20 May 2012

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SOUTHBOUND - Livorno, Villefranche, Valencia, Casablanca, Agadir, Dakar, Walvis Bay, Cape Town

Livorno, Italy
Livorno, in the Tuscan region of Italy, is ideally located for exploring some of the most beautiful cities in Italy, including Florence and Pisa. When you're in the area, you'll definitely want to explore Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Start by visiting the church of Santa Croce, known as Italy's Westminster Abbey because of the Italian monarchy buried there. View the 14th-century interior and marvel at one of the finest examples of Florentine Gothic decoration. Stop at the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, where the cathedral, bell tower and baptistery share the same square. Then stop in the Piazza della Signoria, the city's largest square, and gaze upon a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Loggia dei Lanzi; visit the field of Miracles in Pisa and discover one of the world’s most amazing sights - the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Villefranche
This is a busy little town in the Cote d' Azur with long sandy beaches, terrace cafes and restaurants. From the main road above one can enjoy a beautiful vista over the top of the red tiled roofs of the old town, with the distinctive church and bell tower in the centre. The narrow cobbled streets slope steeply towards the sea with many vaulted passages beneath the houses. There's a medieval feel to the town with many little restaurants; coffee shops and tourist shops to pause a while and enjoy.

Valencia
Everyone who visits Valencia must try the famous speciality of the area, paella, a saffron flavoured Spanish dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat chicken and seafood. Sights of the town include the Cathedral and Chapel of the Holy Chalice, Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, the city hall, the old "Casa Ensenanza" and the Central Market.

Casablanca
Casablanca is an interesting city, and its most popular attractions are the old medina, or Arab Quarter, near the harbour and the United Nations Square with its tropical gardens and government buildings. The most popular excursion here though, is a trip through the desert to the 11th Century city of Marrakesh, famous for its palaces and gardens and a fascinating marketplace where snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters and fortune-tellers crowd the streets.

Agadir
Agadir is the most important shipping port in Southern Morocco, but there are also beautiful sandy bays with warm swimming water year-round. It's a very modern city, built with the tourist vacation in mind. A city which boasts a number of good hotels, restaurants, shops and a lively nightlife, and is the perfect base for excursions to Taroudant and Tafrefout.

Dakar
Located on the tip of the Cap Vert Peninsula, Dakar teems with life and boasts luxurious hotels, a wide range of restaurants, beaches and water sports, a casino and an active nightlife. It is also one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in Africa. Senegal became the most important slave depot in West Africa and the Island Goree was the centre of the slave trade. Thousands of men, women and children were kept locked in cells on the island, the "Door of no return" before being shipped to the Americas. Today Goree is a UNESCO Historical Monument.

Walvis Bay, Namibia
Once only a whaling station, Walvis Bay has become the principal port of entry into Namibia. Exhibits at the local museum illustrate the history of the town and the indigenous Topnaar people. The lagoon on the outskirts of Walvis Bay is home to a bird sanctuary. Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed here in the nutrient-rich water. The lagoon also supports an important salt industry. Walvis Bay is a good starting point for trips into the desert region, an area of unspoiled landscapes, compelling beauty and a feeling of unconfined space.

Cape Town, South Africa
The "Mother City of South Africa" is celebrated for its beautiful beaches and award-winning vineyards. For a spectacular view of the cape, take a cable car to the top of the city's landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain. Visit the wine country on a half-day excursion and take in the crisp vintages and the distinct Cape Dutch architecture, or tour the city and see St. George's Cathedral, the Castle of Good Hope, Signal Hill and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Reunion - Mauritius

Pointe des Galets, Reunion
Pointe des Galets is a volcanic island lush with palm trees, rain forests and an abundance of flowers and tropical fruit trees. Enjoy the Creole-flavoured French culture and the sophistication of downtown Paris in a tropical climate. Hike through the challenging volcanic mountains and enjoy the panoramic views of the rainforest from scenic vistas.

Port Louis, Mauritius
An exotic island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, Mauritius spawns tropical flora and fauna. Tourists trek across sultry beaches to get to the rare vegetation of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Other popular excursions take visitors to the Casella Bird Park to view birds, leopards, tigers, monkeys and a group of giant tortoises, or to the town market to sample local spices.

PORTUGUESE ISLANDS - Maputo, Barra Lodge

Portuguese Island
The island is an uninhabited nature reserve with pristine beaches, dense vegetation, pleasant lagoons and small patches of mangrove. It is located next to the larger Inhaca Island, which is actually a Royal Kingdom. A short optional transfer to the neighbouring Island of Inhaca allows you to visit a local premier resort hotel, bars, restaurants and souvenir merchants. An option Beach BBQ is offered on Portuguese Island depending on the weather conditions. Locals will accept USD and some (not all) take Rands.

Maputo
Maputo, the lush capital of Mozambique, formerly the Portuguese city of Lourenco Marques, sits on the shore of the Indian Ocean. Founded as a port town by the Portuguese, the city is dotted with areas of interest including Casa do Ferro (House of Iron) designed by Alexandre Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). The area is renowned for its seafood and in particular for its prawns in peri-peri sauce, a spicy sauce made from an especially hot African chilli pepper.

Barra Lodge
Barra Lodge is one of the top holiday destinations on the mainland coast of Mozambique. The resort offers plenty to do including scuba diving, snorkelling and quad biking. 7km of unspoilt coastline offers ample opportunity to explore. Just behind the resort is a mangrove swamp allowing passengers a unique glimpse into this fascinating eco-system. Nearby Inhambane has much historical interest being the second oldest inhabited settlement in Mozambique. Craft goods, cashew nuts and the infamous palm wine are normally available

NORTBOUND - Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Dakar, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Funchal, Malaga, Civitavecchia, Genoa

Cape Town, South Africa
The "Mother City of South Africa" is celebrated for its beautiful beaches and award-winning vineyards. For a spectacular view of the cape, take a cable car to the top of the city's landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain. Visit the wine country on a half-day excursion and take in the crisp vintages and the distinct Cape Dutch architecture, or tour the city and see St. George's Cathedral, the Castle of Good Hope, Signal Hill and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Walvis Bay, Namibia
Once only a whaling station, Walvis Bay has become the principal port of entry into Namibia. Exhibits at the local museum illustrate the history of the town and the indigenous Topnaar people. The lagoon on the outskirts of Walvis Bay is home to a bird sanctuary. Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed here in the nutrient-rich water. The lagoon also supports an important salt industry. Walvis Bay is a good starting point for trips into the desert region, an area of unspoiled landscapes, compelling beauty and a feeling of unconfined space.

Dakar
Located on the tip of the Cap Vert Peninsula, Dakar teems with life and boasts luxurious hotels, a wide range of restaurants, beaches and watersports, a casino and an active nightlife. It is also one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in Africa. Senegal became the most important slave depot in West Africa and the Island Goree was the centre of the slave trade. Thousands of men, women and children were kept locked in cells on the island, the "Door of no return" before being shipped to the Americas. Today Goree is a UNESCO Historical Monument.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife boasts a rich variety of scenery and attractions, from lively resorts and volcanic beaches in the south to the lush interior of the Orotava Valley and the stunning lunar landscapes of El Teide National Park, dominated by 12,000 foot snow-capped Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain. The historic capital, Santa Cruz is in the North.

Funchal
This city is the capital of the Island of Madeira. Funchal, where rows of white houses climb the hillside, is comprised of three distinct sections. The Old Zone, or Old Town, on the east side boasts historic architecture. The west side is the "tourist" hotel area, with attractions like the Casino Gardens, Quinta das Cruzes Museum and bustling Careira Street. Between the two you will find the city centre, which brims with museums such as the Madeira Wine Institute.

Malaga
Malaga is a peaceful port on Spain's famous Costa del Sol. Visitors can spend time in the seaside cafes and stroll the palm-lined waterfront. The Moorish fortresses and the Museo de Bellas Artes, home to some of Picasso's paintings, are among the most prominent attractions here. An excursion to the interior offers views of the mountain villages of Mijas and the grand Alhambra Castle. 

Civitavecchia
Cruise ships dock in Civitavecchia, and there isn't much to see here at all, so it's recommended to try to get into Rome via a shore excursion or by sharing a guide/taxi with your fellow passengers. Walking the streets of Rome is wonderful. You can walk or take a taxi or subway to the Colosseum, a great place to start your tour of Rome. Across the street from the Colosseum is the ancient Roman Forum.  

Livorno, Italy
Livorno, in the Tuscan region of Italy, is ideally located for exploring some of the most beautiful cities in Italy, including Florence and Pisa. When you're in the area, you'll definitely want to explore Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Start by visiting the church of Santa Croce, known as Italy's Westminster Abbey because of the Italian monarchy buried there. View the 14th-century interior and marvel at one of the finest examples of Florentine Gothic decoration. Stop at the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, where the cathedral, bell tower and baptistery share the same square. Then stop in the Piazza della Signoria, the city's largest square, and gaze upon a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Loggia dei Lanzi; visit the field of Miracles in Pisa and discover one of the world’s most amazing sights - the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

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