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Caribbean Contrasts
A walk through the jungle to Mayan ruins. Bird watching in Belize. Sunrise in Curaçao.
OverviewFor 2011 we have included a fly-cruise trip to the Caribbean, starting in Barbados and finishing in Jamaica, 14 days of wildlife, rainforest trails, waterfalls and palm-lined beaches. We use local agents and nature guides in most ports for our walks and excursions. So whether we are on a walking tour of the old colonial sites in Colombia’s second city Cartagena, or on a nature walk on Roatan Island in Honduras, you’ll get to know the Caribbean as few others do. Take Colón - famous for the northern side of the Panama Canal, it is also close to the San Lorenzo National Park, with nearly 10,000 hectares of forests, mangroves and pasture land. 357 species of bird have been spotted here in one day, a record for the western hemisphere, and there are jaguars and tapirs in the park. We have a nature walk in this rich and healthy ecosystem.
From Costa Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula we hope to walk through the jungle to an as yet only partially excavated Mayan site. In Grenada we take transport to the Grand Etang rainforest at 1900ft then walk through bamboo, nutmeg and other spice trees to a series of seven waterfalls. This is followed by a walk around a volcanic crater lake. This is a cruise full of all the experiences which make the Caribbean such a special winter destination.
In 2012 we we keep to the islands large and small which make up this beautiful part of the world. We fly into Barbados, the eastern-most Caribbean island. After a night on Braemar we have a day to explore the island, a British colony for over 300 years. Bonaire is the most eastward of the Netherlands Antilles, 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Surrounded by coral reefs and blessed with a beautiful year-round climate, it prides itself on its eco-friendly tourism. Beyond the pastel-painted port of Kralendijk the island is low-lying and wooded, with mangrove swamps on parts of the coast. Aruba is our second port of call in the Netherlands Antilles. It too has a wild side beyond the beaches which few people get to see.
Noel Coward made the beautiful island of Jamaica his home. It’s rightly famous for its beaches and reggae music, but its interior has misty mountains and steamy rainforests, with rivers and waterfalls. It has 3800 varieties of flowering plants and ferns. Its people are famous for being laid-back. See Cuba before it changes for ever: that’s what everyone says, and it’s good advice. It’s the home of rum and salsa, crazy old cars and big fat cigars.
When astronaut John Glenn splashed back down after being the first American to orbit the earth, his capsule landed just off the coast of Grand Turk. He asked if he had landed in paradise. We arrive in a somewhat less dramatic manner, but will with any luck share his feelings about this island in the West Indies, capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Tortola is one of the British Virgin Islands and ticks all the boxes for a Caribbean retreat; palm-shaded white sandy beaches, yacht-filled harbours and a lush green hilly interior.
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More infoDeposit amount is £200 and balance payable is 90 days before departure.
Please also see our Terms & Conditions applicable to Cruise & Walk holidays.
PLEASE NOTE: The prices shown on our Itinerary graphics for 2011 may be incorrect. This is due to a recent small increase in prices due to rising fuel costs. Please contact our reservations team on 01707 331133 for details.
Highlights
MealsAll meals and a midnight supper are included and don't forget your formal wear, as you will be encouraged to 'dress for dinner' on one or two occasions. There is also en exclusive welcome party one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on one of our sea days!
AccommodationFred Olsen cruise ships provide our floating hotels, just come on board and take it easy. You'll enjoy superb dining as well as the excellent amenities on board; live entertainment and lectures for those that would like it and the tranquillity of the library for those who prefer a little peace and quiet.
TravelBook 6 months in advance to receive a free return National Express bus ticket from a bus station near you to your cruise departure point or free car parking for the duration of your cruise. Ask our reservations team for details.
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I am emailing to say how much we enjoyed our holiday in the south of Spain at the end of February. We were most impres...
The worldwide programme (I’ve “done” four Continents – give me time) the superb value (done my homework too) and the spo...
I started leading for Countrywide Holidays in 1970 and spent summers at their guest houses in Snowdonia, the Lake District and Scotland. I went on to act as a guide for the Austrian Alpine Club. My career and family commitments took me away from leading but when the opportunity arose I started again in the late 1990s.
