Hanseatic Inspiration, INT Panama Canal & Sth America ex Colon to Valparaiso – 07 Nov 2021

14 Night Cruise sailing from Colon to Valparaiso aboard Hanseatic Inspiration.

The thrilling contrasts of South America await you between the Panama Canal and Chile: exotic rainforest, island paradises with rich biodiversity and the mystical reminders of great civilisations.

Highlights of this cruise:

Colon
Colon is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama’s Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama’s second city. Three modern ports make Colón one of the most important ports of the Caribbean Sea.

Set along the turquoise waters of the Caribbean coast, the province has a wide variety of attractions-beautiful beaches and islands, fascinating historical sites, the largest Free Trade Zone outside Hong Kong, a state-of-the-art cruise port, world-class bird watching, diving and snorkeling and a spectacular 5 star hotel/convention center on the Panama Canal.

Callao
Callao is the largest and most important port in Peru. It is located west of Lima, the country’s capital, and is part of the Lima Metropolitan Area. Callao is built on and around a peninsula, the district of La Punta, once a wealthy residential neighborhood. An historical fortress, the Castillo de Real Felipe (site of “Rodil’s Last Stand”), stands on the promontory overlooking the harbor.

In its surroundings is located the Main Iglesia Matriz Church and the Capitanía del Puerto (Port Captaincy). From here a street takes the visitor towards the District of La Punta which hosts the Naval Base, round stony beaches, the old walkway by the sea and a handsome residential area.

A few kilometres into the sea stands the San Lorenzo Island, with some archaeological relevance and the El Frontón Islet, at present an abandoned prison that used to hold highly dangerous criminals.

Coquimbo
Coquimbo is a port city and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Located 12 km south of La Serena and 462 km north of Santiago, Coquimbo is the most important port of the region. It lies beside the coastal hills and has busy commercial districts.

The charming city is a wonderful mix of narrow streets dotted with no fewer than 29 pristine churches. Colonial bell towers and pastel façades conceal craft markets and sleepy squares. Attractions include the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Prat and Avenida Costanera, the Museum and the House of Culture and Tourism. To the south you will come to La Herradura beach, and to the north Los Hornos cove, Totoralillo Norte and El Temblador beach.

Coquimbo joins La Serena via Peñuelas, where you will find a games casino, places to eat, places to stay, and other attractions.

Valparaiso
Valparaiso is a major port and the second largest city in Chile. It is 120km west of the capital, Santiago de Chile. This blue collar city is full of colorful clapboard houses and Victorian mansions built on a circle of steep hills. This stunning panorama is backed by the distant snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera.

Valparaiso has many things to offer the tourist, including great shopping, fine dining, theatre, museums, orchestral and band performances, festivals and sports events. Almost everything is within walking distance, and Valparaiso is located less than two hours from downtown Chicago. Valparaiso is also well known for its raucous nightlife, as sailors’ bars and bordellos line the winding, hilly streets.