Itinerary

Today we will fly to Ilulissat.

Note: The runway at Ilulissat is 2,800’. For aircraft needing a longer runway, you have the option to fly your plane to Kangerlussuaq (485NM) and take a commercial flight (airfare not included) to Ilulissat.

Located about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat is the most accessible place to see both massive icebergs and the polar icecap. The town has a beautiful location at the mouth of the 35 mile long ice fjord that is filled with enormous icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq. The Ice Fjord surrounds Ilulissat with gigantic formations of icebergs, calving glaciers, and isolated settlements. It offers breathtaking Arctic experiences all year round.

After breakfast and our regular briefing, we will leave for Reykjavik, flying over ice-covered Greenland and then do our second water crossing.

Fly southeast toward the British Isles for our next stop, Prestwick, to refuel and have lunch.

Our flight continues to Austria to discover one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Vienna. Home to some of the most beautiful Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture in the world, here you will find the houses of Vienna’s great composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms and Johann Strauss, all carefully preserved.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
 
There will be an optional visit to the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Habsburg Emperors until 1918. The palace was originally a medieval castle but today only the chapel remains from medieval days. Also at the Palace is the hall where the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School perform. Almost every day, the white Lipizzan stallions are put through their paces by their riders. Experience the Morning Exercises performed to music!
 
Tonight is free evening to enjoy optional music concert or performance.

Today we will visit Bodrum’s fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed in a former castle and containing many artifacts salvaged from area shipwrecks.

Fly to Aqaba, Jordan. Situated on the edge of the Red Sea in Aqaba, the Movenpick Resort offers vibrant coral reefs, majestic mountains and incredible historic sites. With unforgettable scenery, abundant seaside activities and beautiful weather, you’ll enjoy breathtaking beauty in a breathtaking setting. Enjoy a great view above the shimmering drama of the Red Sea.

Directly in front of the hotel you will find the excavation of the historical city of Ayla (in the Byzantine period, Aqaba was known as Ayla). According to an inscription found there, the Mamluk castle was built in the early 16th century. It can be visited at any time of the day.

Fly to Djibouti, “Land of the Gods”, situated where the Indian Ocean meets the Red Sea.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Kempinski Palace hotel.

Fly to Nairobi. After clearing customs, we will take a local airline flight to Bateleur Camp. Set among the forests on the edge of the Masai Mara, the elegant tents, each with its own private butler, reflect the style and glamour of vintage Africa.
 
Enjoy a short game drive en route to the Camp - located in one of the most spectacular parts of the Masai Mara - a large game reserve in south western Kenya which is the continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Camp is at the heart of the wildebeest migration that passes through this area between July and September when the Mara River sees some of the most dramatic scenes of wildebeest and zebra crossing the river and facing the waiting crocodiles.
 
Gazelle, wildebeest and zebra graze in large numbers and where prey is found so are predators. The famous black-maned Mara lions, cheetah and leopard hunt these grazing herds of ungulates. Great herds of elephant browse amongst the rich grasslands while hippo and crocodiles keep cool in the Mara and Talek Rivers. Each year, in search for the sweet grass of the Masai Mara. This is known as the Great Migration. It is estimated that more than a half million wildebeest enter the Masai Mara and are joined by another 10,000 from Loita Hills in the east of the Mara. There is nowhere else on earth to compare this wildlife marvel.

We'll depart the camp very early to the Balloon Safari site for a fabulous Hot Air Balloon safari. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Masai Mara National Reserve as we pass over endless plains, sail over the dramatic Mara River, watch wildlife traverse verdant swaps and cruise past flourishing forests.

We will take a local airline flight back to Nairobi to pick up the airplanes and fly to Pemba, Mozambique, where we will clear customs. We will then take a local airline flight to Matemo Island.
 
Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Matemo Island Resort. Situated in the Quirimbas Archipelago, the Matemo Island Resort offers the ideal tropical island experience with beautiful white sand beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Each of the palm-thatched, air-conditioned chalets opens onto the beach and is just a few steps away from the sea.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area on your own. Optional activities include dhow cruises, diving, snorkeling, and exhilarating catch-and-release deep sea fishing.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area on your own. The Royal Chundu Zambezi Lodge offers several optional activities for those interested.

Fly to Madeira - a breathtakingly beautiful subtropical island off the coast of Portugal. Upon arrival, we will transfer to Reid's Palace.
 
Madeira Island is known for its rich natural beauty. Every part of this volcanic island has something different to offer and is abundant with picturesque landscapes of steep majestic mountains, dropping into lush green valleys and breathtaking views of its rugged coastlines.

Today we will fly to Dinard, France, where we will transfer to our hotel outside Le Mont St. Michel before our visit to the abbey. Sitauted on a rocky, cone-shaped islet in the Gulf of Saint-Malo, Mont St. Michel is connected with the mainland by a causeway. The islet, celebrated for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire isled is crowned by the abbey church at about 240' above sea level. This afternoon we will visit this amazing monument.

Our tour begins with a panoramic Dublin city tour which takes in the main sights including the famous "Doors of Dublin" and the elegant Georgian squares. We'll visit Trinity College and the Old Library building built by Thomas Burgh in the 18th century. Before viewing the famous book visitors pass through an excellent exhibition based on the book of Kells and other important writings from Ireland's monasteries.
 
Next you will visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church made famous by its former dean Jonathon Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels". St. Patrick's Cathedral is the National Cathedral of Ireland and is built on the site where St. Patrick preached. The massive west towers house a large array of bells whose ringing tones have become part of the very character of Dublin.