Located on a picturesque bay? Check. Rows of colorful homes lining the hills? Check. A network of cable cars and hillside trains taking you to scenic views? Double check. A thriving arts scene and exciting culinary culture? Checkmate. These similarities make it clear why the vibrant city of Valparaíso is so often and warmly compared to San Francisco, even if it’s not in the same hemisphere.

Depending on when you arrive, you might be lucky enough to explore the town before embarking on the MS Roald Amundsen. The insatiable travelers in the group can extend their voyages even longer with our pre-program adventure to the breathtaking Atacama Desert.

But those short on time can simply begin their adventure by taking a stroll around Sotomayor Plaza to admire the architecture and then walk to the nearby port to watch the ships roll in. Then head up to the Concepción Hill neighborhood for panoramic views and trendy cafés, while you wind your way through the maze of curves and narrow streets. Baburizza Palace, near Paseo Yugoslavo, is home to to the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts, along with numerous restaurants serving first-rate Chilean seafood, such as conger eel stew, razor clams à la parmesan, and scallops al pil-pil (a delicious chili dressing).

Easy on the local food, though! You will need to save room for the feast on the ship during the welcome dinner. That usually takes place after you check-in, meet the Expedition Team, and attend the very important health and safety meeting.

Tucked away off a fjord in the middle of Chiloé Island, Castro has slowly changed from simply being the third-oldest city in Chile to a cosmopolitan capital with a classic Chilote character. Bring your camera to snap the typical postcard shot of the brightly-painted raised houses, called palafitos. These traditional wooden houses on stilts line the edges of the fjord at the Gamboa wharf. The nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site–listed Church of San Francisco is a masterpiece of carpentry, made entirely of wood in a Neo-Gothic style.

Other attractions here include the Plaza de Armas (the city’s center), the impressive Chiloé Museum of Modern Art, and the Regional Museum of Castro. Or spend the day sampling some of the restaurants with views of the fjord that serve fresh seafood.

This tiny hamlet lies along a bay on a remote peninsula jutting out into a fjord in the province of Última Esperanza. As we sail in, you will immediately see the port’s access to the exceptional landscapes of Bernardo O’’Higgins National Park, which surely inspired the hamlet’s original name: Eden. This national park is Chile’s largest protected area, comprising a stunning network of peaceful fjords and gorgeous mountains covered in native forests. Keep your eyes peeled for South Andean deer on the slopes nearby. Check for marine otters in the water and don’t forget to put those eyes to the sky to spot cormorants.

The region’s frequent rainfall, high humidity levels, and heavy storms makes Puerto Edén accessible only by sea—so get ready to view one of Chile’s most hard-to-reach inhabited places. There are no roads leading to or from this isolated village, and not even within it! There are simply boardwalks and footpaths connecting the homes of its fewer than 200 residents. A dozen of these locals are the last-known members of the indigenous Kawésqar people, who make a living fishing and selling wicker baskets to travelers passing through.

We carry on our southward journey of the Chilean coast through the many broken isles and fabled fjords of Chile’s rugged Magallanes Province. We will pass through the western part of the Strait of Magellan, named after the famous 16^th-century Portuguese explorer who first traversed it.

Our plan today is to play it by ear. After all, where’s the fun in having everything scripted? The day’s activities and landings are thus at the whims and discretion of the Expedition Team. They will use their in-depth knowledge of the area to choose the most interesting sites for you to explore, based on that day’s weather conditions.

No matter if you’re riding on a small boat (RIB) or gazing from the ship’s deck, keep your eyes wide open! Scan the shores for picturesque waterfalls, exotic birdlife, and perhaps even colonies of Magellan penguins. Maybe you’ll even spot an elephant seal! In the waters themselves, you might get a glimpse of various whale species.

Once we arrive in Ushuaia, you’ll have a transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. It’s up to you whether you fly home directly or spend a few extra days exploring the birthplace of tango. Ready for more? Add on a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian border.

But before your departure, it will be time for a bittersweet goodbye to the ship, the crew, your fellow guests, and the amazing Expedition Team. Each of them has worked very hard to make your adventure a joyful and unforgettable one. We share an overall goal: Showing that expedition cruises can and should be sustainable, and to inspire all of us to do more to protect and cherish our wonderful planet. This is the appreciation we want you to take home with you and share with your friends and family. Together, we can be better. Here’s to seeing you on your next adventure!