Southern Seas

Cape Town – It’s difficult to get lost in Cape Town because gorgeous Table Mountain looms above the city as a reference. For breathtaking views, ride the cable car to the top, or explore this urbane city on foot. Visit the fascinating South African Museum and Planetarium and the culturally significant St. George’s Cathedral.

Luderitz, Namibia – Founded in 1883 by a wealthy German merchant of the same name, Luderitz offers colorful colonial architecture along the beautiful Atlantic coastline. Explore the region’s past on a tour of Kolmanskop, a ghost town that was once a bustling center of the diamond trade. The recently restored waterfront offers lovely Art Nouveau architecture, and the coastal waters are home to penguins, dolphins, sharks and seals.

Walvis Bay, Namibia – Although rimmed by the inhospitable Namib Desert, Walvis Bay boasts a huge natural lagoon that attracts hundreds of thousands of birds, including flamingos, pelicans and migratory species. The desert’s Dune 7 is the highest sand dune near town and offers a spectacular view. The wooden Rhenish Mission Church is also noteworthy.

Jamestown, Saint Helena – One of the most isolated islands in the world, Saint Helena was uninhabited when it was discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century, at which point it became an important stopover in the Age of Discovery. Visit the tomb where the exiled Napoleon was buried upon his death in 1821. The Plantation House, one of the most impressive buildings on the island, is the home of the governor as well as what is believed to be the world’s oldest living animal, a tortoise around 180 years old.

Rio de Janeiro – Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for its renowned view. Ride the cog railway through dense forest to Corcovado. Visit the lush botanical gardens, see famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and take in a thrilling samba show.