About the cruise
Fly to Jamaica and embark Artemis in lovely Montego Bay. Start your adventure in Grand Turk, capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Bursting with turn-of-the-century Caribbean charm, the Bermudan British colonial architecture interspersed with the colourful, Caribbean-style local dwellings is quite captivating. Cayo Levantado, a tiny island in Samana Bay, is a destination for a day of pure escapism. The sand is white and powdery and the turquoise waters are crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling or swimming. This Island is also called the Bacardi Island because of palm trees, which look like those in the Bacardi ads.[/p]
The largest of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is one of the most easy-going places in the world. If you cannot handle the pace here, try one of Tortola’s sister islands such as Virgin Gorda. With a beach for every day of the year in Antigua – you will be spoilt for choice. Why not call in on the shops, enjoy the tantalising flavours of Antiguan food and visit the historic Nelson’s Dockyard?[/p]
Less developed than many other Caribbean islands, St. Vincent is restful and secluded – except, that is, for the crowded, colourful market at the centre of the capital, Kingstown. Cricket is the national sport, afternoon tea a widely observed tradition and place names oddly familiar. Barbados is the most British Caribbean island, but naturally it also offers all the sun, sand and sea you want.[/p]
Santarem stands at the confluence of the Amazon and Tapajos rivers, some 500 miles from the sea. All around is the infinite rain forest, and with over two million species of plant, animal and bird making their home here, heaven only knows what you might spot. In the heart of the Amazon, Parintins could not be much further off ‘the beaten track’. Here you will find the lifestyle fascinating, the crafts incredible and the people frankly curious.[/p]
Some cities were built on marsh, others on granite. But Manaus was improbably built on rubber. It was the wealth from surrounding plantations that gave rise to this metropolis, a thousand miles up the Amazon. Past splendours include elaborate villas and a stupendous, rococo Opera House that was imported stone by stone from Europe. Spend an overnight in port then disembark for an overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on Sunday 8 March.[/p]