Bewitching Amazon & Africa – Miami to Cape Town

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.

Snorkel amidst the exotic fish and majestic coral reefs in the undersea world of Shipwreck Cove. Egrets, plovers, pelicans and herons are among the wildlife found via kayak tours of the beautiful saltwater lagoons. Discover the dazzling colors of hundreds of butterflies on the ever-popular Butterfly Farm. With a little training from local sailing professionals, you can even navigate a race on an America’s Cup course onboard the world-renowned sailboat, Stars and Stripes.

Experience the natural wonders of this lush, unspoiled island, from the beautiful Emerald Pool and dense rainforest to spectacular vistas and rare plants and birds. Spend some time snorkeling or try ocean kayaking. Take an aerial tram through the tree canopy near Boiling Lake. Or go on a search for whales and dolphins.

Discover the many beautiful aspects of this island, from its rugged Atlantic coastline to its beautiful Great Houses, cane fields, exquisite gardens and glorious beaches. See the island’s spectacular underwater treasures on your own snorkeling expedition.

Many travelers begin their Amazon experience in Manaus, Brazil. Others begin at the “end of the line”, in Belém or Macapa, where the Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Home to Ilha do Amor, one of the most photographed white sand islands in the entire world, Alter do Chão is a charming riverside village. Explore Lago Verde, a grand lagoon that can viewed from rented canoes, or take a boat tour along the Rio Tapajós or the Amazon. You’ll see a number of bird species and might even spot a crocodile or a sloth. Try Serra Pelada if you seek the perfect place for a short but breathtaking hike.

Visit this isolated island town, steeped in Indian culture, in the middle of the Amazon River. Its stadium has become the focus of the Boi Bumba Festival, an annual event similar to Carnival. Witness an exclusive performance of this Amazonian folklore story.

Visit the famed Manaus Opera House. See the old mansions and the Indian Museum, featuring artifacts that chronicle the heritage of the region’s tribes. Journey into the jungle and trek along a rainforest trail. Take a riverboat to the “Meeting of the Waters,” where the dark, clear Rio Negro and the muddy, yellow Rio Solimões join to form the mighty Amazon.

Visit the famed Manaus Opera House. See the old mansions and the Indian Museum, featuring artifacts that chronicle the heritage of the region’s tribes. Journey into the jungle and trek along a rainforest trail. Take a riverboat to the “Meeting of the Waters,” where the dark, clear Rio Negro and the muddy, yellow Rio Solimões join to form the mighty Amazon.

Go ashore and wander on your own through this tiny settlement at the mouth of the Valeria River. Listen to the screeching of parrots and watch the riots of color they display as they take to the air. Observe Amazonian life up close.

See the bustling waterfront, the cathedral, the museum and the famed “Meeting of the Waters” at the confluence of the Tapajos and Amazon rivers. Or see the rivers converge from a boat on the way to Maica Lake, while looking for rare Amazon pink dolphins. Travel into the nearby countryside and take a walk along a fascinating Amazon jungle trail.

Many travelers begin their Amazon experience in Manaus, Brazil. Others begin at the “end of the line”, in Belém or Macapa, where the Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

An amazing city, its Portuguese and African cultures blend almost seamlessly into one. See Bahia’s fascinating past in its hundreds of colonial churches and colorful markets. Even its location, atop a bluff around spectacular All Saints Bay is breathtaking. Enjoy its intriguing culture, from the candomblé religious practices to the insinuating rhythm of the samba.

Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for its renowned view. Ride the cog railway through dense forest to Corcovado. Visit the lush botanical gardens, see famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and take in a thrilling samba show.

Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for its renowned view. Ride the cog railway through dense forest to Corcovado. Visit the lush botanical gardens, see famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and take in a thrilling samba show.

Explore this charming, cosmopolitan city of parks and colonial architecture. Visit a local vineyard and sample its wines. Or travel to the beautiful Portuguese colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento, first settled in 1680.

Discover this elegant city and its beautiful surroundings with a tranquil cruise through the Tigre Delta past islands, mansions and English gardens. Visit the pampas and watch gauchos display their extraordinary horsemanship, or enjoy a fabulous tango show in its birthplace.

Discover this elegant city and its beautiful surroundings with a tranquil cruise through the Tigre Delta past islands, mansions and English gardens. Visit the pampas and watch gauchos display their extraordinary horsemanship, or enjoy a fabulous tango show in its birthplace.

Spend the day enjoying this beautiful, chic beach resort, its marinas and interesting shops. See amazing works by Dali, Chagall and Miro at the Ralli Museum. Or venture into the equally stunning countryside and visit a cattle station. Shopping:

Although rimmed by the inhospitable Namib Desert, Walvis Bay boasts a huge natural lagoon that attracts hundreds of thousands of birds, including flamingos, pelicans and migratory species. The desert’s Dune 7 is the highest sand dune near town and offers a spectacular view. The wooden Rhenish Mission Church is also noteworthy.

Although rimmed by the inhospitable Namib Desert, Walvis Bay boasts a huge natural lagoon that attracts hundreds of thousands of birds, including flamingos, pelicans and migratory species. The desert’s Dune 7 is the highest sand dune near town and offers a spectacular view. The wooden Rhenish Mission Church is also noteworthy.

You may want to pack a thesaurus when embarking on one of our African voyages, because descriptors such as exciting, awe-inspiring and breathtaking will only scratch the surface. From Mossel Bay to Mombasa and Lomé to La Digue, your journey will take you to destinations that many Westerners never get a chance to experience. Learn about everyday life in one of the tiny countries along the West African coast, or wonder at the incredible power and beauty of the animal kingdom on a safari in South Africa or a birdwatching excursion in the Seychelles. When you choose to travel in this region, you can be sure that your voyage will be extraordinary.

It’s difficult to get lost in Cape Town because gorgeous Table Mountain looms above the city as a reference. For breathtaking views, ride the cable car to the top, or explore this urbane city on foot. Visit the fascinating South African Museum and Planetarium and the culturally significant St. George’s Cathedral.

It’s difficult to get lost in Cape Town because gorgeous Table Mountain looms above the city as a reference. For breathtaking views, ride the cable car to the top, or explore this urbane city on foot. Visit the fascinating South African Museum and Planetarium and the culturally significant St. George’s Cathedral.