The Grand Voyager No-Fly Cruise

Tram in Valparaiso, Chile.

The ultimate Grand Voyage starting and finishing on British shores. Studded in the Atlantic you'll discover gloriously isolated archipelagos - each showcasing a remarkable diversity of nature. In the warm Caribbean step ashore on idyllic islands with coconut tree-clad mountains and verdant valleys of sugar cane fringed by powder sand beaches and colourful coral gardens. Delve deeper and you'll unveil the unique character and fascinating history of each.

Central America promises a bounty of natural and historic wonders. Uncover the mysteries of the ancient Maya, unlock the secrets of the rainforest and step ashore in cities where architecture reflects the cultures of conquerors past. South America is truly a 'World in One Continent' - an amalgam of primitive and sophisticated, spiritual and spectacular, tropical rainforest and endless beaches, snow-capped mountains and ochre-red desert! Discover sizzling capitals, and cities a curious mix of modern and old-world glamour. Get close to extraordinary wildlife and admire vast sweeps of nature's pristine beauty. The heart of this remarkable continent and at the heart of this Grand Voyage - a wealth of amazing discoveries awaits along the shores of the mighty Amazon.

Portsmouth, England

The historic port of Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Navy and to renowned ships HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and Mary Rose.

Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city, which is mainly located on Portsea Island.

As a significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use and also home to some famous ships, including the HMS Warrior and Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory. Although smaller than in its heyday, the naval base remains a major dockyard and base for the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Commandos whose Headquarters resides there.

The Spinnaker Tower is a striking recent addition to the city's skyline. It can be found in the redeveloped former HMS Vernon, an area of retail outlets, restaurants, clubs and bars now known as Gunwharf Quays.

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La Coruna, Spain

Corunna is part of the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia, a region of vast green landscapes with a rich Celtic and Roman heritage which keeps, still today, a mystic and magic allure.

Unique, glass-fronted balconies! 'Galerias' are the dazzling facade of La Coruna - Galicia's 'Crystal City'. On an elevated headland the world's oldest working lighthouse 'Torre de Hercules' is witness to a fascinating maritime past. Footprints of Christian pilgrims lead to the third most important place in Christendom. The Illustrious shrine of Santiago de Compostela dedicated to St James - recognised by UNESCO, is one of the world's great cities, and undoubtedly the jewel in Galicia's historic and medieval crown.

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Funchal, Madeira

Funchal is nestled in a great natural amphitheatre, facing the blue Atlantic with a backdrop of dramatic mountains.

A stepping-stone on this Columbus trail from the Old World to the New, Madeira isa heady mix of beautiful dramatic scenery, fascinating history and rich culture. At theheart of the island Pico Ruivo is a dormantpeak of volcanic origin. Verdant foliageswathes spectacular landscapes wheredeep ravines plunge down towards cliffstowering above the mighty Atlantic. Cradledat the heart of a natural amphitheatre, Funchal - the island's capital, is the perfect introduction to the 'Floating Garden.

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St. Kitts, Basseterre/Nevis

Rising from the Caribbean Sea, graceful green slopes culminating in cloud-topped heights against a striking surreal blue sky, St Kitts is an island whose recorded history began when Christopher Columbus sailed past on his second voyage, but did not land. It was at one time the oldest and wealthiest of the British colonies in the Caribbean and when Brimstone Hill, a vast fortress, was built to keep intruders out, St Kitts became known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies.Step aboard the 'Sugar Train' and enjoy aliving link to the past when sugar ruled the island economy.

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Antigua, British West Indies

Antigua is a limestone and coral island renowned for its numerous coves, bays, 365 white sand beaches and clear turquoise-coloured waters.

Although it was Christopher Columbus who named Antigua after Santa Maria la Antigua - the miracle-working saint of Seville, it wasthe arrival in 1684 of Britain Sir Christopher Codrington that had the greatest impacton the island. For centuries Antigua was agiant sugar factory. Ruined fortifications, theimpeccably restored architecture of English Harbourtown and Nelson's Dockyard - asplendid memorial to the famous admiral, illustrate a fascinating colonial history. Leisurely exploration is the key on this island. Where the pace of life is 'easy' and can include a 4 x 4 rainforest safari, uniquekayak adventure. Or simply try any of its 365 beaches - one for every day of the year!

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Martinique, French West Indies

Martinique is the ideal island for beach lovers, foodies, divers, hikers, and especially Franco?philes with its long luscious beaches, excellent diving facilities, and plenty of hiking and nature tails on the slopes of the still-smouldering Mont Pelee.

Chic, classy and tres Francais! Yet with a truly Creole beat pulsing endearing Indian warmth through Martinique's heart and veins, Fort de France is a unique combination of Nice and New Orleans. Its capital and gateway to this 'Little Bit of France in the Caribbean' where sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations surround fine black, white and peppered sand beaches. A host of wild flowers adorn the slopes of brooding Mont Pelee, whilst charming St Pierre testifies to the volcano's velocity.

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Barbados, Briitish West Indies

Barbados - affectionately known as 'Little England', a certain Britishness pervades daily life, from place names such Clapham, Dover, Hastings and Lancaster to driving on the left, roundabouts and afternoon tea.

Old and new, elegance and simplicity, people, style and structure blend harmoniously to weave the richly textured fabric of everyday life on an island where the simple 'chattel house' sits boldly in the splendour of wealthy estates, and where the movie star lives alongside the cane cutter. Barbados is truly charismatic, and yet has a unique charm. Step ashore in Bridgetown and discover the island - one of few in the Caribbean that went undiscovered by Christopher Columbus!

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St. Lucia, British West Indies

St. Lucia is stunningly beautiful with its mountainous interior and breathtaking, unforgettable spires of Les Pitons.

Morne Fortune - the Hill of Good Luck, Marigot Bay, Pigeon Island and La TocBattery, illustrate for more than one and a half centuries St Lucia was at the heart of intense Anglo-French colonial rivalry. Turn back the pages on a fascinating history and along the way you will discover an island that is a small, lush, tropical gem. Whether Columbus did in fact discover St Lucia on his fourth voyage in 1502, or merely sailed close by, what is undisputed is the island's simply breathtaking beauty.

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Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe's two main islands - Basse Terre and Grande Terre - are separated by a long, narrow sea channel, and linked together by the Point de la Gabare bridge that is built over the river Salee.

Guadeloupe - a sweet and spicy fusion of landscapes, lifestyle and liquor! The 'Butterfly Island' with Basse Terre awash with exuberant, lush, tropical rainforest and Grand Terre perfect for the sugar plantations and distilleries of Guadeloupe's traditional rum. The island's stunning beauty is rivalled only by the magic of its underwater world recognised by legendary Jacques Cousteau. Your portal on the island - Pointe-a-Pitre, is peppered with colonial architecture and a dash of West Indian flavour - Gallic charm with a tropical twist.

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Montserrat, Montserrat

For 400 years Soufriere Hills volcano lay dormant, then in 1995 it stirred. This still volcano erupted spectacularly and Plymouth - Montserrat's capital became a modernday Pompeii. Once a refuge for persecuted Irish Catholics and Irish political prisoners sent by Cromwell, Montserrat is the Caribbean's 'Emerald Isle'. With beguiling black sand beaches this Caribbean treasure is spectacular by nature!

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Grenada, British West Indies

Grenada (also known as the "island of spice") is a volcanic island with a mountainous interior, lush tropical jungles, waterfalls, beautiful beaches, historic forts, the fragrance of spices and flowers, island rum and home-brewed aphrodisiacs.

Traces of nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa linger on the breeze in Grenada - the Caribbean 'Island of Spice'. The volcanic island's lush, green hills always held a seductive charm, yet for a century and a half the Caribs repulsed all attempts at European settlement. Commanding the heights overlooking St. George Harbour, Fort George and Fort Frederick are monuments to French and British successes.

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Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Tobago is the smaller of the two main islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and has sparkling seas and peaceful beaches, stunning coral reefs, including the famous Buccoo Reef, which is a protected marine park.

Many forts and batteries dot Tobago's landscape hinting at a thrilling past. Attacks by Amerindian on early settlers, battles for control between European powers, fierce slave revolts, and pirates are all part of an exciting history. Today the serene island is perhaps the last of the 'virgin' Caribbean. Home to the oldest protected forest reserve in the western hemisphere, Tobago contrasts rolling hills against wave-beaten shores - the perfect canvas to create your own Lesser Antilles experience.

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Margarita Island, Venezuela

Isla Margarita, the 'island of pearls'. When Spanish 'conquistadores' stepped ashore Guaiqueri Indians received them with open arms, later becoming slaves to their own wealth. Forts dotting the landscape illustrate a fascinating history of notorious pirates. Porlamar is springboard to a wealth of natural and historical treasures. Cruise the mangroves in La Restinga National Park or visit Asuncion with old cathedrals a legacy of Spanish invaders.

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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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Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

Curacao is one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean, with hidden coves that reveal an emerald-blue sea, arcs of golden beaches, and where a rich historical heritage meets Caribbean vitality.

African culture beats like a proud and joyous heart throughout the island whose centuriesold, colonial buildings add a dash of European flavour. Explore Willemstad with Dutch-gabled buildings reflected in placid canals and an exotic floating market, or Hato Caves - a surreal underground world with a mystical lake and ancient Indian petroglyphs.

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Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Unhurried, Unspoiled, Unforgettable; Diver's Paradise - just some of the descriptions written about Bonaire, a small island located in the southern Caribbean. It is known for its pioneering role in the preservation of nature, in particular the preservation of the marine environment, and for its excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, among other things.

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Santo Domingo, Dominican

Oldest city in the New World where settlement of the Americas began, Santo Domingo is a mix of Old World charm and modern Latin flair, its present day splendour nurtured by a rich colonial past. Follow in the footsteps of Diego Columbus down narrow, cobblestone streets that seem lost in oblivion. The colonial area showcases a cathedral, fortress, hospital, monastery, palace and university and all justifiably claim to be America's first.

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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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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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George Town, Grand Cayman Island, Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands - first sighted and logged by Christopher Columbus on 10 May 1503 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He named the islands Las Tortugas after the large number of sea turtles observed there. Sir Francis Drake visited the islands in 1586 and he subsequently named them "Cayman" after caiman, a Neo-Taino word for "alligator". George Town, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, and its largest city. Grand Cayman's Seven Mile beachis one of the finest beaches in the world with lots of pure white sand and crystal clear tropical water.

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Havana, Cuba

Havana - a city like no other in the world - with its lively street culture and Fifties cars.

Havana - a name that evokes images of antique cars, king-size cigars and revolution. Once the jewel in Spain's imperial crown, Old Havana is a living, breathing piece of history. An overnight stay gives you the chance of an unforgettable evening at the famous Tropicana Night Club, and time to explore the 'heart of Cuba' once described by Ernest Hemingway as having beauty only surpassed by Paris or Venice.

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Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau, with its tropical, tree-lined streets, policemen in white starched jackets and colourful pith helmets, has been the vibrant capital of The Bahamas right back to when the pirate Blackbeard was a local.

Blackbeard, Henry Morgan and Anne Bonney, names that conjure images of Nassau's vibrant, swashbuckling pirate past! Today the city's image is more one of glitz, glamour and a candy-pink, somewhat 'ontemporary', colonial charm. Explore tree-lined streets filled with horse-drawn surreys, ruled by policemen in whitestarched jackets and colourful pith helmets. Take a glass bottomed boat ride over the world famous Sea Gardens and along the waterfront lined with glamorous celebrity homes. Visit Ardastra Gardens where the marching pink flamingos' military precision is truly amazing!

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Hamilton, Bermuda

The port of Hamilton with its charming pastel-coloured two-story buildings along Front Street, has plenty of sightseeing attractions which are best visited by strolling through this beautiful port town.

Discovery's home port, relaxed and sophisticated Hamilton maintains the atmosphere of a distinguished yacht club. Masts bob and clatter in the gentle breeze that sweeps across these coral islands' many coves and beaches. Sightseeing choices include the Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum and Zoo, all based at Flatts Village, part of Hamilton Parish. The 19th century Fort Hamilton, with its ramparts and cannons looking out to sea, offers a spectacular panorama of the city below whilst the intriguing underground web of limestone tunnels provides welcome shade.

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Horta (Faial), Azores

The 'Ilha Azul' ('Blue island'), as Faial is often called because of its countless hydrangea hedges encountered everywhere on the island, is the smallest of the three "Triangle Islands" and an easy island to visit and get around.

Horta - a welcome sight for sailors through the centuries! Hundreds of yachts nuzzle in the marina, their rigging sprouting a dense thicket of masts, cables and spars against the town's historic waterfront. Venture further to where pretty windmills sit among lavender shrubs and blue haze rises above fields of hydrangeas giving Faial its name 'blue island.

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

Sao Miguel's ("The Green Island") cosmopolitan town Ponta Delgada offers the visitor a blend of contemporary life with historic flavour.

There is a timeless feel to the Azores - remote, unspoilt, volcanic in origin and a marvellous showcase of nature in its original splendour. Ponta Delgada is a springboard to Sao Miguel's spectacular landscape pitted with deep craters, some filled with shimmering lakes and others covered with lush vegetation. Explore the town's narrow streets lined with picturesque whitewashed houses, or wander the waterfront promenade. Turn the pages on the naval Battle of Ponta Delgada, as the Azores - second to last of the Portuguese Empire, resisted Philip II of Spain's claim to the throne.

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Fares

Cabin Type Fare
£
2 Bed Inside from 10719
2 Bed Outside from 14809
Suite from 22559

Additional Information:

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