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SOUTHBOUND - Genoa, Villefranche, Valencia, Casablanca, Agadir, Dakar, Walvis Bay, Cape Town
Genoa, Italy
A city rich in art and a major seaport, Genoa is one of the most surprising cities in
Italy. Long ignored by conventional tourist routes, Genoa offers its visitors incredible
attractions and a stunning artistic heritage. Its medieval old town -- the biggest in
Europe -- is an intricate labyrinth of alleyways, where among the shops, restaurants, and
local stores, visitors can catch sight of the city's noble past in its 16th century
palazzos, baroque edifices, and Romanesque churches, looming over the little piazzas.
Villefranche
This is a busy little town in the Cote d' Azur with long sandy beaches, terrace cafes and
restaurants. From the main road above one can enjoy a beautiful vista over the top of the
red tiled roofs of the old town, with the distinctive church and bell tower in the centre.
The narrow cobbled streets slope steeply towards the sea with many vaulted passages beneath
the houses. There's a medieval feel to the town with many little restaurants; coffee shops
and tourist shops to pause a while and enjoy.
Valencia
Everyone who visits Valencia must try the famous speciality of the area, paella, a saffron
flavoured Spanish dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat chicken and
seafood. Sights of the town include the Cathedral and Chapel of the Holy Chalice, Basilica
de la Virgen de los Desamparados, the city hall, the old "Casa Ensenanza" and the Central
Market.
Casablanca
Casablanca is an interesting city, and its most popular attractions are the old medina, or
Arab Quarter, near the harbour and the United Nations Square with its tropical gardens and
government buildings. The most popular excursion here though, is a trip through the desert
to the 11th Century city of Marrakesh, famous for its palaces and gardens and a fascinating
marketplace where snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters and fortune-tellers crowd
the streets.
Agadir
Agadir is the most important shipping port in Southern Morocco, but there are also
beautiful sandy bays with warm swimming water year-round. It's a very modern city, built
with the tourist vacation in mind. A city which boasts a number of good hotels,
restaurants, shops and a lively nightlife, and is the perfect base for excursions to
Taroudant and Tafrefout.
Dakar
Located on the tip of the Cap Vert Peninsula, Dakar teems with life and boasts luxurious
hotels, a wide range of restaurants, beaches and water sports, a casino and an active
nightlife. It is also one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in Africa. Senegal became
the most important slave depot in West Africa and the Island Goree was the centre of the
slave trade. Thousands of men, women and children were kept locked in cells on the island,
the "Door of no return" before being shipped to the Americas. Today Goree is a UNESCO
Historical Monument.
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Once only a whaling station, Walvis Bay has become the principal port of entry into
Namibia. Exhibits at the local museum illustrate the history of the town and the indigenous
Topnaar people. The lagoon on the outskirts of Walvis Bay is home to a bird sanctuary.
Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed here in the nutrient-rich water. The lagoon also
supports an important salt industry. Walvis Bay is a good starting point for trips into the
desert region, an area of unspoiled landscapes, compelling beauty and a feeling of
unconfined space.
Cape Town, South Africa
The "Mother City of South Africa" is celebrated for its beautiful beaches and award-winning
vineyards. For a spectacular view of the cape, take a cable car to the top of the city's
landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain. Visit the wine country on a half-day excursion and
take in the crisp vintages and the distinct Cape Dutch architecture, or tour the city and
see St. George's Cathedral, the Castle of Good Hope, Signal Hill and the Victoria and
Alfred Waterfront.
Reunion - Mauritius
Pointe des Galets, Reunion
Pointe des Galets is a volcanic island lush with palm trees, rain forests and an abundance
of flowers and tropical fruit trees. Enjoy the Creole-flavoured French culture and the
sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Hike through the challenging
volcanic mountains and enjoy the panoramic views of the rainforest from scenic vistas.
Port Louis, Mauritius
An exotic island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, Mauritius spawns tropical flora
and fauna. Tourists trek across sultry beaches to get to the rare vegetation of the Royal
Botanical Gardens. Other popular excursions take visitors to the Casella Bird Park to view
birds, leopards, tigers, monkeys and a group of giant tortoises, or to the town market to
sample local spices.
PORTUGUESE ISLANDS - Maputo, Barra Lodge
Portuguese Island
The island is an uninhabited nature reserve with pristine beaches, dense vegetation,
pleasant lagoons and small patches of mangrove. It is located next to the larger Inhaca
Island, which is actually a Royal Kingdom. A short optional transfer to the neighbouring
Island of Inhaca allows you to visit a local premier resort hotel, bars, restaurants and
souvenir merchants. An option Beach BBQ is offered on Portuguese Island depending on the
weather conditions. Locals will accept USD and some (not all) take Rands.
Maputo
Maputo, the lush capital of Mozambique, formerly the Portuguese city of Lourenco Marques,
sits on the shore of the Indian Ocean. Founded as a port town by the Portuguese, the city
is dotted with areas of interest including Casa do Ferro (House of Iron) designed by
Alexandre Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). The area is renowned for its seafood and in
particular for its prawns in peri-peri sauce, a spicy sauce made from an especially hot
African chilli pepper.
Barra Lodge
Barra Lodge is one of the top holiday destinations on the mainland coast of Mozambique. The
resort offers plenty to do including scuba diving, snorkelling and quad biking. 7km of
unspoilt coastline offers ample opportunity to explore. Just behind the resort is a
mangrove swamp allowing passengers a unique glimpse into this fascinating eco-system.
Nearby Inhambane has much historical interest being the second oldest inhabited settlement
in Mozambique. Craft goods, cashew nuts and the infamous palm wine are normally available
NORTBOUND - Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Dakar, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Funchal, Malaga,
Civitavecchia, Genoa
Cape Town, South Africa
The "Mother City of South Africa" is celebrated for its beautiful beaches and award-winning
vineyards. For a spectacular view of the cape, take a cable car to the top of the city's
landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain. Visit the wine country on a half-day excursion and
take in the crisp vintages and the distinct Cape Dutch architecture, or tour the city and
see St. George's Cathedral, the Castle of Good Hope, Signal Hill and the Victoria and
Alfred Waterfront.
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Once only a whaling station, Walvis Bay has become the principal port of entry into
Namibia. Exhibits at the local museum illustrate the history of the town and the indigenous
Topnaar people. The lagoon on the outskirts of Walvis Bay is home to a bird sanctuary.
Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed here in the nutrient-rich water. The lagoon also
supports an important salt industry. Walvis Bay is a good starting point for trips into the
desert region, an area of unspoiled landscapes, compelling beauty and a feeling of
unconfined space.
Dakar
Located on the tip of the Cap Vert Peninsula, Dakar teems with life and boasts luxurious
hotels, a wide range of restaurants, beaches and watersports, a casino and an active
nightlife. It is also one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in Africa. Senegal became
the most important slave depot in West Africa and the Island Goree was the centre of the
slave trade. Thousands of men, women and children were kept locked in cells on the island,
the "Door of no return" before being shipped to the Americas. Today Goree is a UNESCO
Historical Monument.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife boasts a rich variety of scenery and
attractions, from lively resorts and volcanic beaches in the south to the lush interior of
the Orotava Valley and the stunning lunar landscapes of El Teide National Park, dominated
by 12,000 foot snow-capped Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain. The historic capital,
Santa Cruz is in the North.
Funchal
This city is the capital of the Island of Madeira. Funchal, where rows of white houses
climb the hillside, is comprised of three distinct sections. The Old Zone, or Old Town, on
the east side boasts historic architecture. The west side is the "tourist" hotel area, with
attractions like the Casino Gardens, Quinta das Cruzes Museum and bustling Careira Street.
Between the two you will find the city centre, which brims with museums such as the Madeira
Wine Institute.
Malaga
Malaga is a peaceful port on Spain's famous Costa del Sol. Visitors can spend time in the
seaside cafes and stroll the palm-lined waterfront. The Moorish fortresses and the Museo de
Bellas Artes, home to some of Picasso's paintings, are among the most prominent attractions
here. An excursion to the interior offers views of the mountain villages of Mijas and the
grand Alhambra Castle.
Civitavecchia
Cruise ships dock in Civitavecchia, and there isn't much to see here at all, so it's
recommended to try to get into Rome via a shore excursion or by sharing a guide/taxi with
your fellow passengers. Walking the streets of Rome is wonderful. You can walk or take a
taxi or subway to the Colosseum, a great place to start your tour of Rome. Across the
street from the Colosseum is the ancient Roman Forum.
Genoa, Italy
A city rich in art and a major seaport, Genoa is one of the most surprising cities in
Italy. Long ignored by conventional tourist routes, Genoa offers its visitors incredible
attractions and a stunning artistic heritage. Its medieval old town -- the biggest in
Europe -- is an intricate labyrinth of alleyways, where among the shops, restaurants, and
local stores, visitors can catch sight of the city's noble past in its 16th century
palazzos, baroque edifices, and Romanesque churches, looming over the little piazzas.
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