Pristine Antarctica from Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital of the country and a top tourist destination, known for its European style architecture and rich cultural life. Visitors have many options such as going to a tango show, visiting ranches in the Provinces of Buenos Aires and the Pampas, or enjoying a traditional Aasado (Argentine style BBQ). New tourist circuits have recently evolved, devoted to famous Argentinians such as Carlos Gardel, Eva Perón and Jorge Luis Borges. Due to the favorable exchange rate, its shopping centres such as Alto Palermo and Galerías Pacífico are frequently visited by tourists. Perhaps visit Avenida del Libertador where you will find many of the city's best-known museums, gardens and cultural points of interest and Avenida de Mayo for its sophisticated buildings of Art Nouveau, Neoclassic and eclectic styles.

Embark ship and overnight in port

This is Uruguay's capital and largest city offering a variety of indoor shopping possibilities (like downtown's appropriately named Montevideo Shopping Centre), and informal markets such as Mercado del Puerto. Perhaps take a walk past the wharfs and piers of the Rambla de Montevideo. Relax on Pocitos beach, visit the Torres Garcia Museum or check out the Palazzo Salvo. Constructed in 1928, Palacio Salvo is a historical landmark building done in a predominantly Italian Gothic-style, , it was the tallest building in South America, and still remains an iconic symbol of the city, even being depicted on many postcards. For a sweeping view of the city, take an elevator ride to the top of the palace, free of charge, and stop at Cafe Salvo on the ground level for an invigorating cappuccino.

This a popular beach resort in Uruguay with great nightlife, numerous museums and art. Souvenir hunt in the artisan market at the end of Gorlero Street; there is also an organic food market once a month and a daily fish market at the port. Visit Casapueblo the former art workshop turned into a museum and hotel to admire its unique architecture and enjoy wonderful views of the Atlantic. Go to the Ralli Museum for modern and contemporary Latin American art; the outdoor sculpture park at the Atchugarry Foundation is also spectacular. The two beaches of Playa Mansa (calm beach) – great for families and Playa Brava (turbulent beach) – perfect for surfing straddle each side of the peninsula with busy promenades.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Port Stanley is full of links to Britain, and is twinned with Whitby in Yorkshire- all of a sudden it seems as if you are back in Britain with red telephone and post boxes. The only difference being the colourful corrugated tin roofs on the buildings. This South Atlantic archipelago will always be associated with the 1982 war, but wildlife and rugged scenery are the main reasons to visit the islands. The Falklands are a compact group of more than 740 Islands, situated approximately 650 kilometres (400 miles) off the south-eastern tip of South America. The total land area is approximately 12,000 square km (4,700 square miles) comprising of mountain ranges and flat plains. The two main Islands are East Falkland and West Falkland. Mount Usborne on East Falkland is the highest peak at 705m (2,312 ft).

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Your Holland America ship will arrive at the White Continent. You’ll begin your Antarctic Expedition sailing through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Thanks to its location—on one of the southernmost points in South America—Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route’s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast. Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, “rounding the Horn” remains a challenge for the many yacht races that pass through its icy waters. Hornos, the island where Cape Horn is located, may look desolate and treeless, but it’s home to a vast number of gulls and other seabirds.

Beagle Channel. This 150 mile long channel takes you through the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago of islands at the southern tip of South America, past Ushuaia in Argentina. The eastern end of the Channel forms the border between Chile and Argentina whilst the western end is entirely in Chile. It is only three miles wide at its widest point and so can be quite tricky for ships to negotiate. The Beagle Channel was named after the British ship in which Charles Darwin explored the area (1833–34). Pay a visit to Ushuaia the southernmost city in the world, where dominating peaks loom on three sides

From here, cruise visitors can venture to the high scarps of Torres del Paine National Park, the penguin colony at Seno Otway, or the Martian volcanic topography of Pali Aike National Park. Punta Arenas worth lingering in, as well. Visit the tree-lined Plaza de Armas square or walk 10 minutes farther to the top of La Cruz Hill. The city of 150,000 people lies at your feet. 850 miles farther south Antarctica begins.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Puerto Chacabuco is a town located in the Aysen region, in northern Patagonia, Chile. It is the most important seaport in the region because it allows the conection to Puerto Montt. Furthermore, it is the starting point of many navegations towards the Laguna San Rafael and the Northern Ice Fields.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Disembark ship and transfer to Santiago for overnight at hotel

Transfer to airport for overnight flight to UK