From Balboa to Oranjestad · South America & Antarctica · 11 nights
From Balboa to Oranjestad
True clipper ships, these beautiful four-masted vessels reflect a proud seafaring heritage in their elegant sails, warm woods and polished brass.
Sister ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer certainly stand out
from the crowd. In full sail they are an awe-inspiring sight,
reminiscent of a bygone age, yet combining this tradition with the
comfort of a modern cruise line, ideal for those who wish to
experience a tall ship cruise. Climb the mast or relax by the small
pool; you can be as involved as you wish on these easy-going and
friendly ships.
The sleepy fishing village of Portobelo, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, was once the busiest port in Spanish America, funneling vast quantities of Inca gold back to Europe. Ruined forts still litter the coast, and the legacy of the colonial era also lives on in the Congo people, descendants of African slaves brought here by the Spanish.
Situated just off the coast of Panama, the idyllic San Blas islands are home to the Kuna Indians, who enjoy political autonomy from the mainland and have an unusual degree of control over tourism to their homeland. Visiting these simple island communities is a privilege, and an insight into an indigenous way of life unsullied by mass tourism.
Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings.
Situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Santa Marta is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in South America. The modern city lacks some of the charm of nearby Cartagena, but tourism has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, with a number of ambitious regeneration projects and a host of new restaurants and bars.
The quiet, cactus-covered Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is internationally renowned for its diving, ringed by spectacular coral reefs that teem with life. The capital, Kralendijk, is home to some pretty colonial architecture, and the island is also known for its flamingos and pink sand beaches.
The gabled houses of Willemstad lend an undeniably Dutch feel to the capital of little Curaçao, with a splash of Caribbean colour thrown in. The island itself is not your typical lush tropical paradise - the landscape is characterised instead by thorny shrubs and cacti - but there are some fantastic beaches and quaint little villages.
The tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, located just off the coast of Venezuela, lies outside of the hurricane belt, meaning it enjoys a largely dry climate, and boasts some of the best beaches in the region, if not the world.
