Viking Oceans Cruises – Southern Atlantic Crossing (Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Senegal, Spain, Uruguay) 22 Days

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Barcelona is steeped in history, with stunning architecture and a rich culture. Mediterranean breezes grace the shore and Catalonia’s capital is a feast for the senses. Long strolls on wide boulevards—such as Las Ramblas, the mile-long leafy pedestrian way, and the Passeig de Gràcia, lined with some of Europe’s most elegant buildings—set the tone for a city that moves to its own tempo. Native son and famed architect Antoni Gaudí adorned his city with whimsy, whether along fantastical city blocks or with his colossal masterpiece, the towering La Sagrada Família cathedral.

Sail the ocean stage on which civilizations have risen and fallen, where empires ventured forth in their great armadas to control these strategic waters. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

Casablanca lures visitors with its heady mix of neo-Moorish splendor and French influence. Known as “Casa” to locals, its streets exude an atmosphere of bygone days. Made famous by the 1942 eponymous film, today it is one of Africa’s most important ports. Parisian-style boulevards unfold past cafés and colonial buildings. The city’s medina is a maze of warrens pulsing with old-world energy, the hollers of carpet merchants and the fragrance of incense. The most impressive structure is the Hassan II Mosque, the country’s largest and most magnificent.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail, explore our well-curated library, tucked in a private alcove of The Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

The Cape Verde archipelago is group of ten volcanic islands that enjoy a year-round warm climate, turquoise seas and beautiful landscapes. The isles were first inhabited after their discovery by Portuguese sailors during the 15th century. Mindelo is the capital of São Vicente and birthplace of Cesaria Evora—a singer who rose from poverty to worldwide fame on the international stage. She performed her distinctive morna ballads to audiences while barefoot, which soon became her trademark style; her music is widely celebrated and is a part of Cape Verde’s heritage.

Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Recife was colonized as part of Dutch Brazil during the mid-1600s. With its many small islands linked by some 50 bridges, Recife has been called the “Brazilian Venice.” A vast mangrove park in the middle of the city adds to the scenic allure. On the city’s namesake island, echoes of the Portuguese and Dutch colonial settlements line the elegant streets of Recife Antigo, the Old Town. The Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue here was the first synagogue in the Americas. Today, Recife’s vibrant traditions are on display at the Tunisian-style Malakoff Tower.

Trace the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined. Its hidden towering peaks divide the Atlantic Ocean in half, North to South.

Rio de Janeiro is the peak of Brazilian culture. The local Cariocas call their city Cidade Maravilhosa (“Marvelous City”), and it is easy to understand why: The rhythm of the samba, born in these lively streets, fills the air and stately colonial architecture rubs shoulders with gleaming skyscrapers. Legendary beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema among them, stretch for miles along Guanabara Bay, luring sun worshippers, swimmers, joggers and volleyball enthusiasts. The Christ the Redeemer statue seems to offer a gentle embrace to it all from high atop Corcovado mountain.

Follow in the wake of the great explorers, including Captain James Cook, who traversed these waters, claiming the island of South Georgia for Britain in 1775.

Montevideo enjoys a scenic setting on the Plata River. The Portuguese were the first to settle here, seeking a strategic advantage near open ocean. But Spain, already having established Buenos Aires nearby, expelled them in 1724. This was the beginning of the golden era of Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja, or Old City: Within its walls, some of the most impressive colonial-era buildings were built, from the parliamentary Legislative Council building to the stunning Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral. The wall has long since disappeared, but the character of old Montevideo remains.

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, is an eclectic combination of Latin and European influences. The tree-lined streets and postcolonial architecture draw on the city’s Spanish, French and Italian heritage, while the many cafés and bodegas and vibrant nightlife are decidedly Argentine. Its barrios, or neighborhoods, exude an intimate atmosphere that belies the city’s size. Full of bohemian flair, historic San Telmo’s cobblestone streets and Belle Époque–style buildings reverberate with the mesmerizing melodies of the tango.

Buenos Aires boasts one of the liveliest cultural scenes in the world. The stately Kirchner Cultural Center, the largest of its kind in Latin America, and the internationally renowned Colón Theater host some of the world’s most highly recognized symphony orchestras. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses an impressive collection of works by European impressionists, while the Museum of Latin American Art focuses on 20th- and 21st-century Latino artists. Buenos Aires is also home to hundreds of bookstores and libraries, affording it the nickname “City of Books.” After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.