16-DAY TRINIDAD TO RIO: SOUTH AMERICAN EXPEDITION

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the island country of Barbados, a major tourist destination in the West Indies. The city has numerous attractions, landmarks, monuments, museums, and art galleries of an international standard. It is also a starting point for visiting many other popular cities on the island. Read more about Bridgetown, Barbados

Located on the western tip of the island of Trinidad, between the rainforests and mountains of the Northern Range and the Gulf of Paria, Port of Spain is the country’s cultural, commercial and governmental centre. It is a busy and vibrant city with the tall buildings, neon lights and crowded streets, as well as a multicultural Caribbean character and a home-grown calypso soundtrack. Maracas Bay is a beach that fulfils the fantasy of the ideal Caribbean beach, but is just as famous for the scenic rainforest drive that must be made to reach it. Read more about Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Devil’s Island (14ha), along with Île Royale (28ha) and Saint-Joseph Island (20ha), form the Salvation’s Islands, lying 13km NE off the coast of French Guinana in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands were part of the penal colony of Cayenne from 1852 to 1953, that also included mainland sites. Most of the 80,000 prisoners never returned to metropolitan France, dying from tropical diseases and brutal conditions. Read more about Devil's Island, French Guiana

Fortaleza is a major fishing port and fast growing tourist destination in the NE of Brazil. The warm climate, warm ocean waters, and the 25 km of urban sandy beaches are its major attractions. The scenery is complemented by the jangadas, small rafts used by many of the fishermen, while the Beach of the Future is a popular location with many restaurants built in the local style using straw and called Barracas de Praia or beach huts. Read more about Fortaleza, Brazil

Natal is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a NE state in Brazil. Natal has several tourist attractions and is famous for: its natural beauty, such as the crystalline waters of Maracajau; its historical monuments and buildings, such as the Forte dos Reis Magos; the Alberto Maranhao Theatre; and the Newton Navarro bridge. Ponta Negra, Pipa and Genipabu are popular beaches. Read more about Natal, Brazil

Salvador, Brazil's former capital and fifth largest city in the country, is situated on a high bluff that circles around the eastern side of the magnificent All Saints Bay. This intriguing city with a population of over two million has a strong African influence that derives from the slaves brought here to work in the sugar cane fields more than 400 years ago. Their rich cultural heritage is evident in their music, dance, cuisine and religion. Read more about Salvador, Brazil

Buzios in Brazil is situated 169 km NE of Rio de Janeiro, a small and sophisticated paradise that was popularised by legendary movie star Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s, and her statue still graces the main street. Today it is the haunt of the rich and famous of the world who flock to the city to enjoy the more than 20 stunning beaches in the vicinity. The peninsula is a sophisticated beach resort with a very active night life and fine restaurants. Read more about Buzios, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a large Brazilian city situated on the South Atlantic Coast of South America. It is perhaps best known for its carnivals and the largest art deco statue in existence, the giant Christ the Redeemer Statue that is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While there absorb the magnificent views and you will feel as though you are taking a walk in the clouds. Read more about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil