Marina - January 21, 2024

Called the "Wonderful City" by Brazilians, Rio features the best of all worlds. Great nightlife, beautiful beaches, stunning shorelines, friendly people, plenty of shopping, and many, many restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world make Rio a thrill for all five senses!

Santos is the leading port of Brazil and gateway to the metropolis of San Paulo. Brazilians love Santos because of its beaches and you will too!

In Montevideo, visitors are often surprised and delighted to discover that the city still retains the disposition and feel of an intimate village. The Old City of Montevideo seems lodged in another time, with customs and architecture from a past era. In the center, the Hotel Plaza Fuerte displays characteristics of the past. Visitors are charmed by its decor and views of the city.

Buenos Aires is a very European city located in the heart of Argentina. German and Italian culture combine with the Spanish native tongue and flavor of Buenos Aires. The food of the city is legendary. If you leave Buenos Aires without seeing a tango show, you have missed out. The energy, melancholy, passion, and tension of the city come bursting forth from this music and dance.

Stretching towards the South Atlantic on a narrow strip of land, Punta del Este divides the waters of the Rio de La Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. This South American vacation hotspot has charming seaside chaets lining miles of wonderful coasts with sparkling clear waters. Magnificent sunsets and lush gardens flourish in this tropical town.

Port Stanley is the only town on the Falkland Islands, and though it has little more than 1,200 residents, it contains half of the islands' population. On the other hand there are 700,000 sheep, and a wonderful assortment of sea birds and elephant seals. Though subject to the British Queen, Argentinean claims to the "Islas Malvinas" caused war in 1982.

An up-close-and-personal experience with captivating seals, penguins, and other Arctic wildlife: This is what makes Half Moon Island one of the most enjoyable destinations in Antarctica. Explore the wreckage of old whaling boats, washed onto the island's rocky shores. Absorb the silent beauty of snow-dusted rocks and frosted waters.

Seated on the frosted landscape of the Shetland Islands, Deception Island is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Trace the exotic contours of the island, created over 5 million years ago by a still-active volcano. Neptune's Bellows Channel, rushing through the center of a folded volcanic shell, still holds the bones of one of several whaling ships claimed by its fierce rock formations.

The southernmost town in the world faces the Beagle Channel, where Charles Darwin encountered the now-extinct Yahgan Indians in 1832. In this desolate, wind-swept part of the world, the scenery and wildlife are awesome. Visit the Park Nacional Tierra del Fuego, where you'll find magnificent forest beaches, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, as well as seals, walrus, and giant sea birds.

Punta Arenas is known as the southernmost city on Earth. It is in Chile, and overlooks the Strait of Magellan. The city's attractions include the Museo Salesiano de Mayonino Borgatello and the Centro Cultural Braun-Menendez. The former is a museum covering the region, and the latter provides a view of a local trading family. Be sure to visit the nearby penguin colony.

Between Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia on the coast of Chile, massive glaciers grind beautiful fjords where the land meets the sea. Watch the soaring Andean condors. Other local fauna include orcas, seals, penguins, and petrels. There is no reason to be spooked by the sight of an albatross, either--they are actually quite a beautiful sight.

Between Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia on the coast of Chile, massive glaciers grind beautiful fjords where the land meets the sea. Watch the soaring Andean condors. Other local fauna include orcas, seals, penguins, and petrels. There is no reason to be spooked by the sight of an albatross, either--they are actually quite a beautiful sight.

This Chilean town with the memorable name is located along idyllic Austral Road in the Patagonian Steppe. Puerto Chacabuco offers an extraordinary view of nature at its best. From majestic waterfalls to ice-capped mountains, there are astounding sights everywhere. The town is also lined with dense forests, where rare and beautiful creatures may be spotted through a bit of darkened brush.

The second-largest town on Chile's Chiloe Island, Castro is a tiny jewel nestled on the scenic coast. Visitors delight in the famous local cuisine, featuring exotic meat and seafood dishes for the most discerning tastebuds. Travelers can stroll through the sunny confines of the local market, which offers a variety of richly textured native clothing, hand-crafted artwork, and unique souvenirs.

Puerto Montt is located just south of central Chile. The city boasts great bay views, seafood restaurants, handicrafts, and plenty of lodging. Puerto Montt is a popular launching point for day trips to national parks, waterfalls, lakes, and mountains of the area. If you take a 50-cent boat ride to the Island of Tenglo, you'll get a great view of the city and several snow-covered volcanoes.