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From Brazil to Africa

From Brazil to Africa

From $7,210 AUD

Description

Sailing between two continents, we offer you an itinerary rich in contrasts and cultural blending, to discover UNESCO World Heritage treasures. Aboard L’Austral, you will travel from Brazil to Senegal in 17 days, during an exceptional cruise combining cultural discoveries and remarkable natural sites.

You will come aboard at Rio de Janeiro, the colourful and contrasted “cidade maravilhosa”, with its incomparable bay dominated by the Corcovado. Your ship will then call at Paraty, an historic colonial city on the Gold Route, whose well-preserved architectural treasures have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

The programme continues with the discovery of two other essential and charming cities in Brazil, Salvador de Bahia and Recife, before you reach the Fernando de Noronha islands, off the Brazilian coast, a natural paradise that is home to thousands of birds and rich underwater wildlife in its turquoise waters.

L’Austral will then cross the Atlantic as far as the Bijagos Islands for 3 days of expedition. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, these sparsely-inhabited islands are only accessible to a few privileged travellers.

There you will discover a variety of landscapes, ranging from tropical rainforest to savanna and mangroves, exceptional flora and fauna (including sea turtles) and will meet villagers with a unique culture.

This fantastic trip will conclude in Dakar, the bustling capital of Senegal.

Trip Name
From Brazil to Africa
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 This superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral has a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being. A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. Precious materials in smoothing neutral tones are brought to life with splashes of cheerful reds. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht”. Cuisine Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark. Our two restaurants welcome you for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The Gastronomic Restaurant, with a capacity of 268 persons, is situated on Le Liberté Deck and serves you French and international cuisine accompagnied by fine wine. On the Grill Restaurant, you will have the opportuniny to eat outside and enjoy buffet lunch and themed dinner. Life On Board Whether you want to join other guests in the theatre or games area (Wii™ consoles, etc), or relax on your own in a quiet corner of the library, L'Austral has been designed to meet the needs of every guest. Everything has been done to preserve the independence of each guest to suit their personal tastes: lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in partnership with Sothys™, but also more intimate spaces such as the library and internet corner. Comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balcony, are available for families either as triples or as communicating cabins. There is also a games area with Wii™ consoles, children’s menus, and a baby-sitting service. Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please. Fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Sothys™ brand, the Beauty Centre on L'Austral welcomes you for some unforgettable moments of relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser).

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - RIO DE JANEIRO
Famed for its colourful Carnival and now as host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazilメs former capital is dubbed the モCity of Marvelsヤ by locals. You canメt help being astounded by the panorama that opens up to you from the summit of Corcovado, the rocky peak where the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer has stood for nearly a century. In downtown Rio historic monuments such as the National Museum of Fine Arts sit side-by-side with modernistic buildings such as the cathedral of São Sebastião. On the seafront, Atlântica Avenue runs alongside Copacabana Beach; enjoy a birdメs eye view from the cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Day 2 - Day 2 - PARATY
To the South of Rio, you will discover the charming village of Paraty. Bathed in the emerald waters of the Ilha Grande Bay, surrounded by verdant hills and islets, it is one of the jewels of Brazil’s Costa Verde. Here, time seems to have stopped in the time of the conquistadors and their gold-laden galleons. You will love the splendour of Paraty’s heritage — its maze of paved streets, the historic beauty of its colonial houses, its baroque churches. Above all, you will be enchanted by its lively terraces where locals and visitors enjoy grilled fish accompanied by glasses of cachaça. It is, quite simply, a little taste of paradise on Earth!
Day 3 - Days 3 & 4 - AT SEA
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Day 4 - Day 5 - SALVADOR DE BAHIA
One of Brazilメs oldest cities, Salvador de Bahia stands at the entrance to Bahia de Todos os Santos on the countryメs north-east coast. A profusion of pastel-coloured houses adorns this old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The historic Pelourinho quarter is home to sumptuous churches such as São Francisco and richly decorated palaces such as Rio Branco. Make sure you sample local gourmet specialities like those melt-in-the-mouth coconut sweets, Bahia cocadas. Salvador is a cultural melting pot, as youメll see in the arts and crafts stalls of the Mercado Modelo, a short walk from the waterfront.
Day 5 - Day 6 - AT SEA
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Day 6 - Day 7 - RECIFE
Founded in the 16th century, the city of Recife on Brazilメs north-east coast is a vibrant mix of old and new. Stroll around the historic centre to discover elegant pastel-coloured mansions, the Baroque cathedral of São Pedro and the azulejos frescoes in the church of São António, not far from the neoclassical theatre of Santa Isabel. On the waterfront, the long beaches of Pina and Boa Viagem beckon with emerald water and fine sand under shady coconut palms, while modern business blocks rear skyward to form a striking backdrop.
Day 7 - Day 8 - AT SEA
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Day 8 - Day 9 - FERNANDO DE NORONHA
The main island in the archipelago of the same name, Fernando de Noronha lies off Brazilメs north-east coast. Its pristine natural environment has given it UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. In Dolphins Bay, spinner dolphins cavort in pristine waters against a backdrop of luxuriant green hills. You might also see whale sharks and hawksbill turtles. Just next to the port of Santo Antonio, youメll see petrels and albatrosses cruising over deserted beaches. For an insight into the islandメs culture, visit Vila dos Remédios, a seaside village featuring many historic buildings.
Day 9 - Days 10 - 13 - AT SEA
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Day 10 - Day 14 - MAIO ISLAND, BIJAGOS & FORMOSA ISLAND, BIJAGOS
Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Of the 88 islets and islands in the archipelago, only 23 are inhabited. At Maio, still called Chediã, you can meet the Bissagos people and get to know their ancestral ways and customs. In this region, cut off from the rest of the world and secluded from Western influences, youメll discover how locals really live.Throughout its unspoilt, wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, remarkably well protected by local communities. This constellation of islands, bathed by the Atlantic, is home to extremely varied flora and fauna. On Formosa, an island within the protected marine park, you can observe the residents of its crystalline waters and coastal mangroves. Your stopover in Formosa will also introduce you to the Bissagos peoples and their ancestral way of life, in perfect harmony with nature.
Day 11 - Days 15 & 16 - CARAVELA ISLAND, BIJAGOS
Off the west African coast of Guinea-Bissau, the Bissagos archipelago rolls out its 88 islands and islets of black rock and white sand in the heart of the Atlantic. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, this string of islets ᅠhas exceptionally rich land and sea fauna. In the heart of luxuriant nature, youメll enjoy Caravela Islandメs wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, ᅠfascinating men and women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural environment.
Day 12 - Day 17 - DAKAR
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, youメll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. A visit to the island of Gorée is deeply moving; ᅠfor several hundred years this island was the largest slave trading centre on the African coast. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are looking for pristine, unspoilt nature, the wildlife in the heart of Madeleine Islandsメ national park will not disappoint.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$7,760DeLuxe Stateroom
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$13,520Owners Suite
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$12,890Prestige Suite - Deck 6
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$8,210Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$8,690Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$7,210Superior Stateroom
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$12,520Prestige Suite - Deck 5
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$8,450Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
18-03-201803-04-2018AUD$11,630Deluxe Suite

Inclusions

    • UNESCO sites: Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Salvador de Bahia, the Bijagos and Fernando de Noronha islands;
    • Outings and landings in Zodiac® dinghies with naturalists in the Fernando de Noronha islands (subject to authorisation) and in the Bijagos Islands;
    • Visit to traditional villages in the Bijagos;
    • Enthusiastic and knowledgeable conference guides and naturalists;
    • Before or after your cruise, optional visits to Rio de Janeiro, Dakar and Goree Island.

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