Port Louis to Lisbon Grand Voyage

Antsiranana is a captivating destination in Madagascar, situated at the northern tip of the island, it offers stunning landscapes, including the remarkable Diego Suarez Bay, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Antsiranana’s colonial architecture, vibrant local markets, and warm, welcoming locals add to its charm.

Nosy Be, an island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, is a tropical paradise renowned for its idyllic beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. Often referred to as the "Perfume Island" due to its fragrant plantations of ylang-ylang, vanilla, and coffee, Nosy Be offers a sensory delight for visitors. The island is a hub for water-based activities, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing, especially around the stunning coral reefs of Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve.

Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, is a paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. The main island, Unguja, offers a blend of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Visitors can wander through the narrow streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire its ancient buildings, bustling markets, and historic landmarks like the Sultan's Palace and the Old Fort. Beyond the city, Zanzibar boasts stunning beaches with powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, such as Nungwi, Kendwa, and Paje, perfect for swimming. The island also offers opportunities to explore spice plantations, visit pristine marine parks, and indulge in Swahili cuisine featuring fresh seafood and aromatic spices.

Visiting Mombasa, Kenya, offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. As a historic coastal city, Mombasa boasts ancient architecture, vibrant markets, and a diverse cultural tapestry influenced by African, Arab, and European traditions.

Visiting Mombasa, Kenya, offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. As a historic coastal city, Mombasa boasts ancient architecture, vibrant markets, and a diverse cultural tapestry influenced by African, Arab, and European traditions.

Port Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, is a charming coastal hub that encapsulates the essence of island life. Nestled on the northeastern coast of Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, Port Victoria is characterized by its colorful Creole architecture, bustling markets, and picturesque harbor dotted with fishing boats and luxury yachts.

La Digue Island is an island like no other. It is the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles, but the tranquillity will make it feel like you’re the only one there.The stunning surroundings should be soaked up from cycling through the vanilla plantations to lying on the white-sandy beaches, your time on La Digue should be cherished.There is a little more to do on La Digue compared to the smaller, uninhabited islands where you can enjoy full moon tours, surfing and snorkelling with a local.

Praslin Island, the second-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, is a tropical paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, lush forests, and unique natural attractions. The island's laid-back vibe, charming villages, and Creole culture add to its allure, making Praslin an unforgettable destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty in the Seychelles.

Pointe des Galets, located on the island of Réunion, is a vibrant destination known for its bustling port and diverse cultural influences. As the main port town of Réunion, it serves as a gateway to the island’s landscapes, including volcanic peaks, lush forests, and beautiful beaches.

A quaint, welcoming town, Richards Bay is one of the main gateways to the vast interior African region famous for some of the most breathtaking scenery and exotic wildlife on Earth.

Known as “the Asian Capital of South Africa”, Durban is city on the Indian Ocean where Zulu, Indian, and European cultures thrive against the backdrop of golden sand beaches, majestic mountain ranges, and plunging valleys.

Lovingly referred to as “The Friendly City,” Port Elizabeth is home to beautiful beaches, world-class restaurants, and the densest population of elephants in the world.

With one of the world’s most pleasant climates, Mossel Bay is a true treasure found on South Africa’s Garden Route. Bounded by lush natural beauty, it’s beloved for its beachy atmosphere and renowned for its connection to early human life.

Stunning mountainscapes and miles of coast meet world-renowned restaurants and award-winning vineyards in cosmopolitan Cape Town.

Stunning mountainscapes and miles of coast meet world-renowned restaurants and award-winning vineyards in cosmopolitan Cape Town.

Between the windswept South Atlantic shore and the vast Namib Desert, explore a quaint, colorful fishing village home to a fascinating industrial and colonial history.

Below crystal clear skies and surrounded by huge, golden dunes, African wildlife, a huge, beautiful lagoon, and an adventurous culture await you in Walvis Bay.

Below crystal clear skies and surrounded by huge, golden dunes, African wildlife, a huge, beautiful lagoon, and an adventurous culture await you in Walvis Bay.

To visit Luanda is to witness the inhabitants of Angola rebuild a great city with their newly-acquired wealth. The sense of pride and confidence is overwhelming, and is demonstrated by the city’s new highways and skyscrapers, and by the wildlife and habitat rehabilitation programmes being carried out by the conservation authorities. The modern city of Luanda was founded in 1575 by Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, and soon became a centre for trade between Portugal’s African colonies and Brazil. Apart from a short period of Dutch occupation, Luanda was under Portuguese rule until 1974. In the four decades since independence, Angola has become a peaceful and increasingly prosperous country, rich in diamonds and Africa’s second largest oil producer: many international companies now have head offices in Luanda. Please note: Owing to the destruction caused to the country’s infrastructure during the civil war that ended in 2002, Angola lost much of its ability to produce and distribute food: the resulting heavy import duties and high taxes have driven up the cost of goods and services, making Luanda one of the world’s most expensive cities. The price of excursions in this port reflects the prevailing local conditions.

São Tomé seems to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific. The atmosphere here is palpably luxury and it is an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea, air and fantastically abundant vegetation. São Tomé and Príncipe is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about 87 miles (140 kilometres) apart and about 155 and 140 miles (250 and 225 kilometres), respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon. Both islands are part of an extinct volcanic mountain range. São Tomé, the sizable southern island, is situated just north of the equator. It was named in honour of Saint Thomas by Portuguese explorers who happened to arrive at the island on his feast day. São Toméan culture is a mixture of African and Portuguese influences. São Toméans are known for ússua and socopé rhythms, while Principe is home to the dêxa beat. Portuguese ballroom dancing may have played an integral part in the development of these rhythms and their associated dances. Tchiloli is a musical dance performance that tells a dramatic story. The danço-congo is similarly a combination of music, dance and theatre.

Ghana's fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial centre. People from around the world visit the shore, both for its beauty and to enjoy the fresh seafood served right on the sands. Frantic city life awaits a short distance inland, where an economy fuelled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze of vendors at Market Circle.

Three hours south of Yamoussoukro, nestled in between the canals and waterways, lies Abidjan the economic capital of the Ivory Coast. Considered the crossroads of West Africa both economically and culturally, Abidjan benefits from clement temperatures year round, reaching average highs of around 88˚ Fahrenheit, or 30˚ Celsius. Like much of West Africa, this city has cachet and soul, and enjoys a diversity of cultures, traditions and people, notably through the French influence, but also through the steady stream of tourists that make the city both vibrant and cosmopolitan. Although its reputation was tarnished during the civil war in 2011, Abidjan held firm and has blossomed into a stunning coastal city, ripe for exploration.

Start your Expedition Cruise in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, located in the south of Santiago Island. You can explore its old centre overlooking the ocean and its historical buildings with transom windows. In the old quarter, you can also learn about the diversity of the archipelago’s cultural origins in the Ethnographic Museum. To finish your day, head to the harbour to visit the Diogo Gomes statue, paying homage to the man who discovered the archipelago in 1460.

With its variety of landscapes, climates, and attractions, Gran Canaria is sometimes referred to as a “Miniature Continent”. The south features sunny resort communities, the bird sanctuary of Palmisos Park, and Maspalomas (renowned for its beaches, sand dunes, and lighthouse), while the east has the fishing village of Puerto de Mogan, otherwise known as “Little Venice” due to its many canals.

One of the lesser known of Spain's Canary Islands, La Gomera is relatively untouched by tourism, yet those who do visit are drawn to its indescribable beauty, steady pace, lush landscapes and volcanic backdrop.

A notoriously festive destination, Tenerife is the biggest, most well-known of Spain’s Canary Islands, and is characterized by a rugged coastline and miles of beaches, popular for kite surfing and swimming.

Lanzarote’s most famous feature is its landscape, born of hundreds of fire-breathing peaks, and while the last eruption was in 1824, you can still feel the heat under the surface at Timanfaya National Park.

The gateway to Morocco’s exotic interior and the Imperial Cities of Rabat and Marrakech, Casablanca is a modern city swathed in rich history and vintage romance. An important trading center, Casablanca has passed though many hands as a colonial stronghold for the Romans, Portuguese, and French, absorbing these influences while maintaining its position as the economic heart of the country into its modern independence.

Tangier can trace its origins back to the Phoenicians and ancient Greeks. It was named after Tinge, the mother of Hercules’ son, and its beginnings are embedded in mythology. It was subsequently a Roman province, and after Vandal and Byzantine influences, was occupied by the Arabs with Spain, Portugal, France and England also playing a part in the city’s history. With such a diverse past it is perhaps not surprising that Tangier is such an individual city. Overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar, the city lies on a bay between two promontories. With its old Kasbah, panoramic views, elegant buildings, squares and places of interest, there is much to discover in both the new and old parts of the city.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians; today it’s renowned for an active culture of festivals, art and fashion.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians; today it’s renowned for an active culture of festivals, art and fashion.