Itinerary
Welcome to Quebec City! Air Journey staff will greet you at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Situated in the heart of historic Old Quebec, the hotel sits high on a bluff overlooking St. Lawrence River.
All participants will meet for introductions and attend an extensive briefing covering the general procedures of our journey as well as details for tomorrow's departure.
Afterwards, we will gather for a welcome cocktail before dinner.
We will fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Canada on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop.
Then continue over southern Greenland’s beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland. The airport's Kangerlussuaq Museum illustrates the town's past as a U.S. airbase during WWII.
Because we will be approaching the Arctic Circle and the "land of the midnight sun," we will have an astonishing 20 hours of daylight!
Our Transatlantic crossing continues as we fly to Reykjavik in western Iceland. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Hotel Borg where we will enjoy luxury accommodations in the very center of Reykjavik.
The Hotel Borg central location overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvöllur, and is situated across from Althing, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral.
Today we will enjoy an incredible Super Jeep tour where you will witness Iceland’s most exciting natural attractions.
First, we will visit Thingvellir National Park—a unique place of beauty with its interesting geology and history before heading
eastbound on the mountain road to Lyngdalsheioi to view the lava fields on the hills above Laugarvatn.
At Haukadalur we will visit the famous Strokkur geyser erupting and spewing boiling water into the air. We will spend some time here observing the eruptions and exploring the hot springs before heading up to the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall cascading into the white Hvita River along with glacial water.
Our Journey continues to Shannon, Ireland where we will transfer to the picturesque village of Adare.
Situated in the lush heartlands of Limerick County, Adare Manor and Golf Resort is one of Ireland’s most evocative and spellbinding hotels. Steeped in exotic history and surrounded by medieval ruins, its 840-acre demesne is home to beautiful parklands, superb trout fishing on the river Maigue, and a renowned 18-hole championship golf course.
This morning is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. The expansive 350-acre Adare Manor Estate lends itself perfectly to a range of activities, from country-classic pastimes such as horse riding, fishing, falconry and shooting, to more modern activities such as golf, cycling and kayaking.
In the afternoon we’ll visit the Wine Cellars at Adare Manor for a private wine tasting. We will discover wines and regions that embody exceptional quality, unique flavours and captivating history.
Today we will get up close with the world’s most majestic birds of prey. Our professional resident falconers will introduce us to a selection of eight raptors from a family of impressive birds of prey from around the world.
During our falconry experience, you will meet several owls from our aviary, it could be any combination drawn from the following; ‘Tiny’ our Scops Owl, ‘Olaf’ our Snowy Owl, ‘Oscar’ our Eurasian eagle Owl, ‘Willow’ our Bengal Eagle Owl, ‘Che’ our Mexican Striped Owl, ‘Noddy’ our Dark Breasted Barn Owl, or ‘Orlan’ our Common Barn Owl. We will also meet one of our Falcons, generally recognised as the fastest animals on the planet, and at least one Harris Hawk, which will fly free to your gloved hand.
Fly to Menorca – one of the Balearic Islands located in the western Mediterranean Sea— from the mountains we head to the islands.
For the next three nights, we will be guests at the Menorca Experimental, a property that feels like you are stepping into an artist’s painting.
Today we will cruise the local waters on a private catamaran (weather permitting) as we explore the island.
There will be time for swimming and along the way we will visit a local restaurant for lunch.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
A true experience of pleasure and relaxation is waiting for you at the hotel’s spa. They offer a wide variety of treatments, as well as yoga lessons to re-energize the harmony between body and mind.
Fly to Malta, part of the European Union since May 2004. This peaceful island is an ideal location to relax.
The Domus Zamitello, a restored 17th century palazzo, is ideally located at the beginning of Republic Street - just as one enters the cultural capital city of Valletta.
Our half-day city tour includes a visit to Valletta, the capital city, built in 1565 by the Knights of St. John. Our tour starts with a visit to the Upper Barakka Gardens where you can admire views overlooking the stunning fortified Grand Harbour. It also features the magnificent St. John's Co.
Cathedral where you can view Caravaggio's 'Beheading of St. John'. The final stop in Valletta is the Grand Masters Palace, the old seat of the order of St. John and today used as home to the parliament.
We will also enjoy a tour of a private palace: Casa Rocca Picolla. The afternoon is free to enjoy on your own the city or just relax at the hotel. You may be interested to tour the Aviation Museum or the delightful fortified city Mdina located 20 minutes from the hotel.
Fly to Bodrum situated on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey.
This fabled coastline is where Homer's heroes were born, where the ancient Greeks consulted their oracles and the Romans built magnificent temples to honor their gods. Amanruya is set on a peaceful hillside, offering breathtaking views of the sea and a winding pathway leading to a sheltered pebble beach.
Today we will go for a half day city tour and explore the ancient sites from Greek and Roman history dotted across the Aegan coastline, a short drive or sail away.
For centuries the region has been a center of traditional artisan Turkish crafts. Built in the early 15th century, Bodrum castle remains a medieval relic, fortified with green volcanic stones and
marble columns.
Today is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Amanruya’s Spa is an intimate sanctuary dedicated to holistic wellness, offering an extensive spa menu inspired by traditional Turkish wellness practices. This includes a range of healing and
relaxing massages and facial cleansing treatments. Treatments are also available in the comfort of Guest Pavilions.
Our Journey continues to Cairo, Egypt.
"The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its prevalence of Islamic architecture. Even before Cairo was established in the 10th century, the land composing the present-day city was the site of national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo.
Our full-day guided tour begins with a visit the Giza Plateau, where we will visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy the great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus before continuing down to the Valley Temple to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mighty Sphinx. We will have lunch at a local restaurant to experience a variety of Egyptian food.
Our tour continues to Sakkara, Egypt's oldest ancient cemetery. We will visit the world's first monumental stone building, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built by the engineer Imhotep and one of the magnificent Mastabas (burial chamber) of either Ptahhotep, Idut or Mereruka.
Fly to Djibouti, “Land of the Gods”, situated where the Indian Ocean meets the Red Sea.
Our Journey continues to Arusha, Tanzania where we will land at the Kilimanjaro airport. With a charter flight to the Serengeti scheduled for tomorrow, enjoy an overnight stay at beautiful Legendary Lodge, situated just outside Arusha. Legendary Lodge is set in lush tropical garden on a working coffee farm.
We will take a local charter flight to Manyara for our transfer to Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp. Located in the remote Western Corridor of the Serengeti, Grumeti provides a private Serengeti experience with exclusive game viewing in some of the most secluded parts of Africa’s most famous game reserve. Its rustic yet sophisticated safari tents are tucked into the shade of an evergreen forest on the banks of a tributary of the famous Grumeti River.
Black and white colobus monkeys chatter in the foliage and chase each other over the thatched roofs of the tented suites. A resident pod of hippo grunts and grumbles from beneath a layer of luscious
green water weeds in the tranquil pool in front of the camp.
Game drives from the camp can expect to encounter large lion prides and clans of hyena up to a hundred strong, as well as the great herds of Tanzania’s annual Great Migration. Each year, the
masses of wildebeest and zebra cross the waters of the Grumeti River, home to some of Africa’s largest crocodile, in search of fresh grazing grounds.
We will participate in scheduled safari activities. Known for its big lion prides consisting of anywhere between 20 and 60 lions, the western part of the Serengeti is an excellent spot for spotting this majestic cat.
The Serengeti is a tapestry of landscapes, dominated by vast plains. Today, we will participate in scheduled safari activities.
We will take a charter flight back to Kilimanjaro to retrieve our airplanes before continuing on to Mozambique.
An exquisite piece of paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Benguerra Island is the second largest island in the sunny Bazaruto Archipelago, off the coast of Mozambique. The lodge is set in a protected marine conservation area and offers pristine beaches and unspoiled coral reefs teeming with marine life. Looking out onto a sandy beach and set on a deep lagoon unaffected by the tides, this exclusive beach getaway is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The deep Mozambique Channel, which runs alongside the island, is renowned for its game fish and offers some of the world’s best catch and release deep sea fishing.
Today we will visit Ibo Island - from the 15th to the 18th century, Ibo was a prosperous trading post. Its history includes slaves, pirates, silver, ivory and intrigue. We'll learn about its secrets, history and culture. Our guided walk allows us to interact with the amazing local people and observe their unique island culture.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Complimentary activities include sea kayaking, sunset dhow cruise, scheduled snorkeling trip, island expedition & local village tour, birding and guided nature walks (subject to availability and weather conditions)
Fly to Maun, where we will take a local charter flight to Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. The lodge’s indulgent tented rooms are built for game spotting. Spy wildebeast from the elevated private deck or swing in a hammock as zebra and elephants saunter past.
Morning and afternoon game drives depart daily in open land cruisers. Night drives, with spotlight and stargazing presentations, are also available after dinner. As the lodge is located on a private concession, vehicles are allowed to drive before and after sunset, as well as off road.
Daily game drives (morning and afternoon) with professional guides and trackers provide the perfect opportunity to get up close to Africa’s incredible animals.
Wildlife can be spotted all year round including giraffe, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dogs.
Today we will participate in scheduled safari activities.
Behold Africa’s astoundingly diverse wildlife, including the iconic Big Five, from custom-made vehicles with an unobstructed view from every seat.
A charter flight takes us to Maun to retrieve our airplanes and fly to Cape Town.
Upon arrival, transfer to the One & Only Cape Town hotel. Nestled in the cosmopolitan Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the One & Only offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill.
Enjoy a scenic full day tour visiting some of the most renowned attractions of Cape Town as we head towards beautiful Clifton Beach and historic Simon’s Town, renowned Chapman’s Peak Drive, Seal Island and Penguin Colony, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Kirstenbosch Gardens. This scenic journey invites guests to take-in the breathtaking vistas of Cape Point.
From Clifton beach, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and the renowned Chapman’s Peak to historic Simon’s Town, Cape Point Nature Reserve, The Cape of Good Hope and the Kirstenbosch Gardens – there’s a picture-perfect moment for all.
Today is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Today, we will leave Cape Town behind as we will will fly to Walvis Bay, Namibia where we will take a local charter flight to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. Cradles against the ancient mountains, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is renowned for its sophisticated desert experience with its luxurious accommodations overlooking the stark yet beautiful Namib Desert.
Enjoy a scenic game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles to track desert adapted elephant. Namibia is one of only two spots on Earth where Desert adapted Elephants are known to occur, the other being Mali.
Continue exploring the area, with its unique terrain and wildlife, in open 4x4 vehicles. Run to the top of the massive red sand dunes that are famous for this area.
Our charter flight brings us back to Walvis Bay to retrieve our planes, before flying to Livingstone. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Royal Livingstone Lodge.
Late afternoon we’ll board the Livingstone Express restored steam locomotive of polished leather, teak and brass for a journey through the national park and Zambezi River Valley. Enjoy vintage luxury with a modern fine dining experience to recreate moments of bygone romance!
We will discover the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls the biggest falling curtain of water in the world. A famous feature is the naturally formed Devil's Pool, near the edge of the falls. When the river flow is at a safe level, usually during the months of September to December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls within the pool without continuing over the edge and falling into the gorge. This is possible due to a natural rock wall just below the water and at the very edge of the falls that stops their progress despite the current.
We will end the day with a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River a must for visitors. Just upstream from the magnificent falls, crocodiles and hippos are the staple of these legendary exhilarating cruises.
Our Journey continues to Kigali. With a charter flight scheduled for tomorrow, we will enjoy an overnight stay at the beautiful Marriott Kigali hotel.
We will transfer by helicopter to One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. Cushioned in the foothills of the breathtaking Virunga Volcano Range along the northwestern frontier of beautiful Rwanda, the Gorilla’s Nest is the closest resort to Volcanoes National Park.
It makes the magical possible as you enjoy a one in a lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic Mountain Gorilla, roaming free in its own natural habitat.
An exhilarating trek in the footsteps of the rare and critically endangered Mountain Gorillas - the largest living primate on earth - starts in the dramatic scenery of the Virungas foothills.
Trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the primeval rainforest, alive with colorful bird calls, ferns and butterflies. Experienced local trackers are rangers who have spent their entire lives in this forest. Weaving through the overhanging vines, moss covered hagenia and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, the rangers soon bring us up close with a Gorilla family.
This morning, we will take a helicopter transfer back to Kigali to retrieve our airplanes and fly to Addis Ababa. Located in the heart of the Ethiopian capital and safely nestled between the National Palace and the Prime Minister’s residence, the Sheraton Addis sits on a hilltop overlooking the city with plunging views and acres of space.
With a local guide we will discover the highlights of Addis Ababa including visits to the Ethnographic Museum, Trinity Cathedral, National Museum and the Cathedral of St. George.
Fly to Abu Simbel, Egypt for a technical stop to refuel.
During our stop, we will visit the Temple of Ramses II (considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of Ramses II as well as one of the most beautiful in Egypt) and the Temple of Nefertari. After our visit, fly to Aswan.
Today, we will visit the granite quarries to view the enormous Unfinished Obelisk, a 1,200-ton block that showcases the outstanding skills of ancient Egypt’s stonemasons.
Then a short boat ride brings us to the exquisite temple of Philae on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, this temple was dismantled and reconstructed to prevent its eventual destruction
by the Nile floodwaters.
In the afternoon, we will sail in a traditional Nile felucca and continue our discovery of Nubian culture and heritage with a visit to a traditional Nubian village.
Leave Aswan behind as we will fly to Cyprus. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus offers ancient sites, breathtaking mountains, and a beautiful coastline featuring stunning, unspoilt beaches. A magnificent beach resort, the Columbia is located in the tranquil and picturesque bay of Pissouri on a vast beach framed by dramatic white cliffs. Guests can unwind relaxing in the lagoon style pool admiring incredible views of the Mediterranean without a care in the world.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. The resort's watersports center offers optional activities including paragliding, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Other options for an additional cost include speed boats, pedal boats, kayaks and jet skis.
Our Journey continues to Rome. Set in the old city of Rome, close to the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese, the luxury Hotel Eden offers the feel of a private home and a rooftop restaurant providing panoramic views of St. Peter's Dome and the Eternal City.
Situated within a historic building dating back to 1889 and completely renovated in 2017, the hotel is steps from some of the city's top attractions.
We will begin our tour through the Vatican by visiting St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most famous churches in the world. Inside the basilica, we will see Michelangelo's famous sculpture "La Pieta" and the grand altar which is said to be built on the tomb of St. Peter himself. After that, we will head to the Vatican Museums where we will see a vast collection of art and historical artifacts. The highlight of the museum is the Sistine Chapel, where we will be mesmerized by Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes on the ceiling. Lastly, we will visit the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, and admire its stunning architecture and grandeur. Our tour through the Vatican will be an unforgettable experience, and we will come away with a newfound appreciation for the history and artistry of this remarkable place.
Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
This is a perfect day to explore the stores and enjoy a shopping day at Via del Corso in the historical center of Rome.
Our flight for today takes us to Deauville where we will spend two nights at the private and most unique chateau of Count Denis de Kergolay in Canisy.
Enjoy the lifestyle of French royalty in this privately-owned Normandie castle. Set on 740 acres of verdant Normandie countryside and in existence for 1,000 years, the Château de Canisy is an historic presence of monumental proportions.
Discover the sites of D-day (June 6, 1944) - the largest invasion force in history! Codenamed OVERLORD, it delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy (codenames UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO and SWORD).
We will walk among the cliffs, bunkers and edges old soldiers still talk about, visit several museums, D-Day memorials and the very moving American Cemetery.
After breakfast and an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Iceland.
Upon arrival, transfer to the Borg Hotel, where will enjoy luxurious accommodations at the center of Reykjavik.