Impressions of South America

Launch your leisurely exploration of South America to the sultry beats of the Bossa Nova and Samba. A local host will take you to your hotel where you'll enjoy superb oceanviews of Copacabana beach and its beautiful people, just minutes from downtown Rio. This evening, we enjoy a festive Welcome Reception with our Travel Director and fellow travellers.

The rhythm of Rio is yours to explore this morning. Join your Travel Director to delve into the captivating contrasts of Brazil's cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). See the 18th century Carioca Aqueduct, colonial Candelaria Church, and the home of the Rio Carnival, the Sambodromo. Journey high above Guanabara Bay and summit Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car for a "pinch me moment" of inspiring bay and city views. Spend the evening at leisure.

Hands outstretched, the iconic Christ the Redeemer welcomes you to the hunched outcrop of Corcovado, sharing his impressive panoramic view of a city that loves to celebrate. This afternoon, soak in the shores of Copacabana and Ipanema. Kick back and watch tanned sun-worshippers playing volleyball and sip a caipirinha or two, which you'll learn to mix this evening, followed by a sizzling barbecue at a local churrascaria Regional Meal. Bom proveito!

Spend your lazy moments in Rio soaking up the laid-back carioca life before you 'Dive into Culture' at a local Samba School to see their preparations for Carnival Week. You'll learn how to sway those hips to the tunes of Mais que nada and The Girl from Ipanema during your visit. From the intoxicating beat of Rio to the thundering roar of Iguassu, we fly to the magnificent falls that straddle the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together, pondering Rio's party vibe and the inspiring force of nature nearby.

The tropical jungle and waterfall landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park provide sanctuary for rare wildlife, bird and plant species, which share their home with us today as we explore the Brazilian side of the falls with a 'Local Specialist'. We'll walk through the rainforest to the base of the falls before indulging in lunch at a local restaurant against the impressive backdrop of the falls. Spend the afternoon at your resort relaxing or join one of our optional experiences, including a jetboat ride (WAIVER REQUIRED) to the base of the falls, helicopter flightseeing or a visit to a tropical bird reserve, home to more than 500 species of birds.

Crossing the Argentinian border, we join our 'Local Specialist' for a walk along the long catwalk suspended above the swirling waters of the Iguassu River. View the chaotic crush of water pouring down Devil's Throat Falls, then board an open-air ecological jungle train for a different perspective of the mighty cascades. Our Iguassu adventure at its end, we'll board a flight to Buenos Aires, South America's most stylish city and home to the melancholic Tango.

Our day together is spent on a paseo with a 'Local Specialist'. We'll walk through the wide boulevards of this beautiful capital admiring the spirit of a city whose European and Latin American influences can be seen around every turn. This evening, we linger over a delicious regional Meal of Argentine Asado and 'Dive into Culture' watching the passionate, fiery and precise steps of some of Buenos Aires' most talented Tango dancers.

'Paris of South America'. Delve into the treasures of artisan markets and the patio shops of rustic colonial buildings in San Telmo or enjoy delicious dulce de leche ice-cream at the famous Café Tortoni. Feeling adventurous? Consider an optional trip into the countryside to a traditional estancia (ranch)-a unique opportunity to share a drink with the local gauchos (cowboys) and learn about their lives. Admire their consummate horsemanship during a lively equestrian show before sitting down to a traditional parrillada (barbecue) lunch. Tonight, we 'Connect with Locals', joining a local family in Palermo Soho for a Be My Guest Farewell Dinner of delicious family dishes paired with local wine. Learn the secrets of kneading country bread and see how typical Argentinian crafts are made.

Our South America adventure comes to an end this morning. Say a fond hasta luego to Buenos Aires and newfound friends, transferring to the airport for your flight home or choose to extend your stay at the InterContinental Buenos Aires.