to shoulder along the shores of island Parintins - an island city that lies in the midst of the Amazon.

A highlight of the calendar is the annual Boi Bumba parade, led by the competing schools of Caprichose and Garantido. Tradition dictates that one must watch the other in absolute silence while the opposition cheers madly, before the roles are reversed. Celebrated in June, this festival is something the locals work towards around the year until the floats, dancers and actors come together to parade around the appropriately named Bumbodromo, a stadium built in the shape of a bull.

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Alter do Chao, Brazil

Alter do Chao - the sandbar directly in front of the town forms a picturesque white-sand island, known as Ilha do Amor (Island of Love) and is the subject of a thousand postcards.

You'll be amazed by the clear waters that lap the bay at Alter do Chao, a favourite weekend escape for city dwellers of nearby Santarem.

A walk through the forest leads to the top of a conical hill or another shaped like a church altar, from which the village gets its name. Take in the dramatic views of the Tapajos River where it meets the Amazon, or browse the collection of original Indian Art in the museum with its distinctive painted adobe walls.

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Cruising Amazon River, Brazil

Experience an exciting cruise along the mighty Amazon River, the second longest river in the world. Discover the rainforest - a dark green world densely interlaced with leaves, trunks and creepers. Along its scrawl of tributaries and lagoons indigenous tribes still live traditional lives.

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Macapa, Brazil

Macapa, situated at the mouth of the mighty Amazon River, is surrounded by encroaching jungle and the lush greenery of the Brazilian rainforest.

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Devils Island, French Guiana

Ile Royale - in the ruins of the penitentiary hospital artistic convicts have left frescoes and drawings giving a naive and restrained impression of their everyday life.

Step ashore on tiny Ile Royale where prison ships once landed cargoes of hardened criminals. The remains of barracks, prison headquarters, a chapel, watchtower and prison hospital illustrating the words immortalised in Henri Charriere's 'Papillon'. From across the strait - secure and inaccessible due to rocky shores, strong currents and dangerous seas - spy Devil's Island, the place from where there was no return and the most infamous prison in history!

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Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

The idyllic Maracas Beach is the closest to the capital, Port-of-Spain, and is a favourite for swimming, body surfing or simply enjoying the mesmerizing waves.

The birthplace of Calypso, a multicultural melting pot stirred by the descendents of settlers from Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, Trinidad today is very different from the island Christopher Columbus set foot on in 1498. Venture away from the glitter and bustle of Port of Spain - Trinidad's lively capital, to Caroni Nature Sanctuary where wildlife and birds live amidst an almost surrealistic beauty.

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La Guaira, Venezuela

La Guaira is your gateway to Caracas - a vibrant, modern metropolis nestled in the shadow of lush Avila Mountain. Take a cable car to its lofty heights and look down on an eclectic mix of soaring skyscrapers juxtaposed with sprawling shantytowns. Follow in the footsteps of the city's most famous son, South America's revolutionary hero, Simon Bolivar.

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Aruba, Aruba

Aruba - discovered by the Spanish, colonised by the Dutch and a clandestine hideaway for pirates and buccaneers, who preyed on ships transporting treasures back to the Old World! Step ashore and discover mysterious ochre-coloured rock drawings, divi-divi trees sculpted into graceful shapes by constant trade winds, and a unique desert landscape with tall cacti, aloe and great tumbles of boulders standing like a legacy of ancient angry gods.

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Fares

Cabin Type Fare
£
2 Bed Inside from 11469
2 Bed Outside from 11619
Suite from 17629

Additional Information:

To enquire about this cruise please contact Bawtry Travel by completing the Cruise Enquiry Form in the right hand column.