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Adventure in the Bissagos Islands
Cruise Line: Ponant Cruise
Ship: Le-Champlain | Le-Laperouse
Sailing Dates: Nov 11 2026 | Nov 19 2026 | Dec 13 2026 | Dec 21 2026 | Dec 29 2026
Port: Dakar - Dakar
Adventure in the Bissagos Islands
Ports of Call & Excursions
Day 1 - Dakar
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.
Day 2 - At sea
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the shipâs upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 3 - Kere, Bijagos
The private island of Kere is an unspoiled Eden, a one-hectare (two-acre) stretch of tropical forest in the heart of the Bissagos Islands. One original feature of this island is that a small, sustainable and fair-trade ecotourism business was developed upon it. On the islandâs magnificent beach, a Frenchman has set up a business to show people around this exceptional natural environment or to take them out for some game fishing, particularly in search of tarpon, a fish weighing over a hundred kilos (220 pounds). The bungalows made from earth and straw blend into the idyllic setting and reflect the mindset of the isletâs owner: authentic and respectful of nature and people.
Day 3 - Carache Island, Bijagos
In the midst of a rich natural environment, you will enjoy a fascinating encounter with the Bijagos, who have been successful at taming their environment and preserving their ancestral way of life. Five villages provide a home for the islandâs few thousand inhabitants, who rely on a subsistence economy: they take from nature only what they need, they cultivate rice, breed chickens and pigs, fish on a small scale and use all the parts of the oil palm. Cob huts with thatched roofs are the traditional dwellings. Among other things, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful show of authentic traditional dancing.
Day 4 - Orango Island, Bijagos
Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO: dolphins, green tortoises, monkeys, striped antelopes and hundreds of thousands of migrating birds find refuge here. Composed of five islands and several islets, Orango is the largest and most mysterious island in the archipelago. Its national park and marine protected area lie in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. During your zodiac outings, you will set off to discover this preserved environment, home to the Bijogo people, the true custodians of this sanctuary.
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Day 4 - Uno Island, Bijagos
Covered in beautiful savannah, paddy fields and lush forests, the island of Uno, or Ilha de Uno, is one of the most populated in the Bissagos archipelago. In its many villages, life follows the pace of the everyday scenes and traditions of the Bissago people. The lifestyle of these island people remains relatively untouched by colonial domination and external influences, and still honours animist beliefs and rites, such as the fanados, which are coming-of-age initiations for young men and women that involve them spending four months in the forest with the village elders. By sanctifying the natural environment, the islanders are protecting the archipelagoâs unique biodiversity.
Day 5 - Orango Island, Bijagos
Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO: dolphins, green tortoises, monkeys, striped antelopes and hundreds of thousands of migrating birds find refuge here. Composed of five islands and several islets, Orango is the largest and most mysterious island in the archipelago. Its national park and marine protected area lie in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. During your zodiac outings, you will set off to discover this preserved environment, home to the Bijogo people, the true custodians of this sanctuary.
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Day 5 - Uno Island, Bijagos
Covered in beautiful savannah, paddy fields and lush forests, the island of Uno, or Ilha de Uno, is one of the most populated in the Bissagos archipelago. In its many villages, life follows the pace of the everyday scenes and traditions of the Bissago people. The lifestyle of these island people remains relatively untouched by colonial domination and external influences, and still honours animist beliefs and rites, such as the fanados, which are coming-of-age initiations for young men and women that involve them spending four months in the forest with the village elders. By sanctifying the natural environment, the islanders are protecting the archipelagoâs unique biodiversity.
Day 6 - Joao Vieira Island, Bijagos
In the far south-east of the Bissagos Islands, João Vieira is a small unspoiled island in the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park. This park, where a number of sacred sites can be found, is home to a wonderful biodiversity. On the practically uninhabited island of João Vieira, the Bijagos have set up temporary camps for fishing or for collecting the fruit of oil palms. Like everywhere else in the archipelago, the local population displays ingenuity to adapt to this incredible environment.
Day 6 - Cavalos Island, Bijagos
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island of Cavalos is the second-largest nesting site in West Africa. Here you will be able to observe many bird species, including terns, in particular near the freshwater lake. Take a stroll on the beach full of shells, stretching all the way around the islandâs 6-km (3.8-mile) circumference. Some rocks have mango trees growing on them, which just rise above the surface during high tide. The interior of the island, blanketed in palm trees and high grasses, is inhabited by a colony of wild pigs.
Day 7 - Bolama
Bolama, the capital of Portuguese Guinea from the late 19th century to the end of the 1930s, is shrouded in the surreal and poetic atmosphere of a ghost town forgotten by time. Along the streets covered in ochre earth, the vestiges of neoclassical colonial buildings hint at what was once the sumptuous government palace or the governorâs residence. Now neglected, this hard-to-reach natural harbour surrounded by mangrove swamps once served as an outpost for keeping a close eye on the Guinean population that had come to seek refuge on these remote islands of the Bissagos archipelago to escape their colonisers.
Day 7 - Canhabaque, Bijagos
Canhabaque Island, also known by the name Roxa, is covered in lush vegetation and boasts pretty beaches alternating with rocky formations. The first island in the archipelago to be inhabited, it is today home to a community of around 2,500 inhabitants, spread across various tabancas (rural villages). Long closed to tourism, it is considered the most traditional island in the whole archipelago in terms of customs and lifestyle. It competes with Caravela for the reputation of the most beautiful island. It has an animist and matrilineal society; women are highly predominant in the management and maintenance of balance in the tabancas.
Day 8 - Caravela Island, Bijagos
Dotted with authentic and wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is a constellation of islands covered in savannah, forests of palm trees, mangrove trees, silk-cotton trees, baobabs and, in large part, mangrove swamps. From the island of Caravela, you will be able to set out in a Zodiac® dinghy to explore the mangrove and observe the African grey hornbill, the palm-nut vulture, the kingfisher, the weaverbird and some of the many species that fly to this region each year. It is the second most important site for migratory birds in West Africa, after Banc dâArguin in Mauritania: herons, curlews, red-chested swallows. In full immersion, far from the beaten track, your discovery of the archipelago will take on an air of adventure.
Day 9 - Dakar
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.
8 Days - Winter Italy and the Dalmatian Coast
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Star Explorer
Sailing Dates: Jan 30 2027 | Mar 19 2027 | Dec 20 2027 | Mar 25 2028
Port: Venice to Rome
8 Days - Winter Italy and the Dalmatian Coast
The Essential Seychelles
Cruise Line: Ponant Cruise
Ship: Le-Dumont-D-Urville
Sailing Dates: Jan 07 2027 | Jan 15 2027 | Jan 23 2027 | Jan 17 2028 | Feb 02 2028
Port: Victoria, Mahe - Victoria, Mahe
The Essential Seychelles
Ports of Call & Excursions
Day 1 - Victoria, Mahe
Discover Mahe, the main island of the Seychelles and also the largest of the archipelago, home to the capital, Victoria. Mahe has almost 70 beaches of fine sand, framed by the emblematic granite rocks, and whose crystal clear waters are renowned for their rich underwater life. The island is also famous for its splendid mountain panoramas accessible on hikes, such as the Morne Seychellois, which is 905 metres high and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Mahe is also an island full of history where fine colonial properties rub shoulders with Creole houses - and donât forget the marvellous Botanical Gardens in Victoria.
Day 2 - Cousin Island
This small granitic islet west of Praslin measures around thirty hectares and is teeming with life. A private property until 1968, Cousin Island was bought by the International Council for Bird Preservation (now known as BirdLife International) to be converted into a nature reserve. The main aim of this effort was first and foremost to save two endangered bird species, the Seychelles warbler and the Seychelles fody. This operation was a real success, as the island is now the most protected in the archipelago and is home to a large number of plants and animals endemic to the Seychelles.
Day 3 - Remire island
Remire Island is like a piece of confetti in the Indian Ocean and is a captivating place to visit. Located in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, it is prized for its unique biodiversity, including its exceptionally rich underwater life. The rare inhabitants of this tropical islet watch over its preservation, and a walk amidst its lush vegetation, home to delightful birds, will delight fans of unspoilt areas. For those who love snorkelling, myriad colourful fish live among the coral reefs that border the island.
Day 4 - Curieuse Island
Situated off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse has a distinguishing feature: its red earth. Discovered in 1768 by the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, it was ravaged by a fire in 1771 and then home to a leper colony of which a few vestiges still remain. Declared a national marine park in 1979, it is home to many underwater species, which can be discovered while scuba diving or snorkelling in the idyllic waters of the Indian Ocean. But above all, Curieuse is renowned for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there. It is highly likely that you will get the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles. Along with Praslin, it is also the only island on which the sea coconut grows wild.
Day 5 - Aride Island
Aride is an island in the Seychelles situated a few kilometres north-west of Praslin. Listed as a nature reserve, this pearl of the Indian Ocean will seduce you with the beauty of its landscapes of wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact and sometimes called âbird capitalâ, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife. Most notably, it is the refuge of an impressive number of seabirds (Seychelles magpie-robins, terns, noddies, and more), and reptiles, such as Wrightâs skinks, which can be found in the islandâs wooded areas. Sea turtles can also be observed on the islandâs beaches.
Day 6 - Grande Soeur
Located 6 km north of La Digue, Grande Soeur Island is renowned for its two sumptuous beaches and its translucent waters, protected by a coral reef. An ideal spot for snorkelling and observing the sea turtles that co-exist here with the many multi-coloured fish. The pristine Grande Soeur Island is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles.
Day 7 - Praslin Island
Situated some forty kilometres away from Victoria, Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles. Its idyllic beaches where granite rocks nestle in immaculate sand correspond perfectly to how we imagine the Seychelles to be. They invite visitors to dive into the turquoise waters, which are ideal for snorkelling. In the centre of the island, hidden in the heart of a stunning tropical rainforest, lies the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, as well as the famous sea coconut, which can weigh up to 20 kg and is sometimes called âcoco fesseâ because its shape calls to mind a pair of buttocks.
Day 8 - La Digue Island
La Digue Island is a veritable concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Located 6 km south-east of Praslin, this small piece of land that looks like paradise is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km)! Turquoise waters just asking you to swim in them, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees and surrounded with those emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like at the famous Anse Source dâArgent: the perfect picture postcardâ¦Â Authentic and preserved, the island follows a peaceful rhythm, with the only means of transport along its little roads being bikes or traditional oxcarts.
Day 9 - Victoria, Mahe
Discover Mahe, the main island of the Seychelles and also the largest of the archipelago, home to the capital, Victoria. Mahe has almost 70 beaches of fine sand, framed by the emblematic granite rocks, and whose crystal clear waters are renowned for their rich underwater life. The island is also famous for its splendid mountain panoramas accessible on hikes, such as the Morne Seychellois, which is 905 metres high and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Mahe is also an island full of history where fine colonial properties rub shoulders with Creole houses - and donât forget the marvellous Botanical Gardens in Victoria.
8 Days - Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal [Istanbul to Athens, Greece]
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Star Legend
Sailing Dates: May 02 2026 | Oct 19 2026 | Apr 17 2027 | May 03 2027 | Sep 16 2027 | Oct 10 2027
Port: Istanbul to Athens, Greece
8 Days - Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal [Istanbul to Athens, Greece]
8 Days - Spanish Symphony [Lisbon to Barcelona]
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Wind Surf | Star Legend
Sailing Dates: Jun 22 2026 | Mar 17 2027 | Apr 11 2027 | Jun 16 2027
Port: Lisbon to Barcelona
8 Days - Spanish Symphony [Lisbon to Barcelona]
8 Days - Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast [Rome to Athens]
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Wind Spirit
Sailing Dates: Apr 30 2026 | Aug 27 2027
Port: Rome to Athens
8 Days - Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast [Rome to Athens]
A Circumnavigation of Sicily - with Smithsonian Journeys
Cruise Line: Ponant Cruise
Ship: Le-Bougainville | Le-Dumont-D-Urville | Le-Laperouse
Sailing Dates: May 05 2026 | Aug 29 2026 | May 10 2027 | Oct 15 2027
Port: Valletta - Valletta
A Circumnavigation of Sicily - with Smithsonian Journeys
Day 1 - Valletta
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and youâll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-Johnâs cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
Day 2 - Porto Empedocle, Sicily
Huddled on the south-western coast of Sicily, Porto Empedocles bears the name of the philosopher Empedocles, who lived in the region in the 5th century BC. An age-old city offered up to sun and sea, this is your doorway to the exceptional archaeological site of Temple Valley, a high place of Greek civilisation listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can admire the remains of many temples dedicated to Zeus, his wife Hera and Hephaestus. Make sure you take in the magnificent Italian countryside, with its olive orchards that cover the hillsides.
2 available excursions
Agrigento's Valley of Temples & Museum, Agrigento's Valley of Temples
Day 3- Tunis
At the crossroads of civilisations, the capital of Tunisia is rich in cultural discoveries. The ruins of Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and particularly well preserved, testify to the splendour of this city that was once Romeâs great rival. The hill of Byrsa, the former fortified citadel of the Phoenician port and one of the presumed burial places of Saint Louis who died there during the Eighth Crusade, offers spectacular views over the Gulf of Tunis. In the Bardo National Museum, you will be able to admire one of the worldâs finest Roman mosaic collections, including the magnificent portrait of the poet Virgil.
4 available excursions
Bardo Museum & Ancient Carthage, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, & the Medina of Tunis, Crafts, Cuisine, & Ancient Sites, Bardo Museum & the Medina of Tunis
Day 4 - Trapani, Sicily
Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morningâs catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.
3 available excursions
Medieval Erice and Ancient Segesta, Trapani & Marsala: History, Salt, and Wine, The Archaeology of Selinunte
Day 5 - Palermo, Sicily
Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque.
3 available excursions
Churches of Palermo and Monreale, Cefalu, Palermo, Palazzo Conte Federico, & Sicilian Street Food
Day 6 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands
Of the seven Aeolian islands, this is the largest and the most populated. Lying off the north coast of Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian sea, Lipari is one of UNESCOâs marvellous World Heritage sites. Its lava stone quarries and obsidian flow of Rocce Rosse are indications of its volcanic nature. The town, the largest urban area in the whole archipelago, proudly houses its citadel and its castle, both rooted in Antiquity. If you head further into the centre, youâll be surprised to come across a Norman cathedral, complete with a magnificent baroque façade.
2 available excursions
Nature & History: Highlights of Lipari, Aeolian Winemaking
Day 6 - Sailing in front of Stromboli
Like Ulysses during his Odyssey, you will have the opportunity to admire the Stromboli, the capricious volcano that looms over the Aeolian Islands. Its activity, uninterrupted for thousands of years, has earned it the nickname the âLighthouse of the Mediterraneanâ.
Day 7 - Taormina, Sicily
Located on Sicilyâs eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicilyâs Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval centre, suspended 300 metres above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.
3 available excursions
Mt. Etna & Benanti Winery, Taormina and its Greek Theater, Ancient Taormina & Sicilian Winery
Day 8 - Syracuse, Sicily
Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as âthe most beautiful city in the worldâ, Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilisations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colours and flavours.
Day 9 - Valletta
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and youâll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-Johnâs cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
9 Days- Wine Cruise: Scenic Alaska
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Star Seeker
Sailing Dates: May 07 2026 | Aug 07 2026 | Jul 02 2027
Port: Vancouver to Juneau
9 Days- Wine Cruise: Scenic Alaska
8 Days - Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast [Athens to Rome]
Sailing Dates: Jul 02 2026 | Oct 15 2026 | Oct 17 2026 | Oct 14 2027
Port: Athens to Rome
8 Days - Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast [Athens to Rome]
8 Days - Bella Italia - A Southern Italian Romance
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruise
Ship: Wind Surf
Sailing Dates: Jul 07 2026 | Aug 01 2026
Port: Rome to Venice
8 Days - Bella Italia - A Southern Italian Romance
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices do not include Government Fees & Taxes. Pricing and availability subject to change without notice. STIC Travel Group reserves the right to refuse or honor any prices / sailings that are erroneously printed or quoted. Terms & Conditions apply.
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