Scenic Cruising
Turning out of the muddy Amazon is the blue Rio Tapajos and the village of Alter do Chao. Tour the Center for Preservation of Indigenous Arts, with displays on the lifestyles of local tribes. Or cross to a white sand beach for a refreshing swim in the clear river waters.
The little Indian village of Parintins lies beside the river on Tupinambarana Island, amid the largest archipelago of the Lower Amazon. The community can trace its history back through two centuries and still proudly celebrates its traditional Indian culture. On a shore visit you will be entertained at a special recreation of the villagers' annual 'Boi Bumba' festival, featuring some truly spectacular costumes and unique traditional music.
Boca Da Valeria is a remote little Indian community, set at the entrance of the Valeria river on a 400ft hill overlooking the Amazon River and is reached by zodiac or tender. It is located between Parintins and Santarem. Calls allow exploration of the jungle in quest of monkeys, butterflies and the colourful birdlife, - and the opportunity to buy wooden carvings and gourd masks, and see something of the, simple traditional lifestyle of the villagers.
Scenic Cruising
Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.
The coastal town of Luderitz, named after its founder German merchant Adolf Luderitz, has several sights. At Diaz Point there stands a cross made of dolerite and erected in 1988 during Diaz festival. Other sights include Redford Bay, named after its first white settler and trader David Redford; Diaz Point, the place where Bartolomeu Diaz erected padrao in 1488, and the wooden bridge to Diaz Point was built in 1911 to access fog horn originally located there; Lighthouse built in 1910; Kolmanskop, the ghost town abandoned on the middle of 50's named after a driver Coleman who frequently stopped here. First diamond was found in Kolmanskop in 1908 by laborer Zaharia Levala and became a centre of diamond industry.
Mangalore is located in India's Karnataka region, strategically situated in a hilly area between the Western Ghats and the shores of the Arabian Sea. Visitors to Mangalore learn about India's ancient caste system, which is still very much intact. The people are also extremely spiritual, as evident in their many temples and religious traditions. Mangalore contains remnants of Tippu Sultan's naval fort.
Penang, or more properly Pulau Pinang, is the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country’s oldest British settlement. To the tourist industry, Penang has been marketed for a long time as the Pearl of the Orient. Although Penang is best known for its beaches, there is much more here than just sand and sea. The island is considered a cultural and architectural gem with Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. Other sights include St. George’s Church - built in 1818 of classic Georgian architecture; Penang Hill - a 2,500-foot hill with a splendid view over Georgetown; Botanical Gardens - the 74-acre landscaped gardens featuring many indigenous and exotic plant species, a waterfall, jungle-clad hills and two species of monkeys, the macaque and dusky leaf monkeys; Golf Courses - The Bukit Jambul Golf & Country Club is located on Penang Island, and other golf courses in Province Wellesley on the mainland are the Penang Golf Resort and Bukit Jawi Golf Resort.
Kagoshima, a seaport on Kyushu Island, Japan, is sheltered within Kagoshima Bay and is the commercial and cultural center of southern Kyushu. Products manufactured here include a famous type of earthenware known as Satsumaware. Sights of interest include the Iso Garden and the local Theatre.
Ishigaki Island is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands. The island offers visitors calm beaches, snorkeling, and diving in the surrounding coral reefs. Visitors can also explore the jungle like scenery around the rivers by taking a river kayak tour. At Tamatorizaki Observation point the platform offers lovely views of the cape. Ishigaki also has the highest mountain in the region, which afford visitors great hiking trails throughout the island's hilly interior.
Celukan Bawang is a small but lively village in Bali. The village is best known for it's commercial harbor. Visitors arriving by cruise ship can enjoy the village hospitality and explore the town.
Welcome to Broome - the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness, the Kimberley. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white sand at Cable Beach....the colors and moods of Broome will capture your soul.
Sunbathers will appreciate Geraldton, Australia, known as the Sunshine City for it's record year round sunshine. Geraldton maintains some beautiful sandy beaches where visitors can swim and enjoy a variety of water sports. Also, off the coast of Geraldton is Abrohos Island, which can be reached by boat and allows for snorkeling and reef diving in the colorful underwater environment. The town itself is very attractive, and tidy streets are designed to make full use of Geraldtons long summer days.
Bussleton (Busselton) is one of Western Australia's favorite seaside port towns, and the gateway to Margaret River's wine region.
Busselton Jetty and the surrounding waterfront is the highlight of the city, with many seaside cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques, as well as a white sandy beach and bike paths to enjoy.
Albany is a popular resort town located on one of southwestern Australia's most beautiful stretches of coast. It lies on the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour - one of the world's best natural deep-water harbours. Built soon after the first convicts arrived, Albany's oldest buildings include the Old Gaol, the Old Post Office and the Old Farmhouse. In the area around Albany discover the rugged coastline of Torndirrup National Park, forests, and arable and sheep farms.
Esperance has a variety of natural attractions, including national parks, wetlands, and white sandy beaches. During the summer months Esperance experiences the wildflower season where beautiful orchids, and a myriad of other species bloom. Visitors can also visit the Helms Arboretum and several walking trails to view the beautiful flowers. Moreover, you can visit local artists' studios and shop for unique handcrafted gifts.
Known as an agricultural and pastoral town in the past and as an industrial center after the 1850’s gold rush, Geelong is now experiencing record growth, economic development and investment. Its name originates from the Aboriginal word for bay - jillong. Located on the shores of Corio Bay, this bustling metropolis, second-largest city in Victoria and gateway to the spectacular Ocean Road has always had strong links with the water. Interest in renovating the waterfront and investing in museums and tourism facilities has grown in recent years. The results can be seen in the vibrant waterfront precinct, the Art Deco Eastern Beach and by the number of holiday makers increasing each year.
Burnie is situated on Emu Bay at the mouth of the Emu River on the northern coast of Tasmania. Established in 1829 as Emu Bay Settlement, the settlement was renamed as a town in 1866. Burnie is served by the Sydney-Tasmania ferry and is the commercial centre for northwestern Tasmania. Nearby is Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park, incorporating Cradle Mountain itself with its lava peak rising to 5,069 feet.
The southern gateway to the Sapphire Coast, Eden is set in rugged beauty with golden sandy beaches and crystal waters to the east and forests and parklands to the west.
Located on the southern part of the Vanuatu archipelago this beautiful island is a relaxing uninhabited location for those wanting to get away from it all. The clear blue waters are calm and perfect for swimming. Visitors also have the opportunity to snorkel or dive around the coral reef that is teeming with colorful marine life.
Champagne Beach is located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. This beach was named "Champagne Beach" because of small gas bubbles continuously rise from the volcanic sea floor creating a unique underwater display, which with a combination of crystal clear water and extensive marine life is perfect for snorkeling and diving.
Travel across the International Dateline and step forward or backward in time one day.
Cradled along Upolu's northern shore lies the peaceful township of Apia. Picturesque thatched-roof "fales" blend into the emerald-hued countryside. Jagged mountains rise above deserted beaches where trade winds sigh on coconut palms. Banana groves and bread-fruit trees gently ripen in the moist, tropical climate. Western Samoa's friendly, carefree islanders will welcome you and proudly show you the former home of their adopted son, Robert Louis Stevenson. This is a contented island where traditional ways hold despite the passage of time.
An hour and a half flight from Papeete, rectangular-shaped Fakarava is a charming village, home to most of the atoll's 248 inhabitants. The only other - sort of - settlement (10 people ) is on Tetamanu Motu Islet located opposite the lagoon next to the smaller but prettier pass. Fakarava's immense lagoon has several black pearl farms, idyllic white sand beaches and is peppered with small islands, homes to many breeds of nesting birds oblivious to visitors.
The port of Corinto port is considered one of the most important ports in Nicaragua because of the vast amounts of import and exports that travel through the port every day. Just outside the harbor one can find beautifully sandy, almost empty beaches which is a perfect place to catch up on some R & R. While in town, be sure to dine on locally caught fish.
Itinerary subject to change without notice. Please confirm itinerary at time of booking.