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Hello, I was traveling with MS Roald Amundsen - and like to share my experiences with you. Hope you like my article. While the number of tourists in the Norwegian fjords is continually breaking new records and popular spots like the Geiranger Fjord have now implemented strict measures to reduce the number of visitors, there is a more impressive fjord landscape at the other end of the world that remains a well-kept secret. On a 16-day expedition cruise with HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), one can visit the most beautiful places in the extensive fjord landscape, experience glaciers, whales, and the life of people in Chile, all while enjoying the comfort of a modern cruise ship. Embarking at the End of the World To this day, the Argentine city of Ushuaia and the Chilean city of Puerto Williams compete for the title of "southernmost city in the world." The MS Roald Amundsen expedition cruise makes sure to visit both. The journey begins in Ushuaia, a city of 80,000 inhabitants, where many traditional Antarctic expeditions by explorers like the Norwegian Roald Amundsen started. A fresh wind usually blows here, allowing sea lions and numerous penguins to frolic in the Beagle Channel. On an excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, one can see picturesque lakes, wind-swept trees, and occasionally some wild horses living in the park, all set against the backdrop of the Andes. A popular tourist attraction is the Post Office at the End of the World, which not only sells postcards but also stamps passports on request. Geographically further south, Puerto Williams is much smaller, with only 2,300 inhabitants. A walk through the town leads to the Yacht Club, centered around a freighter built in 1925 in Stettin, now used as a clubhouse and docking area for sailboats. Along the coast above the Beagle Channel, one can still see bunkers and guns Chile used to defend the island during a border conflict with Argentina. Wild Weather at Cape Horn Cape Horn holds a special place in maritime circles. All ships that wanted to travel from the west to the east coast of the American continent—or vice versa—once had to pass here. Strong winds and unpredictable currents where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet turned the sea around Cape Horn into a watery grave for more than 800 ships and around 10,000 sailors, making it the largest ship graveyard in the world. To commemorate the dead, a sculpture by Chilean artist José Balcells stands on the rocks of Cape Horn. It depicts a stylized albatross, in which, according to legend, the souls of the deceased sailors live on. During our visit, the weather around the cape showed its wild side. With winds reaching 40 knots, a landing with Zodiac inflatable boats, as is the case most of the year, was impossible. Captain Terje Willassen sailed around the cape for a while before our journey continued northward. Up Close with the Glaciers Almost everywhere, glaciers are retreating due to climate change. One of the few exceptions is the Pia Glacier in the Chilean fjords, which is actually growing. The glacier extends like a giant river of ice from the surrounding mountains to the fjord's water. The calving front is almost a hundred meters high, an impressive sight. The MS Roald Amundsen's expedition team took us by Zodiac to a spit of land where we could observe the glacier in the bright sunshine. Occasionally, the glacier would crack, and shortly afterward, house-sized ice blocks would crash into the fjord with a thundering roar. A small tsunami a few centimeters high would form, briefly raising the water level on both sides of the bay. There was also time for a Zodiac ride further into the fjord, which was covered by a thin layer of ice that cracked loudly under the boat's weight. Wildlife in Torres del Paine National Park After passing through the White Narrows, just 80 meters wide, the MS Roald Amundsen reached the town of Puerto Natales. The town's most famous ambassador is the prehistoric Mylodon. Remains of the giant sloth were found in a 200-meter deep cave not far from the town. Today, the Mylodon is commemorated with souvenirs, monuments, and even traffic lights shaped like the giant sloth. The current wildlife also has much to offer. On an excursion to Torres del Paine National Park, we saw not only sheep and cattle in the vast grasslands but also rheas. The ostrich-like birds blend in with their surroundings, making them well camouflaged. On the other hand, the guanaco herds were easily noticeable. These small camels are surprisingly tame and unbothered by visitors. Their only predator is the puma, which we saw only briefly from a distance. The rugged mountainous landscape was breathtaking, and the strong winds made our hike feel like we could be blown off our feet. A Lot to Offer on an Expedition An expedition cruise with the MS Roald Amundsen combines elements of a classic adventure expedition with the comforts of a modern cruise ship. The itinerary includes hikes, Zodiac rides, and landings in remote nature, as well as bus excursions to the country's top attractions. The ship features well-equipped cabins, restaurants with diverse culinary offerings, and amenities like two hot tubs, an infinity pool, and a sauna with panoramic windows. A fitness room and wellness offerings with massages and other treatments are also available. The ship's highly qualified expedition team includes geologists, historians, ecologists, and other scientists, and the vessel is equipped with a science center where guests can work with microscopes, examine rock and water samples, and learn a lot about nature. The extensive lecture program is informative and raises awareness of current environmental issues. Life in Small Places The MS Roald Amundsen visits Puerto Edén, probably the most isolated place in the country. In this former fishing village, nestled against a steep coast, only about a hundred people currently live. Their houses are connected by wooden walkways, with no streets and only a few hours of electricity each day. The town is accessible only once or twice a week by ferry. A tour with a local guide offers an interesting glimpse into this world, along with the chance to watch green hummingbirds flit from flower to flower in search of nectar. Tortel, which we visit on another day, is much livelier. Everything here is larger—from the lantern-lit wooden promenade to the welcome with a dance group and music, to the population size. A hike up the local hill, accessible via wooden walkways, offers a beautiful view of the town, a waterfall, and finally the bay. South American Cities as a Farewell During Spanish colonial times, the riverside city of Valdivia was significant. On the way from the open sea, our ship stopped in Niebla, where we transferred to an excursion boat that took us upstream. As the sun was shining, most guests spent the journey on the open decks, enjoying local specialties like ceviche, meat skewers, and empanadas. Around the Valdivia market hall, several sea lions have made themselves at home. With their massive bodies, they are always on the lookout for a piece of fish, making them a real tourist attraction. The expedition cruise concludes at the port of Valparaíso. Here, all ships once docked before rounding Cape Horn, which brought wealth to the city. Many historic buildings on the hills where the city stands are still preserved. Eight of the 30 original funiculars and elevators are still in operation. Walking through the city, especially in the Concepción district, one finds entire streets decorated with mosaics and murals, immersing visitors in the vibrant port city's South American flair. ***translated by AI***

We did a tour with meine-landausfluege.de years ago in the Med. Everything worked quite well. The tour was great.

There is an article in a German newspaper saying something different: 49-Euro-Ticket für Ausländer und Touristen (Info) (stuttgarter-nachrichten.de) The bigger problem might be to find a way to pay for it in advance - and maybe the cancellation policy to avoid having the Deutschland ticket for two months....

Have never seen city walls, when visiting Kiel. There is a nice text in German language on the website Stadtbefestigungen – Gesellschaft für Schleswig-Holsteinische Geschichte (geschichte-s-h.de) that informs about city walls in the past in different cities.

Hello, we once did the tour wih the El-Bil Tur e-car. For the front passenger it was convenient with 186 cm size. In the back with 175 cm it was less comfortable but possible. The way from the port to the e-cars was easy to walk at that time. I don´t know where they have the sports cars for rent, so better check with the company offering it. And remember you might need a ticket for the upper part of the mountain if you are there with a rented car. Drive and RIB boat are quite amazing, so if your schedule makes it possible - have fun.

Hi, the official website of the Deutsche Bahn is www.bahn.de. You can switch it to English language. There are tickets for regional trains (RE, RB, S), which are valid the whole day. And there are tickets for faster trains (IC, ICE) - at different prices with flexibility on the day or for a fixed time only. Greetings from Germany.