Rainforests, Corals & Cultures of the Caribbean

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.

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’s 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.

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’s 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.

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.

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’s 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’s rum distilleries.

Spend a relaxing day at sea.

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.

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’s 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.

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.

We continue our exploration of Colombia in the Santa Marta area which is renowned for the eco-diversity and dramatic beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, that sweep down to the sea. From our berth we will travel slightly inland to the Tayrona National Park this morning. Covered in large part by virgin tropical forest, the park is home to many varied species of mammals, birds and reptiles. On a walk through this semi-tropical jungle we will be joined by a local guide who will offer insights into the park’s vegetation, animals and ecosystem. Alternatively, explore the town of Santa Marta, see Bolivar Plaza and the bustling streets with their eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial, Republican and contemporary architecture, and the 17th century cathedral, Colombia’s oldest church. Also visit the small Gold Museum which houses some interesting gold and pottery objects from the indigenous cultures that inhabit the Sierra Nevada Mountains which rise up behind the city.

Cartagena is one of the most fascinating cities in South America and this morning we will enjoy a walking tour of the colonial walled city which is virtually surrounded by water and steeped in history, with a wealth of 16th and 17th century buildings and churches. Our guides will bring the history of the city to life as we walk its streets and ramparts. We will visit the 16th century Fort of San Felipe, the Monastery of San Pedro Claver, Plaza de la Aduana and Iglesia de Santo Domingo. The afternoon is free to explore further at your own pace.

After a morning at sea we arrive in the stunning San Blas archipelago. The archipelago is made up of over 400 islands that line the north coast of Panama with white sandy beaches set in a turquoise sea. The islands are home to the indigenous Kuna Indians who gained self-rule from the government of Panama in the 1920s and maintain their traditional way of life including the production of colourful fabric art known as ‘molas’. We will have time to take a nature walk or perhaps enjoy a swim from the beach.

Today we arrive in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, pristine islands which are now part of a national marine park. This afternoon we will visit the small town of Bocas del Toro and have free time to wander amongst the fine old Spanish buildings or maybe visit one of the local beaches.

Arriving into Costa Rica we head to the Cahuita National Park. The area is filled with wildlife that includes howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, raccoons, sloths, otters, coatis, agoutis, armadillos and porcupines. Several avian species also live in the swamp forest including the green ibis, the green kingfisher, the yellow crowned night-heron, the frigate bird and the boat-billed heron among others. Our naturalist guides will lead us through the trails of the rainforest, sharing their vast knowledge of this fragile ecosystem. Alternatively, take a boat ride through the scenic Tortuguero canals, known as the Costa Rican Amazon as the surrounding rainforest supports a wide range of flora and fauna. Here we can hopefully sight waterfowl, monkeys, lizards, sloths and toucans. We return to the ship via a banana plantation where we learn about this staple of the local economy.

Disembark this morning and transfer to San Jose airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Arrive this morning.

Itineraries are subject to change.