Morning in Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and home to over 1.5 million people - about a third of the country's entire population! It's proud of its status as the most southerly capital in the world and has a very cosmopolitan feel. It's regularly ranked as the number one city in Latin America for quality of life.

The early-20th century saw huge numbers of Europeans immigrate to Montevideo, mainly from Spain and Italy as well as central Europe. This also coincided with big social change, including women's' right to vote and the right to divorce - much earlier than anywhere else in Latin America.

This forward-thinking approach has remained with Montevideo ever since. For example, in 2015 it was hailed as the fifth most gay-friendly city in the world, and the first in Latin America. It's also Uruguay's financial and higher education center and its main port.

All of these adds to the melting pot of Montevideo that makes it worth an explore before you set off on your Antarctic adventure. You can walk along all (or at least part) of La Rambla, boardwalk, and promenade path that runs between the city and the sea for over 10 miles.

The Mercado del Puerto is a former market that's now home to a great range of restaurants and street food vendors. There are also many historical sites to visit, such as the Fortaleza del Cerro with its stunning views of the city. Or, if you prefer, simply kick off your shoes and soak up the sunshine on one of the many lovely beaches here.

Whatever you choose to do in Montevideo, enjoy your last few hours before it's time to start your remarkable Antarctic adventure.

Boarding will usually begin in the afternoon.

After safety briefings and demonstrations you'll have time to explore the ship and meet your like-minded passengers before your fantastic crew gives you an overview of the expedition and what you can expect to see and do. You'll spend the night on board as you head south.