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Antarctica, Patagonia and the Falklands

Tuesday, January 10 to Saturday, January 28, 2023

A leisurely tour focusing on highlights of the four countries surrounding Lake Constance (Bodensee), namely Switzerland’s heartland around Lake Lucerne; France’s picturesque province of Alsace; the legendary Black Forest in Germany; and Austria’s westernmost region around the city of Bregenz…plus the miniature state of Liechtenstein! This tour features very comfortable, traditional family-owned hotels and delicious food, and will be escorted by historian Jacques Pauwels, PhD.


A 15-day voyage to Patagonia, Antarctica, and the Falkland Islands on Celebrity’s Millennium class Infinity, exploring Patagonia, various “hotspots” (no pun intended!) in Antarctica, and the Falkland Islands. In addition, we have added a 3-night stay in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital. Along with the activities offered by the cruise line, your tour leader, Jacques Pauwels, will be offering a series of lectures entitled “A Tale of Two Oceans”. A post-cruise extension to Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro will be available.   

Tour cost per person in Canadian dollars, cruise plus 3-day program in Buenos Aires, sharing double accommodation:

Inside cabin category 11 - $4,578.00   Oceanview category 7 - $4,918.00   Verandah category 2B - $5,628.00, Category 2A - $5,738.00

Prices for other categories and single supplements available on request.  Additional discounts may apply for Captains Circle members. At time of printing rates are taking advantage of the current Celebrity promotion and include a standard beverage package, wi-fi and prepaid gratuities.  This promotion may be removed at any time.  Reservations made while the promotion is in effect will be protected.  



BOOKING INFORMATION

January 10 - 28, 2023

$4,578 for inside cabin based on double occupancy

Other cabin choices available..

DOWNLOAD PDF OF ITINERARY

*If the tour is SOLD OUT, please contact us to be added to the waitlist.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Tuesday, January 10: Flight to Buenos Aires.

We recommend Air Canada’s late afternoon direct flight, currently available at approximately $ 975.00 return including taxes.

Day 2 - Wednesday, January 11: Arrival in Buenos Aires

Afternoon arrival in Buenos Aires, and immediate transfer to the four-star/first-class Hotel Pestana, centrally located within walking distance of Plaza San Martin, the city’s main square, the great boulevards, Colon Theatre, and the pedestrian shopping district with famous Calle.  (Pestana Hotel). Check in, followed by free time to settle in. Late afternoon walking tour of the area around the hotel and dinner in the hotel.

Day 3 - Thursday, January 12: Buenos Aires

After breakfast, panoramic sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires, one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in South America, with a distinct European flair, reminiscent of Paris and Madrid! Among the highlights will be monuments such as the Argentine Congress, the pink Presidential Palace, the famous Obelisk, as well as neighborhoods such as the picturesque harbor district of La Boca with the famous Caminito pedestrian street, Recoleta with its Cemetery (featuring the tomb of Evita Peron), trendy Palermo Viejo, and San Telmo with its colonial-style houses along narrow cobblestone lanes. Afternoon free. This evening, dinner and tango show!

Day 4 - Friday, January 13: Buenos Aires

After a leisurely breakfast, excursion into the countryside and visit to a typical estancia where we enjoy a traditional “Gaucho Party,” culminating in a sumptuous “asado” (Argentinian BBQ) lunch with plenty of great grilled meats! In the afternoon we return to Buenos Aires. This evening, it may be possible to enjoy a concert or opera in the famous Colon Theatre concert or opera (not included).

Day 5 - Saturday, January 14: Touring on you rown and boarding

Morning at leisure. We recommend a visit to the famous San Telmo a lively, bustling outdoor street market with vendors selling food, antiques, crafts & goods. Afternoon transfer to the harbour for embarkation on the Celebrity Line’s magnificent Infinity (https://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=196). Sailing time is 5PM.

Day 6 - Sunday, January 15: At Sea

Three days at sea to relax, refresh, and recharge.  A variety of onboard activities and entertainment for all levels of interest and will be offered by the cruise staff.  Your tour escort, Jacques Pauwels, will give the first of his series of talks entitled “A Tale of Two Oceans”, beginning with myths and knowledge about the Atlantic Ocean in Antiquity.

Day 7 - Monday, January 16: At Sea

More activities on board.

Day 8 - Tuesday, January 17: At Sea

Day 9 - Wednesday, January 18: Ushuaia, Argentina, 10AM - 9 PM

Ushuaia, the major centre of Argentinian Patagonia, said to be the world’s southernmost city, lies in the foothills of the Andes and on the southern shores of Tierra del Fuego, overlooking the Beagle Channel through which Darwin sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific. (To the North, the Strait of Magellan separates Tierra del Fuego, your tour escort will explain its historical significance.) The region was the homeland of the Yamana Indians, believed by Darwin to the "the missing link". Ushuaia originated as a missionary base, served as penal colony and naval base, and eventually morphed into a major tourist destination. Numerous excursions will be available, including the town itself and excursions on the End of the World Train and to sites such as Lake Fagnano Lake, Haberton Ranch, and Martial Glacier.

Day 10 - Thursday, January 19: Cape Horn 8AM - 8AM

Tierra del Fuego, “Land of Fire”, is the most isolated place in the Americas, and Cape Horn is its southernmost point. Named by Dutch explorers after the town of Hoorn in Holland, in 1616, this small but rocky and windswept island is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Pacific Ocean. Cruising along the shores of the island will allow us to enjoy the sights of Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) National Park. Afterwards we set sail to cross Drake’s Passage, the open stretch of water between South America and Antarctica…

Day 11 - Friday, January 20: Antartica

Early morning arrival off the shores of the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula. Called O'Higgins Land in Chile and Tierra de San Martin in Argentina; the Americans and the British used to call this the Palmer Peninsula and Graham Land, respectively. Our exploration today will include three parts: 
(1) Schollart Channel, cruising from 11AM to 1PM, and 
(2) Paradise Bay, cruising from 2:30PM to 4PM.
Celebrity describes these two areas as places of stunning beauty, where passengers can “experience the spectacular wildlife that inhabits the great white South Pole and breathe in the exhilarating air,…take in the mesmerizing sights of massive ice flows, humpback whales, waddling penguins, leopard seals and more in their natural, and somewhat extreme, element, and where clear waters beautifully reflect the spectacular mountains and glaciers.”
(3) Gerlache Strait, cruising  from 5PM to 7PM.
According to Celebrity, “a number of geographical anomalies around this channel make these waters among the most plankton-rich in the world, so you are likely to see a profusion of whales feeding in the rich ecosystem, a sight you'll not soon forget.” Your tour escort will explain how many local names, such as Schollart Channel and Anvers (Antwerp) island, were given by a Belgian expedition under Adrien de Gerlache, which explored this part of Antarctica in 1898.

Day 12 - Saturday, January 21: Elephant Island, Antarctica, cruising from 2PM to 6PM


This island is situated in Antarctica’s Weddell Sea, about 250 km north-northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, 950 km south of the Falkland Islands, and almost 900 km (550 miles) southeast of Cape Horn. 
The ship of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew was trapped in ice nearby during a 1914 polar expedition and spent the entire winter there, and they all survived. The island’s name is due to its many elephant seals, but many varieties of penguins (chinstrap, gentoo, and macaroni) also live there, and so do other birds, including sheathbills, cape petrels, and stormy petrels. It will also be possible to explore the local moss colonies, believed to be thousands of years old and considered one of the oldest living things in the world.: 

Day 13 - Sunday, January 22: At Sea

A relaxing day at sea, perfect for more presentations by your tour escort on the theme of “A Tale of Two Oceans”.  

Day 14 - Monday, January 23: (Port Stanley, Falkland Island, 8AM – 5PM)

Today’s port of call is Port Stanley, capital of the famous Falkland Islands, a self-governing British overseas territory, but claimed by Argentina and known there as Las Malvinas; this issue briefly exploded into war in 1982. 
The archipelago is mountainous and much of the land consists of tundra, a natural habitat for large bird populations, including pinguins, but sheep are raised there and wool is the major export product.
The name Falkland was first used by English explorers arriving in 1690 in honour of Anthony Cary, Viscount of Falkland, a Royal Navy official who sponsored his journey. The Argentinian name reflects an old French name given to the islands, Îles Malouines, “islands of St. Malo”. Various excursions will be available.

Day 15 - Tuesday, January 24: At Sea

Another day to relax and enjoy the activities onboard, including another presentation by your tour host.



Day 16 - Wednesday, January 25: Puerto Madryn, Argentinian Patagonia, 7AM – 4:30PM

The town of Puerto Madryn is located on the coast of Argentinian Patagonia, with easy access to the nearby Valdez Peninsula, a wildlife sanctuary where sea elephants, whales, penguins, and many other varieties of birds far outnumber the few human residents and visitors. Southern right whales, orcas, seals, etc., inhabit the surrounding waters. 

Day 17 - Thursday, January 26: At Sea

Your last full day at sea. Your tour host will conclude his series of talks.

Day 18 - Friday, January 27: (Montevideo, Uruguay 10Am to PM)

Montevideo is a thoroughly modern city with a rich artistic tradition, the reach of the rural estancias is all around you. If ever there were a time you were inclined to indulge, delicious steaks are the specialty of the house in virtually every restaurant.

Day 19 - Saturday, January 28: Arrival in Buenos Aires at 5AM

Disembarkation from the ship and transfer to the airport in time for the return flight to Canada. An optional post-cruise tour of Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro will be available. 

ITINERARY PDF

EXPLORE THE AREA

INCLUDED

- Three nights accommodation in Buenos Aires at a centrally located first-class hotel including breakfast; - Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary; - Daily dinner or multi course lunch in Buenos Aires; - Cruise in category selected, all meals, snacks and entertainment provided on board. - Prepaid gratuities - Free wi-fi - Standard drinks package * *Please note some restrictions apply to the drinks package and Wi-Fi. Please contact the office for more details or refer to the terms and conditions on the Celebrity website. **Please note some activities such as spa services will be at an additional charge.

NOT INCLUDED

- Airfare; - Items of a personal nature; - Optional travel insurance. Please contact the office for rates.

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