PORT GAZETTEER
PUNTA ARENAS Chile The small Chilean port of Punta Arenas is set against the rugged, mountainous landscape of Patagonia. The town itself boasts several good museums (one open air) recording its early history and the wool boom years. But easily the most popular tours are to nearby penguin reserves. The largest is along the coast where 50,000 Jackass Penguins come to breed every year.
RABAUL Papua New Guinea The inside of a large collapsed, volcanic crater is an unusual place to house a town, but this is exactly where you will fi nd Rabaul. The natural curve has created a sheltered harbour, mostly fi lled by Blanche Bay. Enjoy a journey along Tunnel Hill Road and traverse the slopes of an active volcano above Simpson Harbour. If you are interested in the history of this island, tour the Kokopo War and Cultural Museum or the Bita Paka War Cemetery.
Rio de Janeiro Port Stanley Rome
RECIFE Brazil Sometimes called the ‘Venice of Brazil’ because of its numerous waterways and many bridges, Recife was named after the coral reefs that line its coast. The waterfront area, Boa Viagem, has the city’s fi nest beach and from Gracas you can explore the old city. Recife’s deep cultural roots are notable and it is one of Brazil’s richest places to explore folk art and craft. Its traditional handicrafts can be found at the Casa da Cultura de Recife, originally a 19th century prison, and at the many markets and festivals dotted around the city. Don’t miss the charming narrow alleyways of nearby Olinda, a colonial city founded in 1534 and now a UNESCO world historical monument.
PORT ELIZABETH South Africa Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, but with the warmth of your welcome, you’ll immediately understand why it’s called ‘the friendly city’. One of its closest game reserves is Addo Elephant Park. Here you will fi nd more than 300 Cape Elephants – so relaxed you can really get up close and personal. There are ostriches, antelope, 200 species of birds, and a few shy rhino too. Port Elizabeth also boasts a wonderful city museum, a must-see oceanarium with a very scary snake park, and some of the countries fi nest beaches.
PORT STANLEY Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands are a nature-lovers delight and the perfect place to p..p..pick up a photo of a penguin. But the capital, Port Stanley, is a quiet fi shing port with a thriving downtown area catering for the increasing number of visitors. The museum just along the front from the dock covers all the islands’ history but obviously majors on the 1982 Argentinean invasion and subsequent liberation by British forces. There are also several war memorials in Stanley and Government House that will be of particular interest to British visitors.
106 WORLD CRUISES 2013
PUERTO MADRYN Argentina Puerto Madryn boasts two slightly unusual attractions: the wildlife and the Welsh. Close by in Punta Loma, there is a protected reserve for sea lions. And on the way to a huge penguin colony, several hours’ drive north of the port and deep into the Patagonia region, there is the chance to stop off for a traditional Welsh High Tea in Gaiman. Here, Welsh is still spoken, 150 years after Welsh Nationalists were fi rst invited to settle in Patagonia.
PUERTO MONTTChile Puerto Montt is the main gateway to the country’s spectacular lake district in the foothills of the Andes. Much of the area is protected within national parks so you will see huge 3,000-year-old trees and equally ancient glacial lakes. Head for the outskirts of town as, by the fi shing port of Angelmo, there is one of the best fl ea markets in South America. Stall after stall stacked with alpaca shawls, Lapiz Azul jewellery and other local craftware are all on show at bargain prices – especially if you indulge in the local sport of haggling.
RIO DE JANEIRO Brazil Rio de Janeiro has much more to offer than sun and sand. You can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, or take a taxi up Corcovado Mountain to view the city’s most famous landmark, the 30 metre-high statue of Christ the Redeemer. Make time too, to visit Praca Floriano, the vast square at the heart of the city which is home to its exquisite Teatro Municipal opera house and close to the city’s best art gallery, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Floriana Square is also the place to catch Rio’s social life at its best – grab a beer at a pavement café and tap your feet to the rhythms of the Samba.
ROME (from Civitavecchia) Italy Standing in the Colosseum, visiting the Vatican City and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain are all unique once in a lifetime experiences to be had in the Eternal City of Rome. The city’s other must-sees include the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon (probably the most complete ancient Roman building in the city) and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces. The Piazza Navone is one of the most famous and arguably the most beautiful of Rome’s many squares, boasting three magnifi cent fountains – including Bernini’s ornate ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’ – and the baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. While steeped in history, Rome is also a modern, bustling city with modern designer shops and chic boutiques at every turn.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146