Palms to Penguins with Rio de Janeiro & Santiago Stays, 19 January 2026 (30 nights)

Spanning nearly 2 1⁄2 miles, Copacabana Beach is an iconic beach that features golden sands, dark blue waters and is surrounded by a vibrant promenade, resorts and restaurants. The moment you arrive at this popular beach you’ll be in awe of the incredible mountains that tower over it.

Constructed in 1931, this extraordinary statue depicts Jesus Christ in an Art Deco style. Created by Paul Landowski, a renowned French sculptor, it’s an incredibly popular attraction to visit whilst in the city. Overlooking the city, it can be seen from several areas of Rio de Janeiro and makes for a great photo opportunity.

One of the highest peaks in the city, located at the start of Guanabara Bay, the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain can be visited by cable car. Sitting at a height of 396 metres, the views you’ll get from Sugarloaf Mountain will take your breath away.

An extended palm tree-lined white-sand beach with crystal-clear waters, this beach is the definition of paradise and just one of the beaches you can take advantage of when you’re on Ilha Grande. If you’re looking to unwind in the sunshine with sand between your toes, this is the perfect place to do just that.

Now abandoned, this prison was once home to some of Brazil’s worst – until it was closed in 1994. Reachable by following a walking trail from Vila de Dois Rois, this prison is the setting for a whole host of escapee stories – with one of the most famous being Escadinho, who escaped via helicopter!

Once where the world’s coffee prices were dictated, this museum to the popular caffeinated beverage is an experience that takes you right from the cultivation of the coffee beans themselves to the consolidation of coffee as one of Brazil’s national symbols. Here, you’ll find a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions, some of the rarest coffee beans in the country, and a chance to explore a Bidding Hall – where coffee auctions were held until as late as 1950 – and more Coffee-related items.

Situated in the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, this football-based museum is dedicated to showcasing the successes of Santos Futebol Clube and its stars – which includes some of the best players the beautiful game has ever seen, like Pele and Neymar. Even if you’re not a sports fan, this museum charts Brazil’s history on the global stage, highlighting all the ups and downs that come with being one of the best footballing nations in history.

A small antique church in the heart of Santos, this magnificent structure is considered one of the finest examples of 18th century Baroque architecture in the city; while the original chapel was built in 1691, and the church itself was first built in 1640, the building we see today is adorned with tiled murals from the 1930s. With the church being partly demolished in 1859 to make room for the construction of the Santos-Jundiai railway line, the survival of the statue of Saint Anthony on the altar is considered a miracle – which, in turn, prevented the full demolition of the church.

A monumental example of neo-classical architecture in the heart of Montevideo, the Legislative Palace of Uruguay acts as the meeting place of the General Assembly of Uruguay, the seat of the legislative branch of the Uruguayan government, and a remarkable landmark to see when you visit. Built between 1904 and 1925, it was constructed to commemorate 100 years of Uruguayan independence.

Built in 1930 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Constitution of Uruguay as a homage to the original members of the General Assembly, this three-sided structure stretches 40 metres up and is flanked by three bronze structures representing Law, Liberty, and Force. In 1983, it was the site of Rio de Libertad – the nation’s largest demonstration ever, demanding an end to the civil-military dictatorship in place at the time.

Standing 95 metres tall, this stunning structure takes advantage of eclectic architectural designs to deliver one of the most remarkable buildings in Montevideo. Built with the intention of being a hotel in 1928, it’s now a mixture of private residences and office spaces – though tours of the building are available at select times during the day.

Among the best opera houses in the world, Teatro Colón is a historic theatre venue in the heart of Buenos Aires, boasting stunning exterior architecture, impressive interior designs, and rooms boasting the best acoustics for operas and the second-best acoustics for music concerts in the world. To say seeing a show here is an incredible experience would be an understatement; it would be one of the best shows in the world. Although, if you don’t have time for that, the building itself is still worth taking the time to admire.

Among the most vibrant areas of Buenos Aires, El Caminito is touristy for all the right reasons and a must-visit area of Argentina’s capital. Found within La Boca, a historically working-class neighbourhood in the heart of the city, you’ll be met with brightly-coloured buildings, lively street performers, and fascinating art museums when you visit here. It’s thought of as something of a time capsule, showcasing the best of Buenos Aires in the early 20th century, and a fantastic place to spend some time immersing yourself in the incredible culture here.

Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhood, San Telmo, is overflowing with historic charm, authentic cuisine, and fascinating buildings and landmarks. From El Zanjón de Granados and Museo de la Historia del Traje to Casa Mínima, Museo Moderno, and more, culture vultures and history buffs will find themselves with an abundance of activities when spending any amount of time here. And, for everyone else, this neighbourhood is full of vibrant culture to immerse yourself in, with restaurants, bars, and more to explore.

Located in the historic dockyard of Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands Museum boasts a comprehensive collection of artefacts and historic items that explore the natural and cultural history of this archipelago. If you want to know more about the Falkland Islands, this is one of the best places in the world to spend some time. You’ll also find an interactive room that explores the stories of Falkland Islands residents during the Falklands War in 1982, highlighting the real impact of this conflict, as well as an area dedicated to the region’s maritime history.

Built in 1845, Government House is the home of the Falkland Islands’ governors and one of the most important landmarks in Port Stanley. Alongside being somewhere where Ernest Shackleton stayed during his famous Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in the 1910s, and home to one of the world’s southernmost grape vines, Government House was also the site of a major battle during the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands, an event that kicked off the Falklands War, and where the surrender was ultimately issued.

Roughly four miles northeast of Port Stanley, Yorke Bay is a stunning destination to visit when spending some time in the Falkland Islands’ capital. Known internationally as a breeding ground for Magellanic penguins, a threatened species also found along the coast of Argentina and Chile, this is a fantastic place to see these incredible birds in their natural habitat. Interestingly, much of this area serves as an unplanned wildlife refuge, with Yorke Bay among several areas of coastline that were heavily mined during the Falklands War, making them unsafe for visitors. The island is free of landmines now, though, and you’ll be able to observe the wildlife and admire the stunning scenery of Yorke Bay from a safe distance.

While cruising the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll have the opportunity to spot several species of penguin in their natural habitat. The species of penguin that can be found here, particularly around the tip of the peninsula itself, include the chinstrap penguin, emperor penguin, gentoo penguin, and Adélie penguin. The specific sightings you enjoy, though, will vary depending on the current weather conditions and the time of year you’re exploring Antarctica.

These magnificent mammals are among the most incredible sights you can see while cruising the Antarctic Peninsula, and the waters surrounding this remarkable part of Antarctica are home to several species of whale, including the Antarctic minke whale, dwarf minke whale, sei whale, and killer whale. The specific sightings you enjoy, though, will vary depending on the current weather conditions and the time of year you’re exploring Antarctica.

Several species of seal can be spotted while cruising around the Antarctic Peninsula, including the leopard seal, Weddell seal, crabeater seal, and the huge southern elephant seal. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the specific sightings you enjoy will vary depending on the current weather conditions and the time of year you’re exploring Antarctica.

When the weather is agreeable, the Drake Passage is a hotspot for spotting seabirds, particularly species of albatross and petrel – both of which are among the largest species of flying birds in the world, with petrels known particularly for their wide wingspan. While the sightings you’re able to enjoy will vary, and there’s no guarantee when it comes to which species of seabird you’ll be able to spot, the Drake Passage provides you with a fantastic opportunity to see these birds hunting; albatross, in particular, are known to hunt both during the day and at night.

Cruising the Drake Passage is a fantastic opportunity to see several species of whale in the wild, with finback whales, sei whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, and blue whales all among the species that have been spotted in this body of water before. Although, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no guarantees when it comes to the wildlife sightings you’ll have the chance to enjoy while onboard, and the success of whale-watching in the Drake Passage can vary depending on things like the weather conditions and the time of year you’re travelling.

When cruising the Drake Passage, you may be able to spot pods of dolphins from your cruise ship. While there’s no guarantee, as sightings can be unpredictable and are affected by the weather and the time of year you’re travelling, hourglass dolphin and southern right whale dolphin are among the aquatic mammals that have been spotted in this body of water before.

An expansive national park that protects nearly 70,000 hectares of land, the Tierra del Fuego National Park combines marine areas, forests, and mountains to create a truly fascinating place worth exploring if you have the time while visiting Ushuaia. Here, you’ll find everything from luscious woodland and tumbling waterfalls to dramatic mountains and serene lakes. Throughout, you’ll also find evidence of the Yámanas, the first inhabitants of these lands, which serves to remind everyone who spends some time here that this region has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years. With so much to see, this is easily the best place to visit if you’re looking to switch off and embrace the great outdoors.

If you want to learn more about the city of Ushuaia, Museo del fin del Mundo is the perfect place to go. A living heritage museum that explores the history and culture of Ushuaia and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the End of the World Museum (which is its name in English) is home to numerous exhibitions that explore the native history of this region, the local fauna and flora, the traditions and customs of the people here, and even some of the shipwrecks that have happened here over the centuries. Found in parts of the National Bank building and Old Government House, these impressive buildings only serve to highlight the importance of the museum and its contents.

Also known as Casa Pena, this former private residence has served as the City Museum in Ushuaia since 2009; with an interesting selection of informative exhibits and historic items, this museum offers visitors a fantastic insight into what ordinary life was like in this city throughout the 20th century – which is when it was originally occupied by the Pena family.

Home to around 60,000 pairs of Magellan penguins, Magellan Penguins Natural Reserve is a fantastic place to get up close to nature. The boat ride there is also a chance to spot whales and other marine life, before getting some great photos with the penguins.

The oldest fine arts museum in South America, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago is one of the world’s major centres for Chilean and South American art; established in 1880 and currently housed in the Palace of the Fine Arts – which was built in 1910 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chilean independence – this museum boasts a collection of over 5,000 artworks.

Once an impressive mint house during Chile’s colonial period, producing coins from 1814 to 1929, La Moneda Palace is the current seat of the president of the Republic of Chile and one of Santiago’s most famous landmarks. Occupying an entire block in the city’s Civic District, the neoclassical architectural style is influenced by Roman construction styles, affording the building a unique grandeur. It opens onto the Plaza de La Constitución, a neat city square that’s almost the same size as La Moneda Palace itself. The La Moneda Cultural Centre also sits just behind the palace, and you’ll find rotating art exhibitions, restaurants, and more within.

One of the principal places of worship for the Catholic Church of Chile, and somewhere that’s considered a symbol of the city of Santiago, the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception is a shrine made famous for its impressive statue of the Virgin Mary – symbolising the immaculate conception of Jesus Christ – that stands over 14 metres tall. Sitting atop San Cristóbal Hill, which means the statue stands over 850 metres above sea level, this sanctuary offers visitors incredible views of Santiago and the surrounding scenery.