The ITINERARY
From remote islands to ancient ruins and breathtaking beaches, see it all on a South American expedition – sailing without giving up any of life’s little luxuries
WHEN it comes to embarking on adventures of a lifetime, destinations don’t get much more inviting than South America. From the vibrant nightlife of the jewel in Brazil’s crown, Rio, to the gasp-worthy glaciers of the Chilean fjords, this colourful continent is a carnival for the senses. This Fred. Olsen cruise offers you the chance to dip your toe into South America’s inviting pool – without any of the tricky logistics of travelling by land. And the best bit? You get to see the wonders of the continent, while unpacking only once. Experts in crafting eye-opening itineraries that enable guests to savour the flavour of a region, Fred. Olsen’s shore excursions are crafted to take guests closer to the local culture, wildlife and scenery – giving them a first-hand, authentic experience of their destination. Plus, thanks to unbeatable hospitality, you get to return from a day’s adventuring to be welcomed by a warm, friendly crew who are masters in providing world-class service. All you’ll need to think about is which exciting expedition is coming up tomorrow.
RIO DE JANEIRO
MEANING ‘river of January’ in Portuguese, Rio de Janeiro is certainly a place to make a splash in. This energetic city is one of the stops on your South American sailing where you get an overnight stayover, so you’ll be able to discover the hustle and bustle of this energetic city, get to know the cuisine with a Brazilian cooking class, samba your way through a dance lesson in the spirit of the world-famous Rio carnival, before experiencing the reverence of a private mass at Christ the Redeemer chapel.
BUENOS AIRES
WATCH out, Buenos Aires! Your Argentinian adventure will include a history lesson on its most famous daughter, Evita. And as part of your Fred. Olsen experience, you’ll get to learn all about former First Lady Eva Perón, who has become a saint-like figure in her homeland and inspired the record-breaking musical. Just like the main lady herself, you can learn to tango – an art form that acts as a metaphor for Argentine culture. As one of your overnight port stays, you can fine dine on perfectly cooked steak washed down with a robust Argentine red, before showing off your new moves in one of the traditional milonga bars.
PANAMA CANAL
A HUGELY impressive feat of engineering, the Panama Canal is a waterway worth writing home about. Connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific, the canal stretches 80km long – and hosts a staggering 14,500 vessels every year. One of them will be your Fred. Olsen ship, Balmoral, and you can soak up this man-made marvel’s might from its deck – an opportunity travellers on larger cruises don’t get, due to sizing restrictions. From your prime position, keep your eyes peeled for the vast array of tropical wildlife which lives on its lush banks – including capuchin monkeys – as well as the many indigenous villages dotted along the canal.
CHILEAN FJORDS
WHILE this sun-soaked continent conjures up images of caipirinhas on the sand, the diversity of its landscapes is as epic as its size. And experiences don’t get much bigger than taking in the natural splendour of the Chilean fjords. Thanks to the streamline size of the Balmoral, you can get close to unmissable marvels such as Glacier Alley, a channel bordered by mammoth mountains of ice. Keep your fingers crossed that your sailing will include the incredible sight of a new iceberg crashing from a glacier into the sea, or prime your cameras for sightings of humpback whales, elephant seals and condors that call the fjords their home.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS
A HOME away from home for Brits, this UK territory is steeped in history, and has also been home to settlements by French, Spanish and Argentine colonies before Brits reasserted rule in 1833. You’ll get to experience the remoteness of this archipelago and how its tiny population – there are fewer than 4,000 residents – live their daily lives. Most islanders live in Stanley, the capital, while others have chosen an even more isolated life in the ‘Camp’, the name for the rolling hillsides outside the main town. Alongside a fascinating look into the island’s culture, everyone should take time to see its animal inhabitants, including seals, penguins and albatross populations. But for something a bit more familiar, you could work as a sheep farmer for the day – shepherding some of the 490,000 rams, ewes and lambs that call the island home, and which outnumber humans by 150 to one.
PUNTA ARENAS
DOWN at the bottom of the Americas, on the southern tip of Chile, is Punta Arenas, a sprawling destination set off the edge of the Strait of Magellan, the most important natural channel which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This is one of the most southerly cities on the planet and is used as the gateway to Antarctica – so keep a lookout for explorers enjoying their last slice of civilisation. Aside from the city itself, with a population of around 120,000, there are nature reserves and hiking for visitors to enjoy – but no trip would be complete without a visit to Magdalena Island, which is home to tens of thousands of Magellanic penguins, which are monitored year round by a small contingent of island rangers – giving visitors unparalleled access to the colony in its natural habitat.
SALVADOR
ONCE the shining capital of Portugal’s New World colony, this city is now a melting pot of culture, most notably the Afro-Brazilian community. In this intoxicating haven you can learn about the Quilombo community, a settlement of people started originally by escaped slaves. You will be able to hear their history, as well as getting acquainted with their way of life, during your day trip to this fascinating stop.