Cruise off the western coast of La Palma to an area teeming with dolphins as well as whales. After driving across the island’s interior, you will head out on the Flipper, an open-air double-decker boat that offers uninterrupted views of Atlantic Ocean. More than two dozen species of cetaceans inhabit these waters at different times of the year, so the chance of spotting a variety of these carnivorous aquatic mammals is excellent. The onboard marine biologist with point out and describe the various species as they breach the water’s surface. You may observe easy-to-identify common cetaceans such as the resident bottlenose dolphins and lesser-known, rarer species that may include Gervais’s beaked whales. It all depends on the day. There is also plenty to see along the rugged coastline such as the La Fajana natural pools and Porís de Candelaria, a cluster of modest homes built into a rocky cliff around a sea cave.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Look for dolphins and whales while cruising off the western coast of La Palma.
• Be awed by the spectacle of seeing these aquatic mammals in their natural habitat.
• Hear fascinating commentary about the cetaceans from the onboard marine biologist.
• Pass unexpected coastal attractions such as natural sea pools and sea caves.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable closed or walking shoes.

Explore the west coast of Tenerife, a gorgeous landscape of remote villages and banana plantations. Have privilege views over the fertile Orotava valley from the Humbold viewpoint. Over time, sugarcane, grapes and bananas became the dominant crops, and they are still harvested using traditional techniques. Understand how the crops are cultivated visiting an old hacienda where you can learn firsthand how bananas are grown, a tour in an authentic banana plantation where you can see different varieties of bananas and learn the process before sampling the locally grown bananas and banana liqueur. On the way back to pier, visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island and stop at La Garañona Viewpoint, local´s favorite spot to take in the beauty of the sea and surrounding.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how crops are harvested using traditional methods.
• Learn firsthand how bananas are grown and see different varieties in an authentic plantation.
• Visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island .
• Sample several varieties of bananas and banana liqueur, which attest to the fruit’s diversity.

Become familiar with the agricultural practices of Ecofinca Nogales, an organic farm that grows fruits and vegetables using sustainable methods that respect the environment. While touring the family-operated farm, you will see firsthand how the produce is grown without chemicals that may damage the quality of the soil. Compost tea, livestock manure and plant debris are used as an organic fertilizer that over time improve the fertility of the land. The farm has also optimized its irrigation system to reduce water consumption and meticulously recorded its carbon footprint to see how it might be lessened. As a result, everything grown at Ecofinca Nogales is certified to be ecologically responsible and sustainable. The variety and distinct flavors of the produce may surprise you. During the tasting that follows the guided tour, you may sample Pinkerton avocados, Red Lady papayas and aubergines.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit an organic farm that strictly follows sustainable practices.
• See how the farm’s water consumption and carbon footprint have been reduced.
• Taste a variety of fruits and vegetables grown using traditional, eco-friendly methods.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore Swakopmund’s colonial past during this orientation tour that includes a visit to the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Journey along the scenic coast to the mouth of the Swakop River and find Swakopmund, an enchanting seaside resort that resembles a Bavarian village. You’ll see the town’s colonial past reflected in the early 19th-century art nouveau architecture found on many appealing buildings that have been declared national monuments. Discover the neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the elegant historic Railway Station, which is now the Swakopmund Hotel’s reception area. After passing the town’s historic jetty. Explore the Kristall Gallery, which displays crystals weighing up to 14 tons, and appreciate free time at the Brauhaus Gallery, a town center shopping arcade.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Uncover early 19th-century art nouveau architecture in Swakopmund, a seaside resort town that evokes a Bavarian village.
• See the lovely neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the ornate former Railway Station.
• View the town’s beloved jetty and the Karakulia Weavers, where sheep wool is made into rugs and wall hangings.
• Study crystals up to 14 tons at the Kristall Gallery and browse the shops in the Brauhaus Gallery.
• Observe the Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains, recognized internationally for its environmental importance.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Experience Oman's unique blend of historic and contemporary sites when you visit Nakhl Fort and Springs, the Bait Al Zubair Museum, as well as other city highlights.

A drive along the Batinah Coast takes you to the centuries-old Nakhl Fort, perched on a 200-foot high hilltop with spectacular views of the surrounding oasis. This impressive pre-Islamic fortress was the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during Medieval times, and offers a unique look into Oman's past. You'll then visit Nakhl Springs, a tranquil and picturesque area framed by majestic mountains and a dense green oasis.

Stop for photos at the Zawawi Mosque, Oman's most exquisite mosque and at the splendid Al Alam Palace, which offers scenic vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items and more. You’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel during the day.

A day in Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Discover the historic and religious sites of Muscat, Oman's political, economic and commercial hub, during this half-day tour. A scenic drive takes you through the exclusive Omani residential district of Shati Al Qurum. You’ll visit the Grand Mosque, the largest and most exclusive mosque in Oman, before stopping at the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Continue to Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items, books, photographs, paintings, and maps. Take a drive along Muscat's scenic coastal road, through the charming fishing village of Sidab and on to Muscat's Old Town for a great photo opportunity at the impressive Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. The palace, adorned with Oriental-styled architecture, and strategically positioned between, two Medieval fortresses offers picturesque vistas overlooking Muscat Bay.

Applaud the splendid natural beauty of Southern Africa's western coast during this dolphin and seal cruise on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Short transfer to the Walvis Bay Marina and board an open-air boat for a three-hour cruise in the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon, declared a Wetland of International Importance as it is one of the most significant ecological sites along Southern Africa’s western coast. You’ll learn that the lagoon is well-known for its native bird species and vast array of intra-African and Palaearctic migrants, and find the water is usually very calm yet teeming with avian and marine life. Continue on to Pelican Point, a sand spit separating Walvis Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll likely encounter a large Cape fur seal colony, and watch for schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins that often swim alongside the boat. Keep a sharp lookout for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels, cape gannets, pelicans and cormorants. During your cruise, you’ll savor a delicious repast of fresh oysters, sparkling wine, soft drinks and a selection of open-faced sandwiches, a perfect accompaniment to your outdoor adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Embark an open-air boat for an in-depth exploration of the famed Walvis Bay Lagoon.
• Survey the lagoon’s protected wetland, known for its plethora of avian species and marine life.
• Spy a large colony of Cape fur seals at sandy Pelican Point.
• Thrill to schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins trailing beside your boat.
• Search for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels or cape gannets amid a flurry of countless pelicans and cormorants.
• Relish a tasty meal of fresh oysters, open-faced sandwiches, soft drinks and sparkling wine as you cruise.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Marvel at the stunning, volcanic landscape of southern La Palma, admire breathtaking views from the site of a 17th-century eruption, sample sweet local vintages at the island’s largest wine producer. Continue your tour travelling through lush vineyards and pine forests to the San Antonio volcano, which last erupted in the late 1600s. From the crater’s rim, behold the pretty town of Fuencaliente, which means “hot spring” even though the namesake inspiration was long ago destroyed by volcanic activity, and take in a spectacular view of the Teneguía volcano, which erupted more recently in 1971. At the Bodegas Teneguía, learn about the decadent malvasia grapes, which are allowed to become over-ripe for more sweetness and thrive in soil enriched by volcanic ash and lava. Savor an ambrosial taste of the fruit-saturated, aromatic wine produced in this somewhat unique terroir. You’ll long revel in the joys of this journey through an island inextricably tied to its volcanic past.

Experience the treasures of the Namib Desert during this memorable off-road expedition that includes a stop at the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon. Board your off-road vehicle for a drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which encompasses the Naukluft Mountain Range and part of the Namib, one of the world’s oldest deserts and site of the world’s highest and most vividly colored sand dunes. As you explore the unique plant life and terrain of this arid region, you’ll discover Moon Landscape, a vastly eroded valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface due to the wind’s effect on the rock formations and sand. You’ll proceed to the Welwitschia Valley, where thousands of bizarre welwitschia plants are scattered about. After stopping to view these distinctive specimens as well as a variety of interesting lichens, you’ll continue to a scenic location for a refreshment of orange juice and savory snacks.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See the rugged mountains, shifting dunes and vibrant colors of beguiling Namib-Naukluft National Park.
• Gaze in awe at a lunar-like topography carved out by the wind at Moon Landscape.
• Study the uniquely unattractive welwitschia plant, found only in the Namib Desert.
• Appreciate a relaxing stop for savory snacks and orange juice.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Travel through the breathtaking coast and towering mountains of northern La Palma and visit a luxuriant forest, savor local rum and behold shimmering natural swimming pools. In the quaint town of La Galga, glory in the majestic views from San Bartolo, a marvelous lookout wedged between two deep-cut gorges. Wind through incredible mountains to Los Tilos, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve blanketed by the largest and most pristine laurel forest in the Canary Islands. Keep watch for beautiful indigenous plants such as the orange-blossomed Canary bellflower and striking Strawberry Tree, so named because its edible fruits bring to mind bright strawberries.

Descending toward the coast, you'll pass sprawling banana plantations, important to the local economy, and make a stop at a charming rum distillery. Learn how the delicious spirit is derived from a variety of sugar cane introduced to the island from India in the 15th century, and delight in a sample. You'll thrill to a dazzling cluster of crystal-clear swimming pools in Charco Azul that were formed long ago by lava flows. Enjoy free time to amble along the coast or simply relax and cherish the awe-inspiring scenery, reflecting on the unforgettable natural beauty of the La Palma coast.

Discover Muscat’s exotic souq, palace, mosque and museum, during this scenic half-day tour of the city. Your drive takes you to Muscat's Old Town for a great photo opportunity at the impressive Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. The palace, adorned with Oriental-styled architecture, and strategically positioned between, two Medieval fortresses offers picturesque vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Another photo stop is made the Zawawi Mosque; built by Sheik Zawawi, it is one of Oman's finest.

You’ll visit the Bait Adam Museum, located on the ground-floor of a private home, to view a unique collection of currency, paintings, photographs, guns, and more. Upon arrival, you will be warmly greeted by your host, and offered Arabic coffee and dates. A visit to Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

Uncover the charming history and breath-taking views of La Palma as you visit quaint mountain hamlets, quiet black sandy beaches and astonishing viewpoints. Travel to El Paso, which means “the pass,” a lovely village that lies just south of the awe-inspiring Caldera de Taburiente National Park. During your journey, behold the incredible terrain that, while starkly steep, is filled with fertile valleys dotted with picturesque farms. Driving along the Llano de Las Cuevas plain, observe the majanos, pyramid-shaped piles of stones, and walls constructed by 16th-century colonists as they cleared rocks from the land to prepare it for planting.

Appreciate how the landscape could be rough, beautiful, surprising, and spectacular, while reaching a viewpoint over the most recent volcano of the Island: Tajogaite, It was formed by an 85 days long eruption process that affected the island in 2021. The new volcano has created a new strip of land changing completely the landscape in the Aridane Valley. Next, drive back toward the coast to La Conception viewpoint to take in views of the capital of the Island before reaching the coast to admire the black Sandy beaches of Los Cancajos resort. Have some little time at leisure for a stroll around before reaching the viewpoint of Roque Alto for some breathing panoramic views before returning to pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Journey to enchanting El Paso, a town adjacent to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park
• Gaze at terrain that is ruggedly steep yet filled with fertile valleys boasting scenic farms and forests.
• See the Llano de Las Cuevas plain, where colonists piled stones to make the land arable.
• Explore the Island on a combinations of panoramic drives and easy walks
• See the new volcano that was formed by latest eruptions in 2021

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.