Itinerary - Football Enthusiasts Tour, Argentina and Brazil

Arrive in Buenos Aires at any time. Today is the arrival day so there are no planned activities and you can check into the hotel and relax or go and explore the city. Buenos Aires is an enchanting mixture of Latin American flavour and colour, and European sophistication. The centerof this fascinating city is marked by large busy pedestrian malls, cut-off from the traffic, and full of pedestrians, and large park areas. The pedestrian avenues feature buskers (musicians, tango dancers, even guys juggling soccer balls), and endless cafeterias where you can sample the local Porteno cuisine.

Today we include a tour of the two famous football stadiums of Buenos Aires - the Estadio National (home to River Plate and where the national team plays), and the legendary Bombonera (the home of Boca Juniors). Each of these football stadiums has its own football museum that we also include a visit to. You take the rest of the day as free time or if you are keen we can arrange a social soccer game with some local lads. For those perhaps not so interested in playing football or sightseeing, there are plenty of other optional activities on offer in Buenos Aires and you won't be short of something to do.

Today we take you to the 'game of the round' of the national league, featuring at least one of the famous local football clubs. Depending on the draw you will most likely see either a game featuring River Plate and/or Boca Juniors. You will be accompanied to the game by a local guide to ensure your safety and comfort and seated in preferential seating. This experience will be a highlight of your trip more so for the atmosphere in and around the stadium and the spectacle of the 'hinchas' (fans) rather than the action on the pitch. The passion and emotion the Argentines show for their football will surely blow you away.

Situated on the border with Brazil, its a long way from the Capital to Iguazu. We take the first of our two domestic flights to reach the magnificent Iguazu Falls. We have ample time over the next two days to explore the amazing Iguazu Falls. The falls are higher than both the Victoria and Niagara and extend over a large area. They are set deep in the dense and beautiful tropical South American jungle. There are various excursions that you can take in the Iguazu park - such as an exhilarating boat tour into the spray of the falls, a helicopter over-flight, and a wild-life viewing jungle safari, or just sit back and soak in the stunning beauty and raw power of this trulyamazing natural wonder.

We take the second local flights North and East to the coast of Brazil where we head straight for the beach. Paraty is a coveted beach destination a few hours South of Rio de Janeiro. It is also an historic village surrounded by exquisite white sand beaches and thick green tropical vegetation. The object of the next day is to relax and enjoy a cool Caipirinha, or try surfing or a short trek. One of the most popular excursions is a day long sailboat cruise around the bay visiting various harder to reach beaches. You can also take a buggy or jeep to one of the various waterfalls in the area. You are in Brazil so naturally there will be plenty of opportunity for partying and a game of futebol can easily be arranged against the locals, either on the beach, or their local ground.

Heading North along the Atlantic coast, we arrive at Brazil's ocean side jewel, Rio de Janeiro. Rio is the most exciting city in the Americas, and few cities enjoy such a dramatic setting as Rio, whose images of the Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer), Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf), and the stunning beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are synonymous with Carnival and the 'joie de vivre' embodied by the locals (Cariocas).

We include a visit to the infamous Maracana football stadium and attendance to a national football league game - either in the Maracana or another local football stadium - wherever we think the best game will be. The Maracana is said to be the largest football stadium in the world with a capacity of 200,000. Some of the legendary local soccer clubs include Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminese, and Botafogo.

If you are keen, you can also try your hand at Beach Soccer on Copacabana Beach or just cruise along the shore of what is, amongst other things, the city's playground. You will be amazed at the Carioca's fute-volley skills (volleyball played with the feet) and the miniscule swim wearworn by the women, otherwise known as 'fio-dental' (dental floss!).

Again, there is plenty of time for other optional activities such as checking out the spectacular views atop the Corcovado or the Sugarloaf, hang-gliding, or a tour of the favelas.

Depart Rio at your leisure or take out some extra accommodation and stay on to further explore this marvelous city.

Please note - While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. We are not always able to advise you in advance of these changes. We ask for your understanding and flexibility in these cases.