Itinerary

We will fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Canada on our way to Goose Bay for a technical stop. Then continue over southern Greenland’s beautiful scenery before doing our second water crossing and landing at Reykjavik. 

Fly to Shannon where we will transfer to the picturesque village of Adare. Situated in the lush heartlands of County Limerick, 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.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Visit Adare village – considered Ireland’s prettiest village. An architectural wealth of scenic beauty, Adare’s main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins and a picturesque village park.

Today we will cruise the local waters on a private catamaran (weather permitting) as we explore the island. There’ll be time for swimming and along the way we’ll stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

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. 

Fly to Athens where we’ll transfer by helicopter to the Amanzoe in Porto Heli - a scenic town situated on the east coast of the Peloponnese and across from the cosmopolitan islands of Spetses and Hydra.
 
Encircled by a dazzling blue sea, this area is the birthplace of legends and civilization, blessed by a history that embraces the Spartans and Romans, the Byzantines and Venetians, all drawn here over the millennia because of the region’s beauty, wealth and strategic location. The Amanzoe is situated on a hilltop offering panoramic views of the Peloponnese countryside and coastline.

Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the Amanzoe resort.

Our full day tour today takes us to the rose red city in Petra (travel time approx. 1.5 hrs). We’ll begin at the Visitor’s Center for a walk through the Siq for a breathtaking experience when you first step foot in Petra. We’ll continue to the beautiful Treasury, along the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and Qasr Al Bent. Considered one of the wonders of the world, Petra is an archaeological, anthropological and geological phenomenon. We’ll learn legends, myths and truths about this incredible city. We will explore all the major sites and ruins along the route.

With our local guide we'll explore Lac Assal. As the lowest point on the African continent at 508’ below sea level, Lac Assal can only be described as magnificent. The big salt field makes you feel like you are walking in no man’s land. The water has bright colors that change from time to time due to the sun’s reflection. In the past, the Salt Lake has been used by many caravans and was a well known trading place for different empires. Today you will still see some of these salt caravans collecting salt.

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.

Today we will visit Ibo Island - from the 15th to the 18th century, Ibo was a prosperous trading post. It's 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.

Transfer back to Pemba by helicopter.
 
Fly to Maun where we will take a local charter flight to Khwai River Lodge. The lodge’s indulgent tented rooms are built for game spotting. Spy wildebeest 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 spotlights 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.

We will participate in scheduled safari activities.

Delight in a half-day city tour of Cape Town. This vibrant cultural excursion will take you to some of the Mother City’s most renowned attractions! Our first stop at Table Mountain with a return revolving cable car ride – weather permitted. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coastline through Clifton and Sea Point towards the Company Gardens.
 
Next, the tour will take you past the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, the Castle and Slave Lodge and the Bo-Kaap — Cape Town’s traditional Malay Quarter. The tour will end at Signal Hill to witness the firing of the noon gun.

Fly to Walvis Bay where we will take a local charter flight to Mowe Bay for our transfer to Shipwreck Lodge.
 
Uniquely designed around the enigmatic shipwrecks that line Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like Shipwreck Lodge. In fact, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like the Skeleton Coast. It’s a raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see, buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas.
 
But there’s much more to the area than simple isolation. Stay at Shipwreck Lodge and game drive amongst desert dwelling elephant and track elusive desert lion; discover the enchanting desert flora (succulents and lichens); sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon; spend the day beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries of shipwrecks, or marvel at the geologically-remarkable Clay Castles.

Travel by vehicle to the Möwe Bay seal colony. Along the way view remnants of the Suiderkus Shipwreck, along the beach past the remains of the Karimona shipwreck, abandoned Westies diamond mine, remains of the Ventura Bomber, to the beautiful natural wind shelter created by the reeds at the Flamingo pools.

We’ll 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.

This afternoon experience an unforgettable helicopter flip over the Victoria Falls. The flight provides spectacular photographic opportunities that also incorporate a spot of game viewing. 

We’ll 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.

We’ll spend the morning searching the lush vegetation at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo for one of two habituated groups of golden monkey, one of them a troop of more than 80 members.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore this scenic landscape to where Dian Fossey carried out her ground-breaking gorilla research, traversing slopes covered with rainforest and bamboo. Take time to visit the local community and engage in the culture of the area, visiting a coffee plantation or local traditional homestead.

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.

Fly to Luxor where we will transfer to the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. Situated on the east bank of the lush River Nile in the village of Karnak, the Hilton offers glorious views over the river and the historic city of Luxor.
 
After an early dinner we will proceed to the Temple of Luxor, once connected to Karnak via the Avenue of Sphinxes, almost two miles in length. Built by Amenhotep III in 1380 BC, the site was added to by later pharaohs. The temple enjoyed many celebrations, the most important being the Festival of Opet which lasted almost a month.

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.

Fly 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.

Our private guide will unveil the authentic look of the Eternal City. We’ll explore the well-known attractions and iconic landmarks – Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, Spanish Steps, Trevi’s Fountain, and Pantheon – but also discover hidden gems along the way as our guide reveals some of the city’s fascinating secrets.

There will be free time this afternoon to relax or explore on your own.

With local researchers we’ll visit the WWII German fortifications that are not normally accessible to the public. They will show you how Jersey was made into an impregnable fortress & share with you stories from the battles, raids, escapes and resistance. The tour is a perfect complement to understanding the history of the D-Day invasion which took place less than 30 miles away.