Rhythms of the Brazilian Coastline

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.

Brigitte Bardot was one of the first to discover the charms of Búzios. The iconic French actor visited this small fishing village in the 1960s, catapulting it onto the global stage where it would eventually become known as the St Tropez of Brazil. Glorious beaches and waving palm trees sit alongside luxury hotels, ritzy boutiques, fine restaurants and chic bars. Búzios is a charming grouping of three settlements on a small peninsula, each with its own unique allure.

Around two hours from Rio de Janeiro, Búzios is a string of beautiful beaches on an 8-km-long (5-mile-long) peninsula. It was the quintessential sleepy fishing village until the 1960s, when the French actress Brigitte Bardot holidayed here to escape the paparazzi and the place almost instantly transformed into a vacation sensation. Búzios has something for everyone. Some hotels cater specifically to families and provide plenty of activities and around-the-clock child care. Many have spa facilities, and some specialize in weeklong retreats. For outdoor enthusiasts, Búzios offers surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, hiking, and mountain biking, as well as leisurely rounds of golf.

This island is a natural paradise and most of it is cloaked in lush greenery. Stroll under magical canopies with the sounds of birdcall as your soundtrack as you look for wildlife peeking from the forest. Ilha Grande is completely car-free, making this wanderer’s dream an exceptionally peaceful stay. Swimming and snorkelling are a must if you can stand to leave the comfort of your beach towel. With our late-night departure, a sandy sunset will have you sleeping sweet dreams.

As the bustling heart of Ilha Grande, Abraão Beach serves as the island's vibrant gateway where golden sands meet a turquoise bay lined with cozy cafes and rustic pousadas. This lively shore is the primary hub for schooners and taxi-boats, offering easy access to the island's more remote paradises while maintaining a charming, car-free atmosphere. Backed by the lush peaks of the Atlantic Forest, it provides the perfect base for travelers to enjoy both the island's energetic nightlife and its world-class trekking trails.

Like something from a picture book, Paraty’s cobbled streets and chalk-white buildings will have you grabbing your camera. After breakfast on board, venture into the town's friendly streets to begin your day.

Buildings accented with bright swathes of primary colours, setting off the steeply rising mountains, veiled in emerald leaf cover. There are no cars in the historic town centre, though you may hear the clip-clopping of a horse drawn carriage as you wander the colonial streets. Keep your eyes open for the iconic birds that make this area their home, including jocular toucans, kaleidoscopic parrots and flitting hummingbirds.

The Costa Verde's main attraction, the coastal village of Parati, is about 180 miles south of Rio de Janeiro. Inhabited since 1660, this small town has remained fundamentally unaltered since its heyday. It was a staging post for 18th-century trade in Brazilian gold from Minas Gerais to Portugal. Raids and pirate attacks necessitated the establishment of a new route linking Minas Gerais directly with Rio de Janeiro. A decline in Parati’s fortunes resulted; being off the beaten track, it remained quietly hidden away. Today, the entire town has been declared a national historic monument by UNESCO as one of the most important examples of colonial architecture. With its newly acclaimed status, Parati has become a popular destination. Its beautifully restored colonial buildings line narrow, cobbled streets which are closed to vehicular traffic. Parati's population of some 15,000 people depends on fishing, farming and tourism for its livelihood. Local artists display their attractive crafts in galleries and souvenir shops. The town, reached via a long pier from the tender landing, must be explored on foot. Among Parati’s attractions is the 1722 Church of Santa Rita de Cassia, a classic example of Brazilian baroque architecture. The surrounding area boasts a scenic backdrop with green-clad mountains and numerous islands are scattered across the bay.

The name of this archipelago is Portuguese for ‘Beautiful Island’ and today you'll quickly understand why. After getting photos from your favourite spot on the yacht, disembark for the wonder of this magical destination where craggy volcanic peaks emerge from heavily forested equatorial jungles. It’s home to a multitude of waterfalls, flourishing plant species and breathtaking beaches. Watch for wildlife sheltered in this World Heritage-listed biosphere reserve, including capuchin monkeys as they perform their gymnastics in the verdant canopy.

Back on board your Discovery Yacht you may like to book in for an indulgent treatment# in the Senses Spa.

Ilhabela, which translates to "Beautiful Island," is a lush, tropical paradise and one of the largest islands on the Brazilian coast, situated between Santos and Rio de Janeiro. Approximately 83% to 85% of the island is protected as part of the Ilhabela State Park, home to the rich Atlantic Forest and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This island sanctuary is famed for its abundant natural beauty, featuring over 360 waterfalls, extensive hiking trails, and nearly 40 splendid beaches along its coastline.

Founded in 1658, São Francisco do Sul is Brazil’s third oldest settlement. History lives on in charming cobblestone streets and colonial buildings, many of which are listed on the National Historic Registry. As you sail toward the island, enjoy some of the best views of the town, perhaps from the cosy cocoon of your private cabana, overlooking pastel homes with arched windows and elegant balconies.

At sea, life is both exciting and challenging. Ships travel across vast stretches of water, carrying people and goods from one place to another. Sailors spend many days away from land, facing changing weather and strong waves. The endless view of the ocean can be beautiful and peaceful. After their journey, they feel happy and relieved when they finally reach shore.

Since the early 20th century, this sun-drenched peninsula has enjoyed a reputation as a favourite holiday destination for the global elite. Referred to as the ‘Monaco of the South’, Punta del Este’s iconic cityscape and incredible beaches attract visitors from all over the world.

Playa Brava, one of Punta’s main beaches, is home to the renowned sculpture of fingertips that emerge from the soft golden sand, called ‘La Mano’. Among other sculptures around the city, the art galleries and museums give Punta del Este an artsy, eclectic atmosphere that makes it a stand-out destination.

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.

The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo’s streets are lined with public buildings and homes that reveal the nation’s architectural history. The Plaza de la Independencia, once home to a Spanish fortress, is the centre of the city, leading to gorgeous Art Deco structures and landmarks including the neoclassical Solís Theatre which opened in 1856.

Visitors will find themselves amongst a vibrant town full of vim and vigour with musical theatre and cosy tango bars right next door to one another. It’s also surrounded by an emerging wine region, so delicious drops are always on hand.

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.

Dynamic Buenos Aires is where your incredible journey concludes. After one final delicious breakfast, it’s time to disembark Scenic Eclipse II. As you arrive in port, experience the city’s enticing combination of Latin passion and European romance before heading home. Take with you a lifetime of memories of this truly unique voyage.

Please book your flight to depart out of Buenos Aires after 12:00 PM.

#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.  Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board. ^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.

Helicopter not operational in Brazil. Submersible not operational in Uruguay or Brazil.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

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.