Rio de Janeiro to Santiago, (from Valparaiso) - 16 nights, January 2014

Rio will command your non-stop attention from the moment you set foot on its shores – or the golden sands of Copacabana or Ipanema for that matter. Climb Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car, then try out your salsa steps as night falls. Rio is an amazing experience – a city everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Unsung jewel of the South Atlantic, Montevideo, on the northern shore of the mighty River Plate, teems with an intoxicating mix of European tradition and colourful South American culture. With its shady downtown plazas to historic camps, forts, farms and missions that speak so eloquently of the dramas, hardships and battles of pioneering days, Uruguay’s capital completely captivates the spirit.

Latin America's most "European" capital is a cosmopolitan delight. Your overnight stay allows you to stroll the colorful Boca district by day, and take in a tango show at night, when the fashionable porteos come out to play.

Puerto Madryn sits on the shores of Golfo Nuevo, in Argentina, and is an attractive little town where British immigrants founded a colony in 1880. Welsh immigrants established the small town of Trelew nearby and populated the area’s verdant Chubut River Valley.

The southernmost town on earth, surrounded by spectacular snow-capped mountains, waterways and the Tierra del Fuego National Park, this small town in Argentina is the gateway to some stunning locations.

Located within the Straits of Magellan, Punta Arenas is proud of being a frontier town. Tour the scenic landscapes of Patagonia with its rich abundance of exotic wildlife and breathtaking views. Or fly in a chartered airplane over the White Continent of Antarctica.

Despite a population of more than 130,000, Puerto Montt retains the feel of a small town. For a simple introduction to the city, walk along the waterfront road to the fishing port of Angelmo, discovering its shore lined with tempting artisan's stalls and a collection of small cafés. Accessible from the seaport town of Puerto Montt, Chile's Lake District is an enchanted realm of emerald waterways and snow-capped volcanoes.

A single tram ride will open up a whole vista of possibilities during your visit to Valparaiso - from the colourful houses set upon the hillsides to the stunning Maipo Valley wine region.