Afternoon: Depart the US for your flight to Santiago, Chile.

Morning: Upon arrival in the city take a panoramic drive to see the most important highlights of historic and modern Santiago, including La Moneda (the Presidential Palace), and Cathedral at the Plaza de Armas. Continue through the newer residential areas of the city to San Cristobal Hill for a breathtaking view of the city.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant on San Cristobal Hill.

Afternoon: Check into the hotel and afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Intercontinental Hotel Santiago

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Orientation, followed by an excursion to Chile's wine country. Start at the famed Santa Rita Winery in the Maipo Valley. A visit to the Santa Rita installations in Alto Jahuel constitutes a fascinating trip through Chilean history and viticulture. Santa Rita was founded in 1880, and was owned for many years by one of the country’s most famous poets. They pioneered the planting of Bordeaux varietals and now are considered one of the best wineries of the country. In the May 2007 issue of Wine Spectator their 2002 flagship Cabernet was rated 92 points.

Lunch: Lunch at La Casa de Dona Paula Restaurant, currently a National Monument named after Ms. Paula Jaraquemada, the former manor owner of Santa Rita estate over 200 years ago.

Afternoon: After lunch explore the Museum of the Andes (Museum Andino), which houses a stunning private collection of indigenous art and culture of Chile.Then discover one of the most important and productive wineries in Chile, Concha y Toro Vineyard. Founded in 1883 near the picturesque little town of Pirque, it still maintains all the traditions of Chilean wines. The Wine Advocate awarded their icon Carmenere wine, Carmin de Peumo 2005, 97 points.

Dinner: Dinner on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Intercontinental Hotel Santiago

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Gain insight into Chilean culture, customs, traditions and the celebratory side of Chilean country life as you join a "Fiesta Linda", a beautiful party in the countryside. See Chile's national dance, the cueca, performed and try it out yourself. Huasos (Chilean cowboys) dressed in traditional costume demonstrate their art on horseback. Enjoy an assorted selection of traditional Chilean snacks (Empanadas, choripan, sopaipillas with pebre, tortilla de rescoldo with Chancho en Piedra) while listening to Chilean music performed by a folkloric group.

Lunch: Typical Chilean lunch at Fiesta Linda.

Afternoon: Depart the ranch for Valparaiso where you will embark the ship.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

In Transit: Spend the day at sea sailing towards Puerto Montt; Educational program of lectures or discussions by accompanying lecturer offered.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: For this excursion, participants are taken ashore on smaller boats Zodiaks. Participants with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark due to steep gangways and steps.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Head through lush countryside dotted with weathered clapboard barns and churches to Frutillar, a charming German-style village on Lake Llanquihue, America's third-largest natural lake. Visit the local museum for insight into the life of the German settlers who colonized the area. Then, drive to Puerto Octay. The name comes from an early colonist, Ochs, who owned a grocery store. When people wanted to buy something they said: "donde Ochs hay" (at Ochs, they have it), deriving into "Octay."

Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant in town.

Afternoon: Coach back to Puerto Montt and afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: This port requires a Zodiak to disembark. Walking is minimal, however steps can be expected.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Join your study leader for a presentation on board the ship.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Departure from pier to Coyhaique. On the way, brief photo stop at the Cascade of the Virgin. Continue to Coyhaique by paved road, crossing the Andes Mountains from the coast to the East arriving in Coyhaique, located at about 450 m. high (1,476 feet). The road goes along the Simpson river during all the way by a narrow mountainous valley with varied and abundant birds. Short stop for about 10 minutes at the Alto Baguales viewpoint, where we will have a superb sight of Coyhaique city. Upon arrival in Coyhaique, explore the center of the city, and the Regional Museum of Patagonia. Although small, this museum features interesting exhibits with photos of early settlers. Afterwards, return to the pier.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

In Transit: Spend the day at sea sailing the Chilean Fjords; Educational program of lectures or discussions by accompanying lecturer offered.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

In Transit: Spend the day at sea sailing the Chilean Fjords; Educational program of lectures or discussions by accompanying lecturer offered.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Participants with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark due to steep gangways and steps. At Otway Sound hike for about 2 miles (round trip) across grassland with sandy areas to the penguin rookery.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Head into the Patagonia countryside, with just enough low shrubs to offer camouflage to guanacos and rheas (South American ostrich). At Otway Sound hike across grassland with sandy areas to the penguin rookery. A colony of Magellanic penguins nests and breeds here -- they return every year to lay eggs and raise their young. They bury their eggs in sandy burrows and under shrubs; at this time of year most of the chicks will have hatched. This is strictly a wildlife reserve without any tourist facilities. A windbreaker, scarf, and sturdy walking shoes are recommended to bring during this excursion.

Lunch: Lunch at the Old Warehouse.

Afternoon: Enjoy a guided walk through the refurbished Old Warehouse, with an explanation of the old machinery used by the first colonists of this part of the world and take in a sheep shearing demonstration. Continue on to the cemetary and Plaza de Armas; time permitting, also make a stop at the local handicraft market.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Participants with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark due to steep gangways and steps. The National Park will have uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Participate in a presentation by your on board lecturer.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: A local expert introduces you to the natural history and unique geology of Patagonia at the National Park.

Dinner: Late dinner on the Lido Deck.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

In Transit: Spend the day at sea sailing Cape Horn; Educational program of lectures or discussions by accompanying lecturer offered.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Enjoy a morning lecture and take part in other shipboard activities.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Enjoy the many shipboard activities and the scenic views.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Travel to the peninsula by coach on bumpy roads, bathrooms are available but rustic at the visited location. Some walking and standing at various points during the excursion on flat or sandy terrain.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: All day excursion to Peninsula Valdes, one of the best known wildlife reserves in South America. Along the way, pass by estancias (ranches) known for sheep breeding. View the lowest continental depressions in the world- the salt flats of Salina Grande and Salina Chica at 42 meters below sea level during the drive. The peninsula is home to various marine life, with hopeful sightings of penguins and sea elephants, and its shores have been known for visiting Right Whales between July and December each year.

Lunch: Box lunch at Peninsula Valdes

Afternoon: Return from Peninsula Valdes, ship departs at 3 p.m.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

In Transit: Continue sailing towards Montevideo; Educational program of lectures or discussions by accompanying lecturer offered.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Participants with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark due to steep gangways and steps.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Get an overview of Montevideo's monuments, parks and gardens. See the Old City, Constitution Square, Colonial Town Hall, Solis Theatre, and Independence Square at the center of which stands a monument dedicated to the national hero, Joservasio Artigas and his Mausoleum. Drive along the main commercial street, 18 de Julio Avenue, lined with shops, cafes and office buildings. Stop in front of the Congress Building: This immense building is the pride of Uruguay. It was constructed between 1908 and 1925 with local marble of 52 colors and 12 types of wood. Visit one of the oldest parks in the city which hosts the famous sculpture La Diligencia (The Stage Coach), Monument to the last Charridians. Then stop at Plaza Virgilio, with a monument dedicated to the Fallen Soldiers of the Navy.

Lunch: Lunch onboard.

Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure to explore Montevideo at your own pace.

Dinner: Dinner onboard.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: MS Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Disembarking the ship will involve walking down steep gangways and steps.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard.

Morning: Arrive in Buenos Aires and disembark the ship. This morning discover life on an Estancia. Upon leaving the city start to experience the famous Pampas, land of the Gauchos, on the way to a traditional Estancia (Ranch). Join a Gaucho Party, which is a typical argentine BBQ and a show, with music, dances, carriage rides and a horseback riding demonstration. The Gaucho was the original inhabitant of the Argentine pampas (flatlands). His life was closely connected with the country traditions: feeding the cattle, taking care of the horses and playing melancholic songs on his guitar and his drinking his Yerba Mate.

Lunch: Lunch at the Estancia featuring traditional Argentine BBQ.

Afternoon: Depart the Estancia, upon arrival back in Buenos Aires, check into the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Americas Towers Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Get acquainted with Buenos Aires via the city's major neighborhoods and attractions. Points of interest include the Main Square, Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Presidential Headquarters Office), the Cabildo (Colonial Town Hall) and the Cathedral. Drive through the charming streets of San Telmo and down the colorful roads of La Boca, famous for its multicolor tin houses. Later, go through elegant Barrio Norte on the way to the Recoleta Cemetery, an amazing aboveground cemetery lined with mausoleums and statues. Finally, visit Palermo and its magnificent mansions and parks.

Lunch: Lunch on your own to explore the flavors of Buenos Aires.

Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure to explore Buenos Aires on your own.

Dinner: Dinner at a tango hall.

Evening: Learn to tango at a local tango hall. Born around 1880, the tango was the vulgar dance and music of the capital’s “arrabales” or lower class neighborhoods, blending gaucho verse with Spanish and Italian music. Carlos Gardel, the best representative of Tango music and singers, took it out from the brothels and tenements and into the salons of Buenos Aires. In the late 19th century the “Great Village of Buenos Aires” was becoming an immigrant city, where frustrated and melancholic Europeans displaced gaucho rustics, who retreated gradually to the ever more distant countryside. The children of those immigrants became the first generation of “porteños”, and the tango-song summarized the new urban style. Permeated with nostalgia over a disappearing way of life, the tango-show expressed the apprehensions and anxieties of individuals, ranging from mundane pastimes like horse racing and other popular diversions to more profound feelings towards the changing landscape of neighborhood and community, the figure of the mother, betrayal by women, and friendship or other important personal concerns.

Lodging: Americas Towers Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires on your own.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for departures home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

In Transit Overnight: Overnight flight back to the US