In the economic hub of Belém, known as “The City of Mango Trees,” a cultural center is filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Along the quay, fishing boats and canoes line up as they unload their wares, from ceramics to herbs and acai berries. Through the historic district, Mercado Ver-o-Peso emerges, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. A day at Mangal das Garças, a zoo and botanical garden, features exciting flora and fauna, including an aviary with exotic birds, giant iguanas, and a butterfly house. This port allows for a day trip to Ilha do Combú, an island filled with natural wonders and known locally as the land of cacao.

One of the most highly sought-after experiences is crossing the equator. Those who have sailed through the middle of the Earth hold special bragging rights and a spectacular story to tell upon returning home. Approaching the equator means entering King Neptune's territory. Mettle is tested to deem worthiness of entering his realm. This is the storyline for the Equator Crossing ceremony. Initiation varies from one expedition to the next, but a common thread runs through. Guests and crew partake in a pageant to mark the auspicious moment of crossing the equator line.

Winding through the equatorial forest, the Breves Narrows channel reveals lush scenes of exotic flora and fauna in South America. Home to the Thousand Islands, navigation through this region goes through the heart of the jungle. Sightings of indigenous people who dwell there are possible, adding to the expedition's spectacular experience.

Spend the day on the high seas pampering at the spa or enjoying time on deck. Mingle with fellow explorers, swapping stories of exploits, and making plans for new adventures upon reaching shore.

Devil’s Island, its true name Cayenne, is a penal colony of French Guiana with a haunted history. Crumbled remains of a prison opened in 1852 and shut down in 1953 lie here. Infamous for housing French political prisoners, it served as the backdrop for the 1973 action-thriller film Papillon. Nestled among palm trees and a tropical setting hides a turbulent past truth.

Due to strong currents, access to Devil’s Island is only by Zodiac. On arrival, visitors can roam among ruins, gazing at fallen walls that once housed prisoners like Captain Alfred Dreyfus. A quietness befalls this uninhabited island laden with troubled history.
As wind rustles through palm trees and the island's remains are traversed, an eerie calm of isolation is sensed. Moss and vines over buildings make history seem distant, though it ended within the last century.

Walking through corridors leading to former prison cells, rustling winds and distant animal sounds accompany. A solemn air pervades until stepping back into warm sunlight, away from palm shade.
 

Spend the day on the high seas pampering at the spa or enjoying time on deck. Mingle with fellow explorers, swapping stories of exploits, and making plans for new adventures upon reaching shore.

The sleepy fishing village of Charlotteville offers tropical Caribbean expedition charms with the remote feel of small-town living, away from mainstream tourism. On the northeast tip of Tobago along Man-o-War Bay, the quiet, beachside getaway provides blue waters and palm trees desired, with fewer crowds.

Tobago’s pirate history calls out to adventurers. Explorers can climb down stone steps leading into Pirates’ Bay cove, where Black Beard, Henry Morgan, and Captain Finn once based escapades. Legend has their treasure buried under sands.

For a secluded experience, visit Lover’s Beach strip, accessible by boat. Pink sands sparkle in the sun, shoreline of crushed seashells, and lush green cliffs create a romantic bay.

A short walk from Charlotteville lies historic Fort Campbellton. Cannons atop the old fort point toward Man-o-War Bay, leading to a mesmerizing landscape. From this vantage point, sight of surrounding mountains and sandy beaches below is breathtaking.

Tobago’s beaches offer local bars and restaurants, serving fresh catch of the day dishes due to fishing being the island’s main industry. Fresh seafood plates await wherever you roam in Charlotteville.

 

Situated in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines evoke idyllic island living in a lesser-explored destination. Among these islands, Mayreau stands out as the most remote and smallest of the Grenadines. Notably, Salt Whistle Bay, an unspoiled beach shielded from rough Atlantic waves by a strip of land extending into the ocean, is a highlight. This creates a perfect setting for a serene day, enjoying the sun's rays and a craft cocktail. Revel in a beach party along its immaculate shores, basking in the sun's warmth all day long.

The historic capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, showcases colonial architecture portraying the British Empire's expansion. Barbados Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features old buildings embodying the island's intriguing history and growth. Along Carlisle Bay's southwest coast, beautiful and serene beach scenes with soft, white sand await. An enticing destination, it boasts ancient shipwrecks for diving and exploration near the coast, including the S.S. Stavronikita, a top Caribbean dive site. A trip to Barbados remains incomplete without sampling local rum at St. Nicholas Abbey, among the Caribbean's oldest distilleries.