Caribbean Islands And Brazil: Island Dreams, The Magic Of The Amazon And A Spirited Lifestyle

In north-eastern Brazil, right on the Atlantic coast, Natal invites you to enjoy adventures amidst endless sand, wind and waves. The “city of the sun” boasts more than 300 days of sunshine a year and combines both history and natural wonders. Among the most important buildings are the star-shaped fortress Forte dos Reis Magos, built at the end of the 16th century by the Portuguese, and Natal Cathedral, a striking example of contemporary sacred architecture. The Morro do Careca, a forested sand dune over 100 m (328 ft) high, rises above the popular Ponta Negra beach with its bars and music. The famous dunes of Genipabu are also unique – ideal for fast buggy rides or camel rides.

Local Brazilians flock to the sweeping beaches at Natal. As the capital of Rio Grande do Norte state, Natal has developed quickly to cater for this style of tourism. However, it has history. In 1598 the Portuguese constructed Fortaleza dos Reis Magos. The fort’s strategic location is at the mouth of the Rio Potengi, and near the easternmost and thus closest point of South America to Europe and Africa. Beyond the modern tourism strip is an older Natal with the governor’s palace, mayor's office and André Albuquerque Square. American architectural influences persist from the time the city was a base during World War II. The city encircles a natural park of urban forest and sand dunes. The 16th century Portuguese Fort Reis Magos contains details of battles among the Portuguese, Dutch, and French. The craft centre demonstrates lace tatting and Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art developed by slaves in the 16th century. Capoeira combines dance, acrobatics and music, and often involves hands on the ground and inverted kicks. Try it on land, not the ship. Dramatic windswept bare sand dunes lie in and around Natal. The dunes at Genipabú are ever changing as the winds alter direction and speed. Dunes transform and are never in the same place for long. Amongst the dunes are clear lakes and pockets of flora. Dune buggies allow you to explore the dunes in either a ‘unemotional’ sedate style or an ‘emotional’ (read, scary adrenaline rush) style. Pitangui Lagoon allows the survivors to swim or calm down.

The beauty of Rio de Janeiro is as diverse as it is fascinating. From the world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the majestic Sugarloaf Mountain and the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado to the colourful samba dances and carnival celebrations – Rio is inspiring simply everywhere. In the midst of the tropical metropolis, there are over 50 museums that give visitors interesting insights into Brazil’s rich culture and history. Rio is a samba stronghold even outside of the carnival: the intoxicating rhythms of the country, a symbol of the Brazilian love of life, can be heard in numerous clubs and bars.

Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvelous City, as Rio is known in Brazil. Synonymous with the girl from Ipanema, the dramatic views from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, and fabulously flamboyant Carnival celebrations, Rio is a city of stunning architecture, abundant museums, and marvelous food. Rio is also home to 23 beaches, an almost continuous 73-km (45-mile) ribbon of sand.As you leave the airport and head to Rio's beautiful Zona Sul (the touristic South Zone), you'll drive for about 40 minutes on a highway from where you'll begin to get a sense of the dramatic contrast between beautiful landscape and devastating poverty. In this teeming metropolis of 12 million people (6.2 million of whom live in Rio proper), the very rich and the very poor live in uneasy proximity. You'll drive past seemingly endless cinder-block favela, but by the time you reach Copacabana's breezy, sunny Avenida Atlântica—flanked on one side by white beach and azure sea and on the other by condominiums and hotels—your heart will leap with expectation as you begin to recognize the postcard-famous sights. Now you're truly in Rio, where cariocas (Rio residents) and tourists live life to its fullest.Enthusiasm is contagious in Rio. Prepare to have your senses engaged and your inhibitions untied. Rio seduces with a host of images: the joyous bustle of vendors at Sunday's Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair); the tipsy babble at sidewalk cafés as patrons sip their last glass of icy beer under the stars; the blanket of lights beneath the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain); the bikers, joggers, strollers, and power walkers who parade along the beach each morning. Borrow the carioca spirit for your stay; you may find yourself reluctant to give it back.

Your cruise takes you to the sun-kissed beaches of the Uruguayan Riviera, where the turquoise waters of the Atlantic invite you to relax and explore. But Punta del Este offers much more than just the joy of swimming – with a high glamour factor in the high season and significantly quieter in the off-season. Amidst stylish beach villas, you will discover a variety of art galleries, the remarkable Museo Ralli with Latin American and European art and a lively cultural scene. Local and international artists shape the creative life of this dynamic city. Beach enjoyment is also combined with art – for example, at Playa Brava with the iconic sculpture La Mano, the landmark of Punta del Este. Enjoy quieter hours at Playa Mansa with views of the bay and the offshore islands.

Often likened to the Hamptons or St-Tropez, Punta del Este is a flashy destination where parties run nonstop in peak season. But it is also a destination that draws a range of beachgoers to its shores, from summering families to the celebrity jet-set. There's a bustling city on the beach downtown, as well as quiet countryside populated solely with upscale ranches called chacras or estancias, and creative, buzzing hamlets like La Barra and José Ignacio. Though it's pricey and at times a logistical challenge to get around, everyone finds something about Punta to love.The resort takes its name from the "east point" marking the division of the Río de la Plata on the west from the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It also lends its name to the broader region encompassing the nearby communities of Punta Ballena and La Barra de Maldonado. These days even José Ignacio, some 20 miles away, is grouped in. It's usually a given that Argentina’s upper class spends at least part of the summer in Punta, soaking in the ample rays.

A laid-back attitude to life and a high quality of living make Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, one of the most charming cities in South America. The cosy city, which has around 1.3 million inhabitants, stands in contrast to restless megacities like Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires. Its many little streets have museums that are worth visiting, such as the Carnival Museum and the historical National Museum. At the Plaza de la Constitucion, the cathedral and lovely cafes invite you to while away some time. Barbecue lovers will enjoy parrilla culture at the Mercado del Puerto, while those who love fine wine can discover the local wineries rivalling those of Argentina. Montevideo combines cultural experiences with a laid-back atmosphere – perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

Uruguay’s capital city hugs the eastern bank of the Río de la Plata. A massive coastal promenade (malecón) that passes fine beaches, restaurants, and numerous parks recalls the sunny sophistications of the Mediterranean and is always dotted with Montevideans strolling, exercising, and lounging along the water. Montevideo has its share of glitzy shopping avenues and modern office buildings, balanced with its historic old city and sumptuous colonial architecture, as well as numerous leafy plazas and parks. It is hard not to draw comparisons to its sister city Buenos Aires across the river, and indeed Montevideo strikes many as a calmer, more manageable incarnation of Argentina's capital.When the weather's good, La Rambla, a 22-km (14-mile) waterfront avenue that links the Old City with the eastern suburbs and changes names about a dozen times, gets packed with fishermen, ice-cream vendors, and joggers. Around sunset, volleyball and soccer games wind down as couples begin to appear for evening strolls. Polls consistently rate Montevideo as having the highest quality of life of any city in Latin America. After one visit here, especially on a lovely summer evening, you probably will agree.

Arrive and check in to your hotel. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, is an eclectic combination of Latin and European influences. The tree-lined streets and postcolonial architecture draw on the city’s Spanish, French and Italian heritage, while the many cafés and bodegas and vibrant nightlife are decidedly Argentine. Its barrios, or neighborhoods, exude an intimate atmosphere that belies the city’s size. Full of bohemian flair, historic San Telmo’s cobblestone streets and Belle Époque–style buildings reverberate with the mesmerizing melodies of the tango.