Zip through the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea on a jet ski and then relax on a beautiful bayside beach. The adventure will begin in Cavtat, a resort city tucked along a serene crescent-shaped bay in southern Croatia. After a brief orientation on how to maximize your time on the water, you will tear off into the sea on a two-person jet ski. Whether you drive or sit back and relax as a passenger, it will be an exhilarating experience the entire time. The bay is extraordinarily picturesque as numerous islands dot the waterscape, and you will have the opportunity to race through the waters off three of the finest—Mrkan, Bobara and Supetar. These rock-rimmed islands are heavily forested and sparsely populated, making them all the more visually stunning. In time, you will return to Cavtat to enjoy free time on the beach where you picked up your jet ski.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Race through the Adriatic Sea as the driver of a two-person jet ski or as the passenger.
• Zip around several gorgeous islands in a beautiful bay off the resort city of Cavtat.
• Relax on a beach after your exhilarating jet ski adventure.

Start your tour with a short walk to Kotor, which is well-preserved and surrounded by a protective wall built in the Middle Ages. Discover the Renaissance-style 18th-century Prince’s Palace and the striking Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, one of Kotor’s largest and most revered buildings, built in 1166 to honor the patron and protector of the city. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of Kotor’s past as you explore these iconic steppingstones of Montenegrin history. Board your coach and continue along steep slopes to Nevjesta Jadrana venue with the best view of Boka Bay. This is an area of powerful contrasts. To one side towers the cold Montenegrian mountains and opposite them you will find the wealth and mildness of one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The road carries you on to 15th-century Cetinje, once the Montenegrin capital, and Kotor’s medieval fortified Old Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following a route that inspired playwright George Bernard Shaw to wax poetic about its beauty, you’ll understand his enchantment as you pass majestic mountains on one side and a sparkling cerulean bay on the other. In Cetinje, the former center of Montenegrin rule, visit the neoclassical Museum of King Nikola, once a palace and seat of the Montenegrin royal family. Settle in for a captivating ride along the Budva Riviera, a resort area known for its nearly eight miles of sun-drenched beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Discover Kotor’s walled Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• See the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, built in homage to the city’s patron and protector.
• Wend your way along a road so lovely that it inspired playwright George Bernard Shaw.
• Enjoy a snack of local favorites, perhaps savory smoked ham and delicious cheeses.
• Visit Cetinje, named honorary capital of Montenegro in recognition of its past importance.
• Explore the Museum of King Nikola, housed in what was once his palace.
• Travel along the Budva Riviera, a holiday destination renowned for its expansive beaches.
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Conquer Mount Etna via coach, cable car and 4x4 mini-buses on this epic adventure. You’ll agree the vista-filled ascent to Etna’s summit along circuitous roads past charming mountain villages and through barren, rocky landscapes is almost as remarkable as the volcano itself. Arriving at the inactive Silvestri craters, more than 6,000 feet above sea level, you’ll discern numerous remnants of lava streams from previous eruptions coating the craters’ slopes. From your fabulous perch, you’ll revel in seemingly endless vistas of the shimmering Gulf of Catania and the surrounding fertile, volcanic landscape, today protected as the island’s first national park. If you wish, shop for souvenirs before boarding a cable car to the base of the main craters, enjoying sweeping views of the eminent mountain as you ascend. You’ll transfer to specially-outfitted 4x4 mini-buses that will convey you to formidable craters found at a height of over 9,500 feet above sea level. Accompanied by a professional alpine guide, explore the exhilarating volcanic phenomena up close, perhaps opting to take a 20-minute walk to view the most recent lava flow. On this unforgettable tour, allow the unbridled, primal beauty of Mount Etna to stir your soul.

During this very informative excursion you’ll be able to discover the amazing world of volcanoes, walk across solidified lava flows, ascend to volcanic cones, see spectacular craters, lava tunnels, canals and tubes. Los Volcanes Nature Park, together with Timanfaya National Park, are protected areas which represent the recent and historical volcanism of Lanzarote because they are covered by the spectacular eruptions that took place from 1730 to 1736 and in 1824. All the volcanic structures in the area are well preserved due to Lanzarote’s arid climate; the landscape is like a huge open-air museum of volcanology. You’ll learn about the very slow but constant rebirth of life upon the lava. Certainly, an ‘out of this world’ experience for any trekker!

OVERVIEW

Snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Magens Bay, an idyllic spot where sea turtles and other marine animals are frequently spotted. Wealthy financier Arthur Fairchild, who once owned Magens Bay, deeded the property to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the mid-20th century and stipulated how its natural beauty must be sustained. It remains one of the most photogenic and pristine places in the Caribbean as you will discover while snorkeling its typically calm waters and enjoying its crescent-shaped beach. The guide will lead you to areas that green and hawksbill sea turtles inhabit so you can snorkel alongside these graceful swimmers. Greens are the largest of all hard-shelled turtles, while hawksbills are the smallest of the sea turtles. You will also snorkel in another part of the bay known for its stingrays and eagle rays. Afterwards, you will enjoy free time relaxing on the golden sands and perhaps visiting the beach bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for sea turtles while snorkeling the crystal-clear waters of Magens Bay.
• Snorkel another area that stingrays and eagle rays are often seen.
• Spend free time relaxing on the lengthy golden beach that rims Magens Bay.
• Enjoy the scenic drive to and from Magens Bay in an open-top, safari-style vehicle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the Sandwich Harbour area in a 4x4 vehicle that can negotiate vastly different, otherwise inaccessible terrains. As an introduction to the natural wonders, you will first stop at Walvis Lagoon, which attracts a remarkable variety of seabirds and thousands of pink flamingoes. The species that you see will depend on the season, as many of the birds are migratory. You will then travel south through Namib-Naukluft Park, a hauntingly beautiful arid landscape with towering sand dunes. A natural tidal lagoon rims the coast, whose sparse vegetation stabilizes the dunes, which would otherwise shift dramatically. If the tides and ocean swells permit, you will drive to the lagoon along the beach. If not, you will travel entirely across the surrounding dunes, some of which rise more than 200 feet above sea level. Either way, you can expect to see a massive number of water birds, including cormorants, terns and waders.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride in a 4x4 vehicle through protected natural areas that would be inaccessible otherwise.
• View a staggeringly high number of seabirds, including flamingoes in season.
• Drive along the beach that rims remote Sandwich Harbour or across the surrounding sand dunes.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Behold the eerily illuminated interior of the seaside Blue Cave and enjoy the amenities of Fisherman’s Village, an idyllic setting on the Bay of Kotor. Although the bay is considered the southernmost fjord in Europe because of its wild landscape and precipitous cliffs, it is actually a ria as it wasn’t carved by glaciers but rather formed when an ancient river valley flooded. One of its natural highlights is the Blue Cave. The way the sunlight reflects off the sandy bottom of the sea casts a blue hue on the cave’s interior. You will have the chance to swim in the cave’s crystal-clear waters before continuing on to Fisherman’s Village, where you will enjoy even more time for swimming. If you prefer doing nothing more ambitious than basking in the sun, just lie back in a lounger and enjoy. Later, you can linger over a delightful two-course lunch at the beachfront restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the rugged fjord-like scenery as you cruise the Bay of Kotor.
• Swim in the Blue Cave, a natural wonder whose interior boasts an eerie blue hue.
• Relax for hours, swim in the sea and enjoy the serene setting of Fisherman’s Village.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sail onboard a sleek catamaran to a pristine beach on Šipan Island with an additional stop to swim and snorkel at the stunningly beautiful Blue Cave on Koločep Island. The sunlight pours into the cave through a hole in the roof, illuminating the interior and giving the water an otherworldly blue glow. The setting will be absolutely magical as you swim and snorkel inside the cave. The island-hopping adventure will continue as you sail farther northwest to Šipan, a larger island listed in the Guinness World Records for having more olive trees per square foot than any other place on earth. After disembarking at Prijezba Beach, you will enjoy the next few hours doing whatever you please. Feel free to stretch out on a lounger with a welcome cocktail in hand, bask in the sun and take a refreshing swim in the sea. A three-course lunch with wine will follow at the Marko Restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in on a spacious catamaran and sail through the islands northwest of Dubrovnik.
• Swim and snorkel inside the Blue Cave, a seaside grotto with brilliant blue water.
• Relax however you please on Prijezba Beach, a lengthy stretch of sand on Šipan Island.
• Enjoy a traditional Croatian three-course lunch at a restaurant on the island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Savusavu Bay, an area teeming with colorful marine species. You will snorkel not far off shore at Split Rock, an underwater site named for a house-size coral formation that is split right down the middle. Countless fish find shelter in the fissure and most everywhere else as coral covers most of the sea bottom. The water is deep on one side of the reef and shallow on the other, which attracts a huge assortment of marine creatures in every color imaginable. You can expect to see black-and-white sergeant fish, neon-colored parrotfish, elongated trumpet fish and tiny anthias ranging in hues from bright purple to fiery orange. Even the coral is spectacularly diverse as it includes solitary plate coral and bulbous clusters of coral. You may even spot a sea turtle or two gracefully swimming by as hawksbills, leatherbacks and loggerheads all live in these waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the shore of Savusavu Bay to Split Rock, a prime snorkeling spot.
• Observe an ever-changing parade of brightly colored marine species.
• See schools of fish daring in and out of the coral and maybe even a sea turtle.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Indulge your sense of adventure by riding into the gorgeous countryside in an open-air Jeep. Once you reach Ibiza’s southern coast, you will stop briefly at Sa Caleta, a beautiful cove with red cliffs that shelter the horseshoe-shaped beach. The excavated Phoenician settlement there is so impressive that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. As you will discover nearby, seaside Cala Jondal attracts a well-heeled crowd that comes for the trendy boutiques, restaurants and spectacular stretch of sand. Traveling westward will present you with a different perspective of the island that includes a look at Es Vedrà, a high rocky isle off the coast. Upon arriving at the breathtaking beach Cala Comte, you will enjoy free time to swim in the sea, which is so clear that it earned a prestigious Blue Flag for its water quality. As a bonus, you will pause at Ibiza’s highest point to take in the sweeping views.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive around Ibiza in an open-air Jeep that offers unobstructed views of the island.
• See remote coves, an excavated Phoenician settlement and the isle of Es Vedrà.
• Spend free time relaxing in the peaceful beachside setting of Cala Comte.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak off the beautiful southeastern coast of Ibiza and then relax as you please on sheltered Talamanca Beach, where you launched the kayak. Your seaside adventure will begin with an enlightening walk along the shore, during which the guide will describe the vast meadows of Neptune seagrass that you will see growing in the shallow waters. The species – also known as posidonia oceanica – is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and vital to the marine environment as it slows coastal erosion, sequesters carbon, oxygenates the water and regulates sea temperatures. You will get a closer look at this protected, yet endangered plant while kayaking over it. The views will be just as spectacular above the water’s surface as you will paddle past sea caves, pebbly beaches and gorgeous Cap Martinet, perhaps the island’s most affluent residential area. Back on Talamanca Beach, you will be free to enjoy this lengthy stretch of sand at your leisure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about the environmental benefits of the Neptune seagrass that grows off Ibiza.
• See this critically important marine grass while paddling above it in a kayak.
• Behold the coastal beauty of Ibiza as you kayak along its southeastern shore.
• Spend free time enjoying Talamanca Beach following your kayaking adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Delight in an exhilarating off-road journey along the Algarve’s verdant lands, pristine streams and lush mountains and visit a distillery that manufactures bracingly strong brandy. From a rural wonderland on the outskirts of Portimão, you’ll set out in a 4x4 vehicle and explore the verdant Serra de Monchique mountain range, which provides fertile farmland by trapping moisture from the sea. You’ll pass by flourishing fig, almond, orange and carob trees grown on terraced land, a method of crop cultivation used by local farmers since Moorish times.

At higher elevations, you’ll stop to see the stately cork oak tree, which can live for 200 years. You’ll learn how its bark is peeled away every 10 years to harvest cork used for flooring, shoes and bottle stoppers. At a nearby distillery, prepare for the delicious burn of aguardente, or firewater, a potent brandy distilled from ripe strawberries and sweetened with honey, a perfect way to finish a tour that celebrates the fruitful harvests of Portugal’s bountiful land.