JEWELS OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA. 11 Days. Nassau to Colon

Transcription

1 JEWELS OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA 11 Days Nassau to Colon Voyage October 2017

2 JEWELS OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA Nassau to Colon 6 th October Days Voyage 7722 Expedition Highlights: Admire the dazzling tropical fish and colourful corals underwater Enjoy the beaches, and luxuriant tropical landscape of the Guna Yala Relax on the powdery white beaches of spectacular Isle of Youth Get driven in a vintage car to a cigar factory in Havana Enjoy a traditional Cuban Tropicana Evening Show Learn about the architecture and history of Cuba Be on the lookout for sloths, toucans, tanagers, hummingbirds, kiskadees Visit Cartagena s fortified old quarters a UNESCO World Heritage Site Day 1 Nassau, Bahamas Once all guests have embarked and the mandatory safety drill finished, we depart on our spectacular 15-day expedition Jewels of the Caribbean Sea. This afternoon you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and important members of the crew. Tonight we invite you to familiarise yourself with your new home away from home, meet some of your fellow travellers and enjoy the first of many memorable meals in The Restaurant. Day 2 At Sea Today is a day to relax on deck or peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library. A mandatory Zodiac briefing will take place during the day. As we sail towards Cuba, guests can join the Expedition Team on the outer decks and watch for birds, whales and dolphins, or head to The Theatre to learn more about Cuba and its unique culture and history -as Christopher Columbus said: the most beautiful land that eyes have ever seen. Days 3-4 Havana, Cuba La Habana is the largest city in Cuba. The Historical Centre of Havana is characterized by the presence of the architectural trends of the Baroque and the Eclecticism, which is the fingerprint of the Spanish settling. After clearance procedures, you have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour taking in the highlights of Havana. We will start our journey to the metropolitan and Modern Havana driving to the military fortress Castillo de Los Tres Santos Reyes del Morro, from where we will have a commanding view over the city. We will then continue to the Revolution Square, a memorial to the Cuban independence hero Jose Marti. From there we drive to the colonial part of the city to explore Havana by foot through the Historical Centre of Old Havana, declared UNESCO a World Heritage Site, visiting the Cathedral Square, the Plaza de Armas, Havana s first University San Geronimo de la Habana, the General Captain s Palace and will have an opportunity to enjoy a drink at La Taberna while listening to a live band playing some typical and traditional Cuban music. From there we will walk back to the port and ship. After an early dinner onboard the Silver Explorer, we set out to enjoy a typical not-to-miss Havana Tropicana Show. This place is the most famous and important parties room in Havana and it was founded in 1937 upon an idea of a tropical version of the Folies Bergère. The luxurious and spectacular show, performed under the stars, offers Caribbean music and all the varieties related

3 with the cabaret ambiance. Sample some local rum (and coke) while enjoying this unforgettable performance mind you, as cigars are offered to every guest attending the show (some 1000 seats are available) a lot of smoking will take place! As this is an open air arena it is weather depending rain will cancel the show. As the show begins at 10pm, the return to Silver Explorer will be at about 01am The Silver Explorer will overnight in the port of Havana. During our second day in Havana, we depart for a tour to see, sample and enjoy three things Cuba is famous for: vintage American cars, cigars, and mojitos. Join us on a drive in vintage American cars to the Cigar Factory. Learn about the history of cigars and see how Cuban cigars are hand-rolled, (the purchase of cigars and rum will be possible at the end of the visit) before we continue our drive through the residential areas of Miramar and Vedado to the National Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Cuba. You will see the garden and history hall and will have time for THE Cuban cocktail: a mojito. If you prefer to explore Havana on your own, the Havana Rum Museum is in walking distance and has guided tours explaining the process and history of rum and the Havana Rum company. Day 5 Punta Frances, Isle of Youth, Cuba During the morning attend one of the lectures or food seminars relating to Cuba or enjoy the cruise along Cuba s western tip before reaching the Isle of Youth. This enchanting island was discovered by Columbus in 1494 during his second America-voyage, set in the Canarreos-Archipelago, between Cuba and Mexico. It served over centuries as a base for English and French pirates, who were after the Spanish galleons richly loaded with gold and silver from South America to Europe. In the 16th century Sir Francis Drake used this island as a pirate-base. Only a few years ago chests filled with gold coins and numerous shipwrecks were discovered from times of the Spanish conquerors in the south of the island. Now officially known as the Isle of Youth it is also called "The Treasure Island", after the famous novel of Robert Louis Stevenson. We will tender ashore at the Punta Frances Maritime National Park. During your stay you will have a local lunch including spiny lobster. The underwater world of this maritime national park is a mustsee. Enjoy snorkelling, swimming or sunbathing. Join our onboard Marine Biologist for a snorkel tour and learn to identify damselfish, jacks, surgeonfish, trumpet fish, parrot fish, triggerfish and turtles. Alternatively, explore more of this National Park by foot and be on the look out for iguanas and pelicans. Day 6 Cienfuegos, Cuba Cienfuegos ( hundred fires ) is the city of Cuba with an exceptional colonial flavour. The city was founded in the early 19th century by French colonists and has been called The Pearl of the South. Its second nickname has been Cuban Paris, this last name because of its French influence and having its own Arc de Triomphe. UNESCO declared it as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2005 as the best example of the 19th century implementation of new ideas in modernity, hygiene and order in Latin American urban planning. On our tour we will visit the nearby city of Trinidad. Founded by Diego Velázquez in 1515 as Villa de la Santísima Trinidad, it still preserves its colonial style: cobble-stoned streets, tiled roofs, the filigree of its grilles and inner patios remain from colonial times. It was declared World Cultural Heritage in We will visit the Romantic Museum and the Brunet Palace before having lunch at the Plaza Mayor. After lunch we will visit La Canchánchara tavern where you can sample a special drink made with honey, lemon and rum. It was originally given to slaves as a salve in Colonial times.

4 For those wishing to visit the town of Cienfuegos during the afternoon, a shuttle bus will be available. Day 7 At Sea A day at sea always gives good opportunities to assess the things seen so far and to prepare one for the different destinations still to be visited. Help our birders spot some of the seabirds found far away from their nesting grounds. A refreshing drink and an interesting book can be good company too. There are many ways to enjoy the day while Silver Explorer cruises the Caribbean. Days 8 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Cuba s second-largest city will reveal its most intriguing sites today. We will drive through the main streets of Santiago de Cuba on our way to the Morro Castle, originally called Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca. Designed in 1637 this fortress at the entrance to the bay and harbour of Santiago de Cuba was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the most complete and best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, based on Italian and Renaissance design principles in Ample time will be given to explore the site. A brief stop is made at the Revolution Square before we intend to visit Santa Ifigenia Cemetery and the Cuban independence hero s mausoleum. Before heading to Céspedes Park, the heart of the city, where Santiago s beautiful Cathedral overlooks the square, a stop will be made at Caney s Bar Rum, related to a famous brand that has a bat in its logo. The last stop will be at Céspedes Park. This will give you an overview of the city, should you wish to explore at your own leisure. Alternatively, leave Santiago de Cuba on an excursion that will take the road to La Gran Piedra, one of the Sierra Maestra Peaks. There we are able to admire wonderful views of the coast and surrounding countryside. 459 steps (with the last steps up an iron ladder!) will have to be climbed to achieve the best view from La Gran Piedra (subject to weather conditions), but there are areas to catch our breath when needed during the ascent. Later we will visit the Isabelica Museum an old coffee plantation founded in the early 19th Century, complete with original coffee drying floors and a museum depicting the early coffee industry. We will also visit the Botanical Gardens, which have a large variety of indigenous plants and flowers. Day 9 At Sea A leisurely day at sea allows time to exchange notes with fellow travellers and to recap our stay in Cuba with our Expedition Team. Take advantage of the luxurious amenities aboard Silver Explorer. Attend a lecture about Cartagena and its role during the Spanish colonial times, or relax in the comfort of your suite and watch a movie on the in-suite interactive television. Day 10 Cartagena, Colombia Since its founding in 1533 by Francisco de Heredia, Cartagena de Indias has been one of the most important ports of Spanish South America. Almost all maritime traffic from South America s west coast to Spain via Panama went on to Cartagena awaiting galleons and convoys to Europe. As a result Cartagena has been attacked repeatedly by pirates. The old city had therefore been surrounded by several fortifications and walls making it one of the most fortified cities in South America in its time. It was so well defended that even the British navy was not able to conquer it in 1741 despite the fact that that the British had the largest fleet ever assembled to that point. Cartagena celebrates that it was the first Colombian city to declare independence from Spain in 1811.

5 The old part of Cartagena is still enclosed by extensive walls and protected by several fortresses. This part is known as the walled city and was declared a Colombian Heritage Site in 1959, while UNESCO declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site in During the afternoon we will visit the walled part of Cartagena with its colonial houses, narrow streets, many galleries and restaurants. Inside this protected area are the Museum of the Inquisition, the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Film Museum, the Naval Museum, and the imposing Teatro Heredia. Opposite the walled city is the impressive fortress Castillo de San Felipe Barajas with the statue of its defender against the Royal Navy in Day 11 San Blas Islands, Panama We will board our Zodiacs and visit one of the 365 islets and islands off Panama s northern coast. Formerly known as the San Blas Archipelago, the islands and the coastal land belonging to the Guna ethnic group received its new (and local) name of Guna Yala (formerly written as Kuna Yala) in The approximately 30,000 Guna live along the Caribbean coast and on 36 of the islands. They live off fishing and agriculture. The islanders leave on canoes for the mainland to plant and harvest there, as the islands are only used for housing. The women are quite famous for the handicraft they produce, of which the best known are the mola embroidered designs worn mainly by the women. The geometrical designs were originally painted onto the bodies, but were eventually transferred onto cloth and used as adornments for shirts. Birds, fish, scenes of the local life and even modern influences can be depicted this way and are a favourite souvenir. We will want to visit one of the uninhabited islets for swimming and snorkelling. While we will be there, local women will come over from the other islands, showing us their molas which not only make for good photos but are nice and sought-after souvenirs (for you to purchase, if you so wish). Tonight our on-board videographer/photographer will present his Voyage-DVD, recapturing all the interesting moments we have had and the interesting sites seen on this voyage. Day 12 Colon, Panama Following breakfast, disembark Silver Explorer. Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather and wildlife activity. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.