Jan 8 - Apr 29, 2024
Thank you
Your trip has been shared
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
DATES & PRICES
| Ship Inside | Ship Out | Ship Balc |
|---|---|---|
DATES & PRICES
| Ship Inside | Ship Out | Ship Balc |
|---|---|---|
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: After hotel check-in, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. In our private meeting room, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review Covid-19 protocols and will adhere to local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops are subject to change as weather and ocean conditions could affect the progress of the vessel. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time in each port is set by the cruise line. The cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice. The Road Scholar educational program consists of lectures and presentations exclusively for our group as well as educational field trips selected by Road Scholar from among the ship’s shore excursions. These Road Scholar expert-led field trips, included in the cost of the program, will typically be for the members of our group aboard our own designated vehicles (depending on group size). We’re still putting the finishing touches on this program’s lectures and expert-led field trips ashore, but you will be sent full itinerary details as soon as they become available. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In the event of any significant changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down; driving about 7 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; mainly flat terrain, steps at field trip sites.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board a motorcoach for a field trip to St. Paul’s Cathedral, an unmissable silhouette on the London skyline and often considered to be Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece. It has been standing in its current form since 1711 and its tranquil interior is majestic in its Baroque splendor. Our Group Leader will take us through its turbulent and fascinating history as we explore its magnificent three-domed structure.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions for local cafés, pubs, and restaurants.
Afternoon: Next, we will ride to Westminster Abbey. Raised from the foundations of several previous churches on this site, the Abbey as we see it today was first begun in 1245 by Henry III and was granted cathedral status by Henry VIII in 1540. It is perhaps best known worldwide as the site of coronations, numerous royal weddings, and the funeral of Princess Diana.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and embarkation tomorrow.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down; driving about 85 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Boarding Queen Mary 2.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will check out of the hotel and board a motorcoach for the two-hour ride to Southampton, where we will embark the Queen Mary 2, our home for the next 102 days! Upon arrival, we will complete embarkation procedures.
Lunch: Late aboard ship.
Afternoon: We will have some time to unpack and begin to familiarize ourselves with the ship. We will participate with everyone on board in the ship’s muster drill when announced and proceed to our assigned muster stations.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: The Road Scholar educational program consists of lectures and presentations exclusively for our group as well as designated field trips selected by Road Scholar from among the ship’s shore excursions. Road Scholar field trips will typically be for the members of our group aboard our own vehicles. There will also be occasions when Road Scholars will join other QM2 passengers for shore excursions.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the ship’s daily program for a list of activities.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, we will gather for a Road Scholar exclusive cocktail party.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Lisbon, Portugal, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to late afternoon.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; uneven terrain including steps without railings and cobblestones; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: While these lands have been inhabited since the Paleolothic era, the nation of Portugal takes its name from an ancient settlement — Portus Cale — near the mouth of the River Douro. Lisbon is one of the oldest and most vibrant cities in the world, known to the Romans as Olisipo. It became the national capital in 1298. By motorcoach, we take in the most important monuments of the Portuguese capital. We pause to admire the Belém Tower, a gorgeous defensive tower that sits on the Rio Tejo like an enormous white wedding cake, and the Monument to Discoveries. This marks where the Portuguese navigators left on their "discovery" of India. We continue with a visit to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, where Vasco da Gama and renowned 16th-century poet Luís Vaz de Camões are buried. We end our morning visiting downtown Lisbon, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Lisbon or on board or continue the discovery of Lisbon with a guided visit to the old decorative art of ceramic tiles at the Portuguese National Tiles Museum and a walk through Alfama, the city oldest quarter, with narrow streets and crooked lanes steeped in history.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Tenerife, Spain tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to late afternoon.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will depart for a brief panoramic visit of the port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. We then head to the nearby town of La Laguna - a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique Canarian architecture, which would later be imitated by many countries in the "New World". We will have a short walking visit of the town with our local experts.
Lunch: We travel by motorcoach to the Anaga Natural Park where we will enjoy some traditional local produce with a glass of wine from the region.
Afternoon: We will continue through the Anaga Biosphere, ascending over 3000 feet (960 metres) to the Pico del Ingles viewpoint - from where on a clear day it's possible to see Spain's highest point, and active volcano, Mount Teide. We will continue on through the island's most important sub-tropical Laurisilva (Laurel Forest), as we discover rare woodlands dating from the Tertiary Period. Finally we will stop at the fishing village of San Andrés - where we will learn how in the 1970s sand from the Sahara desert was used to create the Las Teresitas beach.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our new lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Walvis Bay, Namibia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: After disembarking our ship in Walvis Bay, Namibia, we will board our motorcoach for the 45-minute drive to a Topnaar community southeast of Walvis Bay near Rooibank. Here, we will be joined by a local specialist who will provide more information on the Topnaar. The Topnaar are an offshoot of the Khoi Khoi peoples who used to be found from the Western Cape in South Africa all the way up to Walvis Bay (also used to be known as Strandlopers, or “Beach walkers”), and are one of the rare communities that still maintain a unique way of life that is distinguishable from the neighboring populations. The community that we will visit live along the Kuiseb River and make a living harvesting the !Naras melons that grow there. Our visit with the Topnaar will be interactive, allowing us the opportunity to meet community members, learn about their cultural history, as well as observing their traditional activities such as harvesting !Naras. Light snacks and refreshments will be available on site. Midday, we will return to the ship in time for a late lunch.
Lunch: Late lunch aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Walvis Bay or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Port Elizabeth, South Africa, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We’ll be met early this morning at Port Elizabeth harbor by our local specialist for a drive through the city en-route to Addo Elephant National Park. Commonly referred to as “The Windy City,” Port Elizabeth was founded in 1820 and is the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We’ll continue to the Addo Elephant National Park, where we will trade the motorcoach for open-air 4x4 vehicles and embark on a morning safari drive. Each safari vehicle will have its own safari specialist who provides commentary on the animals seen during the drive. Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest national park in South Africa, and where we may spot elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, antelope, warthog or zebra among the numerous bird, reptile, and amphibious species. Our game drive will last for approximately 2 hours, after which we will have the midday at leisure in the park.
Lunch: At a local restaurant located in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Afternoon: This afternoon we will participate in another game drive with our experienced local rangers who will educate us on the ongoing conservation efforts of the Addo Elephant National Park in addition to taking us to some of the most likely spots to witness the local wildlife. In the late afternoon, we will reboard our motorcoach and head back to Port Elizabeth to rejoin our ship and continue our journey.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Cape Town, South Africa, tomorrow when the ship will arrive early morning and stay overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will be met by our local Cape Town specialist and board our motorcoach for the drive to Table Mountain. At Table Mountain, we will ascend the steep granite slopes by cable car (weather permitting), allowing us splendid views of the city and peninsula; it is perhaps one of the most magnificent views in the southern hemisphere. After descending in the cable car, we will embark on an exploration of the city with our local specialist. Sites we will visit include: the Bo Kaap, a colorful and predominantly Muslim neighborhood; the Company Gardens, a lovely garden in the heart of city center that is surrounded by the Houses of Parliament; the Anglican Cathedral of South Africa, where Desmond Tutu was bishop; Greenmarket Square, an historic and vibrant meeting place in the business district; the Castle of Good Hope, a former fort that is the oldest building in South Africa; and District Six, which serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of apartheid. The District Six museum contains exhibits that invite a very visual and interactive understanding of what life was like in the area, and of apartheid’s impacts on the residents in the neighborhood. We will return to the ship for lunch on board.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Cape Town or enjoy the activities onboard.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: By motorcoach, we will depart the harbor toward Cape Point via the coastal route passing through South Africa’s famous beach resort town of Camps Bay, past the Twelve Apostle Range, through Hout Bay, and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads to be found in Africa, finally arriving at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point, the southwestern-most point of the African continent, is one of the world’s most beautiful places – a stretch of rocky mountain jutting southward into the sea. We will board the Flying Dutchman funicular, which will bring us up to a viewpoint walkway on the peak, the lower station; the upper station, where the lighthouse is located, is accessible by stairs from here. At Cape Point we will find a myriad of pristine beaches, sheltered bays and coves, as well as a rich array of indigenous flora. The fynbos reserve (a unique vegetation type of the Cape Floral Kingdom) is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species. Whales (dependent on season), penguins and seals may be spotted from this point.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, we will continue to Boulders Beach to view the resident African penguin colony. Our local specialist will lead us to the beach, which is nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon's Town and Cape Point, and introduce us to the penguins. In the late afternoon, we will return to the ship with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Durban, South Africa, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will be met at the Durban harbor by a local specialist to partake in an exploration by motorcoach of Durban en-route to the Natal Midlands. Among the many sites, we will see: the Golden Mile, a popular stretch of beachfront and accompanying promenade that is a well-known surfer’s haven; the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a host stadium of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; the Durban City Hall, a beautiful Neo-Baroque building dating back to 1910 and home to the Natural Science Museum; and the Botanical Gardens, Durban’s oldest public institution dating back to 1849 as well as being Africa’s oldest surviving botanical garden.We’ll then continue on to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in the Natal Midlands, where the famous activist was arrested after having eluded authorities for more than 17 months. Here, a local specialist will join us for a walk through the visitor center’s museum as well as the well-known shifting sculpture, while providing more information about Nelson Mandela and his role in the fight against apartheid. From the Mandela Capture Site, we will reboard our motorcoach for the drive to our lunch venue.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Following lunch, we’ll continue our day with a historical talk by a local expert - on Gandhi’s history in South Africa. Following the conclusion of the lecture, we’ll reboard our motorcoach and return to Durban harbor to reboard our ship and prepare for dinner this evening.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Le Port, Reunion tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning leaving the pier, we will head to the Northern Coast of Reunion Island by the seashore road. We will cross the capital of St Denis taking the Eastern direction towards Ste Marie and Ste Suzanne. Arriving in St André, we will discover a vanilla plantation and learn about the history and the culture of this precious orchid which is an integral part of the past and of the heritage of the island. After the visit, we will take the road leading to the Cirque. Salazie is a long, deep, sheer-walled canyon full of twisted hills and valleys, and waterfalls tumble down the rocks on every side. Although the cirque is generally swathed in mist and cloud, the most breathtaking sites of this cirque is the towering waterfall known as “Le Voile de la Mariée”.
Lunch: After a photo stop, we will head to the picturesque creole village of Hellbourg where we will have a local lunch.The creole lunch will allow us to taste the famous vegetable called “chouchou”, largely cultivated in the Cirque.
Afternoon: On the way back, we will stop in St. Denis for an orientation drive. Passing by the Hindu temples and the Christian Cathedral we will make a short stop at the State Garden or Jardin de L’ etat, boasting one of the most interesting botanical collections in the Indian Ocean before returning to the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Port Louis, Mauritius tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: In the morning we will head out to explore Pamplemousses. In 1735 the French Govenor Francois Mahe de Labourdonna broke ground in the district of Pamplemousses near Port Louis to create a garden for his family. The garden he began now houses more than 650 varieties of plant including the famous giant Victoria amazonica water lilies, which form the centrepiece of the gardens splendid pond, and 80 different varieties of palm trees. It also houses the funeral shrine of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, ‘the father of the nation’ and the island’s first prime minister. A visit to the central market will conclude our field trip before returning to the ship for lunch.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: In the afternoon we will head out again on a drive to Moka, where we will visit the 19th century Eureka Colonial House, one of the oldest colonial houses on the island. Enjoy a guided exploration of the house with its authentic antique furniture, which provides an interesting glimpse into colonial life. We will enjoy refreshments on the terrace with a view the peaceful garden before proceeding up the hill to the church of Marie Reine de la Paix, where Pope John Paul II officiated his first mass on the island in 1989. Return to the ship for dinner.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Fremantle, Australia, when the ship will be in port from early morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: From the historic port town of Fremantle, today we explore Perth, the capital of the state of Western Australia. Delightfully dissected by the Swan River, the city enjoys many scenic surf beaches and well-kept parklands including centrally-located Kings Park where native wildflowers flourish. We will transfer on our motorcoach in to Perth and head first to Kings Park. Here we have an expert-led exploration of the gardens that offer wonderful views over the city. We then visit the Bell Tower set in parkland beside the Swan River. Here we learn about the history of this historic Ring of Bells and the techniques required to make them ring. We will return to the ship docked in Fremantle for lunch.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: After lunch we have a stroll in Fremantle with our local guide introducing us to the history and lifestyle of this sought-after beachside suburb. You will gain an understanding as to why the city is considered the best-preserved example of a 19th century port street scape in the world. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure in Fremantle allowing you the chance to return to the ship when you feel so inclined.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our new lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Adelaide, Australia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today we explore Adelaide, the capital of the state of South Australia. The city was named for Queen Adelaide at the command of her husband, King William IV, and is the only freely-settled colony of Australia. Its people have embraced multiculturalism, providing a cohesive society on which to build the State. The draft of the Australian Constitution was prepared in South Australia, in the ballroom of St. Mark’s College’s Downer House. This morning we will board our motorcoach and have an orientation to Adelaide. From Mount Lofty, we gain an understanding of Adelaide's layout and surroundings. We then head out in to the wine country that surrounds the city. We travel through the stunning landscape en route to a local winery.
Lunch: At a local winery followed by a wine tasting where a resident expert introduces us to the typical flavors of South Australia.
Afternoon: We return to Adelaide and head to the Museum of South Australia. The Museum is home to the world's largest collection of Aboriginal artifacts. Here we will have an expert-led visit. We board our coach and return to the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Melbourne, Australia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today we explore Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city (thought to be on course to potentially overtake the population of Sydney) and the capital of the state of Victoria. As well as being an arty and cultural city, full of museums, galleries and great restaurants, it also has a reputation as the country's sporting capital playing host to iconic sporting events such as the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament and the Australian F1 Grand Prix. This morning's field trip will focus on Aboriginal art in Australia. We will visit the National Gallery of Victoria's Australian collection, housed in the intriguing buildings that make up Melbourne's Federation Square. Here, a local art historian and author will introduce us to the Gallery's wonderful collection of Aboriginal and wider Australian art.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch we will join a local expert for a walking exploration through some of Melbourne's famously funky laneways. As we wander through the back streets and laneways, we will gain an understanding of how liveable Melbourne is and how the city interacts with its river. We conclude our exploration at the Melbourne Skydeck, on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, where the expansive views will give us an understanding of the city’s layout and allow us to track where we have walked. We reboard our coach and transfer back to the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will continue our exploration of Melbourne. During the gold era Melbourne possessed great wealth and many of the city’s fine buildings were built during this period of prosperity. Its magnificent streetscapes and extensive parks and gardens provide an ideal setting for its many elegant buildings. In the past Melbourne was a larger business center and city than Sydney and today the two cities continue a [mostly] friendly rivalry. Both are cosmopolitan and multi-cultural and Melbourne has many strong ethnic communities from three major periods of migration including: Chinese and German (after the gold rushes), Italian, Greek, southern European (post-World War II) and, more recently, Asian. Melbourne is reputed to have the largest Greek population of any city outside Greece.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: After lunch we will have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore Melbourne at leisure or enjoy the activities aboard the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Sydney, Australia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning and overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today we begin our exploration of Sydney, Australia's largest city and the capital of the state of New South Wales. The city is renowned for its stunning harbour and the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. This morning we will we take our motorcoach across Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo, located on the north shore, with delightful views across the harbour to the city. Here we will begin our study of Australian fauna. As well as meeting kangaroos, koalas and wallabies — and hoping for a glimpse of the rather more elusive wombat, echidna, and platypus — we will have a lecture from one of the keepers introducing some of Australia’s more challenging inhabitants.
Lunch: At Taronga Park Zoo, we will have a picnic lunch.
Afternoon: Next, we will take a ferry back across Sydney Harbour to Circular Quay. We will walk around the Quay to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, where we will have an expert-led exploration of this truly wonderful, iconic building, a masterpiece of late modern architecture. Exactly which areas of the Opera House we see will depend upon what performances and rehearsals are taking place at the time. There are five main performance spaces at the Sydney Opera House — the Concert Hall, the Dame Joan Sutherland Theatre (formerly the Opera Theatre), the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse and the Studio — and the availability of these spaces open to visits changes from day to day. We then transfer back to the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Beginning this morning at the base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, led by our local expert, we will have a walking exploration of The Rocks area giving us insights into Sydney’s colonial past. The Rocks was the area of Sydney first settled by the British and it has a fascinating history and wonderful sandstone buildings. We will have time on our own to explore The Rocks market before we then board our coach to visit Sydney's sought-after eastern suburbs and South Head en route to the renowned beach-side suburb of Bondi
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch we return to the ship and have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore Sydney at leisure or enjoy the activities aboard the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Yorkeys Knob, Australia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Yorkeys Knob is the most central beach of Cairns Northern Beaches located right in between Cairns and Palm Cove. We will head off to the Great Barrier Reef this morning.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: We will have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore Yorkeys Knob at leisure or enjoy the activities aboard the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Darwin, Australia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning, we will transfer from the ship to explore Darwin. We will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and learn how aircraft and technology are used to deliver medical services in the huge distances of centraland northern Australia. Founded in 1928, the RFDS is now one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of nearly 3 million square miles. While in the city, we will also visit the Defence of Darwin exhibition. Here we learn about the bombing of Darwin during World War II. We will gain an understanding of the impact of the war on Darwin and its inhabitants, both civilian and military. We will return to the ship in time for lunch
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Darwin or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Bitung, Indonesia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to early evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning, we will transfer from the ship to explore the Minahasa people & culture. We will first stop to visit Waruga, the ancient cemetary of the Minahasa Tribe. We will then take a motorcoach to a local village where we will enjoy a cultural performance of local music & dance.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Next we will drive to Linow Lake to take in the beauty of this volcanic lake that changes colors often ranging from red, dark green, or dark blue due to the changing chemical composition of the water. Please note that you will smell sulfur when visiting the lake, this is from a volcanic eruption that happened hundreds of years ago. We will then head back to port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Hong Kong, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning and staying overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will ride the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong’s Central District. Even after 100 years, this ferry remains an important commuter link from Kowloon to Hong Kong island. The eight-minute crossing provides spectacular 360 degree views of Hong Kong’s magnificent harbor. We will then drive to the base of Victoria Peak and take the funicular up the highest mountain on the island where spectacular views stretch across gleaming skyscrapers to the blue harbor beyond. Next, we will visit the charming Aberdeen Fishing Village, home to the boat dwelling Tanka people. We will learn more about the Tankas, who have traditionally lived on junks in Southern China during our short cruise of Aberdeen Harbor on a traditional sampan.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: At the colorful and dynamic Hong Kong History Museum, we will learn about the unique origins of this beautiful city – from the history of its original inhabitants and colonial past to its present-day status as a distinctively international port and financial center.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will continue our exploration of Hong Kong. This city of about 7.5 million people consists of Hong Kong Island, originally ceded by China to Great Britain in 1842, the southern part of the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Hong Kong or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Chan May, Vietnam, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles, walking on uneven ground; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will depart for Hue, Vietnam. The city is home to the eclectic and mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam, revealing fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. We will first visit the impressive Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. Next, we will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, it is the tallest and most important pagoda in Vietnam. The pagoda dates back to 1601 and sits on a hill where a woman once proclaimed that a Lord would build a temple on this site.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Following your meal hop aboard a cyclo (modern day rickshaw) where you will see the daily life of the city inhabitants. Later this afternoon, we will visit the Mausoleum of former emperor Khai Dinh which is located on the side of a mountain near Hue. This monument was built in traditional Vietnamese design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Vietnam.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Nha Trang, Vietnam tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to afternoon.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Getting on/off local small boats. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: After meeting our guide at the pier, we will drive into Nha Trang where we will reach the harbor to take a boat trip up the Cai River. During the river cruise we will see a boatyard where typical fishing boats are made. We will stop and visit a family who makes traditional clay stoves and then visit a colorful local market.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: This afternoon we will visit the Po Nagar Temple Tower which was built in the 8th century. The temple is located on Mount Cu Lao which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. This unique structure is a symbol of Hindu Champa culture. The tower was named in honor of a princess who introduced her people to weaving and wet rice cultivation. Today the tower remains a place of worship for many. Next is a stop at the Xom Bong Bridge where former Cham spiritual mediums used to live. Today you can admire the colorful local fishing boats in the river below. Then we come to Long Son Pagoda with the huge statute of Buddha, founded in the late 19th century. If you are up to the challenge, you can climb the 152 stone steps leading to the giant white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. There are wonderful views over the whole city from this spot. Our last stop we will visit the Dam Market for shopping and learn about the market culture of the Vietnamese people. We will stroll amongst thousands of locals who are purchasing their daily food, clothes and more. We will see fruit, vegetables and seafood, plus local Nha Trang specialties such as dried seahorses and lizards.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Phu My, Vietnam tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to evening.
Activity note: The journey from the port of Phu My to Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 80 miles (90 minutes) each way.Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will meet our local expert dockside at the Phu My Port and begin a city exploration of vibrant Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), including the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighter's tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: This afternoon we will discover the Old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Return to the ship for dinner.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Singapore tomorrow morning when the ship will be in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Our morning journey begins with a visit to Singapore’s UNESCO Heritage site – The Botanical Gardens where we will see where the first rubber tree was planted that started the Rubber Boom in the late 19th century. We will also discover the National Orchid Garden Enclosure and then head towards the civic district with a visit to Merlion Park. From here we will walk towards the Old Singapore Parliament House which is known today as the Art House for a visit. We will pass by Victoria Memorial Hall and Theatre and Raffles Landing site along the Singapore river. Our final stop will be the Singapore History Museum to discover one of the best kept secrets, a bronze bell donated to Singapore by the daughter of famous American Patriot Paul Revere, Marie Revere who lived and died in Singapore.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will head to the Urban Renewal Authority Gallery to learn about Singapore’s development.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today is about discovering a new hybrid culture. Arriving at Fort Canning Spice Garden we take a little walk to learn about the different spices used in Peranakan cooking like nutmeg, Assam Gulagor, tamarind, cinnamon, pepper and more that influence the Peranakan cooking. After which we will rejoin the coach and depart for Joo Chiat location, passing the colourful heritage Peranakan houses located in the Joo Chiat area. We will then visit a famous Peranakan Deli for a Peranakan experience and enjoy a talk on Peranakan culture and fashion. The highlight of our discovery is visiting a traditional Peranakan Home to see how the Perankans live.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Singapore or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Penang, Malaysia tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will first head along the 'Street of Harmony' in Georgetown and witness various places of worship including a church, mosque and temple. One of the highlights of our morning is a visit to the Penang Musuem before we visit the Thai temple of Wat Chayamangkalarm and the Botanical gardens. We end our morning exploration of Penang with a visit to the Khoo Kongsi, considered the grandest clan temple in the country.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Penang or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Langkawi, Malaysia, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today we will drive by motorcoach to the Rice Garden Museum, here we will view the traditional tools that are used to tend paddies, and learn about the island’s history of rice cultivation. Next we will head to Machinchang Mountain get in a gondola and begin the steep climb up the mountain by cable car. Once we arrive at the top, admire the sweeping panoramas where we will see the tree-blanketed hills melt into the Strait of Malacca.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Langkawi or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Phuket, Thailand, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will visit Phi Phi Islands National Park, otherwise known as Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. This world famous marine park covers an area of about 388 km and is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, coral reefs, crystal clear waters & limestone karsts.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Phuket or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Colombo, Sri Lanka, tomorrow when the ship will be in port morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will start with a panoramic drive of Colombo - traveling by coach, w eill see the 100-year-old clock tower and several British-built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah Bazaar, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and residential areas that accommodate the stately homes of the affluent.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will continue to Galle, a thriving port since long before colonial times. The Old Town is one of the best examples of a fortified city built by the Europeans in southern and Southeast Asia. It attracted Arabs, Persians, Romans and Greeks on their way across the Indian Ocean. Notice the narrow streets, old churches, cloistered courtyards and shuttered mansions bearing witness to a colonial past of considerable comfort. There are several museums here, as well as the Dutch Reformed Church and the lively Arab Quarter. In 1505, the Portuguese attacked and settled in the town, 135 years later ceding it to the Dutch, who built the famous Galle Fort. This remarkable structure, which we will visit today, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Doha, Qatar , tomorrow when the ship will arrive in the morning to the evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Today we will discover how the rapidly changing city of Doha is successfully blending the old and the new. First we will visit the artificial island of The Pearl Qatar, then we will stop at Katara Cultural Village. Next we will drive to the Souq Waqif, in this marketplace, we will see traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, & souvenirs for sale.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will visit the Museum of Islamic Art which houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world. The museum opened in 2008 and was designed by I.M. Pei. Its collection includes many prized examples of Arabic calligraphy, early Islamic books, ceramics, glass, ivory, jewelry, metalwork, miniatures, textiles, and woodwork.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Dubai, United Arab Emirates, tomorrow when the ship will arrive in the morning and stay overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: See the amazing sights and structures of Dubai from the top of the world's tallest building. A panoramic drive brings you to Jumeirah where you will pass by beautiful homes and modern-day palaces. Make a photo-stop of Palm Jumeirah, a fully reclaimed palm-tree-shaped island. Drive along Sheikh Zayed Road to reach Mall of the Emirates for a photo stop outside Ski Dubai, the region's first and only indoor Snow Park with a ski slope. Afterward we will visit the Museum of the Future before returning to the ship for lunch.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Dubai or enjoy the activities onboard.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours. NOTE: outside visit of Jumeirah Mosque only, we will not be going inside.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will proceed first to Jumeirah, the picturesque palace and residential area of Dubai, also home to the famous Jumeirah Mosque for an OUTSIDE VISIT ONLY, we will not be going inside. Our discovery then continues to Al Bastakiya, to take pictures of the 220-year old Al Fahidi Fort. After a visit to the Shindagha Museum we will then board an Abra (local water taxi) to cross the Creek to the Spice souk. Before you return, there is time to shop in the most famous landmark of Dubai … the Gold souk.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Dubai or enjoy the activities onboard before the ship leaves port for our next destination.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Salalah, Oman, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; uneven terrain including steps without railings; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will experience the contrast between verdant Salalah and its more rugged surroundings. Situated between the Arabian Sea on one side and a lagoon on the other, the two bodies of water provide a truly unique landscape to the beach and its surrounding areas. Dahriz beach is quite popular all year round, but does see a surge in visitors during the Khareef season, which brings rain to Salalah and the Dhofar Governorate during the summer months. Visit the bustling New Salalah Souq. Browse among the colorful vendors selling frankincense, myrrh, incense, fragrant perfume oils, and more. Travel to the unspoiled beauty of Al-Mughsail Beach—two miles of white, sandy beach capped with high cliffs at both ends.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Salalah or enjoy the activites onboard.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Aqaba, Jordan tomorrow, the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: The drive from Aqaba to Petra is approx. 1 hr. 40 min each way (could be longer depending on traffic). Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. The walk from the Visitor Center to the Monastery takes about 2 hours at a reasonable pace, walking uphill and on uneven terrain; standing up to 4 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Since being rediscovered some 200 years ago, Petra has become one of the world’s most recognizable sites, we will explore many of the most iconic spots.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Return to Aqaba and enjoy a free afternoon in port or onboard the ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Pireaus, Greece, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from early morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 4 miles up/down a winding trail with many well-worn steps to Acropolis; no handrails; uneven, rocky, sometimes slippery surfaces; standing up to 2 hours. At Acropolis Museum, walking and standing for more than an hour. Popular sites may be crowded at certain periods.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will walk to our waiting motorcoach for a field trip to the city’s most iconic symbol, the Acropolis. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription: “The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world.” We will climb to the top of the rocky crag and stand in awe before ruins of the Parthenon and other temples. Built between 447-432 BCE, the Parthenon — named for the city’s patron goddess, Athena Parthenos — has been called “the supreme effort of genius in pursuit of beauty” and “the most perfect Doric temple ever built.” Its architectural proportions symbolize the ideals of Greek thought at the height of Greek civilization.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: The long-awaited Acropolis Museum was completed in 2007. We will explore the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis. We will ascend floors of glass that seem to float above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below. In addition to irreplaceable masterpieces, the exceptional collection includes items from everyday life and all historic periods. A recreation of the Parthenon’s frieze was based on existing original blocks as well as copies from museums in London and Paris.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Barcelona, Spain, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles and standing during field trip; cobblestones, uneven terrain. Outside visit of La Sagrada Familia only, we will not be going inside.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will set out from the ship by motorcoach for a field trip through the Barri Gòtic — Gothic Quarter — that still has traces of its ancient Roman heritage. We will also see Las Ramblas, a colorful boulevard that runs through the heart of the city.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Continuing by motorcoach, we will see highlights of Gaudí’s “Modernist Route” with a local expert. Modernism was the Catalan version of Art Nouveau and its most important exponent was the visionary architect and designer Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). We will stop to view the renowned towers of the Sagrada Familia church that remains Gaudí’s most famous legacy (OUSTIDE VISIT ONLY, we will not be going inside). The first stone was laid in 1882 and Gaudí took over design responsibilities the next year. Work continues to this day following his plans and is expected to be completed around 2026. It has become an internationally recognized symbol of Barcelona. We will also see emblematic sites including the famous Passeig de Gràcia with idiosyncratic buildings designed by Gaudí and other Modernists before returning to ship for the evening.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Cadiz, Spain, tomorrow when the ship will be in port from morning to evening.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; uneven terrain including steps without railings and cobblestones; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning we will depart from the pier and start with a panoramic drive by coach through the city, up to the city beach- Playa Caleta - and the castle- Castillo Santa Catalina - from 17th century where we will stop to take photos of the stunning view. After, we will stop at the Mudejar-style tobacco factory (1741), which now serves as the Congress Building, visit the outside of Santo Domingo Church (OUSIDE VISIT ONLY, we will not go inside), and pass by Town Hall which seems to be the best reflection of the architectural style of the old Cadiz City during a historical period of great artistic splendor. Following this, we will visit the Cathedral of Cadiz and the Diocesan Museum. It took 116 years to complete this 18th century Baroque and neo-classical Cathedral, so the mix of styles is evident. Construction began in the Baroque style and was completed in the Neoclassic style (this will be an inside visit). We will continue our walking discovery to the picturesque Plaza Flores before driving back to the pier.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy a free afternoon in Cadiz or enjoy the activities onboard.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will gather with our lecturer for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will come together as a group this morning for a final discussion on the 100+ days we have just spent together.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: At leisure. Arrive Southampton, UK, tomorrow.
Activity note: Disembarkation. Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We will complete disembarkation procedures, say a fond farewell to the Queen Mary 2, and board a motorcoach for our ride to a hotel near Heathrow Airport.
Lunch: On our way to our hotel, we will stop for a light lunch.
Afternoon: We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. We check in and have time to relax before dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!