Scotia Arc, Canary Islands & Spain

Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is a captivating blend of history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, making it a unique port of call in Argentina. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like centolla and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of nearby Los Glaciares National Park. The best time to visit is during the summer months of December to March, when the weather is mild, and the scenery is at its most stunning.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

South Georgia Experience in South Georgia is a distinctive cruise destination that rewards curious travelers with authentic cultural encounters and natural beauty. Don't miss the local markets and the surrounding landscapes that extend the experience beyond the port itself. The most favorable visiting conditions prevail November through February, when the austral summer brings the longest days and mildest conditions. Cruise lines including Quark Expeditions feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

South Georgia Experience in South Georgia is a distinctive cruise destination that rewards curious travelers with authentic cultural encounters and natural beauty. Don't miss the local markets and the surrounding landscapes that extend the experience beyond the port itself. The most favorable visiting conditions prevail November through February, when the austral summer brings the longest days and mildest conditions. Cruise lines including Quark Expeditions feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

South Georgia is a remote, glacier-clad island in the Southern Ocean that harbours one of Earth's most spectacular wildlife concentrations, including king penguin colonies of 250,000-plus and vast elephant seal haul-outs. Visitors must walk among the penguins at Salisbury Plain, pay respects at Shackleton's grave in Grytviken, and witness the raw grandeur of Drygalski Fjord. November and December offer peak wildlife activity and the most favourable expedition conditions.

The Falkland Islands are a windswept South Atlantic archipelago famed for extraordinary wildlife — five penguin species, elephant seals, and black-browed albatrosses — set against a stark, treeless landscape of rugged beauty. Must-dos include visiting the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point, exploring Stanley's maritime heritage, and hiking the wild outer islands. November through January offers peak wildlife breeding activity and the longest summer days.

The Falkland Islands are a windswept South Atlantic archipelago famed for extraordinary wildlife — five penguin species, elephant seals, and black-browed albatrosses — set against a stark, treeless landscape of rugged beauty. Must-dos include visiting the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point, exploring Stanley's maritime heritage, and hiking the wild outer islands. November through January offers peak wildlife breeding activity and the longest summer days.

Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is a captivating blend of history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, making it a unique port of call in Argentina. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like centolla and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of nearby Los Glaciares National Park. The best time to visit is during the summer months of December to March, when the weather is mild, and the scenery is at its most stunning.

The Falkland Islands are a windswept South Atlantic archipelago famed for extraordinary wildlife — five penguin species, elephant seals, and black-browed albatrosses — set against a stark, treeless landscape of rugged beauty. Must-dos include visiting the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point, exploring Stanley's maritime heritage, and hiking the wild outer islands. November through January offers peak wildlife breeding activity and the longest summer days.

Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands, is a remote South Atlantic settlement where painted-roof cottages, a whalebone-arched cathedral, and nineteenth-century shipwrecks frame one of the world's finest wildlife frontiers. Visitors should not miss the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point and the extraordinary albatross rookeries of Steeple Jason Island. The austral summer months of November through March offer the mildest weather and peak wildlife activity, coinciding with the expedition cruise season that brings luxury lines through these waters.

The Falkland Islands are a windswept South Atlantic archipelago famed for extraordinary wildlife — five penguin species, elephant seals, and black-browed albatrosses — set against a stark, treeless landscape of rugged beauty. Must-dos include visiting the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point, exploring Stanley's maritime heritage, and hiking the wild outer islands. November through January offers peak wildlife breeding activity and the longest summer days.

Puerto Madryn, gateway to Patagonia's UNESCO-listed Península Valdés, offers marine wildlife encounters rivaling the Galápagos—southern right whales breaching meters from shore, elephant seal colonies, orca beach-hunting, and Magellanic penguin rookeries. Welsh-heritage afternoon teas and Patagonian lamb roasted on iron crosses over open fires define this windswept coastal city's unique cultural blend. Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Viking anchor in Golfo Nuevo to access one of the planet's greatest wildlife destinations.

Montevideo, Uruguay's gracious capital on the Río de la Plata, enchants with its Art Deco–lined Ciudad Vieja, the legendary Mercado del Puerto where asado and Tannat wine elevate lunch to ceremony, and a twenty-kilometer Rambla promenade perfect for unhurried afternoon strolls. Day trips to glamorous Punta del Este or UNESCO-listed Colonia del Sacramento round out the experience. The Southern Hemisphere summer — November through March — brings warm days and vibrant outdoor culture, making it the ideal season for a cruise port call.

Balneário Camboriú is southern Brazil's glamorous resort city on the Santa Catarina coast, where soaring towers frame a vibrant beach scene, Atlantic Forest reserves, and a cable car with panoramic ocean views. Must-dos include riding the Unipraias cable car, sampling oysters and grilled tainha at beachside restaurants, and exploring the wild beaches beyond the central strip. December through March offers the warmest summer weather and liveliest atmosphere.

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's spectacular coastal metropolis, where granite peaks plunge into Atlantic beaches and imperial history meets vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture. Visitors should not miss the panoramic ascent of Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car and a traditional Saturday feijoada feast at a local boteco. The best season for cruise visits is October through March, when southern hemisphere summer brings warm temperatures and the city pulses with pre-Carnival energy, though the shoulder months of September and April offer pleasant weather with thinner crowds.

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's first capital, is a cultural hub known for its Afro-Brazilian heritage and stunning colonial architecture. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional dishes such as acarajé and quindim, and exploring the lively Pelourinho district. The best season to visit is during the dry months from September to March, when the city's vibrant festivals and street life are in full swing.

Recife is Brazil's "Venice," a river-laced northeastern capital built across islands and bridges, where Dutch colonial history, Afro-Brazilian culture, and extraordinary street food converge. Must-dos include the Marco Zero square and Brennand sculptures, exploring UNESCO-listed Olinda's colonial churches, and tasting tapioca crepes and bolo de rolo cake. Visit September through March for dry, sunny weather.

Natal is a sun-blessed beach city at the northeastern tip of Brazil, closer to Africa than to Rio, where dramatic dune systems, warm turquoise waters, and the flavours of ginga com tapioca define the quintessential northeastern coast experience. Must-dos include buggy rides across the Genipabu dunes, snorkelling at the Maracajau reef pools, and tasting camarao na moranga. Visit September through February for dry season sunshine.

Praia is Cape Verde's Creole capital, where UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha witnessed the first European tropical colonization and transatlantic slave trade, and Cesária Évora's melancholic morna music tradition permeates the volcanic Atlantic archipelago's unique cultural identity. Visit November through June via Ponant or Azamara for cachupa feasts, colonial Plateau walks, and the extraordinary emotional depth of a culture that is neither Portuguese nor African but something entirely its own.

Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, is Cape Verde's cultural capital — a harbour city of pastel colonial facades, vibrant street art, and the soulful musical heritage of Cesária Évora. Visitors should savour *cachupa rica* at a waterfront restaurant and take the ferry to Santo Antão for world-class hiking through terraced volcanic valleys. The best time to call is between November and June, when the trade winds temper the tropical heat and transatlantic cruise itineraries converge on Porto Grande's magnificent natural bay.

Tenerife, the crown of the Canary Islands, rises from the Atlantic around the mighty UNESCO-listed Mount Teide — Spain's highest peak and one of earth's great stratovolcanoes — its lunar caldera and forested flanks offering scenery of extraordinary drama just minutes from the coast. The island's northern towns of La Orotava and La Laguna preserve magnificent Canarian colonial architecture, while the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes and black-sand beaches of the south add to an almost implausible diversity of landscapes. The Canaries' celebrated year-round sunshine makes Tenerife a superb destination in any season, though spring brings blooming tajinaste wildflowers to the Teide slopes.

Arrecife, the unpretentious capital of Lanzarote in Spain's Canary Islands, serves as the gateway to one of the volcanic world's most surreal and spellbinding landscapes — shaped by César Manrique, the visionary artist who ensured there are no high-rises, no billboards, and no compromise between tourism and the island's extraordinary terrain. The Timanfaya National Park's lava fields, the underground lake of the Jameos del Agua, and Manrique's own clifftop home-turned-museum are among the most singular attractions in all of Spain. The Canary Islands enjoy a year-round temperate climate, making any month suitable for a visit. Gran Canaria lies forty minutes by ferry.

Tangier is Morocco's storied gateway between Africa and Europe, a city of Phoenician origins where a whitewashed medina, vibrant souks, and a cosmopolitan waterfront converge at the Strait of Gibraltar. Visitors should not miss savouring traditional pastilla in a rooftop riad and exploring the Kasbah's amber-lit ramparts at sunset. The ideal season to arrive is April through June or September through October, when mild Mediterranean temperatures and fewer crowds allow the city's layered beauty to reveal itself at an unhurried, luxurious pace.

Seville’s port is a vibrant gateway to Andalusia, steeped in history and cultural richness. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in local tapas and experience a traditional flamenco performance. The best time to visit is during the spring, when the city bursts into life with festivals and pleasant weather.

Seville’s port is a vibrant gateway to Andalusia, steeped in history and cultural richness. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in local tapas and experience a traditional flamenco performance. The best time to visit is during the spring, when the city bursts into life with festivals and pleasant weather.

Giurgiu, a historic port city on the Danube River, is a vibrant gateway to Romania's rich culture and medieval towns. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like "mămăligă" and visiting nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sighișoara. The best season to visit is spring or early autumn, when the weather is mild and the landscapes are at their most picturesque.