Page 9 - Demo
P. 9
+44 (0)20 7752 00009Day 1 London to Barbados. Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky in Bridgetown. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.Day 2 Barbados. This morning we will take a scenic drive along the west coast of Barbados with its beautiful beaches, elegant hotels and quaint boutiques to the north of the island where we take in the incredible views of the Atlantic surf, blowholes, caves and shallow pools. Enjoy a stroll on the sand at the surfing beach of Bathsheba before continuing to St John%u2019s Church which stands on a cliff face, 800 feet above sea level, with spectacular views of the east and south-eastern coasts. Our tour will end at the Sunbury Plantation which was built in 1660 and today provides an insight into life in bygone years. Explore the house filled with antiques before heading to the cellars which house an extensive selection of horse drawn carriages. We will return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Day 3 St Lucia. St Lucia is a splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. Due to its strategic position, the island was fought over repeatedly by the French and British and changed hands fourteen times. We will anchor in sight of St Lucia%u2019s best-known feature, the twin peaks of the Pitons which rise dramatically from the sea to more than 2400 feet. In the nearby town of Soufriere we can visit the bubbling sulphur springs, part of a low lying volcano which erupted thousands of years ago. Our tour will also include the splendid botanical gardens. Day 4 St Vincent & The Grenadines. Arrive this morning in bustling Kingstown, capital of St Vincent and gateway to The Grenadines. We will drive to the outskirts of the city to the 19th century Fort Charlotte before continuing to one of the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere which date from 1765 and were developed to provide medicinal plants. Over lunch we sail to Bequia and have the afternoon on this delightful Grenadine island which is totally unspoilt and a place of pure escapism with a charming old-world atmosphere. Only seven miles by two it is a long way from the well beaten tourist track, a serene and peaceful island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. We will use the Zodiacs to land at Port Elizabeth where we will have time to explore at our own pace or wander to a nearby beach. Those feeling active may wish to make their way to Fort Hamilton offering views over the bay.The ItineraryDay 5 Grenada. Explore this wonderful Windward Island which many regard as the most beautiful in the Caribbean. It is a lush and verdant island with spice plantations, rum distilleries, tropical forests, secluded coves, nature trails and select hotels which cling to the hillsides overlooking the ocean. We will moor in the picturesque capital of St George%u2019s before heading to Fort George. Built in 1706 with wonderful views over the harbour, it was here in 1983 that the Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, was assassinated which prompted the invasion by US troops. We will continue to a spice garden where we learn about the herbs that grow here before we end at one of the island%u2019s rum distilleries.Day 6 At Sea. Spend a relaxing day at sea.Day 7 Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. Spend the day in Bonaire, famous for the variety of its corals, fish and clear waters. This morning you may wish to take a scenic island tour to see the saltwater lagoon at Lake Goto, where we may be lucky and see pink flamingos, followed by Mangazina di Rei cultural park which showcases indigenous culture. Alternatively, join a local boat as we make our way to one of the nearby uninhabited islands near Klein Bonaire. Here, there will be the option to swim from the beach or snorkel over the coral reefs. Returning to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch, the afternoon is free to explore the town of Kralendijk at your own pace from our central berth.Day 8 Curacao. Moor this morning at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Willemstad. The city has a rich history dating back to the 16th century and the island%u2019s colonial Dutch heritage sets a genteel tone amid markets, museums and cafes. Enjoy an excursion to explore the historic downtown district including Fort Amsterdam. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Colombia. Day 9 Cabo de la Vela, Colombia. Arrive in Colombia in the far northwestern region of La Guajira, an area of wild desert, beautiful landscapes and stunning beaches that border the Caribbean Sea. This is an area sacred to the indigenous Wayuu people who have lived in the region for over 2,000 years since relocating from the Amazon rainforest and have battled Spanish invaders as well as, more recently, the Colombian Government to keep their traditions alive. Visiting a community, our local guides will teach us about their culture and we will see some of the crafts including the famous Mochila bags. Pelican, BonaireSan Blas IslandsCapuchin MonkeysCoral reefPilon de Azucar, La GuajiraRainforests, Corals & Cultures of the Caribbean