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.

OVERVIEW

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 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 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 various sporting venues, including St George’s Park Cricket Ground, 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Get acquainted with the Friendly City, affectionate nickname for Port Elizabeth, on a relaxing panoramic tour.
• Pause for memorable photos at several captivating points along the way, conditions permitting.
• Behold the towering 1923 Campanile, which houses a carillon and commemorates the area’s earliest British settlers.
• View numerous intriguing landmarks including the Victorian Gothic Main Library and the stately Feather Market.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore the west coast of Tenerife, a gorgeous landscape of remote villages and banana plantations. Have privilege views over the fertile Orotava valley from the Humbold viewpoint. Over time, sugarcane, grapes and bananas became the dominant crops, and they are still harvested using traditional techniques. Understand how the crops are cultivated visiting an old hacienda where you can learn firsthand how bananas are grown, a tour in an authentic banana plantation where you can see different varieties of bananas and learn the process before sampling the locally grown bananas and banana liqueur. On the way back to pier, visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island and stop at La Garañona Viewpoint, local´s favorite spot to take in the beauty of the sea and surrounding.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how crops are harvested using traditional methods.
• Learn firsthand how bananas are grown and see different varieties in an authentic plantation.
• Visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island .
• Sample several varieties of bananas and banana liqueur, which attest to the fruit’s diversity.

Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Drive to one of the most important agricultural centers, Arucas, known as the banana capital of the island. Here you’ll visit a Banana Plantation and learn everything about this important and typical crop of Canary Island. You will also have the chance to taste one together with some local specialities! Next you will visit Jardin de la Marquesa. It originated as a small garden surrounding the summer residence of the marquis of Arucas and expanded to the lush gardens you’ll find today. This botanical garden has hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical flora. Flower lined lanes and ponds enhance the beauty of this place, where you may also encounter wandering peacocks. Taste a banana liquor at the Gardens, before rejoining the bus and head to the picturesque village of Teror, where colonial buildings grace the town's boulevard. Enjoy a walking tour and some free time before the drive back to pier.

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OVERVIEW

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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Acquaint yourself with seaside Mossel Bay on a coach tour of its intriguing highlights.
• Gaze at a 500-year-old tree, declared a National Monument for its use by sailors in times past as an ad hoc mailbox.
• Find the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, named after the first European to arrive in South Africa.
• Wander the appealing museum complex, perhaps visiting the Maritime Museum or the Shell Museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Stroll through a bustling market taking note of the ingredients and then join a chef who will show you how to prepare paella from scratch, an iconic dish that will be your lunch. The items at the Central Market are locally sourced, so they truly represent the ingredients found in the regional cuisine. After meandering through the stalls, interacting with the vendors and sampling some of the delicacies, you will walk to a nearby restaurant for a paella workshop. The chef will show you step by step how to prepare authentic paella Alicante-style. You will have seen many of the ingredients in the market, which will make the preparation all the more relevant. Although the city of Valencia just to the north is known as the birthplace of paella, the version made in Alicante is much the same. Feel free to ask questions as the chef prepares the meal, which you will dine on afterwards.

Enjoy a brief look at the fabled city of Granada and visit two notable landmarks, Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada.

It's a 45-minute drive inland to the Moorish city of Granada, nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As you travel down a modern highway that was once ancient Arab pathways, you will enjoy wonderful views of both the Alpujarras Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, as well as groves of olive and fruit trees. Upon arrival, your first stop will be in the Albaicin quarter. This is the old Arab quarter and was the residential region of the Moors, even after the city was reclaimed by Spain. This narrow labyrinth of crooked streets escaped the fate of much of Granada, which was torn down in the name of progress. Fortunately it has been preserved, as have its cisterns, fountains, plazas, whitewashed houses, villas, and the decaying remnants of the old city gate. From a viewpoint here, you'll be able to capture photos of the renowned Alhambra Palace.

Continuing on, you will drive to Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada which is located next door. The close relationship between both gives rise to a curious formal detail seen in the ambulatory that surrounds the circular gallery. The Capilla Real's gothic gateway becomes just another part of the Cathedral's walls, as if it were in reality one of the other many chapels when, in fact it represents the entrance to another building. In the Royal Chapel here, the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand are kept. It was their wish to be buried in recaptured Granada, not Castile or Aragón. The coffins are remarkably tiny-a reminder of how short they must have been. In the sacristy you can view Isabella's personal art collection, including works by Rogier Van der Weyden and various Spanish and Italian masters, such as Botticelli.

Next, you will make the short walk to the richly ornate Renaissance Cathedral. With its spectacular altar, it is considered one of Spain's architectural highlights and is renowned for its beautiful facade and gold-and-white interior. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1521 in a gothic style, and came to completion in 1714 as an example of Baroque architecture. Another outstanding feature is the facade by Alonso Cano, a truly marvelous example of Baroque interiors, culminating in the bell tower which holds more than a secret within. The ground plan incorporated a five-nave basilica and another in the center to be surrounded by an enormous aisle, in which a high altar would be inserted. This design led Rosenthal to believe that the model was based on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Following your Cathedral visit, you'll walk back to your awaiting coach and make the drive back to the pier in Motril where your tour concludes.

OVERVIEW

Drive through the Addo Elephant Park, an unspoiled nature reserve teeming with wildlife. Settle in for an approximately 90-minute journey north across the Swartkops River to Addo Elephant Park, a spectacular nature reserve that stands as living proof of the success of South Africa’s conservation efforts. During your approximately two-hour game drive, you’ll hear that when the park was founded in 1931, it housed a paltry population of 11 elephants, which over time has ballooned to over 450 individuals. From your coach, catch sight of the park’s namesake elephants, a somewhat smaller species of the African elephant. You’ll gather that they are highly intelligent creatures that communicate through vocalization, touching with their trunks and various body postures. Learn that the park’s five biomes, from grassland to montane forest, support an enormous diversity of other animals, including black rhino, lions, antelopes, spotted hyenas, zebras and warthogs as well as a wide variety of birds, including the world’s largest Cape gannet breeding population. On this unforgettable excursion, you’ll applaud the successful protection of the remarkable Addo elephant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the magnificent animal denizens of the Addo Elephant Park during a coach game drive.
• Gaze in awe at the park’s Addo elephants, an intelligent and sociable species.
• Discern signs of communication among the elephants, such as touching trunks or vocalizing.
• Keep an eye out for zebras, warthogs, antelopes and the more rarely seen lions and black rhino.
• Glory in a range of fabulous birds including the African crowned eagle and Cape gannet.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

This extraordinary tour gives you the opportunity to view one of the world's most active volcanoes and the surrounding geological wonders. Departing the pier, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the coastline to Saint Pierre, where you will turn inland and begin your ascent to the high plateau of the Plaine des Cafres. Making your way inland, you will soon notice that the cooling freshness of the coast gives way to the natural heat of the volcano as you pass a landscape of heathers, gentians, small villages, pastures and lush forests. From the nearly 6800 ft. summit of the 'Nez de Boef', you can see down across the valley below with all of its geological surprises. This includes the gaping hole in the crater 'Commerson'. The splendid calderas created by the volcanoes are also referred to as amphitheaters and hold many amazing discoveries that delight geologists from around the world.Next, you will visit the viewpoint that overlooks the 'Plaine des Sables'. Marvel at this barren terrain that is strewn with volcanic rock and makes one think they have stepped from the surface of the Earth to that of the Moon. It is truly an incredible sight to behold. Continuing, you will reach 'Pas de Bellecombe', the main viewpoint for the Bory crater which rises up in front of you over 8600 feet. This advantageous viewpoint is situated on the top of a 492 foot high cliff that overlooks the volcanic valley which includes more than 60 smaller craters that are spread around the two main ones, Crater Bory and Crater Dolomieu. Before it's time to make the 2 and one-half hour journey back to the ship, you will be treated to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ascend the Plaine des Cafres plateau, passing lush forests and small villages.
• Behold the Commerson Crater’s massive caldera from the approximately 6,800-foot summit of Nez de Boeuf.
• Take in magnificent views from the Pas de Bellecombe overlook atop an approximately 500-foot cliff.
• Marvel at a lunar-like volcanic valley showcasing over 60 small craters and the larger Bory and Dolomieu Craters.
• Refresh with a relaxing and tasty lunch at a specially selected restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Applaud the splendid natural beauty of Southern Africa's western coast during this dolphin and seal cruise on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Short transfer to the Walvis Bay Marina and board an open-air boat for a three-hour cruise in the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon, declared a Wetland of International Importance as it is one of the most significant ecological sites along Southern Africa’s western coast. You’ll learn that the lagoon is well-known for its native bird species and vast array of intra-African and Palaearctic migrants, and find the water is usually very calm yet teeming with avian and marine life. Continue on to Pelican Point, a sand spit separating Walvis Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll likely encounter a large Cape fur seal colony, and watch for schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins that often swim alongside the boat. Keep a sharp lookout for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels, cape gannets, pelicans and cormorants. During your cruise, you’ll savor a delicious repast of fresh oysters, sparkling wine, soft drinks and a selection of open-faced sandwiches, a perfect accompaniment to your outdoor adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Embark an open-air boat for an in-depth exploration of the famed Walvis Bay Lagoon.
• Survey the lagoon’s protected wetland, known for its plethora of avian species and marine life.
• Spy a large colony of Cape fur seals at sandy Pelican Point.
• Thrill to schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins trailing beside your boat.
• Search for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels or cape gannets amid a flurry of countless pelicans and cormorants.
• Relish a tasty meal of fresh oysters, open-faced sandwiches, soft drinks and sparkling wine as you cruise.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the African bush on a game drive at a private reserve, where you may spy animals such as elephants, lions and giraffe. Revel in a leisurely drive inland to the beautiful Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, an area of immense biodiversity, where the variety of plants and ecosystems attract more than 200 species of birds but where the larger creatures, such as elephants, lions and giraffe, are the true attractions. Following a welcome drink at the reserve’s visitor center, you’ll board an open 4x4 vehicle and drive deep into the fascinating landscape. Discover that the animals wander freely, so there is no telling what you’ll see over the next two hours, but it’s likely you’ll experience close encounters with a variety of indigenous creatures that may include white rhinos, mountain zebras, blue wildebeest, impalas and lions. Thanks to the ideal viewing conditions offered by your 4x4 vehicle, you might also spot smaller yet still delightful animals such as honey badgers, porcupines and rock hyrax, all adding to the magic of your foray into the South African wilds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Survey the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve on a 4x4 vehicle that is perfect for wildlife sighting.
• Keep an eye out for awe-inspiring animals such as white rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffe and blue wildebeest.
• Pass through various ecosystems, which provide habitat to over 200 species of birds.
• Glimpse some of the reserve’s smaller inhabitants, including honey badgers, rock hyrax or porcupines.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear light-colored, casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Marvel at South Africa’s abundant bird and wildlife species during this scenic cruise in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its enormous ecological value. Drive north to the breathtaking iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where you’ll board a boat for a leisurely, approximately two-hour cruise on Lake Saint Lucia, Southern Africa’s largest estuarine lake, which covers an area of approximately 217 square miles. Keep a sharp eye out for bird-rich islands that are home to thousands of feeding pelicans, waders and other waterfowl that comprise the more than 526 different avian species who call the wetlands home. Catch sight of the basking and nesting sites of the famed Nile crocodile as well as the hippos that thrive in the estuary, and discover that this is the greatest confluence of both of these creatures to be found in South Africa. You’re sure to cherish your time spent amid the natural wonders and teeming wildlife of this splendid region.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Embark on a boat for an approximately two-hour exploration of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Cruise on ecologically vital Lake Saint Lucia, Southern Africa’s largest estuarine lake.
• Glimpse pelicans, waders and myriad other varieties of the wetland’s 526 avian species.
• See Nile crocodiles sunning themselves on the bank or hippos peeking out of the water.

HELPFUL HINTS

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