Exclusive Best of Montevideo

Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this exclusive and excellent Montevideo Highlights Tour, which includes Old Town, Port Market, Parliament Palace and the Rambla.

Your tour begins when you meet your professional guide at the pier and climb aboard our air-conditioned vehicle. Your first stop will be historic Old Town. Until 1829, a wall that protected it from possible invasions surrounded Old Town. After the wall was torn down, the only part that was kept was its gateway, which remains an emblem of this part of town. Old Town has the most beautiful buildings from the Colonial era and the first decades of independence. The Cabildo (built in 1812), the Solís Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral and several museums, like the Museo Torres García, are among the most impressive ones. Several design shops and recycled loft floors flourish in the streets near the port.

Next you will visit Port Market. The market was completed in 1885 and is a must for the tourist who arrives in Montevideo, whether for its traditional foods or to view the historic culture of the city. While there you may see several talented los guitarreros viejos (the old guitarists) playing folk music that's lasted for centuries, all for the few coins that people donate.

Departing the Old Market, you will next see Independence Square. Located at the border of the Old City and the new city center, Independence Square is the heart of the city, and is surrounded by an interesting array of architectural styles. From the square you will see the statue and mausoleum of General Artigas (considered the father of Uruguay), the Ciudadela gate, and the Palacio Estévez (the former Presidential palace). You will also see Parliament Palace. The palace houses Uruguay's parliament in a very impressive Neo-Classical building, completed in 1925.

Next you will visit the romantic neighborhood "Prado." This residential neighborhood is home to impressive mansions on tree-lined streets built in the early 20th century. Nearby, you will see Cerro de Montevideo, a beautiful green park with several impressive monuments.

You will also visit Carrasco. Located on the city's southeast coast, this neighborhood was originally an elegant seaside resort. However, it eventually became the city's most exclusive bedroom community. Carrasco is regarded as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Montevideo, and features a wide range of architectural styles.

Departing Carrasco you will visit famous Rambla, the avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo and features a string of beautiful beaches. This area provides a great environment for jogging, walking, biking, fishing, or just relaxing in the sun.

Departing Rambla you will be returned to your ship.

Rio City and Sugar Loaf

This fabulous tour of downtown Rio de Janeiro, followed by a trip to world-famous Sugar Loaf, has everything.

After meeting your guide, the first part of your tour takes you to downtown Rio de Janeiro, passing by the Sambodrome and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Sambodrome is a parade area built to accommodate 90,000 spectators for Rio's world-famous Carnival. The Metropolitan Cathedral is a unique and magnificent cone-shaped structure with a capacity of 20,000 people. It's not only one of Brazil's landmarks, but also a masterpiece of modern art.

You will also see traditional Cinelandia Square, with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Via the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca, where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. Sugar Loaf is a mountain located at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 1,300 feet above the harbor, Sugar Loaf is one of Brazil's most recognizable images. You will have the unique opportunity to visit this landmark up close! You'll ride two cable cars on a breathtaking trip up the mountain. The first cable car takes you to Urca Hill, a vantage point 700 feet high, for beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes you up to the top. At 1,300 feet you will enjoy splendid views of Copacabana Beach, the Santa Cruz fortress, and several beaches of Niteroi.

Please Note: Crowds are to be expected at all sites. Streets are narrow, and traffic can come to a standstill. Time is built into the tour in case of delays. Tour timing is approximate, and crowd and traffic conditions may affect the actual tour duration. On the days leading up to Carnival and during the celebrations, street parades and road closures may affect the tour itinerary. Narration is offered through individual headphones in English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, and Russian.