Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s capital Lisbon comes alive with a rich history seen in every nook and cranny of the city. From the resting place of famous explorer Vasco de Gama at Jeronimos Monastery to the impressive turrets of São Jorge Castle dating all the way back to second century B.C.E., Lisbon offers a deep dive into the past to satiate the most curious travelers.

While Western Europe’s oldest city boasts an array of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, that does not mean it has remained stuck in the past. On the contrary, the colorful culture and vibrant life that runs throughout the city’s restaurants, shops, and rooftop bars make it buzz with infectious energy. Taking a tuk tuk through its hard to reach passages allows you to experience Lisbon as the locals do.

Atop of Lisbon’s seven hills you get an incomparable bird’s eye view. The sprawl of historical and modern complexes expands all the way to the waterfronts of where the Atlantic Ocean and River Tagus meet. The mountains lie so far in the distance it gives the impression that this city has no end.

Whether you dig into the local Portuguese favorite dish, bacalhau, or snack on a pastéis de Nata, an egg custard pastry that has been enjoyed for centuries, Lisbon delivers flavors that will send your palette to a whole new world. If you stop off in the streets of Bairro Alto, you can pop into a café for pastries, coffee, and good conversation with the locals.

Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

The mountain forests and lava-formed landscapes of the island of Madeira call out to explorers to discover its lush scenery and rugged coastlines. The island’s capital and biggest town, Funchal, offers the curious adventurer a never-ending supply of historical sites, captivating architecture, and expansive views to broaden one’s horizons.

Madeira lies just off the coast of Africa as part of an autonomous Portuguese archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean. With a mild, subtropical climate throughout, the island is home to some of the most stunning flora and fauna around the world.

If ever Eden existed, the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens come rather close. With verdant shrubbery all around, the soothing sounds of flowing water, and structural designs inspired by various cultures, it invokes a sense of calm and wonder that cannot compare.

Hop in an elevated cable car and ascend the green slopes up to Monte for incredible sky-high views. As you rise to the top of the slopes you see a sprawling, lively city. Bustling with energy from the busy highways to the people making their way to work or their homes, it’s easy to get caught up in its intoxicating vibes.

For the full Funchal experience, you must sample Madeira’s famous sweet wine. Visiting the Old Blandy Wine Lodge, a winery that has been in business for over 200 years, provides not only rich flavors to sample, but a rich history that goes with the tradition of wine-making on the island.

Santa Cruz, Tenerife Canary Islands, Spain

Formed off the coast of Morocco, the volcanic Canary Islands offer rugged and captivating landscapes with black and white sand beaches. The port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a rich combination of historical architecture and modern design, leads the way to exploration of the islands, sometimes referred to as the Canaries.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, lies off the northwest coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. A walk along the Santa Cruz promenade comes with views of lush green flora and rocky mountain peaks against blue sky. Playa Jardin offers spectacular views of black sand dotted with verdant palm trees and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic lapping against the shore, creating a vibrant picture of paradise.

Mount Teide, the highest point of elevation in Spain, offers breathtaking views with a short cable car ride up near its summit. The active volcano offers fertile grounds that are home to over 150 plant species, making it a colorful landscape you will not want to miss. Its walking paths give you the chance to challenge your muscles to the ultimate hike.

The cuisine of the Canary Islands is a rich and savory mix of Spanish, African, and Latin-American foods. Even one of its staple foods, bananas, originated in Asia. This cultural combination of foods makes eating in the Canaries an adventure of its own. With flavors of fish, rice, meat, and locally grown fruits and vegetables, your taste buds will never be bored.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing Tropic of Cancer

At the northernmost point of the Earth, the sun’s rays can appear directly overhead at local noon. It’s an exhilarating adventure crossing the ocean where a single line of demarcation plays such a significant role in the geography’s seasons.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Castries, St. Lucia

Known as the emerald jewel of the Caribbean for its mountainous and lush landscape, the island nation of St. Lucia provides an enchanting backdrop for a perfect tropical expedition. Over 19,000 acres of rain forest make it an explorer’s dream come true. The port of Castries acts as the gateway to this paradise.

As you enter Castries, not far from the port lies a vibrant and bustling market. Local vendors selling their produce and colorful crafts invite you to immerse your senses in the full experience of the island’s people.

Walking further into Walcott Square, you come across the largest church in the Caribbean, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Its rustic bricks worn through time tell a history of influences from past to present.

A quick water taxi ride from Rodney Bay to Marigot Bay takes you to an enticing, secret getaway with mesmerizing blue waters and a surrounding scene of deep green mountains. Palm trees lining the white sands of the natural harbor make this one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean.

Snorkeling and scuba diving near the reef at Anse Piton will delight any traveler with its many marine wildlife sightings. From parrotfish to moray eels swimming among the colorful coral, the natural wonders of St. Lucia hold a special magic that will captivate even the most veteran explorers.

For a truly sweet adventure, make a stop at Hotel Chocolat. Here you will learn about the production of cocoa on the island, taste fresh pods, and get the chance to make your own chocolate bar.

Bridgetown, Barbados

The historic capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, contains centuries of colonial architecture that display the spread of the British Empire. The Barbados Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many old buildings filled with the fascinating history of how the island grew into what it is today.

The port city of Bridgetown, formerly known as the Town of Saint Michael, lies along the island’s southwest coast on Carlisle Bay. Here you will find the most beautiful and serene beach in all of Barbados. With soft, white sand that lets you walk barefoot and crystal blue waters lapping against the shore, it makes the perfect picture for a postcard.

Adventurous travelers will find Barbados an enticing destination with ancient shipwrecks to dive and explore near the coast. The S.S. Stavronikita, one of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean, offers a glimpse into contemporary history. The rusting remains under the ocean covered with algae give off the sense of secrets untold.

Barbados Garrison, the island’s historic district, offers captivating sights of colonial structures depicting a history that goes back centuries. The George Washington House gives you the chance to see how the first President of the United States once lived when he stayed on the island in 1751.

A trip to Barbados is not complete with a sampling of the local rum. St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean, offers tours of the 350-year old building. Here you can discover how their rum is produced and view artifacts from the time of its establishment.