Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own, and we have not been compensated in any way for these opinions.
We have traveled many times to countries all over Europe, but one of our bucket list destinations has always been South America and Antarctica. After we had such an incredible time on our first cruise with Holland America, Wild British Isles, we decided to book Holland America again for this cruise. Our 22-day cruise hit all the places in South America we had on our list, plus 4 days in Antarctica.
Whenever we travel abroad on a cruise, we always include a pre-extension, whether we do it on our own or book it with the cruise line. The main reasons for a pre-extension include acclimating from jet lag, having a buffer in case of travel delays, and a chance to see more of the departing city.
For this trip, we decided to book our pre-extension with Holland America. The pre-extension included a one-night stay at a hotel, the transfers from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the ship. Another plus for this pre-extension was the fact that an optional embarkation tour was offered, allowing us to see Santiago and points along the way from our hotel to the ship. More on that below.
Holland America Cruises
Holland America has been around for 150 years and their fleet of 11 modern, classic ships offers more than 500 sailings a year visiting all seven continents. For this trip, we were on the Oosterdam, which is a beautiful ship. While the ship was built in 2003, it has undergone a number of revitalizations, including a light refurbishment in 2025, and we thought the ship was in excellent shape.
The ship carried just under 2000 passengers, and other than the fact that the lounges were typically pretty busy before dinner, most areas of the ship rarely felt overly crowded.
TIP: A few times, especially if several late excursions returned to the ship around the same time, the buffet did get very crowded at dinner during the first 90 minutes of service, making it hard to find a table. Many times, we elected to go to the Dining Room or we waited an hour or so after opening before heading to the buffet. Another option was to find a table in the pool area, just outside the buffet, where there were usually tables and great views.
We selected a Verandah stateroom with a balcony. The room also had a comfortable couch in the sitting area, and we felt this cabin was very spacious.
Other areas of the ship that we really enjoyed included the dining area, theatre and pool. There were also many bar options and restaurants. We thought the food at all the venues was exceptional, as was the service.
TIP: If you like to plan ahead, Holland America has been offering the Have it All Early Booking Bonus. This is a great deal and includes premium WiFi, Elite Beverage Package (up to $16 per drink), shore excursion credit, specialty restaurants, and crew appreciation (gratuities). Check the cruise details for this option.
Holland America – 22 Day South America & Antarctica
Now that we have discussed some of the general information, let’s get started on our itinerary.
Our itinerary is listed on the right. It encompassed all the sites we wanted to visit.
We scheduled our trip for January and embarked on the 9th. The Antarctic season runs from late November to early March. Based on our research, January seemed like the perfect month to go, offering the best chances for calmer seas – especially when traversing the Drake Passage.
At first glance it might seem that the itinerary includes a lot of sea days, but many of the sea days really consisted of scenic cruising. The vistas all along the way were spectacular, and our captain ensured we were in the best position to view the scenery. Many times, the scenic cruising was narrated by one of the ship onboard experts, so we always had information on what we were seeing.
TIP: Weather is always unpredictable, so it’s best to bring along layers so that you can easily adjust to changes in the weather during the day. A light rain jacket is necessary, even during warmer months for those unexpected showers. This trip was challenging since we started and ended with cities in the 80’s for highs, but also temperatures into the 30’s and even some snow while in Antarctica.
Santiago, Chile – 1 Day Pre-Extension
— Day 1 – Santiago, Chile
We traveled through a connection in Miami and arrived in Santiago about 9 AM. After collecting our luggage, Holland America representatives were waiting for us and led our group to a bus, where we loaded and made the short trip to our hotel.
Our hotel, the Sheraton Santiago Hotel and Convention Center, was located near many shops and restaurants. Our room had a view of the nearby mountains and was very nice.
Before deciding on a dinner location, we had drinks at the TwentyOne Bar & Lounge, which is on the 21st floor of the hotel. The views are incredible from the bar as it overlooks Santiago. The space is limited, so we were happy we went a little early. By the time we left, it was getting very crowded.
Holland America had a desk set up in the lobby where guests could get information on many items, including shore excursions. We asked one of the friendly representatives for a recommendation for dinner, hoping for an authentic South American restaurant. She recommended Baco.
Baco restaurant was located only 15 minutes by foot from the hotel. They have a beautiful restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. We decided on a cheese plate for an appetizer and the Filet Béarnaise Medallion. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent.
Holland America – 22 Day South America & Antarctica
— Day 2 – Santiago Chile
One of the great things about staying with Holland America for the pre-extension, is the option of an excursion on the way to the ship. Our luggage was collected in the morning, and we boarded a bus to start our excursion at about 9 AM.
Our excursion was called Santiago’s Charm and Casablanca’s Fine Wines. We started our excursion with a panoramic trip to see some of the highlights of Santiago, including a stop at Constitution Place. This is a large square that includes La Moneda Palace on one side of the square and the Labor National Directorate on the opposite side of the square.
Next, we traveled to the wine region of Casablanca Valley, about one hour from Santiago. Our stop was the Veramonte Winery. We had a tour of this lovely winery and a tasting accompanied by a selection of meats and cheeses.
Leaving the winery, we traveled to the port of San Antonio, where our ship awaited. After a quick check-in, we were in our cabin by early afternoon. Our ship departed around 6 PM, as we headed to the buffet for dinner.
— Day 3 – Sea Day
Day 3 was a sea day, which worked out great for us as we explored the ship and relaxed.
We had dinner reservations for Pinnacle Grill, which is one of the ship’s specialty restaurants. With a very good menu, we opted for the Filet Mignon.
TIP: The cruise director conducts a meeting called ‘Questions about the Next Port’ each afternoon (around 4:30 PM) where the next day’s activities are previewed. It is well worth the time to ensure that you are prepared for the next day. You can find the specific schedule and location for each meeting in the daily newsletter that is left in your stateroom.
— Day 4 – Puerto Montt, Chile
We were ready for our first ship excursion from the beautiful town of Puerto Montt, Petrohue Falls, Lake Cruise & Chilean Countryside. We boarded our coach at 8:30AM and passed through Ensenda on our way to Lake Todos los Santos. Along the drive we had views of Calbuco Volcano. At Lake Todos los Santos, we boarded a boat for a 45-minute trip on the lake. The views included the Osorno Volcano. Although it was a bit cloudy that day, we were still able to see views of both volcanos.
After a very short ride back on the coach, we stopped for the Petrohué Rapids and Falls. There was a short walking path that led to several views of the rapids and waterfalls.
Our next stop was the town of Puerto Varas and lunch. The lunch was very good and we had a few minutes to visit some of the local shops before heading back to the ship.
— Day 5 – Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
Sailing from Puerto Montt to Puerto Chacabuco offers some lovely views along the way. The tiny town of Puerto Chacabuco, with just over 1,000 residents, sits at the head of the Aisén Fjord.
There is really not a lot to see in the small town, but it is considered the gateway to Patagonia.
After arriving in port at 10 AM, we left for our excursion, Patagonia Nature in Depth. It was only a 15- minute ride to the Visitor Center at the entrance to Aikén del Sur Private Park. After a short orientation, we left with a small group and our guide. We hiked about 1.5 miles through prairie, swamp and the humid forest that characterizes this part of the world. Our guide did an excellent job explaining all the surroundings.
Toward the end of the hike, we took a short side trail to a 65-foot-tall waterfall, named the Old Man’s Beard cascade. After viewing and taking several pictures of the waterfall, we continued a short way to an enclosure on a lake where we had lunch. This was our first opportunity to enjoy the typical Patagonian lunch of barbecued lamb.
— Day 6 – Cruising Chilean Fjords
Today we started the amazing journey of the Chilean Fjords. Stretching over 900 miles, the fjords continue all the way to the end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. We knew that we would be making several stops along the way to the ‘end of the world’ and looked forward to all the incredible views. This first day in the fjords turned out to be just a sampling of things to come.
— Day 7 – Scenic cruising Amalia Glacier & Sarmiento Channel
We continued our journey south through the Chilean Fjords and the weather continued to get progressively colder. In the morning, we had cloudy skies and light intermittent rain, but the views were still spectacular.
Our first glacier of the trip was Amalia Glacier. The Captain did an excellent job of maneuvering us close and rotating the ship so everyone had a view. We were all in awe of the glacier, but this sight proved to just be the beginning of the marvelous sights to come!
We continued through the Sarmiento Channel to brightening skies and even a little sunshine. This afforded some beautiful views of the mountains along the fjords.
— Day 8 – Strait of Magellan & Punta Arenas, Chile
In the early morning, we cruised the Strait of Magellan as we made our way to Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas is a charming small town with plenty of history.
Our excursion, Punta Arenas Sights & Patagonian Estancia on the Pampas, was a full day with plenty of sights and an included lunch.
We started the morning with a stop at La Cruz Hill observation point for a panoramic view over Tierra del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan.
The next stop was the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum kept by the Salesian Friars, with exhibits of the magnificent flora and fauna of the region and relics of the folklore and handicrafts of indigenous tribes such as the Yaganes, Onas and Alacalufes.
Driving to the center of Punta Arenas, we stopped at Plaza de Armas Square to view the Hernando de Magallanes Monument and surrounding square.
A short drive from the square and we arrived at the Patagonia Institute, where we toured the open-air Museum of Memories. We saw a collection of antique farm and industrial machinery, a typical pioneer house and shearing shed, along with many other structures and old farm equipment that had been used by early settlers in this region.
Our next stop was the city cemetery where we viewed mausoleums of pioneer families, and the gravestone marking where the last Ona (Selk’nam), extinct Fireland Natives, are buried.
We next headed 50 miles north of Punta Arenas, arriving at the Olga Teresa Estancia. This estancia is a typical Patagonian ranch set in the pampas. The estancia provided some insight into the lifestyle of the farmers working these vast lands. We watched a gaucho round up a flock of sheep with his well-trained dog, entered the barn for a sheep-shearing demonstration and viewed the horses they used on the farm.
We ended with another barbecue lunch of tasty Patagonian lamb, grilled slowly for hours on poles around the fire. Lamb is quite popular in Patagonia. Fortunately, we found it to be quite delicious, which is a good thing, because we had lamb several more times on our trip.
— Day 9 – Glacier Alley & Ushuaia, Argentina
We began the day cruising through Glacier Alley, also known as Avenue of the Glaciers, very early in the morning. Glacier Alley stretches along a good portion of the 150-mile-long Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. Each glacier we passed was unique, having its own characteristics and beauty. But also, the surrounding mountains were also amazingly beautiful.
We docked in Ushuaia about 2 PM, our first stop in Argentina. Ushuaia is positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, cradled between the towering Martial Mountains.
We disembarked the ship to start our afternoon excursion, Drive to Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is the southernmost national park in Argentina and known euphemistically as the ‘end of the world’.
Our first stop was Ensenada Bay, where we had sweeping views of Redonda Island and the Chilean Navarino and Hoste islands across the Beagle Channel.
Next, we stopped at Roca Lake and enjoyed a short coastal walk to learn about local plant life. We also stopped at the Alakush Visitor Center.
Our final stop was Lapataia Bay, where the Pan-American Highway ends. This quiet bay marks the southernmost point in the world reachable by road and offers a beautiful view of the bay.
— Day 10 – Cape Horn and Drake Passage
Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, “rounding the Horn” can be a rough ride.
Making our way south from Ushuaia, we reached Cape Horn and circumnavigated the island. The weather was good enough to get good pictures of the island and structures.
The Cape Horn Lighthouse is the most iconic structure on the island. The lighthouse remains an important beacon for ships that still pass through these waters
It’s believed that more than 10,000 seamen have perished “rounding the horn.” There is a sculpture, which was visible from the ship, designed by Chilean sculptor José Balcells Eyquem in 1992 and depicts an albatross in flight, the seafaring symbol for souls lost at sea.
After bidding farewell to Cape Horn, we started our journey across the Drake Passage. People joke that it can be either the ‘Drake Lake’ or the ‘Drake Shake’. Luckily for us, it was closer to the Drake Lake, although we did have swells of about 14 feet. However, the ship had deployed its stabilizers, so we experienced a gentle roll, that gave us a fairly smooth ride.
The ships crossing immediately after us unfortunately were introduced to the Drake Shake, due to a large low-pressure system that moved in right behind us, making the seas substantially higher.
— Day 11 – Sea Day
Today was a sea day as we enthusiastically awaited our approach to Antarctica.
It was a good day to work out in the ship’s well-equipped fitness center and then relax in the afternoon.
— Day 12 – Antarctica – Day 1
Before arriving in Antarctica, the Captain provided an overview of our time in the area. He gave us a plan for where we would go, but said that due to conditions like rain, snow, fog and icebergs, the plan was subject to changes. The map above shows the actual course we took, and we will refer to the picture a number of times, as we describe each of the areas we visited.
On our first morning, we arrived at Palmer Station, which is on the south side of Anvers Islands. We had our first views of icebergs, incredible ice shelves and mountains. We also had our first of many sightings of penguins. The majority of penguins we saw were the Adélie and Gentoo. Watching the penguins jump on and off the land and icebergs was an incredible sight.
From Palmer Station we made a stop in Port Lockroy and had panoramic views of endless ice and mountains. We even enjoyed beautiful, blue skies for just a few hours. However, as we found out on this trip, the weather in Antarctica changes very quickly, and it is possible to experience every season in just a few hours!
The original plan was to head south toward Lamaire Channel, but the report of heavy ice in that area changed the plan. Instead, we sailed for Neumayer Channel, which was a great option. Again, more ice and penguins and we encountered another ship. The Captain knew the captain of the other ship and we pulled up almost bow to bow.
We next tried to enter Paradise Bay, but there was too much ice to enter, so we sailed up Gerlache Strait a short distance and took shelter for the night.
— Day 13 – Antarctica – Day 2
In the morning, we headed for Cuverville Island. Here we saw the largest colony of penguins so far. There were thousands on the rocks along the beach.
As we continued on to Wilhelmina Bay, we encountered numerous whales, both Orca and Humpback. The captain allowed us to spend time as whales swam around the ship. The landscape continued to be awesome, with giant icebergs drifting by us, and mountains, sometimes lit up from the sun, dominating the skyline.
We slowly sailed toward Dallmann Bay where we took shelter for the night.
— Day 14 – Antarctica – Day 3
We sailed into Charlotte Bay early the next morning and spent several hours watching the views and wildlife. There was a very large colony of Gentoo penguins here, they likely numbered in the thousands. We also saw several whales that were swimming around the bay and ship.
As we were leaving the bay, the sun broke through and highlighted the peaks around the bay. No matter how many beautiful sights that you see in Antarctica, the views continue to be amazing.
We continued on our way to Deception Island, but as we sailed past Trinity Island, we were delighted to see one of the most unique icebergs of the trip. The Captain stopped and gave us plenty of views of this strangely formed iceberg.
We continued on our way as we viewed beautiful mountains in the distance.
We arrived at Deception Island at about 8 PM. As we looked toward the beach we could see another colony of penguins with a series of cliffs behind them. But as we watched, we realized that all of the cliff tops were lined with penguins, seemingly standing shoulder-to-shoulder for as far as you could see. It was the most amazing sight of the entire trip.
Our stop at Deception Island was short, as the ship sailed on during the night to our next stop.
— Day 15 – Antarctica – Day 4
Our last day in Antarctica greeted us with the arrival at Admiralty Bay near King George Island. King George Island is home to several countries’ scientific stations that are found throughout the bay.
We were greeted with a beautiful day, with the sun highlighting all the mountains, glaciers and wildlife. The color of the water was a deep blue as we nestled up to several glaciers. We even witnessed a small calving of a glacier just off the front of the ship.
It was an impressive finish to our time in Antarctica. We started sailing toward the Falklands by noon, again, to stay ahead of a large low pressure heading our way.
— Day 16 – Sea Day
Day 16 was a sea day as we made our way to the Falkland Islands. The sea was a bit rougher, reaching 19 feet. But the ride was not too bad, other than swaying a bit while walking throughout the ship.
— Day 17 – Stanley/Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas
We arrived in Stanley during very windy conditions, but within the parameters of the tenders. So, unlike many others visitors to the Falklands, we were able to make port.
The world’s southernmost capital, Stanley is in the Falklands archipelago, which consists of two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with other nearby smaller islands.
You may have noticed this stop is titled as “Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas”. Isla Malvinas is the name used by Argentinians when referring to these islands. You may know about the 1982 war that occurred over these islands between the U.K. and Argentina. The U.K. ultimately retained ownership of the islands. However, the topic is still extremely sensitive among Argentinians. So, it is better not to refer to the “Falklands” while in Argentina.
After a bouncy tender ride, we embarked on our excursion, Port Stanley on Foot. It was very windy, which is common, and our guide looked for shelter at every opportunity just so we could hear her. With almost no native trees, the Falklands is like a huge, windswept rock.
The town of Stanley extends only a few blocks from the waterfront. As we walked along, we encountered reminders that Stanley is a British outpost — red phone booths, round post boxes, and the 19th-century Christ Church Cathedral, which is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world.
Very few commercial airlines make stops in Stanley. Only a few arriving cruise ships find the winds low enough to even make port. So clearly, the islands are quite difficult to reach. Since the island is so desolate, that also means that items like fresh food are hard to get. We walked through a grocery store and found almost everything was either canned or frozen. Very little fresh produce is available, and if you do find it, the price is very high. Our guide explained that ships arrive from the U.K. about every other month, and they bring in what little ‘fresh’ foods that can be found on the island.
The ship’s tenders were suspended for a few hours during the day as the winds blew hard, only returning passengers were allowed to make the transit. No other passengers could leave for shore.
In all, the Falklands proved to be a very interesting place to visit.
— Day 18 – Sea Day
After leaving the Falklands, we had much smother sailing as we headed for our next port.
We spent the day working out in the fitness center, listening to some lectures and eating at Pinnacle Grill for dinner.
— Day 19 – Puerto Madryn, Argentina
In Puerto Madryn, we decided to skip an excursion and just walk along the promenade since it was such a beautiful and warm day. The beach there is very wide and flat, with plenty of space for beachgoers, volleyball and other activities. There are also many restaurants and shops along the walk as well.
We strolled past many unique monuments and sculptures all along the way. They included the Whales Tail, Monumento al Trabajador (Workers’ Monument), a diver equipped with a speargun, and a monument that honors General José de San Martín, a national hero who is known as the “Libertador” of (Liberator) of Argentina, Chile, and Peru from the Spanish. We also saw several playful seals along the pier close to where the ship was docked.
It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day in this beautiful beach city.
— Day 20 – Sea Day
Our last sea day was spent relaxing and enjoying dinner at Canaletto, the Italian Specialty restaurant onboard.
— Day 21 – Punta del Este, Uruguay
Punta del Este, Uruguay had gorgeous beaches and plenty of activities, including diving and snorkeling. The population swells with part-time residents and sun-seeking vacationers during the winter, when quiet Punta del Este turns into a glitzy, glamorous resort town. Since we were there during South American summer, the town was a little quieter, although there were still plenty of people enjoying the beaches.
We decided on the Discover Punta del Este: A Walking Tour excursion for our time in port. This excursion looked like a great way to see the area and included lunch.
TIP: Before reviewing the sites on the excursion, let’s talk about the overall excursion. It is rated as moderate, but I studied the walking route when we booked the excursion and knew it would be about 5 miles of walking in hot sun and mid 80-degree weather. We armed ourselves with plenty of water and had no problem with the walk. However, many people were surprised at the length of the walk and really struggled, especially due to the hot and humid weather. So be sure to always review the excursion in order to understand what you will be encountering before you sign up.
From the port, we walked about .5 miles to the iconic Punta del Este Lighthouse, a historical beacon guiding sailors since 1860. Nearby, we also visited the charming Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, a beautiful sky-blue structure that stands as a testament to the city’s rich heritage. We had plenty of time to walk around this area and take pictures.
We then walked about .3 miles to Punta Salinas, the southernmost tip of the peninsula. The views from the beach were impressive. Also located here is the anchor of Graf Spee, a German battleship from World War II.
From this point, we walked along the waterfront for 1.5 miles to reach famous Brava Beach. While the walk along the beach is very scenic, 1.5 miles in full sun and heat and humidity caused several of the group to really struggle and fall a bit behind. The guide did a great job and we stopped several times, but still an arduous walk for some folks.
Barva Beach is known for its powerful waves and the iconic “La Mano” sculpture, also known as The Fingers of Punta del Este. The sculpture is by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. It depicts five human fingers partially emerging from sand. It has become a symbol for Punta del Este since its completion in February 1982. Personally, we thought it was a little underwhelming.
From there, we started our walk back toward the port, stopping at General Artigas Square, better known as Artisans’ Square, the vibrant heart of Punta del Este. The square is named after Uruguay’s national hero, General José Artigas, whose statue proudly stands in the center.
Our last stop was very near our starting point in the port, where we stopped for a very good, and well-deserved, 3-course lunch in Old Town.
In all, we had a good time and enjoyed the walk and sites of Punta del Este.
— Day 22 – Montevideo, Uruguay
Our next stop was Montevideo, which is the capital of Uruguay. Our excursion for the day was the Best of Montevideo & Juanico Winery.
We started the tour with a panoramic drive through Montevideo, with its waterfront, lined with palm trees and a well-preserved Old Town populated by historic buildings. We stopped at Plaza Independencia (Independence Square) that includes an equestrian statue and underground burial chamber for Uruguayan revolutionary José Artigas (the same person’s statue we saw the previous day). Among other historical buildings surrounding the square is the Palacio Salvo (Salvo Palace). It is an eclectic skyscraper in the Centro neighborhood of Montevideo. Finished in 1928 it stands 344 feet tall. In 1996 the building was named a National Historical Monument of Uruguay.
After our tour of Montevideo, we headed 25 miles north of Montevideo to visit one of Uruguay’s leading vineyards, the Juanicó Winery. The terroir of Juanicó makes this area an excellent site for viticulture. The cultivated varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Marselan, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. But the specialty is the Tannat varietal, which has won several prizes in the European market. We enjoyed a tasting of Juanicó’s exceptional vintages in the state-of-the-art winery and cellars.
For lunch we were treated to the great culinary tradition of grilled meats and watched a demonstration of tango — a sensual dance with roots in Argentina and Uruguay.
At the conclusion of lunch, we boarded the coach for the trip back to our ship.
— Day 23 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
We arrived at our final port and since our excursion was after lunch, we decided to get our packing done while we had some time.
The port location in Buenos Aires is very industrial, so there is no opportunity to just walk off the ship. The town is close by, only about 10 minutes by taxi.
Our afternoon excursion was Perfect Pairing: Premium Argentine Wine & Tapas. We started with a short panoramic tour of the highlights of Buenos Aires, but we had a much more in-depth tour scheduled for the next day.
We made our way to La Cava de El Querandi, which is a wine club. Our group was greeted by friendly staff and then ushered us to a separate room for our wine tasting. A local wine expert talked about the region and each wine we tasted, with each tasting accompanied by a selected local specialty that paired perfectly with the wine. The wine expert also had a slide presentation that went along with the tasting. We tried Torrontés, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The pours were very generous, so there was plenty to drink.
— Day 24 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 24 was disembarkation day, so the end of the trip was at hand. Most international flights do not depart until late at night, and ours was about 10 PM. In order not to spend all day and night at the airport, we selected to take the excursion titled Debarkation Tour: Buenos Aires Highlights & Tango Show with Airport Transfer. This excursion allowed us to spend one more day enjoying Buenos Aires.
Our tour started with a drive along Avenida de Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo built during Spanish rule. We also passed by the Colón Theatre Opera House.
We then passed through the Recoleta area — one of the city’s most glamorous spots — and stopped to visit the Recoleta Cemetery. The paths are lined with mausoleums and statues marking the generations of Argentine families that rest here in ornate splendor. We also visited the grave of Eva Peron.
As we drove through the Recoleta area after leaving the cemetery, we passed the El Ateneo Book Store, so the guide asked the driver to stop so we could make a quick unscheduled stop. It was a great decision. The book store was originally the El Grand Spendid theatre, which opened in 1919 and immediately became a beacon of Porteño culture, hosting ballet, opera, and the first “talkies” shown in Buenos Aires.
Next we stopped in the La Boca area where we walked around the shops and markets. This is a very interesting area with all types of food and historic buildings. The area is a bit touristy, so watch your belongings.
Our last stop was lunch and a Tango show. We thought it would be just a dance performance. Wow, were we surprised! First, we were seated at a table directly in front of a large stage. There was a bottle of wine just for us two, and a fabulous lunch. This wasn’t just a dance show, but a full production performance with live music. We were very impressed and highly recommend this excursion.
We were then driven to the airport where we relaxed in the lounge until our flight was ready to leave.
We really enjoyed this trip, and we think you will too! The itinerary was exactly what we wanted, and we were so pleased that the weather cooperated the entire trip! Even crossing the Drake Passage was better than we expected.
We recommend adding extensions to both ends of the cruise, either with the cruise line or on your own, as a great way to get even more from your vacation.
We hope you found our review of Holland America’s South America and Antarctica Cruise helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some of our other travel destinations.
Safe travels!