Rio de Janeiro is famous for many things. The statue ‘Christ the Redeemer’ on the Sugar Loaf is instantly recognisable and has become a symbol of the city and of Brazil more widely. Rio de Janeiro is also surrounded by beautiful beaches, such as the Copacabana and Joatinga. Carnival is the cultural main event on Brazil’s calendar and the most colourful and lively one is found in Rio de Janeiro.

Buzios is a seaside city just east of Rio de Janeiro. It is located on a 16 acre peninsula. The city with its 17 beaches, designer boutiques, fine restaurants, luxury villas and fancy hotels is known as the St. Tropez of Brazil. Once a simple fishing village, it was discovered by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s and since then developed into the country's most upscale seaside resort. Buzios has nonetheless kept its Mediterranean charm, introduced by the Portuguese centuries ago.

The name comes from the Portuguese Ilha Grande and means "Big Island". Ilha Grande is one of the most famous Brazilian islands and is part of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The Ilha Grande offers 86 spectacular beaches and a national park with an Atlantic rain forest, home to numerous rare species.

Ilhabela, which in English means "beautiful island", is located between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The 340 square kilometer island has, over the years, become a popular tourist destination because of the 300 waterfalls, numerous snorkeling and diving spots, beautiful beaches and tropical jungle.

Sao Francisco do Sul is a port city in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. It is located on the island of Sao Francisco and is the oldest in the whole state. The city plays an important role in Brazilian infrastructure, its port is served by the major container shipping lines connecting with the South American east and west coasts, Africa, Asia, North and Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.

The port city of Porto Belo is located on the Brazilian coast and boasts a very rich vegetation. Porto Belo is a dream destination for nature lovers, with many spectacular areas in the jungle suitable for diving. The city region also has numerous souvenir shops.

The Rio Grande rises in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) and flows south through the U.S. state of New Mexico for over 3000km. It is one of the top five longest rivers in North America and serves as a natural border between Texas and Mexico.

Overnight

Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is the city with the highest quality of life in South America. The city centre offers a mix of old and modern with the colonial buildings of the old town and modern skyscrapers homing financial and political institutions. For those looking to have a more relaxed and laid back stay, Montevideo is surrounded by beautiful, pristine, uncrowded beaches.