World Academy on MS Volendam: A Voyage From Pole to Pole

After transferring to the hotel for check-in, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. In our private meeting room, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. In the event of any significant changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will check out of the hotel this morning, and transfer to the ship for embarkation. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops are subject to change as weather and ocean conditions could affect the progress of the vessel. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time in each port is set by the cruise line. The cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice. The Road Scholar educational program consists of lectures and presentations exclusively for our group as well as educational field trips selected by Road Scholar from among the ship’s shore excursions. These Road Scholar expert-led field trips, included in the cost of the program, will typically be for the members of our group aboard our own designated vehicles (depending on group size). We’re still putting the finishing touches on this program’s lectures and expert-led field trips ashore. In the event of any significant changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

We will have some time to unpack and begin to familiarize ourselves with the ship. We will participate with everyone on board in the ship’s muster drill when announced and proceed to our assigned muster stations.

Aboard ship. Each evening aboard the ship, Road Scholar participants are invited to have dinner together with your Group Leader. Included beverages are coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. Other dining options are available for an extra cost onboard the ship.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars and enjoy the amenities on board the ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale at 7:00 p.m. on our journey to Santo Domingo.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Please refer to the ship’s daily program for a list of activities.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The Road Scholar educational program consists of lectures and presentations exclusively for our group as well as designated field trips selected by Road Scholar from among the ship’s shore excursions. Road Scholar field trips will typically be for the members of our group aboard our own vehicles. There will also be occasions when Road Scholars will join other Holland America passengers for shore excursions.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach and with our group leader, we will ride to the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. The largest city in the Caribbean and also the oldest in the Americas, Santo Domingo was established by the Spanish in 1498, more than a century before the first colonies in North America. Hispaniola, the island that includes both the Dominican Republic and Haiti, is where Christopher Columbus landed on his first voyage to the New World; it later became the seat of the Columbus family’s power when they served as Spain’s governors for the region. Santo Domingo is filled with beautiful beaches, rich history, and tasty Dominican cuisine. Modern Santo Domingo is a vibrant, sprawling metropolis where vestiges of the early city can still be found in the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the narrow, cobblestoned streets are numerous examples of 16th-century Spanish architecture.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Santo Domingo or or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Santo Domingo at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Santa Marta, Colombia.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach and visit an archaeological site where indigenous Kogi people lived in pre-Columbian times. Gain further insight into the culture by browsing a museum and replica Kogi home. Appreciate the Kogi’s reverence for the natural world and how it impacts their culture.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Santa Marta or enjoy the activities onboard the ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Santa Marta at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board a local boat and cruise the glassy waters of the Tortuguero Canals. Marvel at a wilderness so biologically diverse that it is known as Costa Rica’s Amazon. Observe wildlife that may include caimans, sloths and brightly colored tropical birds. Upon arrival back at the pier, we will ride a narrow-gauge train through the countryside while looking for wildlife.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Puerto Limon or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Puerto Limon at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Manta, Ecuador.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Today we will be transiting the Panama Canal. The construction of the Panama Canal is one of those epic tales from the past, an old-school feat of engineering, ambition and courage. A cruise along it today is a journey through the centuries, from the Spanish fortifications near Limón Bay to the glittering skyline of Panama City, not to mention the canal itself. In 2016 an expansion more than doubled the canal's capacity, ensuring it will continue to be central to the world's maritime traffic. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Located west of Panama City at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador is a gateway to exploring the many faces of this unique Central American country. The impressive engineering of the canal itself is a wonder to behold; a quick trip to the Miraflores Locks' visitor center with its panoramic observation decks offers the chance to watch behemoth barges thread their way through the legendary manmade waterway.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Today, we will cross the equator, the equator is an essential component of our planet’s geography—even though it’s just an imaginary line drawn on a map. In addition to being the widest spot on the planet—a full 43 kilometers (27 miles) wider than at the poles—this is also the planetary dividing line for the Coriolis effect, which explains why cyclones rotate clockwise north of the equator and counterclockwise south of it. It’s also the place best suited for launching spacecraft because the gravitational pull gives rocket ships an extra boost out of the stratosphere.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will board our motorcoach and head to a local fish market. Then visit the local museum, after spending some time at the museum, we will head a traditional tagua workshop. We will watch how skilled craftsmen create diverse and colorful sculptures and jewelry with ivory-like tagua nuts. Head to Montecristi town where we will enjoy a Panama hat exhibition: watch artisans weave the famous hats, using locally produced toquilla straw with incredible skill and dexterity, from start to finish.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Manta or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port this evening.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Manta at 8:00 p.m. on our journey to Salaverry, Peru.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach for our 1/2 hour ride to Trujillo. Upon arrival, visit the elegant colonial mansions of Trujillo, known as the "City of Eternal Spring." Trujillo boasts a rich colonial-era legacy and a more recent heritage expressed in the republican-era artworks housed in its neoclassical buildings. Our exploration will include a visit to the unmissable National University of Trujillo’s Museum of Archaeology, where we will gain an overview of the region’s Pre-Columbian cultures. Next, visit Huaca Dragón, also known as the Temple of the Rainbow, built by the Pre-Inca Chimú culture.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, explore the imposing Pyramid of the Moon, an ancient administrative and religious center built by the Pre-Inca Moche culture on Peru’s northern coast. The colorful frescoes on the mud brick walls of the Temple of the Moon, revealed in all their splendor by archaeologists in the late 20th century, are a highlight. Our day will continue with a visit to Chan Chan, the largest mud brick city ever built in the Pre-Hispanic Americas. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimú kingdom, covering more than 20 square kilometers. Archaeologists estimate it was home to over 100,000 people. The city comprised plazas, dwellings, storehouses, workshops, streets, perimeter walls, and pyramidal temples. Its enormous walls are decorated with high relief geometric designs, zoomorphic figures, and mythological creatures, offering a glimpse into the artistry and sophistication of the Chimú civilization. Return to port and re board our ship in the late afternoon.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Salaverry at 6:00 p.m. on our journey to Callao, Peru.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will head out by motorcoach to the Mateo Salado archaeological site. The construction of these pyramids were built around 1100 A.D. and were used by the Ychsmas until the year 1430. Next, we will head to the Pueblo Libre District to visit the Larco Museum, an eighteenth-century Viceregal mansion that showcases over 5,000 years of Peru's pre-Columbian history. The museum features an exquisite collection of gold and silver jewelry, along with worship paraphernalia, highlighting the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient Peruvian artisans.

At a local restaurant.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lima or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach and head to the Barranco District. With a local expert, we will explore the Bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, a vibrant area cherished by countless artists, photographers, and authors. Stroll through its unique streets, lined with Republican-era houses and art galleries, taking in the splendid views. Our walk will include a visit to the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), a romantic landmark that has inspired many, including one of Peru's greatest composers, Chabuca Granda. Next, visit the Pedro de Osma Museum. Nestled among the quirky streets and cultured, tree-lined plazas of Barranco, this often-overlooked attraction boasts a fine selection of South American artwork, silverware, and colonial furniture, many pieces dating back to the early 16th century. The museum's charm lies not only in its exquisite collection of artifacts and intriguing artworks but also in the elegance of the classically styled mansion that houses them.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lima or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Callao at 6:00 p.m. on our journey to General San Martin, Peru.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach and transfer to the local pier to board our local boat and head to the Ballestas Islands. The Ballestas Islands are a group of rocky islets teeming with countless birds and marine mammals, both migratory and endemic. Situated opposite the Paracas National Reserve, a protected natural area, these islands offer year-round wildlife sightings. The best way to visit is aboard a small boat, which minimizes disturbance to wildlife and allows easy navigation around the rocks. As we depart from the coast, we will spot the gigantic Candelabra geoglyph on a sand-covered hill in the distance, a precursor to the Nazca Lines. Further out to sea, the rocky islands come into view, covered with hundreds of sea lions, flamingos, Humboldt penguins, and various seabirds.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in General San Martin or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave General San Martin at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Arica, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and drive to Chile's northernmost city, Arica. We will discover Chile’s first border city up north where pre-Columbian, Afro, European, Andean and new cultures have shaped a human landscape full of diversity, color and impressive past history such as the Chinchorro culture with the oldest mummies in the world. During our excursion, a stopover at the Morro de Arica will help us understand the War of the Pacific, conflict between Chile, Peru and Bolivia. Next, we will head to the Agricultural fresh farmers’ market in Arica and an olive farm in the Azapa Valley with the oldest olive tree in the area. As we enter the road to the fertile Azapa valley, be ready to observe and learn about the geoglyphs displayed on the hillside. Finally, we will have a great opportunity to visit San Miguel de Azapa Museum with its wonderful display of more than 11,000 years of history.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Arica or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Arica at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Antofagasta, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Antofagasta is an an important harbor city that used to belong to Bolivian territory before the War of the Pacific. Heart of nitrate mining in the past, now of copper and lithium mining extracted up in the mountains and salt flats nearby. We will board out motorcoach and head to explore the city to understand the past and will head, later on, to the Atacama Desert to explore and understand life during the boom of nitrate mining. We will visit Chacabuco nitrate mine, a silent witness of life in the middle of the desert.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Antofagasta or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Antofagasta at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to San Antonio, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride for 1 hour 15 minutes to Valparaiso, a city of stirring architecture and bohemian quirkiness. Enjoy a panoramic coach ride around the city, we will also visit the ornate Metropolitan Cathedral in Plaza de Armas square. Drive through some of Santiago’s modern districts and catch stellar views from atop San Cristobal Hill.

At a local restaurant.

We will drive for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes back to port and re board our ship The ship is scheduled to leave San Antonio at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Isla Robinson Crusoe, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will disembark using the ship's tender. Once we reach port, we will meet a local expert, learn about the history, nature and food of this remote location where stories of Pirates and books have been inspired the imagination of many people. Enjoy a walking excursion of the village, observe nature and some of the endemic plants.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Isla Robinson Crusoe or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Isla Robinson Crusoe at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Puerto Montt, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Puerto Montt is the entry door to the impressive Patagonia region. It is bathed by the ocean and surrounded by valleys, mountains, volcanoes and lakes. It offers a great chance to discover the influence of ethnic groups and German descendants who turned this wild spot in the past into a most desire destination in the present. We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and drive through Puerto Varas towards Petrohue falls and its rapids located next to Osorno volcano and the enchanting town of Frutillar as we learn and visit the German museum to discover the influence of Germans in this part of the country from 1850´s on.

At a local restaurant.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Puerto Montt or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port The ship is scheduled to leave Puerto Montt at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will disembark the ship via tenders, once we reach port, board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride to the Chiloe archipelago. Castro city is the geographical center and administrative capital city of Chiloe’s big island and archipelago which is formed by 40 other smaller islands. We will learn from this unique landscape, traditions and people, very different from the rest of Chile, and marked by a land and sea lifestyle, a high sense of community, and their beliefs in local myths and legends. We will explore some of the 16 Chiloe churches, UNESCO World heritage sites, traditional city sites and some of the endemic flora and fauna. Next, we will head towards one of the smaller islands, to meet locals and learn about potatoes in Chiloe, one of the birthplaces of potatoes in the world together with Cusco in Perú.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Castro or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Castro at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Puerto Chacabuco, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ship's tenders with our group leader, once we reach port, board our motorcoach and ride through wild Chilean Patagonia from the coast to a town on the far side of the Andes. From Puerto Chacabuco towards Simpson National Reserve, observe waterfalls, valleys, and the traditional hanging bridges. Learn about the influence of colonizers in the area and observe some of the most beautiful sites along the narrowest part of Chilean territory. Stop at Coyahique city and walk around the town square.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port. The ship is scheduled to leave Puerto Chacabuco at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Today we will be cruising the Chilean Fjords. Much like the Norwegian coastline, the west coast of Chile is sliced by dramatic inlets, or fjords, lined with rugged mountains and glacier-covered valleys. This spectacular stretch of coastline starts near the Reloncaví Estuary (roughly halfway down the long spine of Chile) and extends south to the very end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. It's a distance of some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) and is known for its beauty. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Continue cruising the Fjords. Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Today we will be cruising through Sarmiento Channel One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guía Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. As elsewhere in the Chilean fjord region, the ragged coastline is cut with inlets set among snow-covered mountain ranges. In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. PLEASE NOTE: Weather, sea, & ice conditions can affect the progress of the ship and could affect the route the ship can take, the itinerary is always subject to change. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Continue our cruise through the channel. Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ship's tenders with our group leader, once we reach port and board our motorcoach to discover Punta Arenas treasures and history with a local expert. Explore the NAO open air museum with the replicas of the boats that somehow opened this area to be inhabited by Europeans and Chilote people. Learn about the catastrophic results of sheep farming in the past with its dramatic results over native people. Next, drive along the Magellan Strait towards Fort Bulnes, visit a museum and get an understanding of the history of the area from Spanish times with incredible views of the Strait.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Punta Arenas or enjoy the activities and amenities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Punta Arenas at 6:00 p.m. on our journey to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Aboard ship.

This morning, the ship will cruise Glacier Alley. Glacier Alley—or, as it’s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers—stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240-kilometer-long (150-mile-long) Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. We will follow the route that the famous HMS Beagle took with a young and then-unknown geologist and naturalist on board, Charles Darwin.

Aboard ship.

The ship is scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia at 2:00 p.m. Once the ship arrives in port, we will board our motorcoach with our group leader to explore the town. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine—and towering—Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel).The town itself is a maze of streets lined with low-slung buildings that all seem to meet at its heart, the port. Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony. After its closure under the infamous Argentine leader Juan Perón, the large jail was reconfigured to house one of the city’s most popular museums. Other current in-town attractions include a maritime museum and a museum dedicated to the region’s natural history.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Ushuaia at 8:00 p.m. on our journey to Antarctica.

Aboard ship.

Thanks to its location—on one of the southernmost points in South America—Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route’s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast. Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs can make the passage fairly treacherous.

Aboard ship.

Continue our cruise through the Drake Passage. Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, the ship will arrive at the White Continent. We will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, the ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will continue our exploration of Antarctica. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet here, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. The ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Continue our discovery of Antarctica. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you may see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will continue our exploration on our final day in Antarctica. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, we will have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here. We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Antarctica on our journey to the Falkland Islands.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ship's tenders with our group leader, once we reach port and board our motorcoach, we will depart Stanley and head west into the heart of the 1982 battlefields. En-route enjoy beautiful panoramas, taking in 'Boot Hill', as our local expert paints a picture of the islands, their rich history and the events which led to the infamous war of 1982. Our first stop will be Estancia Farm, base for hundres of British troops while trying to re-take the island. Learn more about the famous 'yomp' from San Carlos and the battle for Goose Green before departing eastward back towards Stanley. A few more stops will allow us to examine some of the detritis of war, a wrecked Chinook and Puma, as well as stunning views of Stanley on the approach and it's surrounding mountainous battlegrounds before returning to the town.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Stanley or enjoy the activities and amenities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Stanley at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader for a discovery of Puerto Madryn. Be immersed in Welsh tradition in a most unexpected place – small towns in Argentine Patagonia. Discover coastal Puerto Madryn and the inland villages of Trelew and Gaiman, all founded by Welsh settlers in the 19th century. Visit a local restaurant in Gaiman to savor a full-on Welsh afternoon tea – complete with flaky scones and choral accompaniment.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Puerto Madryn or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Puerto Madryn at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader for an exploration of Uruguay's capital, Montevideo. Explore Uruguay’s capital city by coach and be introduced to many of its most famous sights. See the landmarks of Independence Square, the stadium where the first-ever World Cup match was played, the splendid Legislative Palace, and much more. Travel inland to visit a historic vineyard and sample its delicious wines and even try your hand at blending some of your own, all accompanied by light snacks.

At a local restaurant.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Montevideo or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Montevideo at 6:00 p.m. on our journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina..

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader to explore Buenos Aires. Explore key locales within the Argentine capital by coach, stopping to take in select landmarks on foot. Visit the Plaza de Mayo, where Evita addressed rapturous crowds from the Casa Rosada balcony. Walk along colorful El Caminito, a living street museum where the tango is said to have originated. Visit world-famous Recoleta Cemetery, perhaps the grandest place to be buried in the world.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Buenos Aires or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy free time to do what you like in Buenos Aires.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Buenos Aires or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Buenos Aires at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ships tender with our group leader, once we reach port, board the motorcoach for an exploration of Punta del Este. Experience a region that serves as Uruguay’s answer to the Hamptons, Saint-Tropez and South Beach. Admire works by Dali and other contemporary Latin American artists at the private Ralli Museum. Visit architecturally unforgettable Casapueblo, the life-long building project of an artist who definitely hated straight lines.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Punta del Este or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Punta del Este at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader for an exploration of Rio de Janeiro. Take a brief cable car ride up to Urca Hill, and an optional longer one on up to the summit of Sugarloaf. Next, travel through the Tijuca Forest and ascend to the top of Mount Corcovado by heritage cog train. Gaze down on Rio from viewing terraces at the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue, towering 2,300 feet above the city.

At a local restaurant.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Rio de Janeiro or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and continue our discovery of Rio de Janeiro. See boldly modern buildings like the Metropolitan Cathedral and Museum of Modern Art, and classical landmarks like the rococo Municipal Theater. Drive through historic neighborhoods and along broad boulevards lined with sleek skyscrapers. Visit Copacabana beach, the famed crescent of sand that captures the essence of Rio’s exuberant zest for life, samba and tiny swimwear.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Rio de Janeiro or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Rio de Janeiro at 8:00 p.m. on our journey to Armacao Dos Buzios, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

We will board the ship's tender boat and ride to the port with our group leader. Once we reach port, we will board our motorcoach for a discovery of Armacao dos Buzios. The spindly Brazilian peninsula of Armação dos Búzios, or just Búzios, is loaded with hills and fine bays as well as coves where long ago pirates were able to stash their booty and themselves. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, and about a two-hour drive from the city of Rio, the popular resort area is made up of a handful of hamlets spread over some 30 square miles and encompassing nearly two dozen beaches. Dotted with cacti and dry tropical woods, the peninsula was a slaving station before its economic roles morphed into that of fishing villages and a whaling base (an armação was a fish drying rack, while búzios means 'whelks' in Portuguese).

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Armacao Dos Buzios at 2:00 p.m. on our journey to Salvador Da Bahia, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach and set out with our group leader to discover Portugal's former New World colonial capital of Salvador Da Bahia. Travel through Salvador’s Lower Town taking in the key sights and varied neighborhoods. See the marina where the locals moor their yachts and the historic lighthouse-topped fort that still guards the bay. Next, we will head out on a walking discovery of UNESCO-listed Upper Town, with a local expert, stroll along cobbled streets lined with fabulously-preserved colonial landmarks. Visit the Mercado Modelo and take some free time to stroll its stalls brimming with Afro-Brazilian crafts.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Salvador Da Bahia at 3:00 p.m. on our journey Maceio, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader for an exploration of Maceio, see downtown, historic Jaragua, the beachfront and other districts. Pass landmarks like City Hall, the Academy of Letters and a church entirely covered in Portuguese tile. Visit the main cathedral, a 19th-century stunner, and view the town from atop São Gonçalo lookout. Finally, we will drive along miles of palm-lined beachfront and wander a handicrafts market loaded with lacework.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Maceio or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Maceio at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Recife, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach and set out to explore Recife, see the top landmarks of Recife and its scenic bridges. Be awed by the sheer amount of gold adorning the walls, altars and ceilings of the Golden Chapel. Traverse the narrow lanes of Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage colonial city established in 1535. Explore Olinda’s hilltop Alto da Sé square on foot, visiting two important churches and more.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Recife or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Recife at 11:00 p.m. on our journey to Fortaleza, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will set out on our motorcoach with our group leader to discover Fortaleza, Northeast Brazil's fourth largest city. Known for its beaches punctuated by red cliffs, palm trees, dunes and lagoons, Fortaleza originated as a small village adjoining a Portuguese fort.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Fortaleza or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Fortaleza at 5:00 p.m. on our journey to Santarem, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture. We will cross the equator, hemisphere to hemisphere, there is nothing quite as romantic as slipping, in the blink of an eye, from one side of globe to the other, made possible by the mere act of crossing the Equator.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture. We will be crossing the Amazon River bar today. After traveling some 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), the Amazon River finally arrives at the Atlantic Ocean.This section of the world’s largest river measured by volume is often referred to as its “bar,” a name used to describe the mouths of other rivers as well. The delta here is a maze of islands, formed by the sediment that accumulates when the Amazon enters the ocean. The largest island in this area is Ilha de Marajó, which measures 40,100 square kilometers (15,500 square miles). That’s roughly equivalent to three Connecticuts or one Switzerland.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and discover Santarem, we will begin with a drive along the bustling waterfront. Boats are the primary mode of transportation in the Amazon. We will see cargo, produce and passenger vessels in various shapes and conditions. In the town center, stop at the Municipal Market and at Fisherman’s Square. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Conceicao -- the oldest building in Santarém. The church boasts a crucifix donated in 1846 by German scientist Frederic Von Martius, who was a member of Münich Academy of Science. Next, visit the Joao Fona Museum, which is housed in the old Town Hall. It is surrounded by the narrow streets of the Old Town and, inside, features a fine collection of ancient Tapajos ceramics. There are also various 19th-century artifacts and publications on display here. From a nearby lookout point, observe the Meeting of the Waters, where the muddy Amazon River and the blue waters of the Rio Tapajós flow side by side for many miles before their distinctive colors eventually combine. This natural phenomenon is a great euphemism for the character of the city itself, where different cultures co-exist discretely but harmoniously. A short drive into the countryside brings us to an old manioc flour factory. See a variety of native trees, including rubber trees, and a brief demonstration on how latex is extracted.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Santarem or enjoy the activities onboard. The ship is scheduled to leave Santarem at 5:00 p.m.on our journey to Boca Da Valeria, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender and go ashore to Boca Da Valeria and enjoy some free time on our own. Surrounded by the Amazonian rain forest, Boca da Valeria, a small Brazilian settlement of fewer than 100 people, has no tourism infrastructure. The destination lures travelers by offering an authentic glimpse of the simple river life that the Amerindians have followed for centuries. Meaning "Mouth of the Valeria River," the remote fishing and trading village sits at the convergence of the Amazon and the Rio da Valeria. Boca Da Valeria, which is located between the towns of Parintins and Santarém, stands in stark contrast to nearby urban centers such as Manaus, where residents live with all the comforts, and complications, of contemporary life.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Boca Da Valeria at 2:00p.m. on our journey to Manaus, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and leave from the floating port of Manaus, designed to move with the river tide of the Rio Negro. Pass the Customs House—prefabricated in Liverpool and shipped to Manaus a hundred years ago. Watch for the Palacio Rio Negro -- it started out as the private residence of a German rubber baron and eventually became the Governor’s office. Meet the inhabitants of the Amazon region at the Bosque da Ciencia—an open-air museum and Amazonian Research Station. The facility’s most famous project is the species revival of the Amazon river manatee. Observe these strange creatures that are in danger of extinction, as they swim in a glass tank. Part of the museum is open-air, with access via trails. The other part is an indoor exhibit of scientific projects under development. See the world’s largest and smallest leaves, both found in the Amazon. Otters, electric eels, alligators, orchids and bromeliads are also housed here. Visit the Military Zoo, where wildlife and Amazonian fauna are housed.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, visit the city's most famous landmark, the lavish pink-and-white Opera House, known as the Teatro Amazonas . Built in 1896, this marvel of architecture features a dome of 36,000 vitrified ceramic tiles imported from Europe, set in a mosaic of the colors of the Brazilian flag. The amazing painting that grace the inside of the dome is a recreation of the view you would have if you stood under the Eiffel Tower and looked up. The dazzling auditorium boasts perfect acoustics, and performances here range from single guitar concerts to entire ballet companies and philharmonic orchestras. As stunning as the building is, perhaps its most extraordinary element is the fact that it is located in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in the city of Manaus—a testament to the affluence that accompanied the rubber boom of 1896.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

Free time to explore Manaus on your own.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Manaus at 3:00p.m. on our journey to Parintins, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender and go ashore to Parintins. Once we reach port, we will board local tricycles (each tricycle takes 2 participants), decorated by the locals for a unique discovery of the city. We will start outside the port to see the major highlights; cycle by the club of Caprichoso Boi, the Liberty square and to the Bumbódromo where the annual Festival is held, here we will have a short visit of this area. Continue to the Cathedral and ride along the shore back to port in our tricycles.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Parintins or enjoy the activities and amenities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Parintins on our journey to Alter Do Chao, Brazil.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will board the shp's tender and ride to port, upon arrival board our motorcoach. On our way to Santarem, we will ride through rural Brazil crossing the forest and small villages along the way. After arriving in Santarem, we will visit the town centre and Cathedral of Our Lady of Conceição - the oldest building in Santarém, dating back to 1761. Then, we will pass by Fishermen's Square on our way to the next stop , the Joao Fona Cultural Center. This historic building, dating back to 1868, has served as Santarem’s courthouse, prison and city hall. Today, it houses the Cultural Center, which features a small but exquisite collection of pre-Columbian pottery and Tapajo ceramics, as well as paintings and furniture from Santarem’s early days. Our final stop will be the Mirante Square (Belvedere ) to watch the meeting of the waters of the Amazon and Tapajos rivers

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Alter Do Chao at 2:00p.m. on our journey to Devils Island, French Guiana.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture. The ship will cross the equator and cross the Amazon River Bar.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender and go ashore to Devils Island. We will have free time to discover the island on your own. Devil's Island, part of a three-island chain called Îles du Salut, in French Guiana, was home to one of the most infamous—and impregnable—prisons of the 19th and 20th centuries. Opened in 1852, it received worldwide renown in the mid-1890s when French military captain Alfred Dreyfus was sentenced to life imprisonment after being wrongly convicted of selling military secrets to Germany. Although Dreyfus's sentence was commuted after five years, more than 80,000 political prisoners and hardened criminals endured years of mistreatment and abuse among disease-ridden conditions. Few were able to escape, though Henri Charrière, author of the book Papillon, allegedly succeeded by filling sacks with coconuts in order to float to the mainland. The prison was officially closed in 1953. In 1965, the French government transferred responsibility of the island to the Guiana Space Centre, and in recent years, tourism facilities have been added. Devil's Island and its two smaller neighboring islands receive more than 50,000 visitors each year.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Devil's Island on our journey to Mindelo, Cape Verde.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride to Mindelo. The archipelago was a Portuguese colony from 1495 until achieving independence in 1975, and Mindelo is the capital of one of the northernmost islands, São Vicente. With its rich Portuguese-Creole-African culture, this city is the nation’s musical epicenter, and morna—an appealing fusion of Portuguese and African rhythms—is the signature sound. Colorful colonial-style buildings surround the deep-blue harbor, along which we will find a small-scale reproduction of Lisbon’s landmark Tower of Belém.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Mindelo or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Mindelo on our journey to Praia, Ilha De Santiago, Cape Verde.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

The Cape Verde archipelago consists of 10 islands—ranging from flat as a pancake to steeply volcanic—that lie in the Atlantic some 570 kilometers (350 miles) west of Senegal. This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride to Praia, one of the archipelago's least visited city on the largest island of Santiago. In the central area called Plateau, the colonial National Archives and the recently renovated Presidential Palace sit alongside faded Art Deco buildings.If Praia lacks a certain commercial bustle, it still has a spirited street vibe, and visitors can hear residents speak melodious Portuguese Creole.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Praia or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Praia on our journey to Banjul, Gambia.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

The Gambia is defined by a river, the one that gives the nation its name. The long, narrow country stretches from the Atlantic into Africa for some 475 kilometers (295 miles), and consists of the Gambia River and its banks—spanning only 48 kilometers (30 miles) at its widest point. Today we will board our motorcoach with our group leader to explore Banjul, the smallest capital on the African mainland. Sitting on an island where the river enters the ocean, Banjul is decidedly laid-back, without the bustling city center—or traffic jams—of Africa’s larger metropolises.The Gambia also has the distinction of having enjoyed a relatively stable government since independence. That, combined with a warm tropical climate and miles of beautiful beaches along its Atlantic coastline, has attracted a thriving expat community.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Banjul on our journey to Dakar, Senegal.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Senegal’s capital, Dakar, was long a tiny settlement on the southern part of the Cape Verde peninsula. It now encompasses former colonial towns (once a French commune) and a handful of other villages. We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride to discover this city. The hub is the Place de l’Indépendance, a buzzing square lined with both concrete-block and colonial buildings and from which streets with restaurants, shops and theaters radiate. Roads are often congested with buses, taxis and horse-drawn carriages, and the Medina quarter, home to the Grand Mosque and markets, is an explosion of color and commotion.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Dakar on our journey to Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Rugged, volcanic Lanzarote—the northeasternmost island of the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain yet lie less than 200 kilometers off the coast of Morocco—is small enough that you can travel its whole length in less than an hour. We will board our motorcoach this morning with our group leader and explore Arrecife. A former fishing village, the port of Arrecife (meaning “reef' in Spanish and named after the offshore reefs that long provided protection from pirates) is now a medium-sized city. Despite its location in the Atlantic, Arrecife has a decidedly Mediterranean feel with seafront promenades lined with palm trees.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Arrecife or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Arrecife on our journey to Agadir, Morocco.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will disembark via the ship's tender, once we arrive in port, we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and discover Agadir. We will drive past modern whitewashed buildings and palm-lined boulevards. Agadir was the site of an ancient Roman port and occupied by both the French and the Portuguese, it was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1960 and little of its past survived.

Aboard ship.

The ship is scheduled to depart Agadir at 1:00 p.m. on our journey to Casablanca, Morocco. Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and ride to visit Morocco's largest city and its most important port. Casablanca was the first city in the world to be laid out by aerial survey, and was barely 20 years old when its name was framed forever in the Hollywood classic of the same name.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Casablanca or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Casablanca on our journey to Gibraltar.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Gibraltar at 11:00 a.m.

Aboard ship.

This afternoon, we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and head out to Gibraltar. Strategically located at the southern tip of Europe, facing Africa, Gibraltar offers a fascinating mix of cultures.With a history that includes Moorish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English influences (among others), this tiny, 6.7-square-kilometer British Overseas Territory is most famous for the giant Jurassic limestone rock soaring above the territory’s main commercial and residential areas. The Rock contains an abundance of history (military and otherwise), not to mention significant flora and fauna, and a labyrinth of caves and tunnels. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Gibraltar on our journey to Barcelona, Spain.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will set out from the ship by motorcoach with our group leader, then take a walking field trip through the Barri Gòtic — Gothic Quarter — that still has traces of its ancient Roman heritage. We will also walk down Las Ramblas, a colorful boulevard that runs through the heart of the city, and visit a market where we will taste some of the local produce.

Aboard ship.

Continuing by motorcoach, we will see highlights of Gaudí’s “Modernist Route” with a local expert. Modernism was the Catalan version of Art Nouveau and its most important exponent was the visionary architect and designer Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). We will stop to view the renowned towers of the Sagrada Familia church (OUTSIDE VISIT ONLY, we will not go inside) that remains Gaudí’s most famous legacy. The first stone was laid in 1882 and Gaudí took over design responsibilities the next year. Work continues to this day following his plans and is expected to be completed around 2026. It has become an internationally recognized symbol of Barcelona. We will also see emblematic sites including the famous Passeig de Gràcia with idiosyncratic buildings designed by Gaudí and other Modernists.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

We will depart by motorcoach with our group leader for a field trip to the Picasso Museum, here we will see works produced by the artist during his formative years. Opened in 1963, the museum occupies five large houses dating from the 13th-15th centuries and has a permanent collection of more than 4,000 works displaying the genius of young Pablo Picasso.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Barcelona or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship is scheduled to depart Barcelona on our journey to Cadiz, Spain.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will depart from the pier and start with a panoramic drive by coach through the city, up to the city beach- Playa Caleta - and the castle- Castillo Santa Catalina - from 17th century where we will stop to take photos of the stunning view. After, we will stop at the Mudejar-style tobacco factory (1741), which now serves as the Congress Building, visit the outside of Santo Domingo Church (OUSIDE VISIT ONLY, we will not go inside), and pass by Town Hall which seems to be the best reflection of the architectural style of the old Cadiz City during a historical period of great artistic splendor. Following this, we will visit the Cathedral of Cadiz and the Diocesan Museum. It took 116 years to complete this 18th century Baroque and neo-classical Cathedral, so the mix of styles is evident. Construction began in the Baroque style and was completed in the Neoclassic style (this will be an inside visit). We will continue our walking discovery to the picturesque Plaza Flores before driving back to the pier.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Cadiz or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Cadiz on our journey to Lisbon, Portugal.

Aboard ship.

While these lands have been inhabited since the Paleolothic era, the nation of Portugal takes its name from an ancient settlement — Portus Cale — near the mouth of the River Douro. Lisbon is one of the oldest and most vibrant cities in the world, known to the Romans as Olisipo. It became the national capital in 1298. By motorcoach, we take in the most important monuments of the Portuguese capital. We pause to admire the Belém Tower, a gorgeous defensive tower that sits on the Rio Tejo like an enormous white wedding cake, and the Monument to Discoveries. This marks where the Portuguese navigators left on their "discovery" of India.. We continue with a visit to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, where Vasco da Gama and renowned 16th-century poet Luís Vaz de Camões are buried. We end our morning visiting downtown Lisbon, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lisbon or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and continue the discovery of Lisbon with a guided visit to the old decorative art of ceramic tiles at the Portuguese National Tiles Museum and a walk through Alfama, the city oldest quarter, with narrow streets and crooked lanes steeped in history.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lisbon or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Lisbon on our journey to Leixoes (Porto), Portugal.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, with a history dating back to its days as a Roman trading outpost. We will set out with our group leader to explore Porto’s highlights by motorcoach. We will start our exploration on a walking field trip in the historic city center, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “The city of Oporto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth, linked to the sea (the Romans gave it the name Portus, or port), can be seen in the many and varied monuments, from the cathedral with its Romanesque choir, to the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typically Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara.”

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Porto or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Leixoes on our journey to Brest, France.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Sitting by a natural harbor at the mouth of the Penfeld River in western Brittany, the city of Brest has a rich maritime history that stretches from the Middle Ages to today, as it is home to the main French naval base in the Atlantic. We will board our motorcoach with our group leader to explore some of Brest's important sites: the Château de Brest, a 13th-century castle that’s the oldest structure in town and the 14th century tower-Tour Tanguy.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Brest or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Brest on our journey to Cherbourg (Normandy), France.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Arriving in Cherbourg on the coast of north-west Normandy, we’ll step ashore and board a motorcoach to continue our investigation of American maneuvers in Operation Overlord. We’ll begin at Omaha Beach, where we’ll learn about central D-Day operations while exploring on foot with our Group Leader. The assault on Omaha was one of the most challenging of all; the beach lies in front of steep hills and cliffs, concentrating the German defenses and machine gun fire on the beach itself. Harsh weather and sea conditions complicated matters further, as nearly all of the Allied units landed some distance from their planned targets and few tanks made it to shore. By evening, the Allies had gained a tenuous foothold at Omaha, but this came at a heavy cost. Casualties numbered in the thousands, and first-hand accounts make for sobering reading. We will also pay our respects at the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Normandy Cemetery, above the beach at Colleville-sur-Mer.

At a local restaurant.

Next, we’ll go to the Pointe du Hoc to see the Ranger Monument overlooking Omaha Beach. It was erected by the French to honor the American Second Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. James E. Rudder. The Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliffs to seize German artillery.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Cherbourg on our journey to Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium.

Aboard ship.

The ship is scheduled to arrive in Zeebrugge at 9:00 a.m. Once the ship arrives in port, we will board the motorcoach with our group leader for a discovery of Brussel's picturesque canals, cobblestone streets and fairy-tale gabled houses.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Brussels or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Zeebrugge on our journey to IJmuiden, Netherlands.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and set out to explore Amsterdam. We will explore one of Europe's most colorful, dynamic and historic cities. The iconic network of waterways that surrounds the downtown area offers a picturesque backdrop.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Amsterdam or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave IJmuiden on our journey to South Queensferry, Scotland.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the ship's tender, once we reach port; we’ll travel by motorcoach into the heart of Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town for a field trip that will include Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St. Giles Cathedral. The oldest part of Edinburgh Castle dates from the 12th century. Among its highlights are Scotland’s crown jewels — called The Honours — and the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, an ancient symbol of monarchy that legend says was the “pillow” of the biblical Jacob.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Edinburgh or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave South Queensferry on our journey to Eidfjord, Norway.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

In the shadow of snowy peaks and near stunning blue-green fjords, Eidfjord is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Norway. We will board our motorcoach with our group leader to explore this village.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Eidfjord or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Eidfjord on our journey to Trondheim, Norway.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We’ll step ashore to explore Trondheim, Norway’s original capital founded around 997 by King Olav Tryggvason. It is today a modern city with charming remnants of its small town past. We’ll learn about the city and its many features as the motorcoach takes us through streets and boroughs, including a short stop at Utsikten (The View) to admire the city from a high elevation. We’ll then proceed to the impressive Nidaros Cathedral, built over the burial place of St. Olav, where we’ll consider the gothic architecture of its exterior as we walk through the grounds.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Trondheim or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Trondheim on our journey to Tromso, Norway.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Tromsø has been the starting point of many polar expeditions, lending it the epithet "Gateway to the Arctic." This morning we'll visit the Arctic University Museum of Norway, where we’ll learn more about life in Arctic Norway through the ages. Permanent exhibitions focus on subjects including wildlife, geology, archaeology of the Viking era, and nomadic Sami culture.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tromso or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Tromso on our journey to Honningsvag, Norway.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We’ll set out on a field trip by motorcoach from Honningsvåg to the North Cape, the northernmost point on the European continent, passing through vast frozen plains, shores, and mountains. The North Cape plateau rises more than 1,000 feet in a steep cliff from the Arctic Ocean. A sculpture of the globe has become a symbol of the North Cape and a popular site for pictures. We will also visit the North Cape Hall, a modern visitor center, and watch a panoramic film about the area and its seasonal changes.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Honningsvag or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Honningsvag on our journey to Djupivogur, Iceland.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ship's tender, once we reach port, we will head out to explore Djupivogur. A quiet fishing village with fewer than 500 residents, sits on the eastern coast of Iceland and dates back to the days of the Vikings.Despite the fearsome reputation of those who first established Djúpivogur, today what draws visitors to this remote corner of the country is its dramatic natural setting.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Djupivogur at 3:00 p.m. on our journey to Akureyri, Iceland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Often described as the capital of north Iceland, the country's second-largest city is both vibrant and pretty, and serves as an ideal hub for exploring the incredible landscape that surrounds it. We will set off on a walking field trip with our group leader to discover Akureyri. Its main sights include the Akureyri Church, a wonderful botanical garden (founded in 1912) and the fascinating Akureyri Museum.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Akureyri or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Akureyri on our journey to Isafjordur, Iceland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will board the ship's tender and head to the Isafjordur port. Upon arrival at the port, we will go on a walking field trip with our group leader and discover Isafjordur. Bordered on three sides by dramatic mountains that form a natural harbor, the idyllic town of Ísafjörður traditionally dependent on fishing as its main source of income, its streets are today lined with old wooden houses interspersed with occasional shops, restaurants and cafés.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Isafjordur or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Isafjordur on our journey to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We’ll set out from the port by bus for a full-day field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with an exploration of Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. It was here that the Althing, an open-air representative assembly, was established in 930 CE. It is the world’s oldest existing parliament. Thingvellir is considered the most sacred place in Iceland due its historical significance and for the fact that this is also the meeting point of the American and European continental plates.

At a local restaurant.

Moving on, we’ll reach Gullfoss — golden falls — the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Water from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Hvítá (White) River. When it reaches the great Gullfossgljúfur canyon, it falls in two stages more than 100 feet (32 meters). We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Aboard ship.

We will board the motorcoach with our group leader and ride to the National Museum of Iceland. The charming museum traces the history of this remote island nation from the Settlement era to the modern day. Our field trip will continue with riding and walking in Reykjavik. We will see sites such as the historic Höfði House, site of the 1986 summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev that precipitated the end of the Cold War. We will also drive by Lake Tjornin, a small lake in downtown Reykjavik known for its birdlife, as well as walking through the Parliament House and City Hall with its large topographic map of Iceland.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Reykjavik or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Reykjavik on our journey to Nanortalik, Greenland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender to go ashore to Nanortalik. Upon arrival at the port, we will go on a walking discovery of the town with our group leader. The southernmost town in Greenland, founded in 1797 as a trading depot at the mouth of Tasermiut Fjord, and is currently home to approximately 1,000 people. The Nanortalik Museum explores native, Old Norse and European colonial history as it shaped Greenland, with nine historic buildings and the world’s oldest umiak (sealskin boat).

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Nanortalik or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Nanortalik on our journey to Qaqortoq, Greenland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender to go ashore to Qaqortoq. Upon arrival at the port, we will go on a walking discovery of the town with our group leader. Located near Cape Thorvaldsen, the town of Qaqortoq is the most populous in southern Greenland.The area has a rich history, as it has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. You can still see traces of Thule and Norse cultures throughout the region, starting with the ruins of the 14th-century Hvalsey Church at the nearby Hvalsey Fjord.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Nanortalik or enjoy the activities onboard. Most of the town's main attractions, including restaurants and the Qaqortoq Museum, are located on or close to the main square. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Qaqortoq on our journey to Paamiut, Greenland.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board the tender to go ashore to Paamiut. Upon arrival at the port, we will go on a walking excursion of the town with our group leader. Home to the largest population of white-tailed eagles (Nattoralik), Paamiut became known for its soapstone carvings. Like all towns in Greenland, it's a multitude of brightly colored buildings, the Lutheran church with its green roof, red walls and golden trim is one of them.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Paamiut or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Paamiut on our journey to St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Near the northern tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, tiny St. Anthony (population: 2,418) predates even the famed navigator and explorer Jacques Cartier. Though he gave the town its name, it was already a seasonal camp used by French and Basque fishermen when he arrived in 1534. We will board the ship's tender for our ride to port, upon arrival, we will board our motorcoach with our group leader and set out for our morning Field Trip to St. Anthony.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave St. Anthony at 3:00 p.m. on our journey to St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Closer to London than it is to Canada’s west coast, the capital of Newfoundland, St. John’s is the easternmost city in North America, excluding Greenland, and has its own time zone, a half-hour ahead of the rest of eastern Canada. This morning, we will go on a walking discovery; to this day the harbor remains the center of the city, with its oldest buildings and streets (including Water Street, the oldest street in North America) nearby. The rest of St. John’s sits on hills around the harbor, which has led to frequent comparisons to San Francisco. The tallest, Signal Hill, is one of St. John’s most famous sights with its panoramic views.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in St. John's or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave St. John's on our journey to Saint Pierre And Miquelon.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

This morning, we will explore the French island of Saint Pierre and Miquelon with our group leader. This French archipelago located south of Newfoundland has a distinct French atmosphere with a cathedral and the Musée Heritage, which celebrates regional history.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Saint Pierre And Miquelon or enjoy the activities onboard. Later in the afternoon, the ship will leave Saint Pierre And Miquelon on our journey to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and explore Halifax. The city is spirited mix of world-class history and nautical-themed museums alongside bunkers and fortresses that guarded the harbor, plus striking public art, sights and funky shops. Explore the Halifax waterfront where steamships once anchored to drop off arriving immigrants at Pier 21.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Halifax at 4:00 p.m. on our journey to Bar Harbor, Maine.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will disembark via the ship's tender to ride to port, upon arrival, we will board our motorcoach and ride to Acadia National Park. Home to sites such as Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States and the first place in the country to see the sun rise.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Bar Harbor and explore the picturesque and charming town with its scenic and walkable streets lined with restaurants and boutiques or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Bar Harbor on our journey to Boston, Massachusetts.

Aboard ship.

We will board our motorcoach and head out on our morning field trip in Boston. New England’s largest city, Boston, Massachusetts, is home to historic sights and modern neighborhoods; stores and restaurants with old-time character; and gracious green spaces as well as a beautiful waterfront. Legendary figures of the American Revolution come alive at buildings and attractions along Boston’s Freedom Trail, including the Paul Revere House and Old South Meeting House.

Aboard ship.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Boston or enjoy the activities onboard.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. The ship will leave Boston on our journey to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.

Aboard ship.

Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation tomorrow.

Aboard ship.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!