Hot Spots & Cool Discoveries
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SPRING SUMMER HOT SPOTS & COOL DISCOVERIES FOR 2017 TRAVEL TM TM Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have joined forces to further inspire the world through expedition travel. Our collaboration in exploration, research, technology and conservation will provide extraordinary travel expe- riences and disseminate geographic knowledge around the globe. DEAR TRAVELER, In 2016 we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the pioneering 1966 citizen explorer expedition to Antarctica by my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad. In 2017, we will be celebrating his 1967 pioneering feat: leading the first laymen expedition to Galápagos, and playing an instrumental role in establishing the tourism policies that are the still the foundation of the National Park’s guidelines today. We respect our heritage, are proud of the achievements we’ve recorded during our past 50 years, but are focused on the future with considerable excitement, given the newness and innovation ahead. This season we’ll inaugurate two new ships: National Geographic Endeavour II has been completely re-fitted to offer the best expedition experience in the Galápagos Islands. And National Geographic Quest, purpose-built in the U.S—on beautiful Whidbey Island, WA to be exact— will begin her expedition career in British Columbia and the San Juan Islands, before ranging as far south as Belize. In our 50 years, many changes have happened in travel—where do we as travelers seek to go? What do we choose to avoid? Do more of us travel to relax, or to seek inspiration and activity? Do we travel to know more, to feel a greater connection with nature, or to see places that still retain cultural and historical integrity? Perhaps it’s all of the above. WHAT’S INSIDE FOR YOU EUROPE 2 And with whom? Do we choose to travel with our families, our friends, or on our own? I certainly have seen a vastly ARCTIC 12 greater desire for extended community, whether it be the community our guests take with them, or discover in CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA 24 seeking new like-minded others, inevitably drawn, like themselves, to this style of travel. You, inevitably, have distinct BAJA 30 views on all of these subjects. ALASKA 34 What I can offer you is the fact that we have, over this past half a century, developed a deep understanding of what’s MEDITERRANEAN 42 possible, and what matters to people. Whether it’s exploring the High Arctic where the National Geographic Explorer DECK PLANS 46 spends most of the summer; the Galápagos Islands, always in season, always full of wonder for people of all ages; or SPECIAL OFFERS, INCLUSIVE Baja California, often referred to as the Mexican Galápagos. Discovering a fresh perspective on Europe aboard the PRICING, EXPEDITIONS.COM 59 National Geographic Orion. Or steeping in the deep pleasures of the sailing yacht Sea Cloud, a destination in her RESERVATION INFORMATION 61 herself. In all cases, our commitment is to provide you with the most thoughtful, fulfilling time we possibly can. So, please join us as we head out during the finest seasons for travel—to explore the world’s wonder and mystery. All the best, Sven-Olof Lindblad Cover: National Geographic Orion at TrollFjord, Norway © Ralph Lee Hopkins. This page: Isla Rasa, Baja California © Ralph Lee Hopkins. 1 ICONIC & SELDOM-SEEN EUROPE 2 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) ICONIC & SELDOM-SEEN EUROPE Whether you want to hike along the rooftops in Stockholm or make chocolate in Basque country, our itineraries ensure daily doses of surprise, delight and insider experiences. From the intriguing Baltics, the birch-shaded cool of Scandinavia, and the sea-brined coasts of England and Wales, to the sun-splashed coast of Portugal and France’s Côte Basque, you’ll see and taste each region. And hear it—National Geographic Orion’s onboard musicologist has arranged exclusive performances on and off- ship, by leading European musicians. SEE WHY EXPLORING EUROPE BEATS SIGHTSEEING ▶ Clockwise from top left: Porto, Portugal; flamenco dancer, Seville; capturing a shared moment at Loch Carron, Scotland. WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 3 Tallinn, Estonia. 4 CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE BALTIC SEA 14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS | DATES: 2017 APR. 19; MAY 2* *This voyage travels in reverse. Aboard National Geographic Orion PRICES FROM: $14,840 TO $30,850 (See pages 48-49 for complete prices.) ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE SPECIAL OFFER: Day 1 Copenhagen, Denmark FREE AIR + bar tab & crew tips Day 2 Bornholm on us. Book two or more Orion Day 3 Gdańsk, Poland Europe voyages & save 10%. Call for details. Day 4 Klaipėda, Lithuania Day 5 Visby, Gotland, Sweden Day 6-7 Riga, Latvia Day 8 Tallinn, Estonia Visby, Gotland. Day 9-10 St. Petersburg, Russia Day 11 Exploring Coastal Finland Day 12 Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden Day 13 Stockholm Day 14 Stockholm/Home » SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/BALTIC_SEA “Alongside this rich regional history are days spent exploring the stunning archipelagos of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The joys of a Scandinavian summer are legendary, whether it’s walking through the medieval loveliness of Visby and Gotland, kayaking around the rocky isles of Hidra, or a safety-harnessed trek (if you choose to!) across the rooftop of classic Stockholm.” —Alizé Carrère, Regional Experience Designer Central market, Riga, Latvia. 5 SCANDINAVIA BY SEA: DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND NORWAY 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS | DATE: 2017 JUN. 16 “In the best Scandinavian tradition, this voyage Aboard National Geographic Orion is about simplicity and the senses—hiking, PRICES FROM: $7,990 TO $16,610 (See pages 48-49 for complete prices.) cycling, kayaking in the Weather Islands, wash- ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE ing down the famous ‘Skagen Sild’ herring with SPECIAL OFFER: Jun. 16 Copenhagen, Denmark an ice-cold Danish beer, and much more—this is FREE AIR + bar tab & crew tips inhaling the essence of the world’s cleanest air and Jun. 17 Skagen, Denmark on us. Book two or more Orion Jun. 18 Weather Islands, Sweden Europe voyages & save 10%. freshest vistas with every breath.” Call for details. Jun. 19 Oslo, Norway —Jana Tvedt Joham, Regional Experience Designer Jun. 20 Risør Jun. 21 Hidra Jun. 22 Hardangerfjorden Jun. 23 Bergen/Disembark » SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/SCANDINAVIA Skagen, Denmark. Hardangerfjorden, Norway. 6 NORWAY AND SCOTLAND: FJORDLANDS AND THE INNER HEBRIDES 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS | DATE: 2017 AUG. 26 Aboard National Geographic Orion PRICES FROM: $7,990 TO $16,610 (See pages 48-49 for complete prices.) ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE SPECIAL OFFER: Aug. 26 Bergen, Norway/Embark FREE AIR + bar tab & crew tips Aug. 27 Sognefjorden on us. Book two or more Orion Europe voyages & save 10%. Aug. 28 Isle of Noss and Lerwick, Call for details. Shetland Islands, Scotland Aug. 29 Fair Isle Aug. 30 Orkney Aug. 31 Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides Sep. 1 Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides Sep. 2 Dublin, Ireland/Disembark » SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/NORWAY “What other travel company has, or could, put such exceptionally beau- tiful, natural destinations together in one cohesive itinerary. Ships who do voyage here merely “cruise” by—National Geographic Orion brings you into close, personal contact. A private concert by renowned Scottish folk artist, Julie Fowlis in Kirkwall, tasting Brunost (a brown goat cheese crafted only here) in gorgeous Sognefjorden—are some of the indelible experiences this itinerary provides.” —Jana Tvedt Joham, Regional Experience Designer Sognefjorden. 7 WILD AND WINDSWEPT: EXPLORING THE COASTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS | DATE: 2017 SEP. 2 Aboard National Geographic Orion PRICES FROM: $7,990 TO $16,610 (See pages 48-49 for complete prices.) ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE SPECIAL OFFER: Sep. 2 Dublin, Ireland/Embark FREE AIR + bar tab & crew tips Sep. 3 Llandudno, Wales on us. Book two or more Orion Sep. 4 Skomer Island/Fishguard Europe voyages & save 10%. Call for details. Sep. 5 Isles of Scilly/Tresco, England Sep. 6 Dartmouth Sep. 7 Alderney/Sark, Channel Islands Sep. 8 Portsmouth, England Sep. 9 London/Disembark » SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/ENGLAND Portsmouth waterfront. 8 CULTURE AND CUISINE FROM OPORTO TO BASQUE COUNTRY 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS | DATE: 2017 SEP. 30 Aboard National Geographic Orion PRICES FROM: $7,990 TO $16,610 (See pages 48-49 for complete prices.) ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE Sep. 30 Bordeaux, France/Embark SPECIAL OFFER: Oct. 1 Bayonne FREE AIR + bar tab & crew tips on us. Book two or more Orion Oct. 2 Saint Jean-de-Luz, France/ Europe voyages & save 10%. San Sebastián, Spain Call for details. Oct. 3 Bilbao Oct. 4 A Coruña Oct. 5 Villagarcía de Arousa Oct. 6 Oporto, Portugal Tapas, San Sebastián. Oct. 7 Lisbon/Disembark » SEE COMPLETE ITINERARY AT EXPEDITIONS.COM/BASQUE “This is easily one of the most intellectually satisfying travel experiences of my life—the history, cuisine and music of the Basque region is so rich and redolent, especially given that we experience both the French and the Spanish sides of this unique culture, a really rare opportunity.” —Alizé Carrère, Regional Experience Designer Winery on the banks of the Douro River. 9 ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND & WALES: A CIRCUMNAVIGATION 19 DAYS/17 NIGHTS | DATE: 2017 APR. 29 Aboard National Geographic Explorer PRICES FROM: $18,380 TO $33,530 (See pages 46-47 for complete prices.) ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE May 9 Cliffs Of Moher & Aran Islands/Connemara Apr. 29 & 30 U.S./Edinburgh, Scotland/Embark May 10 Connemara, County Galway May 1 Lindisfarne, Holy Island, England May 11 County Donegal May 2 Ipswich May 12 Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland May 3 Portsmouth May 13 Stornoway, The Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides May 4 Fowey/Eden Project May 14 Orkney May 5 Isles of Scilly May 15 Fair Isle and Mousa May 6 Skomer Island, Wales/Fishguard May 16 Shetland May 7 Cobh, Ireland May 17 Bergen, Norway/Disembark/U.S.