ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Vigo Port, Spain
The port city of Vigo, on Spain’s west coast, is a blend of old and new. The settlement first found its legs over 500 years ago as a fishing community, which you cansee…
Departs: 22:00
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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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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: 09:00 - 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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Basseterre, St Kitts
One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise.…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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St Kitts Scenic Railway
Get to know St Kitts on this train and bus extravaganza. First up is a ride on the island’s Scenic Railway. The railroad was built almost a century ago to carry sugar canes from the fields to the sugar mill in Basseterre. These days, the double-decker trains are just a nice way of seeing the island. Take a seat for some great views as you chug past the sprawling fields, volcanic peaks and leafy forests of the north coast. On the lower level deck there will be music from the Scenic Railway Choir. The second part of your tour sees you board a tour bus for a drive along the south coast. Important landmarks lie around every corner here. Look out for the Brimstone Hill Fortress, Middle Island – once home to Thomas Jefferson’s great-grandfather – and neighbouring Nevis, birthplace of the first Secretary of the US Treasury.
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St. Kitts 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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Philipsburg, St Maarten
Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile,…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Golden Eagle Catamaran Sail & Snorkel
You’ll sail along St Maarten’s tropical coastline on a luxurious catamaran on this trip. We’ll navigate across the sea, spotting the pretty villages and rocky coves that are peppered along the coast. You’ll be treated to an open bar, so you can sip rum punch in the sunshine. The catamaran will drop anchor once we reach a quiet, sugar-white beach. Then, the time is yours to spend as you like. Stroll along the shoreline, relax on a sunbed, or join the guides for a snorkelling tour in the Caribbean Sea. After you’ve towelled down, you’ll be served a baguette. And on the way back, you’ll chill out to a calypso soundtrack. On our return to the ship, we’ll pass the island’s famous airport – the runway here is right by a beach, and landing planes approach at a really low altitude.
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Ultimate Beach & Snorkel by Power Boat
This trip takes you to some of St Maarten’s best beaches and snorkelling spots. Setting off in a power boat, we’ll race along the coast into Simpson Bay – the Caribbean’s largest natural lagoon. Your expert guide will give you some facts about the divided island, and will point out the million-dollar mansions and yachts that edge the water. We’ll take a break at one of the island’s top snorkelling locations, where you can swim among shoals of tropical fish. We’ll then head to an unspoiled white-sand beach for an hour of free time. You’ll have the chance to get back into the water for more snorkelling, or relax on the sun-baked sands. When it’s time, we’ll speed back to the port and re-embark the ship.
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Scenic Coastal Hike
This laid-back walking tour takes you along the natural trail between Guana Bay and Geneve Bay, on St Maarten’s east coast. We’ll ramble along a thin coastal track, through grassy fields and along rocky paths that run parallel to the rugged shoreline. You’ll come across plenty of photo opportunities on the way – your guide will point out the area’s plant life, including the cacti that cloak the landscape, and you’ll spot the neighbouring island of St Barth’s on the horizon. We’ll stop for a rest once we reach Geneve Bay. This beach is known as the island’s natural swimming pool, thanks to tide pools that are guarded from the waves by huge rock formations. After, we’ll about-turn and head back to Guana Bay. We’ll enjoy a celebratory drink on the sand before we head back to the ship.
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Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Nature’s the star attraction of Tortola. Ancient rainforests hog the limelight. Beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention. And opal-white beaches like AppleBay…
Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Cane Garden Beach Transfer
It’s no secret that Tortola boasts a string of pristine beaches, and, today, you’ll head to one of the best ones – Cane Garden. All white sands and translucent waves, it ticks off all the Caribbean stereotypes. Plus, it’s backed by a thick band of palms, so you’ll find plenty of shady spots. The journey there takes the form of a scenic drive along Tortola’s coast, and you’ll be given a welcome drink as you step on to the sands. Then, the time on the beach is yours to spend as you like. Soak up the sun from a lounger and swim in the calm waters. You’ll have three hours to relax, before you make your way back to the ship.
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Tortola by Land & Sea
This boat and bus trip is a great way to see Tortola’s palm-planted coastline and forest like landscape. You’ll drift by dinky coves, sandy bays and, of course, plenty of crystal-clear water, not to mention islands steeped in myth and legend. You’ll see tiny pockets of paradise like Salt, and St John’s Islands, not to mention the most famous of them all, Norman Island. This craggy isle was pushed into the spotlight when Robert Louis Stevenson used it as inspiration for Treasure Island. You’ll drop anchor in Soper’s Hole – the most beautiful harbour in the British Virgin Islands – where you’ll have time to squeeze in some shopping in the rainbow-coloured waterfront stores. Finally, you’ll board a local bus to wind your way through the tiny fishing villages and across the ridge of the island.
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Forest Hike & Beach
Sage Mountain National Park provides the postcard-pretty setting for this rainforest hike. Home to the highest point in the Virgin Islands, the park is famous for its dramatic landscape. Some spectacular views are in store, so don’t forget your camera. And because all that walking will probably leave in you need of a bit of a rest, we’ve thrown in some time at the beach. Refuel with a snooze on the white sands of Cane Garden Bay, or cool off with a dip in the sea.
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Samana, Dominican Republic
Samana’s a rustic town perched on the edge of a peninsula that pokes out of the Dominican Republic’s north-east coast. The first thing you’ll notice is that it hasn’t…
Time in port: 11:00 - 18:00 | Tender to shoreShow Top Things to Do
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El Rincon Beach Escape
This one does exactly what the name suggests. Things kick off with the journey to El Rincon beach. This secluded slice of sand is backed by open countryside, so peace and quiet’s definitely on the menu. The waterfront looks like an uninhabited desert island, with swaying palms behind the sand and jungle-cloaked headlands at either end of the shoreline. There’s a bonus feature tucked away among the trees, too. Follow a freshwater stream inland and you’ll reach a river that’s great for refreshing dips.
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El Limon Waterfall
This back-to-nature tour sees you getting on horseback to explore one of the highest waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. Your day starts off at a country ranch where, after a short safety briefing, you’ll be paired with a horse that matches your riding ability. And then it’s time to set off. Clip-clop your way through isolated villages and lush coconut, coffee and yucca plantations, before dismounting at the base of El Limon Waterfall. Here, there’ll be a bit of free time to take a dip in the pristine natural pool and enjoy an aqua massage from the cascading water. Once you’ve dried off, it’s time to saddle up for the journey back to base. Don’t forget to wear comfy clothing, socks and well-fitting shoes with a decent grip. Just so you know... There are approx 100 steps to climb by foot to reach the waterfall.
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Caves & Mangroves Exploration
If you’ve got an adventurous streak, this one’s for you. The day begins with a speedboat ride to Los Haitises National Park – a wildlife reserve that showcases some of the Dominican Republic’s finest natural assets. After arriving, you’ll get straight into exploring the ecological park. Underwater rivers, made of salt and fresh water, are the perfect climate for local wildlife. Keep an eye out for secret caves, too, which were once used by pirates to store their booty. Before things wrap up, you’ll stop at picturesque Bacardi Island, where you can swim in window-clear waters, relax in hammocks or laze on sugar-soft sand.
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La Romana, Dominican Republic
A Caribbean and Latin-fused favourite, it’s easy to see why Columbus labelled the Dominican Republic as ‘the fairest land under heaven’. It’s got all the tropical ingredients…
Arrives: 09:00
