ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Bridgetown, Barbados
A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for…
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Roseau, Dominica
Known as the island of waterfalls, Dominica is as green as it is unspoilt. Fairly off the tourist trail, this exotic isle is a paradise for nature lovers. In fact, it’s…
Time in port: 09:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Wacky Truck Waterfall & Rainforest Adventure
Dominica has been dubbed the ‘island of waterfalls’ and, with a nickname like that, it definitely wasn’t meant to be seen through a window. This is one of the Caribbean’s most unspoilt places, and this trip lets you tour the virgin landscape in an access-all-areas truck. Your journey begins with a drive through the rainbow-bright capital, Roseau. You’ll pause at the Morne Bruce viewpoint to get a bird’s-eye view of it, before taking a turn into the rainforest. You’ll spot the Wotten Waven Sulphur Springs and the Ti Tou Gorge as you travel through the tropics – if the latter looks familiar, it’s because it had a starring role in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 2. There’s a crevice in the mountain here, where hot and cold water mingles in a plunging rock pool. There’ll be some time for a dip and, if you’re brave, you can swim further into the gorge to see one of the isle’s most beautiful waterfalls. Rum punch and fresh fruit will be served as you dry off.
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Wacky River Tubing
Get ready for a wet and wild adventure along Dominica’s longest and largest river. You’ll take your seat in a rubber tube ready to battle the currents, rocks and rapids of the Layou River. Feel the cool mountain breeze as you spin and twirl downstream, passing the every changing scenery of this amazing valley. A guide will be with you the whole time, and half-way through the adventure you’ll stop at a natural pool to wait for the others to catch up. This thrilling ride definitely isn’t one for the faint-hearted.
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Island Traditions and Herbal Remedies
You’ll love this island tour with a difference. It gives you a chance to soak up Dominica’s scenery and get an insight into the local way of life. It begins with a southwards drive to Bellevue Chopin, a tiny village at the base of the Morne Canotte and Morne Anglais volcanoes. You’ll visit an organic herbal farm, where a farmer will talk about the history of herbal remedies, and give you a tour of the herb garden. You’ll also be treated to cups of organic tea. You’ll call in at the Geneva Heritage Park next, where you’ll visit a local community art and craft workshop. Take a look around the craft shop before taking a short drive to your last stop of the day. A visit to a typical local vegetable garden in on the cards. You’ll be shown around by a member of the family that lives on the adjoining farm, and you’ll be able help yourself to a taste of something. Having whetted your appetite, you’ll then be welcomed into the farm for some more snacks.
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St John's, Antigua
If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt,…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Highlights of Antigua
Peek into Antigua’s colonial past on this whistle-stop history tour. This fully guided trip takes you from the quaint capital of St John’s, through the countryside to your first stop - The Blockhouse Fort ruins. Perched a whopping 500 feet above sea level, they’re a great viewing platform for the rest of the island. Look in one direction and you’ll spot Indian Creek, once home to Antigua’s first native tribe. Turn around, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the newer and much more glamorous home of Eric Clapton. Later, make your way to the island’s most southerly point, Shirley Heights. Back in the 18th century, soldiers used this as a lookout podium to spy on enemies and signal to nearby forts. The last, and arguably best, port of call is Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s only working Georgian dockyard which are still in use today. Here, you can stroll through the old-fashioned Georgian buildings and even visit the original Naval Officer’s house.
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Sun & Rum
Cast adrift in the Caribbean, Antigua is ringed with a halo of white sandy beaches. Lapped by warm and clear waters, its soft sandy beaches are a perfect corner of paradise. And this taxi transfer from ship to shore – and back again – whisks you down to the beach so you can make the most of the warm waters, water-sports or bars. Or just take a stroll along the half-mile or so of soft sand. Just don’t forget to try some of the unlimited rum or fruit punch. Plus to make life easier, we’ll reserve you a sunbed on the sand, just don't forget your towel.
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Catamaran Cruise & Lobster Lunch
Nothing says luxury like lobster and ‘bubbly’ – especially when you’re tucking in onboard a catamaran. You’ll set off on the cruise first thing in the morning, and sail along the island’s west coast to the picture-perfect Deep Bay Beach. Here, there’ll be some free time to take a dip or sprawl out on the ice-white sands. Then it’s back onboard and on to Morris Bay where you’ll drop anchor for another round of swimming and sunbathing. There’ll be a lobster buffet lunch served up, washed down with a glass of ‘bubbly’. Add an open bar to the mix for the return leg of the journey, and you’re all set for a relaxing day on the waves.
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Ponta Delgada, Azores
Sao Miguel does a good impression of Eden. The largest of Portugal’s Azores is contoured with rolling hills, expansive lakes and beaches that have resisted tourism. That’s…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Furnas & ‘Cozido das Caldeiras’
It’s not every day you get your lunch cooked in a volcano, but it’s all part of the package on this tour. The day starts off in Ribeira Grande, where you’ll be able to admire the town’s Baroque architecture and sample a few local tipples in a liqueur shop. Next up, we’ll have photo stops at Santa Iria and Pico de Ferro viewpoints – the latter looks over the island’s biggest crater – before heading to a tea plantation for a quick tour. A visit to the ‘Caldeiras’ is next on the agenda, where you’ll get the chance to see thermal springs and fumaroles – steam-spraying gaps in the Earth’s crust. At Furnas Lake, lunch will be prepared – traditional Cozido das Caldeiras stew, made with pork, veal, sausages and veg, and cooked in super-hot volcanic solfratas. After sitting down at a local restaurant to tuck in, we’ll head back to the ship.
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Sights & Sounds of Sao Miguel
The town of Ribeira Grande is your starting point today. You’ll be able to see the Portuguese influence in the Baroque architecture, some of which dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. After a quick walk around the town, we’ll call in at a liqueur shop, where you might be able to sample a few local blends. Next up, we’ll ride up the winding mountain road to Caldeira Velha, a beautiful area packed with exotic plants and hot springs. The road continues up to Pico da Barrosa Mountain – once we get up here, keep your cameras handy for views of Fogo Lake. Our final stop for the day is a pineapple plantation back in Ponta Delgada, where you’ll get a sneak peek at the traditional production methods used here.
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A taste of the Azores
On this tour, you’ll tick off some of the most picturesque spots in Sao Miguel, and taste some local cheese and wine. It starts with a drive to the Escalvado viewpoint, which overlooks Mosteiros. This tiny traditional village is perched on the coast, where the island’s last volcanic eruptions took place. You’ll then take a scenic bus ride to Sete Cidades. This village shares the bottom of a volcanic crater with a postcard-pretty lake edged by cornflower-blue hydrangeas. You’ll have some time to look around the village and lake. Then, it’s on to a wine and cheese tasting at a local hotel, where you’ll be treated to samples of a couple of red and white wines and four types of cheese from the region. On the way back, there’s a stop at the Pico do Carvao lookout, which offers up panoramas over the north and south coasts of Sao Miguel.
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Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s electric capital stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Madrid and Barcelona. You’ll find clusters of cocktail lounges in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood.…
Time in port: 09:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Lisbon Panoramic
If you want to enjoy Lisbon’s sights from the comfort of a coach, this is the trip for you. It’s a full sightseeing tour that doesn’t involve any legwork. First up is the Belem Tower, a Medieval turret that’s become a symbol of Portugal. Perched on the banks of the Tagus River, its fairytale looks disguise its original role as a fort. Moving on, you’ll stop for photos at the Discoveries Monument, created in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. Next, you’ll head for the spectacular Jeronimos Monastery, next, where you can capture its beautiful exteriors on camera. From here, your journey will take you past the manicured Edward VII Park and the tree-shaded Avenida da Liberdade, before you stop for a breather at the fountain-speckled Rossio Square. The final stop of the day is the enormous riverside plaza, Comercio Square. Check out its beautiful arcades, triumphal arch and statue of King Jose I before you head back to ship.
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Lisbon Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Affectionately known as Gib or The Rock, Gibraltar is a little slice of Britain in the Mediterranean. And, just like the motherland, it’s a small stretch of land with…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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The Rock Tour
Discover the Rock, which rises nearly 1,400ft above sea level and is said to be one of the legendary pillars of Hercules. Gibraltar, well known as the gateway to the Mediterranean, is steeped in history. See Europa Point, the southernmost point of Gibraltar and the only Trinity Lighthouse outside Britain. You’ll also pass over the only runway in Europe that has to stop vehicles for aircraft! At the famous Gothic-style St. Michael’s Cave, marvel at the beautiful stalagtites and stalagmites sculpted through the centuries. Your leisurely tour ends with a trip to Gibraltar’s most respected residents, the ‘Barbary Apes’, a breed of tail-less and very naughty monkeys that roam free on rocky slopes. Be warned – they’ve got a penchant for cameras, handbags, hats and food!
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World War Two Tunnels
This short trip gives you a great introduction to Gibraltar’s history, and you’ll have an exoert guide on hand to give you the lowdown on the sights. Leaving Gibraltar’s quayside behind, you’ll kick things off by heading to Europa Point, where the Trinity Lighthouse is. There’ll be a photo-stop here so you can soak up the vistas – the area looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the busy Straits of Gibraltar, the African Coastline and Spain’s Costa del Sol. From here, your coach will whisk you to the Rock of Gibraltar – the highlight of the tour. Inside, is a network of narrow tunnels that were used back in the Second World War. You’ll be given a safety briefing, before being led down into the dark, following in the soldiers’ footsteps in a conga-line. Look out for the ancient stalactites and stalagmites as you get deeper into the caves. After the tour, it’s up to you whether you want to head back to the ship, or explore Gibraltar’s town centre.
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Dolphin Watch
Hop aboard and cruise with us around the Bay of Gibraltar, one of the most famous bays in the world. There’s a really high concentration of dolphins in these parts and if you’re lucky you might see baby dolphins swimming close to their mothers. It’s a great opportunity to take pictures and see the Striped, Bottle-Nosed and Common dolphin, as well as seven species of whale, flying fish, turtles and sunfish in their natural habitat. Plus you get to admire the landmarks of Gibraltar all in the same morning. What more could you ask for?
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Palma, Majorca
Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers, tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow side streets, and architectural gems hidden in the historic…
Arrives: 06:00
