Samba Serenade  -  Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires
Crystal Symphony cruise including optional 'Carnival in Rio'

Escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout

Departing Australia 18 February, 2012

This tour is fully booked

Experience the rhythmic sway of Brazil's samba and the passionate tempo of Argentina's tango on a voyage
celebrating South America.    We'll be in Rio over Carnival time and have the option to experience the famous Samba parade.
                                                                                                                              
                   

Day 1    18 February, 2012    Australia - Santiago   Depart with Lan Chile from Sydney for our flight to Santiago.  On arrival transfer to hotel for remainder of day at leisure.           Accommodation:    Park Plaza Hotel (or similar)  2 nights

Day 2    19  February, 2012   Santiago (B)  At leisure in Santiago. 

Click to enlarge
Day 3   20 February, 2012   Santiago - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (overnight)  (B,D) Early morning departure from our hotel to transfer to the airport for our flight to Rio.   Immediately transfer to the ship and board Crystal Symphony.   This evening those who have chosen to visit the carnival parade at the Sambodrome will be transferred to and from the ship and have tickets to the Sambodrome included. These MUST be pre-booked and are subject to availability.  The Rio Carnival is the biggest party in the world, held in February at the peak of the Brazilian summer.  it is a fantastic spectacle of colour, music, and the spirit of the Brazilian people.  Attracting visitors from all over the globe, the main carnival parade takes place in the Sambodrome, with colourful floats, costumes and hot samba rhythms, whilst all of Rio ccome alive with street parties.

Day 4    21 February, 2012   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  (B,L,D) -  ship sails at 5pm today    At leisure in Rio.  Vibrant Rio lies cradled in the outstretched arms of the Christ the Redeemer Statue, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain. At the feet of this magnificent landmark lies one of the world's most magnificent bays. Golden beaches with such alluring names as Copacabana and Ipanema stretch as far as the eye can see. There are close to two dozen such bays, which serve as a playground for some of the world's most beautiful people. All along this waterfront, which swirls with mosaic art, are five-star hotels, elegant shops, popular restaurants and a lifestyle to match. Winding its way along this magnificent mile or so is a constant parade of handsome Cariocas, as the local people are known.

Day 5    22 February, 2012  Buzios, Brazil   8 am  -   2 am    (B,L,D)   Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, the town of Buzios began as a quaint and quiet fishing village. It's immaculate, serene beauty was a well-kept secret from most, until a discovery by the French star Brigitte Bardot in 1964 made popular the village, transforming it into the spectacular beach resort it is today. Buzios, which has been nominated as one of the top-10 most beautiful places in the world, is an absolute must-see.  The beautiful white-sand beaches, of which there are over twenty, easily accessible to all. Also scattered throughout the area are an abundance of restaurants-Japanese, French, Italian, Moroccan, Thai and Brazilian- and an array of live music shows, bars, night clubs and the Rua das Pedras (Street of Stones) in downtown Buzios, which ensure a thriving, electric night life. Local and international boutiques and art galleries with unique crafts and jewelry also are dotted along the shores.

Day 6      23 February, 2012  Ilha Grande, Brazil   12noon  -   5 pm    (B,L,D) Ilha Grande (Big Island) has dazzled visitors for centuries. Some 150km southwest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s third-largest island has tropical scenery and gorgeous beaches. Its hillsides are covered in lush forests, important remnants of the rapidly disappearing Mata Atlântica ecosystem.

Click to enlarge
 Day 7      24 February, 2012  Paraty   8 am  -  5 pm    (B,L,D)  Paraty is a lovely colonial town, 125 miles from Rio de Janeiro on Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil's southeastern coast. It lies on the border between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. It's a favourite with Brazilians and visitors who want to get away from it all in an historic town, laze on one of the many beaches, and indulge in a restful vacation.  In the 1700's when the mines of Minas Gerais were pouring out gold, the perfect bay of Paraty was a busy port, the second most important in Brazil during the Ciclo de Ouro, or Golden Century. It was a hard overland trip, though, and when a new road was built to another port in Espiritu Santo state, Paraty was all but forgotten. This stage of oblivion or neglect is what kept so many of the colonial buildings pretty much as they were when the last gold-laden
ship sailed for Portugal.

Day 8      25 February, 2012     Santos/São Paulo, Brazil   7 am -  6 pm    (B,L,D)   Santos initially became known for its important Port, which in the beginning of the 20th Century became the largest in Latin America, especially as a result of coffee exports. In the 1960s it was soccer’s turn, and the city became famous for being home to Santos Futebol Clube, the team where the 'King of Soccer', Pelé, played. Today, Santos is the largest city on the São Paulo State coast and it has excellent structure for commerce and services. It is proud of having the largest garden in the world: 5.3 km (3.3 mi) along the shore, with a bike path along the entire extension; as well as being one of the best Brazilian destinations for diving. Its continental area conserves the dense Atlantic Forest vegetation, guaranteeing excellent outings for those who enjoy ecotourism and adventure tourism. There are also urban outings, such as museums, historical constructions, churches, and many others; attracting the attention of tourists from all over the country and the world.

Day 9       26 February, 2012   Itajai, Brazil   8 am  -  6 pm   (B,L,D)  The city was founded on June 15, 1860, but the colonization of Itajaí started in 1658, when the Paulista João Dias D’Arzão arrived in the region. In 1750, Portuguese colonists coming from Madeira and the Azores made this region their home. By 1823 it became a prominent region for Portuguese settlers and, at the end of the 19th century, received a great number of German immigrants.

Day 10    27 February, 2012  Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean     (B,L,D)  Your Day at Sea   - Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.

Click to enlarge
 Day 11    28 February, 2012     Punta del Este, Uruguay   8 am  -  2 am   (B,L,D)  The eastern spit of land separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Rio del la Plata  was once known to sailors and fishermen as Cabo Santa María. Today, called Punta del Este this area is known worldwide as a scenic resort area with miles of beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants, glittery nightlife and an upscale summer population. For decades Punta del Este was an exclusive resort for wealthy South Americans, and it is still expensive, but not as much as famed European and US resort areas. The city and resort appeal has attracted multiple governments to hold summit meetings there. A new casino, more luxurious restaurants and hotels, never ending sports activities, plenty of natural attractions, shops, nightclubs and a temperate climate beckon to international travellers.  The local pines scent the air and add to the sense of relaxation.

Day 12    29 February, 2012     Montevideo, Uruguay   8 am  -   6 pm   (B,L,D)    Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, South America's second-smallest country. Beyond urban limits, 90% of Uruguay's land is devoted to sheep and cattle grazing, as Montevideo is this nation's largest city. Legend tells us that its name originated from the words monte vide eu meaning "I see a mountain," exclaimed by an eager lookout when Magellan's fleet first arrived in 1520. Set in a picturesque location along the River Plate's shores, Montevideo evokes all the flavour of Spain with the massive masonry, hidden patios and palm-shaded plazas that are so reminiscent of that country. Attractions abound. Stroll wide boulevards and leafy parks, view imposing statuary or experience the thrill of an estancia visit.

Day 13    01 March, 2012     Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean    (B,L,D)

Click to enlarge
 Day 14    02 March, 2012  (B,L,D)     Buenos Aires, Argentina  Arrive at 8am and remain on board in port overnight  Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, whose name means city of "favourable winds," is the capital of Argentina. With broad, well planned avenues, charming sidewalk cafés, carefully tended parks, elaborate monuments, noble statues and splendid rococo buildings, it exudes an air of sophisticated elegance.   Until the 1880s, Buenos Aires was a mere village. However, it has now prospered into one of Latin America's most sophisticated centres, with a population of over 11 million. Buenos Aires has also frequently been dubbed the "Paris of the Southern Hemisphere," due to its superb restaurants, art galleries, museums and European-influenced architecture.

Day 15    03 March, 2012     Buenos Aires - Santiago - Sydney  (B)   We will use a Crystal provided transfer to the airport.  Lunch is provided at a hotel and day is at leisure before our evening flight to Australia   (this is at your own expense and can be paid for with onboard ship credits)

Day 16  04 March, 2012   En-route to Australia

Day 17  05 March, 2012   Arrive Australia                                                                                               

                                                                                                                          Tour cost includes:

Tour cost does not include:

 

Please note:   This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on

rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website.     Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.

 

These prices are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge


 To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

Lic. TTA 156054