Saga's South America

Saga Holidays has revealed a stunning South American adventure that promises to hit all the high points of Chile, Argentina and Brazil on a spectacular 16-night tour.

The Andean lakes, Iguazu Falls and bays of Rio de Janiero will reveal the natural wonders of the continent starting with a flight to Santiago de Chile to explore the vibrant city and San Cristolbel Hill, the forest-carpeted mountain which dominates the skyline. 

 

Guests will spend a day in the port of Valparaiso which has a bohemian vibe, lovely vistas and colonial architecture before cruising to the alpine town of Barlioche in Argentina.

Then they will spend three nights in elegant Buenos Aires, watching or joining in with the experts as they dance the tango, and then touring the Parana River Delta before flying to the stunning Iguazu Falls.

Rio de Janeiro awaits, offering plenty of time to explore the bustling city and its world-famous beaches. Saga guests can take a scenic train ride to the top of Corcovado Mountain to get a close-up view of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, while there will also be time to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain at the entrance to Guanabara Bay.

The grand South American Adventure is priced from £3,799 per person for 16 nights, departing Heathrow from January to April and September to November 2014.

The price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights, airport taxes, accommodation, most meals, porterage, tour manager, travel insurance and cancellation cover. 

 

More info: call free on 0800 414 8986 or visit www.saga.co.uk/holidays.

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South American Splendour With Regent

Anyone looking for some Latin cruise adventure and excitement this winter should look no further than the latest South American offers from luxury line Regent Seven Seas.

Not only do Regent have a proper all-inclusive policy, where genuinely everything is included, they have just launched some outstanding deals for voyages to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and the majestic Amazon River in December and January.

Take your pick from: 

Rio to Buenos Aires
Aboard  Seven Seas Mariner, this 12-night voyages sails on December 8 and is now priced from £4,569pp (based on two sharing an H category suite and subject to availability). The cruise starts at Rio (for an overnight visit) and then calls at Buzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Santos, Porto Belo, Rio Grande, Montevideo, Punta Del Este and Buenos Aires (overnight). It includes return flights and transfers, vernight stays in Rio and Buenos Aires, up to 19 free shore excursions to choose from, a 2 or 3-night pre or post-cruise land programme for £198pp, a 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay in Rio and all-inclusive on board.

Rio To Miami
Take Seven Seas Mariner for 21 nights sailing on January 4, now from £7,769pp (based on two people sharing an H category suite and subject to availability). Highlights are Salvador de Bahia, Fortaleza, cruising the Amazon River, Alter do Chao, Boca de Valeria, Manaus, Parintins, Santarem, Devil’s Island, Bridgetown, Gustavia and San Juan. It includes return flights and transfers, up to 44 free shore excursions, free pre or post-cruise land programme and a 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay in Rio, as well as all-inclusive on board.

Buenos Aires to Rio
This 10-night voyage on Seven Seas Mariner sails on February 28 and now costs from £5,269pp (based on two sharing an H category suite and subject to availability). It calls at Montevideo, Punta del Este, Rio Grande, Porto Belo, Santos, Ilha Grande, Paraty and Buzios before arriving in Rio and includes return flights and transfers, up to 18 free excursions to choose from, free pre-cruise land programme, a 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay in Buenos Aires and all-inclusive on board.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Falklands Steering Course For Cruise Success

With a refurbished Jetty Visitor Centre and a forecast rise in cruise visitors for the 2013/14 season, it's full steam ahead for the Falkland Islands.

According to latest statistics released by the Islands' Tourist Board (FITB), cruise passenger arrivals are expected to increase by 7% to more than 36,000 in the 2013/14 season (which runs September to April). After a turbulent 2012/13, the trend is set to reverse for the coming year.

The Falklands are ideally located as a port of call on a wider South America or Antarctica voyage, affording cruise visitors unrivalled access to the abundant wildlife which resides on the 770-plus islands that make up the remote archipelago. With a wide variety of shore excursions allowing passengers to get close to nature, this is a dream destination for wildlife lovers keen to hop off, explore and ‘meet the locals'.

The revamped Jetty Visitor Centre is on course to be completed by the beginning of September and is set to improve the visitor experience with enhanced facilities. Located at the head of the Public Jetty, the Centre includes visitor information, a display of aspects of Falkland life, and occasional exhibitions and local artwork, making the perfect pit stop for foot-weary visitors awaiting tenders back to their cruise ship.

"The cruise market is of immense global significance, proving one of the fastest growing in the travel industry with travellers demonstrating a real appetite for holidays to intriguing destinations," says Tony Mason, Managing Director of the FITB. "With over 700 islands, the Falklands offer an abundance of unexplored gems, private nature reserves and hidden coves largely inaccessible to land-based tourists, so coming by sea offers the ultimate taste of this wildlife paradise."

New cruise product includes the ‘magical winter wonderland' holiday just launched by Crystal Cruises. The December 21 Buenos Aires-Valparaiso voyage aboard the award-winning Crystal Symphony sails through Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, the Falklands, Drake Passage, Cape Horn and the Chilean Fjords. The 18-day cruise includes a stop at Port Stanley and the chance to visit working farms in the Islands.

Other ships calling at the Falklands next season include those of Seabourn and Princess Cruises.

For more info on that wonderful Crystal voyage to the Falklands, see this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialists.

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Crystal's Antarctica Christmas Cruise

Crystal Cruises is planning a magical winter wonderland holiday with a new Antarctica Christmas/New Year cruise this year. 

In addition to three days sailing Antarctic waters, the December 21 Buenos Aires-Valparaíso voyage on board the award-winning Crystal Symphony sails through Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, the Falkland Islands, Drake Passage, Cape Horn and the Chilean Fjords, with multiple excursions to the Antarctic continent. Savings of up to £387 per person are available until August 30 for the unique voyage - the only one of its kind for 2013 and 2014.

Guests can fly, hike and zodiac over and on the icy continent, viewing Air Force homes, penguin breeding grounds and the gorgeous glacial scenery of King George and Ardley Islands. Extremely-limited Crystal Adventures also explore more of Antarctica, a taste of local specialities and an overnight at the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base (INACH).

The 18-night cruise is filled with opportunities to explore nature in all ports, from seeing volcanoes, waterfalls, humpback whales and elephant seals to kayaking the Strait of Magellan and visiting working farms in the Falklands and Patagonia. There are also adventures in wine, cuisine and culture in major South American cities. Onboard speakers include an Antarctic expedition author, climate change researcher, shark conservationist and CBS News correspondent.

The cruise starts in Buenos Aires on and visits Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Port Stanley, Ushuaia (overnight), Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt before finishing in Valparaíso. As the guests’ maritime home for the festive season, Crystal Symphony will be luxuriously decorated throughout, offering abundant space to celebrate with gourmet Christmas feasts, a champagne New Year’s gala, religious services, junior cruiser events (including Santa) and more. 

All-inclusive prices start from £6,627 per person if booked by August 30, with 18 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, port taxes and gratuities. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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