| | | |
|
Tahiti & Society Islands | 7 night cruise
Destination:
South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/Islands)
Countries:
French Polynesia/Tahiti
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
4/17/2010
In 1891, when Paul Gauguin arrived in Tahiti, he captured the charm, culture and languid grace of the natives in oils. You won't find his paintings here, but the original models still call this piece of French Polynesia home. This 7-night itinerary is perfect for those who want a core Polynesian experience.
Call on Raiatea and its reef-bound lagoon and Taha'a, it's companion island, where you'll enjoy a full day of exploration. Then sail to Bora Bora, and her siren sister, Moorea.
There's a reason these islands are world-renowned - their beauty is unmatched.
More...
|
Rates from:
3145.00
|
|
Voyage of Discovery with Scott Simon & Diane Rehm
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Greece, Italy
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
7/26/2010
More...
|
Rates from:
3995.00
|
|
Galapagos Cruise Aboard National Geographic Endeavour
Destination:
Central/South America
Countries:
Ecuador (including Galapagos Islands)
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
3/19/2010, 3/26/2010, 4/9/2010, 4/16/2010, 4/23/2010, 4/30/2010, 5/7/2010, 5/14/2010, 5/21/2010, 5/28/2010, 6/4/2010, 6/11/2010, 6/18/2010, 6/25/2010, 7/2/2010, 7/9/2010, 7/16/2010, 7/23/2010, 7/30/2010, 8/6/2010, 8/13/2010, 8/20/2010, 9/24/2010, 10/1/2010, 10/8/2010, 10/15/2010, 10/22/2010, 10/29/2010, 11/5/2010, 11/12/2010, 11/19/2010, 11/26/2010, 12/3/2010, 12/10/2010, 12/17/2010, 12/24/2010, 12/31/2010, 1/1/2011, 1/8/2011, 1/15/2011, 1/22/2011, 1/29/2011, 2/5/2011, 2/12/2011, 2/19/2011, 2/26/2011, 3/5/2011, 3/12/2011, 3/19/2011, 3/26/2011, 4/2/2011, 4/9/2011, 4/16/2011, 4/23/2011, 4/30/2011, 5/7/2011, 5/14/2011, 5/21/2011, 5/28/2011, 6/4/2011, 6/11/2011, 6/18/2011, 6/25/2011, 7/2/2011, 7/9/2011, 7/16/2011, 7/23/2011, 7/30/2011, 8/6/2011, 8/13/2011, 8/20/2011, 9/24/2011, 10/1/2011, 10/8/2011, 10/15/2011, 10/22/2011, 10/29/2011, 11/5/2011, 11/12/2011, 11/19/2011, 11/26/2011, 12/3/2011, 12/10/2011, 12/17/2011, 12/24/2011, 12/31/2011
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide a natural habitat for some of the world’s most interesting and unusual animals. Only in Galápagos will you come face to face with wildlife that has never developed a fear of people.
With an expedition to the Land of Darwin, you have the opportunity to study blue-footed boobies performing a courtship “dance”, snorkel with playful sea lions, watch a male frigatebird ballooning his crimson chest pouch to attract a female, kneel beside marine iguanas, and marvel at Galápagos penguins.
Our Galápagos cruises features nimble Zodiacs and kayaks that take us to the volcanic shores and pristine beaches of Galápagos, and an undersea program utilizes underwater video, glass-bottom boat and hydrophone that bring seldom seen or heard worlds to life. Every expedition in Galápagos is led by a team of five Naturalists, (including an Underwater Specialist), a videographer, and Expedition Leader, providing a multitude of resources for a rich and unmatched understanding of all that you’ll see.
More...
|
Rates from:
4980.00
|
|
Galapagos Islands Discovery aboard National Geographic Islander
Destination:
Central/South America
Countries:
Ecuador (including Galapagos Islands), Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
3/13/2010, 3/20/2010, 3/27/2010, 4/3/2010, 4/10/2010, 4/17/2010, 4/24/2010, 5/1/2010, 5/8/2010, 5/15/2010, 5/22/2010, 6/5/2010, 6/12/2010, 6/19/2010, 6/26/2010, 7/3/2010, 7/10/2010, 7/17/2010, 7/24/2010, 7/31/2010, 8/7/2010, 8/14/2010, 8/21/2010, 9/4/2010, 9/11/2010, 10/16/2010, 11/6/2010, 11/13/2010, 11/27/2010, 12/4/2010, 12/11/2010, 12/18/2010, 12/25/2010, 1/2/2011, 1/9/2011, 1/16/2011, 1/23/2011, 1/30/2011, 2/6/2011, 2/13/2011, 2/20/2011, 2/27/2011, 3/6/2011, 3/13/2011, 3/20/2011, 3/27/2011, 4/3/2011, 4/10/2011, 4/17/2011, 4/24/2011, 5/1/2011, 5/8/2011, 5/15/2011, 5/22/2011, 5/29/2011, 6/5/2011, 6/12/2011, 6/19/2011, 6/26/2011, 7/3/2011, 7/10/2011, 7/17/2011, 7/24/2011, 7/31/2011, 8/7/2011, 8/14/2011, 8/21/2011, 8/28/2011, 9/4/2011, 9/11/2011, 9/18/2011, 10/23/2011, 10/30/2011, 11/6/2011, 11/13/2011, 11/20/2011, 11/27/2011, 12/4/2011, 12/11/2011, 12/18/2011, 12/25/2011
The moment you set foot on your first island in Galápagos you’ll see that curiosity and fearlessness are a way of life. Whether strolling the islands’ pristine beaches, searching for the spectacular waved albatross, having a “chat” with a particularly friendly sea lion, or snorkeling with Galápagos penguins, a feeling of freedom surrounds you.
From aboard the intimate 48-guest National Geographic Islander we navigate the volcanic archipelago, and our nimble Zodiacs and a fleet of kayaks take us further in our exploration and afford us intimate views of Galápagos wildlife.
A hallmark of the small-ship experience, the team of 3 expert Naturalists (including an Undersea Specialist) and Expedition Leader are always available to point out the intricacies of the wildlife as it unfolds before your eyes on the Galápagos Islands. Their specialized knowledge and use exploration equipment including video microscope, Splash-Cam, underwater video and hydrophone provide a deep and unmatched understanding of Galápagos.
More...
|
Rates from:
5380.00
|
|
Voyage to the Lands of Gods & Heroes: A Family Learning Adventure in the Classical World
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Greece, Turkey
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
6/26/2010, 7/4/2010
This summer, history comes alive for the whole family on a trip to the lands that gave rise to Western Civilization. Our custom-crafted itinerary and the activities planned during the journey are designed to enlighten the senses and ignite the imagination of adults as well as children.
During the voyage to the fabled Greek Islands and Turkey, grandparents, parents, and children will explore islands and sites associated with the beloved myths and legends and important historical events. In Athens, we will discover the ageless monuments of Athens and learn about the origins of democracy, philosophy, theater, and so much more that we cherish today. Impressive Santorini will bring alive the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis; in Crete, the birthplace of Zeus, we will learn about the Minoans, who created Europe’s first civilization, and explore Knossos, the palace that is associated with the myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth; in Troy we will recall that legendary war and get acquainted with the great Homeric epics, while in Ephesus we will admire the awesome remains of one of the world’s great ancient sites; and in glorious Olympia, we will walk on the same grounds known to athletes and champions of antiquity.
Accompanying us are expert lecturers and trained youth counselors who will conduct special learning programs for the children.
Our ship for this voyage, the delightful Corinthian II, features 57 suites, each facing outward for sea views, as well as open, inviting public areas. Corinthian II is ideally suited for a family program not only because of its superb facilities but also because the great majority of its suites feature a sofa that converts to a single bed.
If you have ever dreamed of introducing your children or grandchildren to the wonders of Classical antiquity, here is the opportunity to do so. We hope you will join us this coming summer on this enriching Voyage to the Lands of Gods and Heroes.
More...
|
Rates from:
7995.00
|
|
Between Two Seas: Exploring the Ancient Cities of the Aegean and Black Seas - 2010
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
9/27/2010
This is a voyage to the homelands of Achilles, Hector, and Alexander the Great, to the birthplaces of the Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations, to the point where Europe and Asia meet. This exceptional program takes us from the Northern Aegean Sea, through the breathtaking Bosphorus with its spectacular views of Istanbul, and into the Black Sea, a fascinating region that very few travelers have explored. This is an itinerary for travelers who have seen the classic sites of the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean and are ready for something new. From Istanbul we journey to the lovely island of Thasos and to the dense forest of Mount Pelion where Centaurs trained the young Achilles as a warrior. Below the slopes of Mount Uludag, we will discover extraordinary 14th- and 15th-century Ottoman monuments—they are among the finest in the world, yet are rarely seen by visitors from the West. In addition to rare sites, we will also see the vast remains of Troy on Turkey’s wind-swept plains, and the magnificent Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of Istanbul. Then we’ll sail into the Black Sea, an immense inland ocean that has been a crossroads of culture and commerce since ancient times. Amasra is one of the Black Sea’s loveliest towns, that reveals the influence of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans.
More...
|
Rates from:
8695.00
|
|
Journey of Aeneas: Retracing The Aeneid through the Mediterranean - 2010
Destination:
Africa & Middle East, Europe
Countries:
Turkey, Greece, Italy, Tunisia
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
8/30/2010
“ARMS AND THE MAN I SING,” wrote Virgil of Aeneas, who, “forc’d by Fate,” “expell’d and exil’d, left the Trojan shore.” The Aeneid is a story of inherited glory—the glory that passed from fallen Troy to Rome. On a voyage forged by the poetry of Virgil, we will retrace Aeneas’s epic journey. En route, we investigate the many layers of history and myth in the Trojan wanderer’s legendary ports of call: from the “windswept plain” of Ilium, voyage in the wake of Aeneas to ancient Mediterranean sites. We navigate past the Strophades Islands, where Aeneas was blown off course and assaulted by Harpies, and continue by way of Sicily to Carthage, where Aeneas won the love of Queen Dido. Our voyage then takes us to Naples, for a visit the Phlegraean Fields, entry-point to the Underworld and the setting for Aeneas’s brief reunion with his father, Anchises.
More...
|
Rates from:
8695.00
|
|
Fabled Islands of the Mediterranean: Stepping Stones of Civilizations - 2010
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Greece, Italy, Malta
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
5/22/2010
Next May, as the wildflowers blanket the hillsides of the fabled islands of the Mediterranean, we invite you to observe something equally euphoric: the blooming of civilizations. On this unique voyage, we will explore remnants of the distant past—enigmatic stone monuments from the islands’ most ancient inhabitants— and compare them to the Doric temples of Magna Graecia, the palaces of the ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans, and the Baroque majesties of Malta. We’ll trace a record of history and artistry more than 6,000 years in length and visit some of the most unusual, rarely visited treasures in Europe’s most celebrated region. It’s an itinerary you simply will not find anywhere else, and it’s the perfect way to explore a side of the Mediterranean very few have the opportunity to see.
Beginning in Larnaca, we’ll have three days to explore Cyprus, including the remarkable Greek, Roman, and Byzantine monuments at Paphos. Next, we visit Rhodes, which preserves one of the finest medieval towns in Europe; its acropolis at Lindos offers one of the loveliest views of the Aegean. Then, after seeing the home of the Minoan civilization on Crete, we will spend a day on Malta, which will include both the 16th-century capital of Valletta and the megalithic temples of Tarxien. In Sicily, we see Venus Castle in the medieval town of Erice and the serene temple at Segesta. Sardinia presents us with the extraordinary site of Su Nuraxi, where towering conical structures called nuraghi, dating from 1400 B.C., stand amid the ruins of an ancient village. And on Corsica, we explore the beautifully situated Greco-Roman town of Alalia, which occupies a plateau above the sea. Spring is undoubtedly the ideal time to see the Mediterranean. The days are sunny and the hillsides covered in flowers, yet the summer crowds are nowhere to be seen, allowing us to explore world-famous sites in peace—and enabling us to be virtually the only visitors in many of them. And there’s no better way to explore these romantic islands than by sea, aboard the elegant Corinthian II, the perfect vessel for traveling far, but docking close.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the grand monuments, and the secret treasures, of the springtime Mediterranean islands. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
More...
|
Rates from:
9395.00
|
|
Mediterranean Interlude: A Celebration of Music, Culture & Cuisine
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Italy, France, Spain
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
6/1/2010
Western civilization was born in the Mediterranean, and for this voyage we have custom-designed a remarkable itinerary that combines three hallmarks of a great civilization: grand art and architecture, sublime music, and fine cuisine prepared by master chefs. In Naples you’ll explore the haunting remains of Pompeii and one of the world’s finest art collections in the National Gallery. On the island of Sicily, after visiting the Capella Palatina, a masterpiece created by Byzantine, Arab, and Norman artists, you’ll attend a private concert in the grand salon of the Palazzo Raffadali. At Lucca you’ll sample the region’s wonderful cuisine, explore its Romanesque churches, then take an excursion to the home of the composer Giacomo Puccini. The medieval village of St.-Paul-de-Vence is home to the Maeght Foundation’s rich collection of works by such modernist masters as Miro, Braque, and Picasso. And in Barcelona you’ll discover centuries of magnificent architecture and an equally long tradition of fine dining. Our ship for this unforgettable voyage is the elegant, beautifully designed all-suite Corinthian II.
On this voyage we are accompanied by novelist Frances Mayes.
More...
|
Rates from:
9395.00
|
|
Sacred Places of the Mediterranean - 2010
Destination:
Africa & Middle East, Europe
Countries:
Turkey, Greece, Egypt
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
10/27/2010
Once there was a forlorn rock, drifting about the Aegean. A trident pierced it, and Delos drifted no longer. A girl rested under a date palm here, and gave birth to a god and a goddess. The island turned to gold. And thus the Greek myths come down to us. “These things,” the theologian Sallust tells us, “these things never happened, but are always.” Sacred Places of the Mediterranean brings together many places of singular magnificence and importance where the myths originated and places where actual events took place that have changed the course of the world—places where history and myth fade into one another, and where, once the Olympian and other gods were just as tangible as the columns and mosaics which now remain. Starting in Istanbul, we will board the 57 all-suite Corinthian II and sail to carefully chosen ports, ending in Egypt’s fabled Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., and destined to become one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Among the many highlights we will encounter on this voyage is an unusual excursion to the Siwa Oasis, the oracular site of the God Amun.
More...
|
Rates from:
9495.00
|
|
Empires of the Sea: The Epic Struggle Between the Ottoman Empire and European Powers for Control of the Mediterranean - 2010
Destination:
Europe
Countries:
Turkey, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Croatia
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
10/5/2010
For thousands of years the Mediterranean has been the highway to empire. During the golden days of autumn, we will follow in the wake of empire-builders who not only struggled for power, but also spread civilization and brought about a great flourishing of art and architecture throughout the Mediterranean. In Istanbul we’ll explore the glorious monuments of the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans. On the island of Chios we’ll visit the 11th-century Nea Moni monastery, adorned with beautiful mosaics created by artists from Constantinople. We’ll wander through the streets of Valletta on the island of Malta, a city filled with exuberant architecture built by the Knights of St. John to celebrate their victory over the Turks. In the beautifully preserved medieval towns of Kotor and Dubrovnik we’ll see the interplay of Venetian, Slavic, and Islamic influences. And at Nafpaktos we’ll view the site of the Battle of Lepanto, where in 1571 a Christian fleet crushed the Turkish navy.
More...
|
Rates from:
9995.00
|
|
Song of India Expedition Cruise
Destination:
Asia
Countries:
India
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
NA
Captain Reidulf Maalen will be at the helm as you make your way along the coast of the Indian sub-continent, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. You’ll be immersed in a cultural melting pot: Indian, to be sure, but English, Portuguese, French and Dutch flavorings remain in the form of language, architecture and religion. Your Exploration Leaders and guest lecturer will expand your understanding of how trade with Europe influenced this intriguing region. In the Maldives, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore the surrounding waters’ abundant marine life and secluded beaches.
More...
|
Rates from:
9995.00
|
|
Namibia & South Africa by Sea: Natural Treasures and Human Accomplishments
Destination:
Africa & Middle East
Countries:
Namibia, South Africa
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
1/5/2011, 2/14/2011
Round the Cape of Good Hope with us as we voyage from the serene deserts of Namibia to Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch wine country, and the wildlife preserves of South Africa, where many a member of “the big five” can be seen. This coastal journey allows us to marvel at the 150,000 birds winging their way across Walvis Bay, and travel through Namibia’s Bavarian-influenced towns to abandoned diamond mines. We’ll spend time exploring no fewer than five game reserves and national parks to admire the unbelievable variety of terrain in South Africa, and the creatures in them. From deep river ravines with seals and dolphins, to high savanna plateaus with giraffes, wildebeest and hyenas, to mountain wildernesses teeming with flowers and bird life, the transition from desert dunes to rugged forests will astonish and delight.
More...
|
Rates from:
10995.00
|
|
Mozambique and Madagascar: Africa's Treasures
Destination:
Africa & Middle East
Countries:
Mauritania
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
1/17/2011, 1/31/2011
With its 1,500-mile coastline – replete with stunning beaches – stretching out upon the Indian Ocean, and its idyllic, sparsely inhabited tropical islands, Mozambique has emerged from Portuguese administration and civil war to become one of Africa’s rising stars in the last two decades. Madagascar is easily one of the most unique places on Earth – at first glance, it seems to be part of Africa, but don’t let the map fool you: it is 500 miles off the continent, having separated from it 160 million years ago.
On this expansive voyage discover these two African treasures – each with its unique cultural history and natural wonders, both equally extraordinary. In Mozambique the markets teem with trade and its wilderness north of the Zambezi River is a lush, pristine paradise. Snorkel and sightsee amid waters filled with loggerhead turtles and dazzlingly-hued tropical fish. Stroll through the narrow alleyways of Moçambique Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, it’s on to Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, sheltering 5% of the world’s plant and animal species (80% of those are unique to the island). When humans arrived, they came not from Africa, but from Borneo – giving this civilization a far more pronounced Asian character than anywhere on the African continent. You’ll see myriad species of spry lemurs scrambling in the baobab trees, snorkel among the anemones and starfish of tiny offshore islands, and wander through virgin rain forests where chameleons perch and butterflies flit. This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to see wildlife found nowhere else on the planet.
More...
|
Rates from:
11995.00
|
|
From the Imperial Cities to the Gold & Ivory Coasts: Exploring West Africa's Cultural and Natural Treasures
Destination:
Africa & Middle East, Europe
Countries:
Morocco, Senegal, Spain, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana
Travel Style:
Small Ship Ocean & Adventure Cruises
Departure Dates:
11/30/2010, 3/16/2011
The region of Africa explored in this itinerary comprises of a mosaic that is varied, rich, and diverse. Some of the continent’s ancient kingdoms flourished in these lands, and these seldom-visited countries are also home to some of the last remaining primeval rain forests in West Africa. Beyond the scenic delights, we have fashioned this voyage to focus on the countries’ culture and peoples as well as its rich biodiversity. Morocco beckons with Marrakech’s Djemaa el-Fna Square, where there is a cacophony of oral storytellers, jugglers, and snake charmers. Explore the natural wonders of Arrecife on the Canary Islands, enchanting Laayoune, and the wildlife of Abuko Nature Reserve in The Gambia. We continue our voyage of discovery in Dakar, Senegal’s beautiful capital city. In Monrovia, Liberia’s capital founded in 1822 and named after U.S. President James Monroe, we will sail along the country’s coast and explore Sapo National Park, known for its rich wildlife. Among the highlights of our voyage is our exploration of Ghana’s famed “Castle Coast” and Kakum National Park, where an aerial walkway rises 100 feet above the forest floor allowing us to view life in the rain forest canopy as well as the many special events we have arranged, including meeting with local government officials, private visits, and musical performances.
More...
|
Rates from:
12995.00
|
