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Home , Guatemala City

GUATEMALA TO

For those seeking a comprehensive journey exploring , this could be the perfect tour - experience a journey of cultural and natural wonders whilst visiting ten Central American countries including a transit of the Canal. Join us as we visit bustling and vibrant cities, island paradises, fascinating Mayan sites, national parks and incredible regions of biodiversity. Such a comprehensive and in-depth itinerary would of course be difficult to comprehend or undertake by any other means than a cruise.

Daily, guided excursions will introduce you to the natural and cultural wonders of the region and with the MS Serenisisma as our base, we are able to visit places which the larger cruise vessels simply cannot access. The history of the ancient Mayan civilisation, the colonial years and the more recent events of the region will be brought to life by our onboard team and local guides. Canal. Our days will be spent swimming from pristine beaches, searching for endemic flora and fauna with our onboard Please Note: This Voyage is a combination of Ancient & Natural naturalists, learning about the colonial and often turbulent Wonders of Central America and 'Sailing to the Spanish Main'. history of the region and of course not forgetting what will be You may be asked to change your Stateroom on day 18, this one of the highlights for many, our daylight transit through the will be advised at the time of booking. iconic Panama ITINERARY

Day 1 - City, Guatemala. Arrive this evening and transfer independantly to our group hotel in Guatemala City for an overnight stay.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Day 2 - Antigua to Puerto Quetzal. explore some of the colonial towns and communities on the After breakfast in the hotel we will drive to Antigua and enjoy a Flower Route named after the abundance of flowers found along morning exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built the roadsides and in the villages. Leaving the port we will drive between three magnificent volcanoes in 1542 it is one of the through the beautiful mountains to the town of Nahuizalco, oldest and most beautiful cities in the . Antigua home to one of the most longstanding native communities and remained an economic and political heart of Central America arts and crafts production sites in the country. We continue to until a devastating earthquake in 1773 destroyed much of the Ataco, the final stop on the Ruta de las Flores. Ataco is a city. We will explore the city which is a wonder of colonial quaint, colonial village that is known for its natural beauty, as buildings, beautiful squares, cobblestone streets and Baroque well as, its brightly painted homes, cobblestone streets, churches and after a local lunch we transfer to Puerto Quetzal colourful murals and unique arts and crafts. Return to the ship and embark the MS Serenissima. Sail this evening. for dinner and an overnight mooring.

Day 3 - Puerto Chiapas, . Day 5 - Acajutla. Overnight we will have crossed the border awaking in Mexico Todays full day excursion discovers the Mayan route starting at and the port of Chiapas. This morning we will take an historical the archaeological site of Joya de Ceren, a UNESCO World tour exploring the ancient Mayan site of Izapa which grew from Heritage Site known as the Pompeii of America. The site was a small village to be one of the regions most influential cities covered by the Loma Caldera volcano explosion which kept the and a cultural and commercial centre. After viewing the site we remains of pre-Hispanic civilisation for hundreds of years and will continue to Tapachula with its history which has been provides a unique insight into everyday life in a Mesoamerican shaped by the Mayans, and Spanish. We will enjoy a farming community of the 6th century AD. We continue to the walking tour of the citys colourful streets before visiting the ruins of San Andres, once an important political and religious archaeological museum. After lunch onboard there will be a centre and testimony of the Indigo industry during the colonial choice of options this afternoon. Nature lovers can enjoy a boat period, better known as the Blue Gold. After lunch in a local trip amongst the nearby mangrove streams and lagoons, restaurant we will continue to Santa Ana and see the beautiful learning about the areas eco-system whilst our guide points out Gothic cathedral and National Palace before our tour ends at the various species of flora and fauna. Alternatively learn a little the ruins of Tazumal, the largest pyramid in dating about modern life in the region visiting a banana plantation and from 1500 B.C. and an important Mayan settlement. Return to the local community to understand the role the crop has in the MS Serenissima in the late afternoon and sail this evening. sustaining their lifestyle. Day 6 - Bahia de Jiquilisco. Day 4 - Acajutla, El Salvador. Covering over 400 square kilometres, the Jiquilisco Bay Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before we make our first call in Biosphere Reserve is El Salvadors most important marine El Salvador and the main port of Acajutla. This afternoon we will ecosystem with the coastal being made up of remote

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com islands, mangrove canals and desolate beaches whilst inland explore the colonial architecture and the 18th century cathedral we find beautiful forests and cacao plantations. It is an which is one of the most prominent buildings in the city with important base for migratory birds as well as a nesting site for fantastic views from the rooftop. Inside we will see the fresco four sea turtle species including one of only two sites in the paintings, statues and the lion that guards the tomb of Ruben Pacific for the endangered Hawksbill Turtle. We have a full day Dario, the famous Nicaraguan poet. to explore the different areas of the reserve spending time with the environmentalists and scientists who will teach us about the Day 9 - San Juan del Sur. conservation of the turtles, walking through the forest on the After an early breakfast we will leave from the friendly fishing lookout for spider monkeys before learning about the cultivation village of San Juan del Sur for a full day tour to Granada and of cacao, which creates some of the finest chocolate, on one of Lake . Founded in 1523 Granada is Nicaraguas the local plantations. oldest Spanish city and has retained much of its Spanish character with colonial churches, narrow streets and colourful Day 7 - La Union. Spanish style homes. We will enjoy a walking tour including the Today we follow the peace route set up to remember the events cathedral and convent of San Francisco where we find around of the 1980s when El Salvador experienced a bitter civil war. It 30 pre-Colombian stone statues dating back to 800 A.D. is estimated that over 100,000 were killed in the fighting whilst sculpted by the inhabitants of Zapatera Island on Lake half a million fled into exile. We will visit Perquin, once a Nicaragua. After a local lunch we continue to Lake Nicaragua stronghold of the guerrillas and home to the Museum of the and enjoy a relaxing boat ride amongst the 365 small islands Revolution where former members of the rebel army are willing created by the volcanic activity of the Mombacho volcano to share their experiences. We continue to the village of El around 20,000 years ago. Whilst some islands are inhabited Mozote in December 1981 where one of the worst atrocities most remain unspoiled and are home to the exotic plants, occurred and more than 1,000 people were killed in a single howler monkeys and orchids. This is also the location of the day. Our local guides will explain about living in the country worlds only freshwater shark. during this time and we will see the monument erected for the victims and the memorial garden decorated with brightly Day 10 - Curu National Park and Isla Tortuga, . coloured murals. Alternatively join a tour to Alegria, the We spend our first morning in Costa Rica exploring the Curu birthplace of the writer Alberto Masferrer and visit the museum National Wildlife refuge which boasts a rich and diverse wildlife before continuing to the lagoon known as the Emerald of in five different habitats ranging from marine zones, including a America located in the Tecapa Volcano. wide beach area, mangrove swamps and tropical forests. Here on a range of walks we will find over 200 species of birds, Day 8 - Corinto for Leon, Nicaragua. howler and capuchin monkeys, mammals such as otters, Our first call in Nicaragua is the port of Corinto, our base for our ocelots and pumas and turtles. Over lunch we sail the short visit to Leon the former capital of Nicaragua. Here we will distance to Tortuga Island where we have the chance to snorkel

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com over the volcanic reef home to angelfish, morays and enjoying a walk through the primary and secondary forest with needlefish. Alternatively spend the afternoon relaxing on the our naturalist guides. The rich biological diversity of the white sand beaches. biological corridor of Corcovado National Park is astounding and bird lovers will be enchanted by a wide variety of birds, Day 11 - Puntarenas. including tanagers, flycatchers, kingfishers, manakins, trogons, Our berth at Puntarenas is our starting point for a choice of full crested guans, and spectacular scarlet macaws and toucans. day excursions today. Either choose to visit Monteverde Cloud We return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon hope to find a Forest Reserve, a nature reserve boasting over 3000 species of local beach for snorkelling and beachcombing activities. animals and plants. On guided walks we will learn how the forests location ensures it receives a steady supply of clouds Day 14 - Golfo Dulce. and the moisture they contain sustains and supports this eco For our final call in Costa Rica we will visit the famous gardens system. Alternatively join an excursion to the Costa Rican at Casa Orquiedas (Orchid House) where we find a profusion of capital of San Jose. Our route will take us through the Braulio over 100 varieties of orchids along with heliconias, bromeliads, Carillo National Park before arriving into San Jose where we will ornamental and fruit trees. Keen birders can also keep an eye visit the Gold Museum and the National Museum with a wealth out for hummingbirds, parrots and colourful toucans attracted of archaeological and historical artefacts. by the plants.

Day 12 - Manuel Antonio National Park. Day 15 - Isla Coiba, Panama. From our berth in Quepos we travel to the Manuel Antonio This once infamous prison island, now a National Park, has National Park which is one of the most stunning and bio-diverse reverted to an island paradise. We will anchor off the ranger areas of the world. Spread out over 683 hectares it is filled with station and use our Zodiacs to land on the island. Here our diverse wildlife, has both primary and secondary forests, boasts onboard naturalists will lead some guided walks as we explore a stunning shoreline ideal for bird watching or swimming and is the main island, which boasts some 147 species of birds, and home to a number of endemic species of plants and animals. walk up to the observation tower. Alternatively there is the We will make an early start this morning allowing for the best option to relax on the beach. viewing of monkeys, vividly coloured birds and the lethargic three-toed sloth. This afternoon we will enjoy time to swim from Day 16 - . the local beaches. After a morning at sea we will arrive in Panama City, a combination of the historic old town, declared a UNESCO Day 13 - Corcovado National Park. Historical monument, and the ultra-modern new town. Choose Resting on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay to either join a city walk where we will stroll along the (Bahia Drake) is our gateway to the Corcovado National Park. cobblestone streets of the Casco Viejo visiting the colonial We will use the Zodiacs to land on one of the beaches before mansions before continuing to Panama Viejo and the original

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com ruins of the city founded in 1517 which was burnt to the ground production of colourful fabric art known as molas. Return to the by British pirate Henry Morgan. Alternatively visit the Panama ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at sea. Canal Observation Centre. Here we will learn about the expansion of the Canal before visiting the Miraflores Locks Day 20 - Bocas del Toro. Visitor centre where we see the history of the canal and watch Today we explore the Bocas del Toro archipelago, pristine the ships as they pass through. islands which are now part of a national marine park. We spend the morning surrounded by astounding beauty and using local Day 17 - Panama Canal Transit. boats will explore the mangroves where we hope to see sloths, An undisputed destination on the travel bucket list has to be the dolphins in the water and find a remote beach to swim and Panama Canal. The Canal is around 50 miles long and takes snorkel on the coral reefs. This afternoon we will visit the small between eight to ten hours to cross. Unlike many cruise ships town of Bocas del Toro and have free time to wander amongst we are planning a daytime transit allowing us the best the fine old Spanish buildings. conditions to experience this engineering marvel. This evening we arrive in Colon where we moor overnight. Day 21 - Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. This morning we head south to the Cahuita National Park. The Day 18 - Portobelo & Gatun Locks. area is filled with beautiful wildlife that includes howler After breakfast we will head to the colonial city of Portobelo on monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, raccoons, sloths, the Caribbean side. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in otters, coatis, agoutis, armadillos and porcupines. Several avian 1502, this delightful town is in an area once known as the species also live in the swamp forest, including the green ibis, paradise for pirates. We will visit Fort San Geronimo, Fort San the green kingfisher, the yellowcrowned night-heron, the frigate Felipe, Customs House and the Black Christ Church (the patron bird and the boat-billed heron, among others. Our naturalist Saint of Portobelo) before making our way to the Gatun Locks. guide will lead us through the trails of the rainforest, sharing his These are the largest locks on the Panama Canal and raise vast knowledge on this fragile ecosystem. After lunch onboard ships 29.5 metres from the Caribbean waters to the level of the afternoon is free to relax or join an excursion to the Lake Gatun. Tortuguero National Park which is home to more than 2000 plant species and over 400 species of birds together with a Day 19 - San Blas Islands. number of endangered mammals. We will drive through vast Arrive this morning at the stunning San Blas Archipelago which banana plantations to the tiny port of Moin where we board is made up of over 400 islands which line the north coast of longs boats that take us into the waterways of the park for Panama with dazzling white sandy beaches set in a turquoise eye-level views of the astounding flora and fauna. sea. The islands are home to the indigenous Kuna Indians who gained self-rule from the government of Panama in the 1920s Day 22 - Isla Providencia, . and maintain their traditional way of life including the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Often referred to as Old Providence in English, Providencia is a see pelicans, cormorants and herons as we cruise up the river beautiful Colombian island that is little known and untouched before arriving at the Aktenamit project, a local social by the hand of tourism. Along with its smaller sister island of development organisation supporting sustainable tourism. Here Santa Catalina, it is enclosed by an extensive barrier reef we will walk the trails viewing birds and plants before returning system of some 35 kilometres in length, making it one of the to spend time in Livingston itself. most significant reefs in the world. Captured twice by Henry Morgan and his buccaneers who aimed to make it a British Day 26 - City, Belize. possession, it nevertheless ended up Spanish and is now a We have an interesting day ahead as we travel inland to the remote Colombian island. Arriving at lunchtime we have an ancient Mayan city of Lamanai (translates to submerged opportunity to spend the afternoon on an island tour and travel crocodile). From the nearby town of Orange Walk Bridge we in local boats to Crab Cay for snorkelling. board local boats for a wildlife cruise through mangroves, wetlands and forests. Look out for egrets, herons, kingfishers, Day 23 - At sea. snail kites and black collared hawks as we make our way up Relax onboard, find a spot on deck or maybe join one of our river past Morelets crocodiles. A short walk through the jungle lectures as we continue our journey north. brings us to the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve with its massive pyramids which are in fact pyramids built upon Day 24 - Guanaja Island, . pyramids. Local guides will tell the story of this site which is the Arrive this morning in Honduras and the small island of only Mayan city known to have been inhabited through every Guanaja. The easternmost of the three Bay Islands, Guanaja is age of Mayan civilisation. covered in a forest of Caribbean pine and when Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1502, he named it the Isla Day 27 - Half Moon Caye. de Pinos (Island of Pines). Unlike some of the surrounding We will sail out into the Caribbean Sea during the night for a islands only small ships like ours can anchor here and we will morning in paradise. Here there are reefs for the snorkellers to spend the day exploring the island and its surroundings. Spend explore, the area was the first area to be environmentally time in the small town, use local boats to explore the mangrove protected in 1982 and is now part of the larger Belize Barrier channels, snorkel on one of the nearby cayes, visit the small Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. On Half turtle sanctuary or join nature walks with the local guides. Moon Caye there will be the opportunity to visit the red footed booby sanctuary, the only nesting site in the region, home to Day 25 - Livingston, Guatemala. approximately 4000 of these large, somewhat gawky birds. Surrounded by water and jungle, Livingston is a settlement of Garifuna people accessible only by sea which is just one of the Days 28 & 29 - Cozumel for Tulum & Chichen Itza, Mexico. things that makes it unique among Guatemalan cities. We will The island of Cozumel is our base for two days as we plan trips transfer onto local boats and venture up the Rio Dulce hoping to to the Mayan sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza. We will travel by

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com boat to mainland Mexico for our tour to the Mayan site of See the Plaza de la Revolucion and the headquarters of Tulum, perched forty feet above the sea on a cliff and with its President Fidel Castro and his Council of Ministers. In the impressive defensive walls made it one of the best fortified sites afternoon we will embrace one of the traditional industries of of the Maya. It has a fascinating history and architecture with with a visit to a cigar factory learning about the traditional the pyramid, El Castillo, being the most impressive. Meanwhile techniques still in practice today. Alternatively enjoy a full day our full day tour to Chichen Itza will include the great main plaza tour to the Vinales Valley in the Pinar del Rio Province. It is here with the adjoining imposing El Castillo, also known as the that some of the best tobacco is grown, harvested and Pyramid of Kukulcon. Other buildings include the Temple of the processed. We will learn about the production techniques, see Carved Panels, the Temple of the Warriors and the nearby Group the traditional Cuban country lifestyle and enjoy lunch before of the Thousand Columns, the Ball Court and the Caracolor our scenic drive back to the ship. Observatory. Day 33 - Havana Day 30 - At sea. Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport with the At sea. group flight departure (if its a similar time) or you can stay longer. Day 31 - Havana, Cuba. On our first morning in the Cuban capital we will discover Habana Vieja (Old Havana) which was once enclosed within fortified walls. We will explore its twisting, cobbled streets that lead to beautifully restored Baroque churches, castles and palaces and visit the 16th century Plaza de Armas, the oldest plaza in the city and its original administrative centre. In the afternoon we will explore Hemingways Cuba on a walking tour. Visit the legendary writers finca in San Francisco de Paula and the Ernest Hemingway Museum. Later, call into Cojimar Village, the inspiration for The Old Man and the Sea. This evening we hope to be entertained after dinner by local musicians onboard as we remained moored overnight.

Day 32 - Havana. Today we offer a choice of excursions on offer. For those who wish to explore Havana further we will enjoy a morning in new Havana driving along the Malecon, Havanas seafront to Vedado.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: SERENISSIMA

YOUR SHIP: Serenissima

VESSEL TYPE:

LENGTH:

PASSENGER CAPACITY:

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Prior to her life as the MS Andrea she spent many years cruising the Norwegian coast as the Harald Jarl. The decision by the Norwegian owners, Hurtigruten to invest in much larger new vessels, presented an opportunity to the American company, arranged over five decks and with the exception of the five Elegant Cruises to purchase the vessel in 2002. After a inside cabins, all staterooms feature either windows or substantial refit of over $20 million in Sweden she began her portholes. new life of worldwide cruising. She underwent another The free seating Venice Restaurant accommodates all guests in significant refurbishment in December 2018 and her capacity one sitting. In addition there is an outside dining area for when was reduced to 95. the weather and itinerary permit. A new addition to the vessel is Perhaps, one of the best known and loved features of this a Lido area on Deck 5 with a bar and Jacuzzi. vessel is its unique style. During the major refit in Sweden the Other facilities on board include two lounges, a small library then owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create with two computers for internet access, a spacious observation a Gustavian style interior. This bright Swedish 18th century deck, fitness area, massage and an elevator. In areas such the influenced, country house style works particularly well on a United Kingdom and Norway the vessel is equipped with Zodiac vessel of this vintage, providing intimacy and classic nautical craft allowing us to visit remote places where normal tender sensibility often lacking in larger vessels. arrangements are not possible. Accommodating just 95 passengers, the 53 cabins are The European captain, officers, expedition staff, and crew offer attractively designed for comfort and convenience and are fully a first class service and have been selected for their air conditioned with a modern shower and toilet, telephone, flat professionalism and caring attitudes. The atmosphere on board screen televisions and other thoughtful appointments. There are is warm and welcoming and dedicated to discovery and eight different grades of cabin relaxation.

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