Belem (Amazon), Brazil

The port city of Belem, the largest port in the region, leads the way to a thrilling Amazon adventure. A boat ride through the Amazon River’s creeks and smaller waterways takes you on an authentic journey through the famous rainforest and its people.

As you sail along the Amazon River and into the indigenous communities, you will see local homes built on stilts by the residents of the river. The lush vegetation of the rainforest coupled with the sounds of its wildlife create a scene perfect for bringing out the explorer in you.

In the economic hub of Belem, also known as “The City of Mango Trees,” you find a significant cultural center filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Lined up along the quay are multi-colored fishing boats and canoes as they unload their wares, from ceramics made by indigenous peoples to fragrant herbs and acai berries.

Walking through historic Belem you come across Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. A mix of a fish and butcher’s market, fruit and vegetable stands, craft stalls, and sellers of spices and herbs, the vibrant life of Brazil runs through the veins of Mercado Ver-o-Peso.

For a glimpse at neoclassical architecture from the 19th century, take a trip Theatro da Paz. More than a remnant of the 1870s, the theater stands as a monument to the country’s wealth during the boom of rubber trade, of which the Amazon region facilitated.

Breves Narrows, Scenic Navigation

Breves Narrows, Scenic Navigation

Equator Crossing

Ever heard of a line-crossing ceremony? Well, this is your chance at initiation into the renowned club of explorers who have crossed the Equator. Prove to the mighty King Neptune that you are worthy of traversing his kingdom.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Devils Island, French Guiana

Devil’s Island, its true name Cayenne, is a penal colony of French Guiana with a haunted history. Here lie the crumbled remains of a prison opened in 1852 and shut down in 1953. Infamous for housing French political prisoners, it even served as the backdrop for the 1973 action-thriller film Papillon. Nestled among the palm trees and tropical setting hides a turbulent past truth.

The currents near Devil’s Island are so strong, visitors can only access by Zodiac. Once they arrive on the island, they can roam among the ruins, gazing at the fallen walls that once housed the likes of prisoners like Captain Alfred Dreyfus. A quiet befalls this uninhabited island weighed with such a troubled history.

As the wind blows through the palm trees and you traverse the remains of the island, you cannot help but sense the eerie calm of its isolation. Moss and vines grown over the remains of the buildings make it seem like a part of history that happened so long ago, but really only came to an end within the last century.

A walk through what remains of the corridors leading to the former prison cells is accompanied by the rustle of the winds and the distant sounds of animals scurrying about the island. A solemn air permeates the atmosphere until you step back out of the shade of the palms and into the warm sunlight.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Charlotteville, Tobago

The sleepy fishing village of Charlotteville offers the charms of a tropical Caribbean expedition with the remote feel of small-town living away from mainstream tourism. Located on the northeast tip of Tobago along Man-o-War Bay, the quiet, beachside getaway gives travelers the blue waters and palm trees they desire with less crowds.

Tobago’s history of pirates calls out to the adventurer in all. Explorers can climb down the stone steps leading into the Pirates’ Bay cove where the likes of Black Beard, Henry Morgan, and Captain Finn once made the base of their escapades. Legend has it their treasure is still buried under the sands.

For a truly secluded experience, check out the small strip of Lover’s Beach, accessible only by boat. With pink sands that sparkle in the sun, the effects of a shoreline made of crushed seashells, and surrounding cliffs lush with green, it’s easy to see how this bay earned its romantic reputation.

A short walk away from the village of Charlotteville lies the historic site of Fort Campbellton. The cannons at the hilltop of the old fort point out toward Man-o-War Bay, leading the eye to a mesmerizing landscape. From this vantage point you can take in the sight of the surrounding mountains and sandy beaches below.

Along Tobago’s beaches you can stop in at a local bar and restaurant and order a dish of the catch of the day. As fishing is the island’s main industry, you are always guaranteed fresh seafood plates wherever you roam in Charlotteville.

Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines bring to mind idyllic island living. Perhaps the most remote among these islands is Mayreau, the smallest of the Grenadines. Among Mayreau’s most well-known spots is Salt Whistle Bay, an unspoiled beach protected from rough Atlantic waves by a strip of land extending out into the ocean. This makes it the perfect locale to spend a calm and soothing day taking in the sun’s rays with a craft cocktail in hand. Bask in the sun all day as you revel in a beach party along its immaculate shores.

Bridgetown, Barbados

The historic capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, contains centuries of colonial architecture that display the spread of the British Empire. The Barbados Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many old buildings filled with the fascinating history of how the island grew into what it is today. Lying along the southwest coast of Carlisle Bay, it also offers beautiful and serene beach scenes with soft, white sand. And it’s an enticing destination with ancient shipwrecks to dive and explore near the coast, like the S.S. Stavronikita, one of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean. A trip to Barbados is not complete without a sampling of the local rum at St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean.