SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE
& CHRISTMAS IN RIO

27 Days / 23 Nights
Escorted and departing ex Perth Sunday 3 December 2006

Sunday 3 December: Perth to Sydney
Home pick-up will be provided to your Qantas flight, departing just prior to midnight.

Monday 4 December: Sydney to Santiago
After a short transit in Sydney , we board the Qantas flight (operated by Lan Chile ) to Santiago . We cross the international date line and arrive in Santiago on the same day. We will be met and transferred to the 4-Star Hotel Torremayor where we will stay 2 nights. (D)

Tuesday 5 December: City Sightseeing
This morning we will visit a beautiful horse-racing track in the old residential area, Cousino Palace , the Pre-Columbian Art Museum (housing collections of ancient ceramics, textiles and relics), Santa Lucía Hill (where Santiago was founded in 1541) and San Cristobal Hill - from where we will enjoy panoramic views. We then meander back into town, passing through residential areas and with a wine tasting at “El Mundo del Vino” - the World of Wine. (B/D)

Wednesday 6 December: Vina del Mar - ms Rotterdam
This morning we depart Santiago , cross the coastal range and pass through the unique Curacavi farming valley before approaching the coast and Vina del Mar , Chile 's premier resort. We stop at the Fonk Museum where we can view an original Moai (from Easter Island ), then travel via the race track to an area of villas, apartments and restaurants. We can relax here and purchase lunch, before heading on to Valparaiso (the main port of Chile ).

After completing formalities, we'll board the delightful ms Rotterdam, check into our cabins, then relax and wait for lifeboat drill. The next 16 nights will be inclusive of all meals, onboard activities and entertainment. Your escort will co-ordinate arrangements as may be required and will assist with booking of shore excursions. (B/D)

CRUISE ITINERARY
Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
6 December	-	-	5.00pm
7 December	At Sea	-	-
8 December	Puerto Montt	7.00am	5.00pm
9 December	Scenic cruising of Darwin	-	-
	Channel & Chilean fjords	-	-
10 December	Scenic cruising of Amalia	-	-
	Glacier & Canal Sarmiento	-	-
11 December	Scenic cruising Strait of Magellan	-	-
	Punta Arenas ( Chile )	7.00am	5.00pm
	Cockburn & Beagle Channels	-	-
	Daylight passing Romanche	-	-
	Alemania, Francia & Italia glaciers	-	-
12 December	Ushuaia ( Tierra del Fuego - Argentina )	1.00pm	7.00pm
13 December	Scenic cruising Cape Horn	7.00am	9.00am
14 December	Stanley ( Falkland Islands )*	9.00am	3.30pm
15 December	At Sea	-	-
16 December	At Sea	-	-
17 December	Buenos Aires	7.00am	-
18 December	Buenos Aires	-	8.00pm
19 December	Montevideo (Uraguay)	8.00am	6.00pm
20 December	At Sea	-	-
21 December	At Sea	-	-
22 December	Rio de Janeiro	8.00am	-
* Weather permitting, failing which there will be scenic cruising of Falkland Sound.

Friday 22 December: Arrive Rio de Janeiro
After disemarking, we will be met and transferred to Copacabana where we will stay 5 nights at the 4-Star Plaza Copocabana Hotel. The Plaza is situated 200 metres from Copacabana's famous beach and is in a people-friendly street. We can relax here and reminisce about the wonderful experiences we've just shared. (B/D)

Saturday 23 December: Spectacular Sugar Loaf
This morning we will enjoy a drive along Rio ’s famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station. From here we will be lifted to the Urca Mountain (mid-way station) with its gardens and look-out point over Botafogo Bay . The second part of the ride will take us to the summit of the Sugar Loaf (400 metres above sea level). The fantastic views over the city and Guanabara Bay will remain a treasured memory for a long time to come. (B/D)

Sunday 24 December: Corcovado Excursion
This morning we will undertake the short drive to the Cosme Velho train station. From here, the cog wheel train will climb up through the Tijuca Rain Forest and take us to the bottom of the Christ (the Redeemer) Statue. From its belvedere, at 700 metres above sea level, you can enjoy the breath-taking view of the City of Rio de Janeiro , Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge , Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of southern Rio . All in all, a spell-binding experience. (B/D)     

Monday 25 December: Christmas Festivities
Rio de Janeiro will be alight with colour  and we will have enjoyed the spectacle leading up Christmas day. Then, to assist with our celebrations, we will share in a special Christmas lunch at our hotel today. (B/L/D)

Tuesday 26 December: At Leisure
Today is free for optional sightseeing, or for relaxation in this amazing city. (B/D)

Wednesday 27 December: Depart Rio de Janeiro
Our wonderful journey comes to an end today and we will be transferred back to the airport for our flight to Santiago (or commence extended arrangements). For those returning home, a connection will be made at Santiago to the Qantas flight (operated by Lan Chile ). We cross the international date line in flight and connect via Sydney to Perth . (B)

Friday 29 December: Arrive Perth
On arrival at Perth , you will be met and transferred back to your home.

HOLIDAY COSTS
Ex Perth	Twin Room	Single Room
INSIDE
Large Inside - K	$9,412	$11,269
OUTSIDE
Large Outside - E	$10,183	$12,425
Large Outside - DD	$10,270	$12,557
Large Outside - DA	$10,358	$12,688
Large Outside - D	$10,446	$12,820
Large Outside - C	$10,533	$12,950
VERANDAH SUITE
Verandah Suite - A	$11,582	$16,470
STATEROOM SIZES
Large Inside		16.9sqm
Large Outside		18.3sqm
Verandah Suite (including verandah		27.1sqm
Check for conditions and inclusions.

STATEROOM FACILITIES
Luxurious Euro-Top beds and premium linen
Large extra fluffy Egyptian cotton towels
Plush bath robes
Salon quality hair dryer
Television with DVD player
Complimentary fresh fruit assortment
Complimentary 24-hour in-room dining
Nightly turndown service

CHECK WITH ITS FOR DECK PLANS

Elegance: The ms Rotterdam is one of Holland America Line's fleet of vessels. She was commissioned in 1997 and represents the pinnacle of classically designed, mid-sized ships.

Cuisine: The ms Rotterdam's luxurious 2-tiered dining room features crisp (white) table cloths, Rosenthal china, "every day different" 5-course menus and formal nights. The "reservation only" Pinnacle Grill has the finest of china and glassware and serves beef and seafood. Casual dining is available at the Lido Restaurant.

Service: In true Holland America Line tradition, service in all public areas is of the highest calibre.

Your superb cruise ship has the following features:-
Weight	62,000 gross tonnes
Length	237 metres
Maximum passengers	1,316
Guest decks	10
Elevators	12
Public rooms	18
Restaurants	3
Outdoor swimming pools	2

Guest facilities include:-
Automatic stabilisers
Health spa
Movie theatre
Duty-free shops
Internet centre
Library
Casino 
Beauty salon
Practice tennis courts