SANTIAGO, CHILE
We will fly into Santiago more than a day before boarding. The churches, colonial grandeur and sophistication of Santiago beckon for exploration and discovery. There are lovely vineyards and a bit of bridge. Jeff may arrange a bridge game with the Chilean locals.
VALPARAISO, CHILE
Valparaíso, known as the "Vale of Paradise," is one of the world's most picturesque and famous port cities. It climbs a crescent of 45 hills creating a maze of alleys, winding streets, connecting stairs and funicular railways. The port and business center lie at the foot of the hills, in a narrow belt of flatland. Nearby lies flower-bedecked Viña del Mar, where the wealthy and powerful come to play in the sun and at the casino. Just 20 minutes from Valparaíso, this beach resort city, also popularly known as the "Garden City," boasts white-sand beaches, notable museums and a variety of carefully designed parks and beautiful public spaces.
ARICA, CHILE
The pace of Arica is simply delightful. It's warm and sunny year-round, there's a cool pedestrian mall to flip-flop around come sunset. Enjoy beautiful surf breaks and stroll to the cliff-top War of the Pacific battlefield at El Morro. Head up to nearby Parque Nacional Lauca or visit the Azapa Valley, home to some of the world's oldest known mummies. In the Lluta Valley, you'll see breathtaking depictions known as Geoglyphs.
LIMA, PERU
We will stay overnight: that means dancing potential..
From its amazing archaeological treasures to its gastronomic delights and from its rich history to its melting pot of cultures, Peru offers visitors a wide array of attractions. Lima is a cosmopolitan city steeped in history with pre-Columbian ruins, Spanish colonial buildings, and remnants of colonial mansions with lavish, Moorish-style balconies. Famous sights include the San Francisco Monastery. Discover the Palomino Islands on an open air boat. Cruise past San Lorenzo Island and its colonies of sea birds and Humboldt penguins.
High in the Andes Mountains, Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. Visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, built in the early 12th century with some stones weighing more than 350 tons. Try to figure out how it was built so precisely without the help of modern machinery and technology! And for the brave, hike up to Machu Picchu. You can pick up the ship in Ecuador!
MANTA, ECUADOR
As the largest seaport in Ecuador, Manta has been the gateway to the country and its capital, Quito, for centuries. It is here that the 1735 French Geodesic Mission to measure the location of the equator first began. Because it has some of South America’s most beautiful beaches, Manta was chosen to host the Sixth South American Windsurfing Championship. Its primary beach, El Murciélago, is popular for its fresh seafood and regional specialty drinks. The favorite souvenir among visitors to Manta is the Panama hat, which is actually made in nearby Montecristi.
PANAMA CANAL
Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.
CAYMAN ISLADS
Christopher Columbus sighted the Cayman Islands on May 10, 1503 and named them Las Tortugas after the numerous sea turtles seen swimming in the surrounding waters. Columbus had found the two small islands (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) and it was these two islands that he named "Las Tortugas".
