MSC SEAVIEW: Buenos Aires, Argentina - Buenos Aires, Argentina - 24.12.2026. - 8 days

     Founded in 1535, Santos was one of the first Portuguese settlements in the New World. Situated a few kilometres east of Sao Vicente, the city was developed on an island, with the port facing inland and ships approaching through a narrow canal. The heart of the city is very much connected with the port activities, and the main buildings lie along a network of narrow alleyways and streets.
     There are several street markets, where bartering is the order of the day, just as it was in ancient times. One of the most important attractions in the city centre is the Rodoviària, near Praça dos Andradas. The commercial centre is found along Rua XV de Novembro and Rua do Comercio.
     The city's train station, built in 1860, is a copy of London's Victoria Station. Nearby is the Baroque-style Santo Antoñio do Valongo church and Convento do Carmo. The city's commercial importance is now complemented by the tourist industry, with many visitors preferring the coast of Santos to Rio de Janeiro.
     On the south side of the island, which has a 400km coastline, are a number of bays with large beaches, protected inland by green hills, giving a Mediterranean feel to the area.

     Punta del Este is the Monte Carlo of Uruguay, the most exclusive resort in the country. The marina is a scene of millionaire's yachts, expensive bars and chic boutiques.
     The city is a magnet for the rich and famous of Latin American society, from politicians to pop stars. An all-year-round sporting paradise, the resort offers a host of activities including deep-sea fishing, golf and a variety of watersports, plus a casino and several exclusive clubs. The city is one of charming architecture and elegant buildings, with top-class restaurants and prestigious art galleries.
     The residential areas are characterised by luxurious houses and delightful gardens. Nearby there are numerous parks including Isla Gorriti, which features the remains of an 18th Century fortress. The Isla de Lobos nature reserve is visited each year by one of the largest colonies of sea-lions.

     A stunning city of complex culture, tradition and charm, Buenos Aires is an extraordinary melting pot of the various civilisations that have contributed to its development. The years immediately after its colonisation by Spain in the 16th Century - it was founded by Spanish noble Pedro de Mendoza in 1536 - were marked by turbulence and resistance at the hands of the native Indian tribes, the Querandì.
     Development of the town was interrupted several times and in 1580 it was rebuilt at the mouth of the Paranà river. But by the time of Argentine independence in 1816 and into the 20th Century, Buenos Aires had become one of the most dynamic cities in South America, attracting thousands of European immigrants.
     The Italians, French, English, Germans, Dutch and Belgians all established their own distinctive communities, contributing to what French architect Le Corbusier described in 1922 as a giant urban centre of insatiable energy. The Buenos Aires of today is no less energetic, evident in every metre of the huge conurbation that is home to 12 million people, one third of the total population of Argentina. The setting of Buenos Aires is spectacular, lying on the estuary of the River Plate and surrounded by vast pampas.
     The city is blessed with numerous art galleries and museums reflecting its multi-cultural influences. Tree-lined streets and various plazas give the city centre a pleasant, European atmosphere and the downtown area is packed with restaurants, bars and fashionable shops. The nearby barrios are particularly interesting, home of some of the city's wealthiest citizens. One of the most colourful quarters is the Italian suburb of La Boca, lined with wooden houses painted in yellow and blue, the colour of the Boca Juniors soccer team. The residents can be heard speaking in the Ligurian dialect of their Italian ancestors.