SHORE EXCURSIONS

Visit a vanilla plantation and explore a stunning cirque on this fascinating tour that includes lunch and free time for shopping. Take a picturesque drive to Saint-Denis, the economic and political center of Réunion Island, and notice eye-catching colonial mansions and buildings that date back to the time of the East India Trading Company during the 18th century.

Driving through the Sainte-Marie region, you’ll view sugar cane fields, lush greenery and, further east, vibrantly hued Indian temples. At a fragrant vanilla plantation, relish a guided tour and informative demonstration of how the plant’s aromatic oil is produced. Continuing to the Cirque of Salazie, thrill to a route through the natural amphitheater that passes countless cascading waterfalls, verdant gardens and colorful flowers while you ascend to approximately 3,300 feet. You’ll capture amazing photos during a stop at Bridal Veil Falls, then enter the town of Hell-Bourg, named for a respected former admiral and island governor.

Take a walking tour past the village’s enchanting Creole houses and enjoy time on your own to shop before savoring a traditional lunch, a wonderful conclusion to your delightful exploration.

Enjoy meeting the locals and being entertained by whimsical lemurs on this delightful tour to nearby Nosy Komba.

Board your local boat from the ship's gangway and cruise across the east coast of Nosy Be to Nosy Komba, passing the verdant Lokobe evergreen forest along the way. Reaching the fishing village of Ampangoriana, you will tender ashore (please note it is a "wet" landing) and then have a bit of time to mingle with the locals and browse for souvenirs. Approximately 500 yards from the village is the Black Lemur Sanctuary, home to Madagascar's most famous residents, the black lemurs. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe these lively creatures as they leap from tree to tree. The black lemurs are the males and the brown lemurs the females. Although these animals live in the wild, they are tame enough to be fed with bananas and their capricious behavior will no doubt be fun to watch.

Leaving the sanctuary, you will walk to a nearby snack bar where you will be treated to a light snack while relaxing in the shade of a Tamarind tree and taking in the wonderful views of the Lokobe Reserve and surrounding islands. During your break, the local Sakalava embroiders will give you a demonstration on tablecloth making and the village children will perform a brief folk show for you. Free time will be provided for you to stroll on the beach, shop for souvenirs or perhaps take a dip in the ocean.

At the conclusion of your visit, you will re-board your boat and cruise back to Nosy Be and your awaiting ship.

Take in the landmarks of Port Elizabeth from the comfort of your coach, leaving you with a wonderful impression of South Africa’s beloved Friendly City.

At the entrance to the harbor, note the soaring Campanile, which was erected in 1923 and holds a carillon of 23 bells in honor of the area’s first British settlers. Continuing along the scenic shore, you’ll pass the lovely suburb of Summerstrand, drive through the campus of the Nelson Mandela University and perhaps stop at Shark Rock Pier to take in panoramic views of the city.

Pausing for photos whenever possible, see the beautiful Victorian Gothic Main Library, the Feather Market, constructed during the ostrich feather boom, and Dias Cross, a tribute to Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who erected a cross nearby after discovering Algoa Bay in 1488. At the Donkin Reserve park, you’ll observe a stone pyramid dedicated to Elizabeth Donkin, after whom the city was named in the 1820s. Admire well-preserved Fort Frederick and two sporting venues, Saint George’s Park Cricket Ground, which is South Africa’s oldest bowling green, and the more modern Nelson Mandela Stadium, all testament to Port Elizabeth’s dynamic role in South Africa’s history.

Experience the Old World beauty and charm of the Seychelles during an orientation tour of picturesque La Digue. Enjoy a scenic drive to L’Union Estate, where you’ll gain insight into La Digue’s history at the estate’s old Creole house and coconut factory, and delight in daily life characterized by a decidedly relaxed pace punctuated by bicycles. Continue to La Digue’s beaches, considered to be among the world’s finest, including nearby Anse Source D’Argent, which has been called a bather’s and photographer’s dream. You’ll thrill to the soft white sands and dramatic granite boulders that have long enchanted visitors to the island. Keep a sharp lookout for the resident avian wonders, as you might catch sight of a Seychelles paradise flycatcher, a rare bird endemic to these islands that sports glossy black plumage with elongated tail feathers.

Discover the magic of the Seychelles during this captivating visit to its mesmerizing underwater realm.

After embarking on your catamaran, depart the pier for a delightful cruise over coral reefs to lush Moyenne Island. Upon arrival, you’ll receive safety instructions and snorkeling equipment, then begin exploring the island’s fascinating aquatic ecosystem, glimpsing tropical species that include scorpion, parrot and butterfly fish, as well as red gorgonian coral fans.

After your snorkeling adventure, transfer from your catamaran to a semi-submarine viewer featuring a window through which you can behold the abundant marine life and, with the assistance of a helpful guide, thrill to hand-feeding the fish who call these warm waters home. You’ll surely cherish your immersion into the undersea world of the idyllic Seychelles.

Discover highlights of beguiling Mossel Bay and explore a museum complex dedicated to the first European to land in South Africa. Enjoy an enlightening drive around Mossel Bay, a beach-blessed city in the shadow of the Outeniqua Mountains that was named by a Dutch explorer in 1601, when he found a huge collection of mussel shells in a nearby cave. As you travel along the town’s charming streets, you’ll learn that South Africa’s first post office was established here centuries ago after sailors began leaving letters in the cleft of a milkwood tree so that other sailors could deliver them on their journeys.

See that revered, 500-year-old tree, now a National Monument, standing near the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, which is named for a Portuguese navigator who was the first European to set foot in South Africa in his search for a spice route to the Far East. During your time at the complex, perhaps you’ll visit the absorbing Shell Museum or the Maritime Museum, where a replica of Dias’ ship is on exhibit, along with early maps and navigation instruments. Experience the compelling sites and seafaring history of enchanting Mossel Bay on this captivating excursion.

Experience breathtaking views and photo opportunities over Cape Town during this brief, yet memorable visit to Signal Hill.

Depart the ship for the drive along Kloof Nek to Signal Hill. This famous, flat-topped hill is located next to Lion's Head and Table Mountain in Cape Town, and renowned for its noon gun, which is operated by the South African Astronomical Observatory (not visited). The road to the summit features a vantage point where spectacular views over Cape Town and the surrounding area can be observed, especially at dawn and sunset.

Upon arrival at the summit, you will take in dramatic sunset views over Table Bay and Cape Town, and be served a selection of canapés and a glass of sparkling wine.

Following your visit, you will re-board your coach for the return drive to the pier, passing Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Sea Point and Green Point along the way.

This wonderful full-day excursion gives a true insight into the different spectrums of Mauritian scenery to be found.

Leaving the pier, you will travel from the center of Curepipe along a tarred road that leads gently up to and round the rim of Trou-aux-cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater, whose floor is now heavily wooded. Making a photo-stop here, you will be treated to a magnificent view over the entire island and its towering mountain ranges.

Your drive continues from here to Grand-Bassin (Ganga Talao), a sacred lake and pilgrimage place for the Hindu where you will have a guided visit. In this idyllic location there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities and many Hindu pilgrims make the walk in bare feet from their homes to the lake. Hindu legend is that the lake is filled with the waters of the holy Ganges of India, making this a very significant place for all Hindus.

From here, you will next make your way through the forest reserve of Plaine-Champagne, with a stop at a viewpoint that looks out over the spectacular Black River Gorges. Further down the winding road, you will reach a local restaurant with a breathtaking view over the coastline for lunch.

Traveling along through thick Chinese Guava groves, your route next takes you to discover the magnificent Chamarel waterfall which emerges from the moors on the way down to view the unique seven-colored earths of Chamarel. These unusual mounds of undulating land that stretch in contrasting rainbow colored layers of earth are believed to be the result of weathering and volcanic origin.

Your journey back takes you down a winding road that unveils the West coast - the Morne Mountain where you will have a final photo stop, and Benitiers Island. Before reaching the pier in Port Luis, your route will pass the fishing villages and the famous salt pans of Black River.

Explore Swakopmund’s colonial past during this orientation tour that includes a visit to the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Journey along the scenic coast to the mouth of the Swakop River and find Swakopmund, an enchanting seaside resort that resembles a Bavarian village. You’ll see the town’s colonial past reflected in the early 19th-century art nouveau architecture found on many appealing buildings that have been declared national monuments. Discover the neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the elegant historic Railway Station, which is now the Swakopmund Hotel’s reception area. After passing the town’s historic jetty, you’ll walk to the Karakulia Weavers where Karakul sheep wool is spun, dyed and woven into rugs and wall hangings. Explore the Kristall Gallery, which displays crystals weighing up to 14 tons, and appreciate free time at the Brauhaus Gallery, a town center shopping arcade. Make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains, declared a Wetland of International Importance, and marvel at its rich marine life and myriad bird species.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Uncover early 19th-century art nouveau architecture in Swakopmund, a seaside resort town that evokes a Bavarian village.
• See the lovely neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the ornate former Railway Station.
• View the town’s beloved jetty and the Karakulia Weavers, where sheep wool is made into rugs and wall hangings.
• Study crystals up to 14 tons at the Kristall Gallery and browse the shops in the Brauhaus Gallery.
• Observe the Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains, recognized internationally for its environmental importance.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Explore Durban's unique blend of diverse Asian, African and European cultural influences during a tour of this coastal city.

Depart the pier for a scenic drive along the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment. Pass by highlights such as the Vasco Da Gama Clock, the Dick King Statue, the imposing Durban Club and the Yacht Club, before stopping briefly at Currie Hill for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the city below.

Visit the Durban Botanical Gardens. Upon arrival, you will take a leisurely stroll through the lush gardens, which house a wide variety of local flora and are renowned for their orchid house and rare collection of cycads, a plant dating back to prehistoric times.

Your scenic drive also takes you past the Old Market Square, which is reminiscent of the City Hall in Belfast and serves as Durban's municipal offices. Drive by the Juma Mosque, which is reputedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and famous for its massive golden dome and turrets, stopping for pictures at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Pay a visit to the Victoria Street Market, commonly known as the Indian Market. Browse amongst a splendid array of delicately-fashioned ebony and ivory ornaments, herb and spice stalls, and wooden carvings. Bargains are endless, and time permitting, you’ll have a brief time to shop independently.

Experience Oman's unique blend of historic and contemporary sites when you visit Nakhl Fort and Springs, the Bait Al Zubair Museum, as well as other city highlights.

A drive along the Batinah Coast takes you to the centuries-old Nakhl Fort, perched on a 200-foot high hilltop with spectacular views of the surrounding oasis. This impressive pre-Islamic fortress was the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during Medieval times, and offers a unique look into Oman's past. You'll then visit Nakhl Springs, a tranquil and picturesque area framed by majestic mountains and a dense green oasis.

Stop for photos at the Zawawi Mosque, Oman's most exquisite mosque and at the splendid Al Alam Palace, which offers scenic vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items and more. You’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel during the day.

A day in Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Experience the tropical charms of northwestern Nosy Be on this half-day tour of its key destinations.

Begin by boarding a coach in Hell Ville, the colonial capital of Nosy Be. The town's curious name pays homage to the 19th century French admiral Louis de Hell, who also served as governor of nearby Réunion Island. You'll soon see one of Hell Ville's liveliest spots, the market place, where locally grown vegetables, colorful fruits and exotic spices are all on display. Many of the merchants are Sakalava, the island's first inhabitants and most prevalent ethnic group.

From here, it's a drive through the luxuriant countryside, passing Malagasy villages and plantations. During brief stops in the fields, you will likely smell the aromas of the lush crops, which may include coffee, pepper and the coveted ylang-ylang, a tree whose flowers yield fragrant oil that is used in the making of perfumes. Ylang-ylang is so abundant that Nosy Be is often referred to as the Island of Perfumes.

Driving further into the countryside, you will see the unusual, balloon-shaped homes in Dzamandzar, the second largest city in Nosy Be. For a different perspective of the island, you'll stop at Mont Passot, an elevated area known for its stunning views of the Amparihibe crater lakes and the surrounding plantations.

Next, it's on to Madirokely Beach, considered one of the best on the island. If you like, you might take a quick dip in the turquoise waters, and then enjoy a beverage at the hotel.

Finally, you will make your way back to Hell Ville, where you may shop for Malagasy handicrafts, perfumes and embroidered tablecloths before returning to the ship.