South American adventure with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Begin your South American journey by departing from home in the UK tonight on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

On arrival in Buenos Aires, you'll be privately transferred to your downtown hotel, where you will stay for three nights. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore on your own as you acclimatise to your new surroundings.

Stay: Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel or similar (Deluxe)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning and then head out for your day at a traditional estancia ranch in the countryside. The ranch’s owners, your hosts for the day, will delight you with stories about modern life in the country as well as anecdotes of life here many years ago. Lunch is a hearty asado of grilled meats and empanadas, all paired with delectable Argentinean wines.

After lunch, you’ll be treated to some excellent entertainment: folk songs and dancing, equestrian activities, and an unforgettable gaucho demonstration including ring races and horse races and games. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the evening and dinner on your own.

Stay: Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel or similar (Deluxe)

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires. Start in the La Boca neighbourhood to view El Caminito and its open-air museum of sorts. Some believe this was the birthplace of the tango, and you’ll often see tango dancers performing in the streets.

Spot the Casa Rosado executive mansion, where President Juan Peron and his wife, affectionately known as Evita, delivered numerous speeches from the balcony. The affluent La Recoleta neighbourhood’s cemetery features the final resting place for famous generals, sports figures, and Evita herself. Have a snack at Café Tortoni, the country’s oldest coffee shop, before returning to your hotel for lunch on your own. This evening, take in an authentic tango performance over dinner. 

Stay: Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel or similar (Deluxe)

After breakfast and check-out at your hotel, you will be transferred to the port for embarkation on your Regent Seven Seas cruise. The ship will depart this evening, and dinner is served onboard.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Your ship docks overnight in Montevideo, giving you two full days to enjoy this laidback capital, home to nearly half of Uruguay’s population. It may be a capital city, but visitors don’t come here in search of the usual hustle and bustle of a large city; in fact, Montevideo is a relatively small capital city.

As Uruguay’s cultural, political, and economical centre, however, Montevideo is home to a good number of monuments, museums, and architectural gems. Your shore excursion options here are varied to suit multiple interests. From general highlights tours to Jewish heritage options to beer and meat pairing experiences to winery visits, you’ll be able to indulge in the best this charming capital city has to offer.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Your Uruguayan explorations continue in Punta del Este, a chic beach resort town with marinas, museums, and fascinating shops. Simply spend the day wandering on your own to take in the sights or venture into the picturesque countryside to visit a cattle station. Alternatively, take a trip to Sea Wolves Island, where you’ll spot a colony of endangered sea lions and seals.

The 18th-century city of Maldonado is also well worth a visit with its many enchanting buildings, a cathedral, and a museum. You may also be able to pick up some souvenirs here in the form of fine leather goods, jewellery, and artwork. Culinary delights such as top-quality beef and seafood are to be found on local menus.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Enjoy a day to relax and recharge onboard your luxury Regent Seven Seas ship. Savour the culinary offerings onboard, treat yourself to a pamper day at the spa, or simply read a good book in your room or in a comfortable lounge as you sail the Atlantic Ocean en-route to Brazil.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Itajai is a gentler introduction to Brazil than the larger cities. It sits at the mouth of the scenic Rio Itajaí, between São Paulo and the Uruguayan border, and offers a culture-rich respite from the frenetic pace of city life.

As you move past the shops, bars, and restaurants at the port, you’ll find the eclectic Itajaí Historical Museum and its post-colonial artifacts. The Ethno-Archaeological Museum is chock-full of local prehistoric finds. The 19th century saw an influx of German immigrants here, and the result today is a multitude of wineries and breweries for you to enjoy. Alternatively, seek some natural beauty at Atalaia Beach, where you’ll find white sands and a local cliff formation called Parrot’s Beak.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Choose to embrace city life or stay in more quaint surrounds, depending on your mood. If you’re craving a dose of the cosmopolitan, head inland to vibrant São Paulo. Its modern skyscrapers and monuments, along with its beautiful art museum, will sate your appetite for a more metropolitan environment.

Explore charming Santos for a taste of natural beauty. Its extraordinary Botanical Garden is perfect for a day of taking in flora and fauna. The Orchidarium features over a hundred flower species, and its aviary bursts with colour and sound thanks to their macaws, toucans, and parrots. Finally, you can choose to take the scenic route—literally. A picturesque drive to Guaruja will take you to this resort town’s fascinating aquarium. 

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Today is yours to explore a gorgeous, exotic locale however you see fit. Ilha Grande, about 120 miles south of bustling Rio de Janeiro, was once a hideaway for pirates, and some of Brazil’s most stunning beaches and rainforests can be found here.

Explore this island by hiking its trails, kayaking, snorkelling, diving to spectacular sites, or simply relaxing on its sparkling beaches. Take a walk through the dense forest, spying birds, flowers, iguanas, monkeys, and plenty of other wildlife as you make your way through this precious protected reserve.

Please be aware that due to the undisturbed and under-developed nature of this destination, organised tours are not available.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

Búzios may only be 105 miles from Rio, but it’s a tiny fishing village with an interesting history and a chic vibe. It is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the world. One person who definitely agreed was iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot, who visited here at the peak of her fame. In fact, there’s a statue honouring Brigitte on the Orla Bardot. See if you can spy the glamourous actress staring out to sea.

Tiny as it may be, this once-sleepy village now has a distinctly international feel. Think St Tropez with a Brazilian twist. Búzios is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in South America, perfect for lounging the hours away while sipping delicious, if a little potent, caipirinhas. 

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

You’ve made your way to the grand finale of your incredible journey: Rio de Janeiro. While Carnival may be celebrated early in the year, there’s a little bit of that spirit in Rio every day.

You’ll want to see some of Rio’s iconic sites, such as its gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer and some of its famous beaches. You can also take in the scene on trendy Ipanema or ascend to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain on a cable car. Let the mood of a samba show take you as you sway your hips to the irresistible beat. Find a moment of tranquillity at king Dom João VI’s Botanical Gardens or the lush, green Tijuca Forest.

Stay: Seven Seas Voyager or Seven Seas Splendor (Deluxe)

After one last breakfast onboard, you will disembark the ship and be privately transferred to the airport for your overnight flight back home to the UK.