Unearthing Centuries of History
From the beguiling Egyptian temples of Luxor and the
Valley of the Kings to the intoxicating souks of Jeddah
to the Portuguese churches of Old Goa, the destinations
you’ll visit in the first few weeks of your journey are the
gateways to time-honoured treasures galore. And that’s not
to mention a transit of the Suez Canal and the chance to visit two
wonders of the world – the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Taj Mahal – on
Shore Tours.
Rounding off the year in Tanzania
To round off 2023, you’ll have a day to enjoy
the delights of Zanzibar: beautiful powder-soft
beaches, diverse flora and fauna, and fascinating
stories and landmarks revealed in historic Stone
Town. The thriving capital of Dar Es Salaam also
awaits your discovery, with its excellent craft
markets, restaurants and architecture, then return
back on board your smaller ship to ring in the new year
in style.
Endemic Wildlife Encounters
Isolated from the mainland of Africa
for over 100 million years, the flora
and fauna of Madagascar have evolved
independently from the rest of the
planet – nearly 80% exists nowhere
else on Earth. The flourishing forests
here – particularly on the island of
Nosy Be – teem with vibrant
life; lemurs, chameleons,
ylang-ylang plants and
baobab trees head the
list of highlights you
won’t want to miss.
When you’re finished
with natural wonder
discovery, be sure to
sample the authentic
Malagasy way of life
among the country’s
colourful towns and cities.
Festive Indian Ocean Discoveries
The perfect pre-Christmas treat to
yourself is the chance to discover the
paradise islands of the Maldives and the
Seychelles in all their exotic, volcanic
glory. The latter in particular presents
you with a fascinating culture featuring
influences from France, India, Arabia
and more. Seek out iconic Aldabra giant
tortoises and coco de mer palms
before relaxing on some
of the world’s finest
beaches – Anse Lazio
on Praslin Island is a
prime example. Then
it’s back on board for
the perfect Christmas
Day at sea.
A Small Ship Adventure to see the 'Big 5'
No visit to South Africa is fully complete without heading to
one of its national parks or reserves to experience a safari
game drive in search of the legendary ‘Big 5’ game animals:
lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African elephant and African
buffalo. Visiting six ports along the southern tip of the
country – and continent – during your voyage affords you
plenty of opportunities× to do so. Keep your eyes peeled for a
variety of other native wildlife too, from antelopes and zebras
to cheetahs, hyenas and hundreds of species of bird.
Four Days in Cape Town
Crowned by the stunning Table Mountain National Park,
the ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town brings together cultures,
cuisines and magnificent landscapes within its beautiful
metropolis. Here are our recommendations for things to see
and do× during your special extended stay in port:
- Take the cable car up Table Mountain
- Visit historic Signal Hill & Robben Island
- See the penguins on Boulders Beach
- Sample wines in the nearby Cape Winelands region
- Explore the lively V&A Waterfront and the historic
Bo-Kaap area
