Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

At the southernmost fringe of the Caribbean Sea, the independent Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a cultural mosaic with roots tracing back to Spain, Africa, India, and the indigenous communities that called these islands home long before European settlers arrived.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS:
Option 1: Port of Spain Panorama & Angostura Distillery Experience
A half-day exploration encompassing the highlights of the Port of Spain, culminating in a visit to the renowned Angostura Distillery. Enjoy a picturesque drive passing some of the city's most iconic sites, then ascend to Lady Young Lookout for panoramic views of the city below. Your journey continues to the celebrated House of Angostura, the cradle of Trinidad’s prime rum. Here, you'll delve into the complexities of rum production and gain insight into the creation of two of the Caribbean’s most venerated rum brands - Fernandes and Old Oak.

Option 2: Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary
A sunset tour of the Caroni Nature Sanctuary, a globally lauded natural wonder. A short drive from Port of Spain transports us to this maze of mangrove-bordered waterway. Board a spacious flat-bottomed boat and glide through this serene, picturesque wetland. The pièce de résistance is the Scarlet Ibis, the nation’s emblematic bird that nests and feeds in this sanctuary. Dressed in a vivid red plumage with black-tipped wings, these birds create a mesmerizing spectacle at sunset, when hundreds, even thousands, descend upon the swamp to roost in the mangrove trees.

Devils Island, French Guiana

Before they were a notorious penal colony, the Îles du Salut (Islands of Salvation) provided French colonists with a welcome escape from the fever-ridden jungles of the Guiana mainland. Lying ten miles off the coastline, and swept by treacherous ocean currents, the trio of small islands provided a perfect isolated location for incarcerating criminals without danger or expense, since the shark-infested sea and the trackless jungles ashore precluded any possibility of escape.

All three islands, popularly known as Devil's Island, were used as a prison from 1852 to 1953.

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:​
Devil's Island Tour
Although the group is commonly called ""Devil´s Island"", visitations are permitted only to Île Royale and Île St Joseph. Join our expedition team to explore ashore and learn about the history and natural history of the area. ​Monkeys, Agouties and other animals have been introduced to the island and can be observed when visiting.

Crossing the Equator

If you are a “pollywog,” who has never crossed the line at sea, you will be expected to undergo a mock trial by King Neptune and his court for the entertainment of the “shellbacks” who have already done so. Mild but hilarious indignities will be conjured, and in the end a good time will be had by most, if not all.

Natal, Brazil

Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, a Brazilian state located in the country’s northeast. The city lies near the mouth of the Potenji (Potengi) River along the Atlantic coast, and its sun-kissed shores are lined with gorgeous white-sand beaches and towering dunes. The 16^th-century Forte dos Reis Magos is an imposing, star-shaped fortress that marks the place where Natal was officially founded by the Portuguese on December 25, 1599 (Natal is Portuguese for “Christmas”). Ribeira and Cidade Alta, the city’s oldest neighborhoods, invite with an array of handsome colonial and Victorian buildings, many of which are now adorned with colorful murals. Natal’s vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture gave birth to the capoeira circle, an intoxicating blend of martial arts, acrobatics, dance, and music that UNESCO designated as a living expression of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You might see capoeira groups performing on one of the city’s popular beaches like Ponta Negra; browse the nearby handicraft market for unique ceramics, musical instruments, textiles, and wooden sculptures. Head to Genipabu (Jenipabu) to ride a camel, go sand surfing, or drive a buggy around its huge complex of sand dunes.

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

If Rio is the heart of Brazil and Sao Paulo is its brain, Salvador is its spirit. It was here in 1549 that the Portuguese founded the capital city and chief port of their new colony. Vast fortunes were made through the slave trade, and the introduction of a large African population had an important effect on the local culture. Salvador is built in two levels, with the most appealing being the upper city, the lovely colonial neighborhood of Pelourinho, which in recent years has been completely restored to its former glory.

Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil

Buzios is on everyone’s top ten most beautiful places list. With dozens of gorgeous beaches, warm, clear waters, lush tropical vegetation and a wealth of opportunities for active or relaxing play, it earns the spot easily. The place thrives on pleasing visitors, and you’ll be no exception.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The harbour of Rio de Janeiro, cradled by the southern contours of Guanabara Bay under the majestic shadows of Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains, is one of the world's most unique and awe-inspiring ports. As you approach by sea, Sugarloaf Mountain is your welcoming beacon, inviting you to experience the exhilarating cable-car ride to its summit for a panoramic view of the city and its famed beaches: Copacabana, Tijuca, Ipanema, and Leblon.

Rio de Janeiro vibrates with the rhythm and vitality of its renowned Carnavál Sambadrome parades, regardless of when you choose to visit. The city enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status, recognized as the "Carioca Landscapes, Between the Mountain and the Sea." Your exploration of Rio wouldn't be complete without visiting certain landmarks: the ascent to Sugarloaf, the lush Tijuca Rainforest Park, the towering Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado, and for football aficionados, the legendary Maracanä Stadium.