Patagonia and the Wild Atlantic: Cruise to the Falkland Islands

Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, is located on the Beagle Channel, where soaring mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and an historic lighthouse create an ideal backdrop. The capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, it was first settled by British missionaries. During the first half of the 20th C the major building of the city was a prison, built by the Argentinian government for repeat offenders and serious criminals, as the subpolar oceanic climate made escape difficult. Read more about Ushuaia, Argentina

Cape Horn, the most southerly of the great capes is located on Isla Hornos in the Hermite Islands group at the southern end of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of South America. It marks the northern edge of the Drake Passage that separates South America and Antarctica. For many years it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. Read more about Cape Horn, Chile

Isla de Los Estados is administratively part of the city of Ushuaia in Argentina. It is situated just 25 km off the most southerly tip of South America. The island is about 65 km long and 15 km wide, with a rugged and deeply indented coastline, and is separated from the mainland by some 29km of the Le Maire Strait. Read more about Isla de Los Estados, Argentina

Port Stanley is the capital and only town in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope, south of Stanley Harbour, in one of the wettest parts of the islands. It is very easy to see most of the islands’ worthwhile sites on a short walking tour. Read more about Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Carcass Island is the largest of the West Point Island Group of the Falkland Islands. In its 100 plus years of habitation it has had three environmentally conscious owners, and the subsequent absence of cats and rats has made the luxuriant, well established hedges and trees an attractive home to a wide variety of birdlife. Read more about Carcass Island, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

West Point Island is one of the Falkland Islands lying west of West Falkland. Once a popular site for slaughtering seals, it is now owned by the Napier family and run as a sheep farm and tourist attraction. With a population consisting of only four people, visitors are fascinated to see their little home and appreciate their self-sufficiency. Read more about West Point, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Saunders Island, NW of West Falkland, is still run as a sheep farm. Saunders Island Settlement, with one listed building known as Stone House, lies on the east coast. There are varied habitats, including wetland and permanent lakes, areas of dune formations and extensive steep cliff slopes. Read more about Saunders Island, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Puerto Madryn is a city in the province of Chubut, one of the most sheltered places on the Patagonian coast of Argentina. The town, founded in 1865 by 150 Welsh immigrants, has become an important tourist centre. This coastal city has warm summers and moderate winters all year round. Read more about Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Montevideo is the largest city, capital, and chief port of Uruguay. Situated on the River Plate (Silver River), it is also home to almost half of the nation's population, and subsequently is a modern metropolis, though with a fascinating historical old town dating back to colonial times. Described as a vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life, it is the hub of commerce. Read more about Montevideo, Uruguay