Caribbean Discovery with Silversea

Depart from the UK on an overnight flight to Cartagena, Colombia.

Your journey begins in Cartagena. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The best way to see Cartagena is on foot. Stroll through cobbled streets, taking in pops of colour from fuchsia bougainvillea tumbling down turquoise balconies, along with vibrantly painted colonial buildings lining the streets. The city’s strategic location made it an essential stop from Europe to the West Indies, and Cartagena has since been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its extensive system of military fortifications. Despite its long history, Cartagena today is modern. Grab a table in a local bar, order a plate of empanadas, and sip a Guaro—the country’s national spirit.

Stay: Cartagena accommodation (hotel to be advised)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the port to board the Silver Shadow and begin your Silversea cruise. Dinner is served onboard this evening as you depart Cartagena.

Spend two days in and around Santa Marta. Trek to lost cities, explore dense jungles, and dive into coral reefs in Caribbean coves. Nestled between warm Caribbean waters and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Santa Marta is a haven for lovers of the natural world. The city itself has a rich history as Colombia’s first Spanish settlement. Wander cobblestone paths or visit the tomb of Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Venezuela, at Catedral de Santa Marta. Outside of the city, walk the golden sands of Tayrona National Natural Park as you discover coves and verdant jungles. Jaguars, iguanas, and 300 bird species call this place home. Little else can rival the mystique of the Lost City, an archaeological wonder rediscovered only a few decades ago. It predates Machu Picchu and offers no less of an astonishing experience.

Today brings you to Aruba, one of the sunniest Caribbean islands. Settle in on a white-sand beach to relax and perhaps head into the water for sensational diving and snorkelling or a catamaran cruise. Alternatively, head inland to Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, on the route to Aruba Natural Bridge. This natural arch collapsed in 2005, but the picturesque Baby Bridge remains. Visit butterfly and ostrich farms, sample Oranjestad’s Spanish and Dutch flavours, or search the city’s colourful boutiques for treasures. The cone of the Hooiberg volcano is omnipresent as you explore Aruba. If you’re up for a challenge, hike 650 steps up to the lookout. As you climb, you’ll pass sunbathing iguanas on your way to views as far-reaching as the Venezuelan coastline on a clear day.

Bonaire's small, tidy capital city (population 3,000) is five minutes from the airport. The main drag, J.A. Abraham Boulevard, turns into Kaya Grandi in the center of town. Along it are most of the island's major stores, boutiques, and restaurants. Across Kaya Grandi, opposite the Littman's jewelry store, is Kaya L.D. Gerharts, with several small supermarkets, a handful of snack shops, and some of the better restaurants. Walk down the narrow waterfront avenue called Kaya C.E.B. Hellmund, which leads straight to the North and South piers. In the center of town, the Harborside Mall has chic boutiques. Along this route is Ft. Oranje, with its cannons. From December through April, cruise ships dock in the harbor once or twice a week. The diminutive ocher-and-white structure that looks like a tiny Greek temple is the produce market, where one can find plenty of fresh produce brought over from Venezuela. Pick up the brochure Walking and Shopping in Kralendijk from the tourist office to get a map and complete list of all the monuments and sights in the town.

The city centre of Willemstad, Curacao’s technicolour capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When the Dutch settled here in the 1630s, they brought colourful architecture, red-roofed mansions, and European-style waterfront buildings. Rif Fort, a 19th-century fortress, looms above the city. Nearby, find the Queen Emma Bridge, better known as the ‘Swinging Old Lady,’ built in 1888 and perfect for waterfront views. Visit the side-by-side boats that sell plump fruits and vegetables in a floating market. Discover the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, said to be the oldest in the Americas. Visit the historic liqueur distillery, head for Queen Wilhelmina Park, or plop down on a sandy beach. If you’re up for it, snorkel in the turquoise waters among fish and sea turtles.

Enjoy a restful and rejuvenating day onboard the Silver Shadow as you sail toward Saint Lucia. Days at sea are perfect for relaxing, unwinding, and catching up on all you’ve been meaning to do. Break a sweat in the gym, pamper yourself in the spa, engage in a spot of whale-watching from the deck, or catch up on your reading. Enjoy the blue sea as a counterbalance to your busy days on shore.

Soufrière, once a Caribbean capital, offers lush rainforests, thunderous waterfalls, and, of course, Saint Lucia’s most breathtaking sight: the Pitons. Gros Piton and Petit Piton, UNESCO-recognised twin spires, rise out of the depths of the Caribbean Sea and are covered in emerald rainforest. Spend today admiring their beauty from the sparkling beach, perhaps with a break for snorkelling or diving to spot seahorses and parrot fish. If you’d rather stick to land, hiking the Pitons is unforgettable. The nearby Sulphur Springs showcase the island’s geothermal activity. Sink into the soothing hot waters or a mineral-dense mud pool for optimal relaxation. The food scene is really emerging in Soufrière as well, with stellar restaurants serving just-caught grilled fish from the nearby coastline.

Bequia is the unspoilt Caribbean experience. Its virgin beaches, rustic rum shacks, and scenic bays are home to just 6,000 locals. The beaches are glorious and often deserted. Bequia is unassuming and off-the-beaten-path. The staggering natural harbour, Admiralty Bay, ushers you into tiny Port Elizabeth. Here, you’ll find a lively fruit and vegetable market, a turtle sanctuary, and stalls selling handmade model ships. Take a gentle hike to the top of Mount Peggy for views of Grenada and St Vincent. Slow your pace and relax on a blissful beach with a book or swim in shallow waters. As the sun sets, enjoy a barbecue of the day’s fresh catch with the locals or sip rum-heavy cocktails at a beachside bar.

After one last breakfast onboard, you will disembark the Silver Shadow and be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Alternatively, speak to one of our travel specialists about extending your time in Barbados to soak up a bit more of the Caribbean sunshine.