Lush Amazon & the Sparkling Caribbean - Silver Cloud

Day 15: Ile Royale
You wouldn't know it, as you approach the soft sands and gently waving weave of palm trees, but this tropical paradise once stashed away some of France's most notorious criminals. Home to one of history's most remote and brutal penal colonies, Ile Royale is one of three - somewhat ironically named - Salvation Islands. The neighbouring Devil's Island's title offers some honest insight into how these islands were previously thought of. Nowadays, you'll discover a heavenly escape of tropical beaches, and jungle reclaiming the island from the prison’s imprint and cleansing its dark history within a cloak of verdant green.

Wander to the chapel that was constructed by prisoners, as well as the island's hospital and staff quarters. There's incredible wildlife among the penal colony's ruins too. Cute agouti sniff tentatively at fallen coconuts, vast sea turtles lounge around, squirrel monkeys clamber up through the vegetation, and giant iguanas bask in the sun's glow. Wander the path that loops around the island's circumference to spot them, and to discover the lay of the land. Now administered by the French equivalent of NASA, CNES, the islands are occasionally cleared, as rocket launches roar up into the sky overhead.

Day 16: Paramaribo
Dutch colonial charm still shines through Paramaribao, the capital of Suriname. Many buildings of the World Heritage listed town, built in the 17th and 18th centuries, still stand. The Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Finance and the Garden of Palms are highlights. Birdwatching over coffee is not sitting at a jungle café. At old Peperpot Plantation, it is walking amongst coffee shrubs looking for birds in the overhead tree canopy. The orange flowers of Erythrina trees that shade the coffee plants attract hovering hummingbirds. Other colourful birds at the site include endemic Arrowhead Piculets, dramatic Blood-coloured Woodpeckers, noisy Black-capped Donacobius, and stunning Green-tailed Jacamars. Monkeys and agoutis occur too, eating coffee beans.

When Suriname’s colonial agriculture was at its peak sugar, cocoa, coffee and cotton were grown near rivers in plantations owned by Europeans like Frederiksdorp, with its grand house, established by a Prussian settler. Cruising the Commewijne River reveals the lives of both people and wildlife. Look for estuary loving Profosu or Guiana Dolphins, a local specialty. The culture of the Maroon people evolved in the jungles of South America. Escaped slaves established communities with African skills. Descendants still live in the communities, with traditions linked to African origins. Visiting a community to hear of their lifestyle, beliefs, foods and adapted use of Suriname jungle plants is a prelude to demonstrations of their Maroon culture.

Day 17-18: Georgetown
Jungles, water and wildlife are the themes around Georgetown. They could be in black water tributaries and swamps in the Santa Mission Amerindian Reserve, or the riverside ecosystems of the Mahaica River, or at the massive Kaipaur Falls high in the jungle or even at the manatee pond in the Botanic Gardens. Each location boasts fascinating flora and fauna. Young of the national bird of Guyana, the Hoatzin, have clawed fingers on their wings, a reminder of their dinosaur past. Other avian treats include the Greater Ani, Snail Kite and the Red-shouldered Macaw. Bird song may be drowned out by the loud Red Howler Monkeys. Kaieteur Swifts nest behind the curtain of falling water of Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single drop waterfall.

Watercraft and human activity along the banks are reminders of how essential the rivers are to local communities. The Santa Mission, a community of Arawak and Carib Amerindians, allows you to experience village life and see and purchase local rainforest handicrafts.

In Georgetown itself, the water and jungle still mix. Trees have become buildings with timber the main building material. Most spectacular is the cathedral with gothic arches and flying buttresses made of wood. Canals with sluice gates and a seawall protect the city as it is one metre below the high tide level (Dutch influence at work here). Bourda Market is a highlight and a chance to delve into local foods, and even jungle medicines. A good food shop is best followed by a freshly cooked lunch by a local chef.

Day 19: Expedition Essequibo River
If you add together expanses of rainforest, mountains and a liberal splash of rainfall, you produce large rivers. The Essequibo River in Guyana begins in the Acarai Mountains on the border with Brazil. It flows through rainforest and savannah for 1,010 kilometres (630 miles) to the Atlantic where it is a 32 km (20 ml) wide estuary with low fertile silt islands. Georgetown, the capital, is located 21 km (13 ml) upriver from the sea. Ships can navigate along the river for 80 km (50 ml) passing, or calling into, Georgetown on the way. The river was important to the Amerindians before European arrived, and still is. The name of the country, Guyana, is derived from the indigenous Amerindian word Guiana which means ‘land of water’. A whole northern region of South America became Guiana and included British Guiana (now Guyana), Dutch Guiana (now Suriname) and French Guiana.

The Dutch settled in Guyana in 1616 and introduced African slaves to cultivate plantations. The British gained control in 1814, and after slaves were emancipated, they brought indentured labour from India. Independence was gained in 1966. Some key British traditions persist, like cricket. Today, the Guyanese people have many ethnic backgrounds and still rely on the river. The river has always been the main transport artery for the country. Observing the houses and activities of the locals from our ship, or a smaller vessel, tells us of their lifestyle. It often involves some boating and fishing. After all, it is a land of water.

Day 20: Day at sea

Day 21: Port of Spain
The calypso rhythms of steel pans are never far away, as you walk the streets of Trinidad and Tobago's capital, one of the largest cities in the region. Overlooking the Gulf of Paria, between the mountains of the Northern Range and the Caribbean Sea, Port of Spain is home to a famous, flamboyant carnival - and the excitement is palpable as it approaches, with spontaneous street parties spilling out. Whenever you visit, and whatever the excuse, there’s always a fete - a party - happening somewhere. Queen's Park Savannah is a lush green urban sanctuary, while Brian Lara Promenade is a striking tribute to Trinidad’s revered cricketing genius. Scattered with artworks, it's the perfect spot for a little liming – the local term for hanging out and taking it easy.

The waterfront is a lively area of bars and restaurants, and the perfect place to soak in some Caribbean sea air, with the waves splashing close by and fountains spurting. Just to the north of the urban sprawl is the revitalising Chaguaramas National Park. A wild place of shooting bamboo, scampering howler monkeys, and delightful coastal walks. Elsewhere, venture through coffee plantations and wildlife sanctuaries to discover endemic, colourful flora and fauna. As you'd expect from this Caribbean capital, it's a journey for the tastebuds, and the food here is fiery spicy and delicious. Try doubles for breakfast, a curried chickpea flatbread sandwich, before tearing into jerk fish later. You’re certain to come across the ever-present green seasoning sauce, flavoured with fresh coriander, during your explorations.

Day 22: Bridgetown
Bridgetown, the captivating capital of Barbados, combines faded colonial history, captivating tradition, and vivid white beaches plucked directly from your richest imagination of Caribbean perfection. Recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, Bridgetown’s mask of modernity covers a core of complex history and fascinating culture. Sherbet coloured buildings line up to overlook the waterfront of the Constitution River at the ‘The Careenage’ - where gleaming ships bob on the blue water, and peaceful strolls along a wooden boardwalk await.

Stop for a sobering moment at the commemorative plaque honouring the people traded at this spot, when Bridgetown was the British Empire’s most important harbour, and first stop on the Transatlantic Slave Trade crossing. Just five minutes’ stroll from here is Carlisle Bay - a postcard-perfect place where you'll find crystal-clear, turquoise sea water glowing in the Caribbean sun, and a mile of soft white powder sand. A treasure trove for divers, the shipwrecks scattered below the shallow water’s waves are now inhabited by turtles and swirling, rainbow-coloured tropical fish. Head to the backstreets, where street food vendors serve up spicy chicken soup, barbecued pigtails and thirst-quenching coconut water.

There are bargains aplenty to be had on Broad Street, where duty-free malls and souvenir stalls cram together, vying for your attention. Roebuck Street is the spot where one of the Caribbean’s favourite drinks, rum, was discovered - having been created here from the by-products of the island’s booming sugarcane trade. Nowadays, it’s lined with bars splashing every variety of the deliciously spicy dark libation imaginable into glasses. For a touch more culture, visit one of the oldest synagogues in The Americas - Nidhe Israel Synagogue, which was built in 1654. The adjoining museum tells the story of Barbados’ Jewish immigrants, who were instrumental in the island’s development.

Please Note: When travelling in remote regions tide, wind, ice and weather conditions determine the details of our itinerary. While we will do our best to maintain all suggested activities, some of these may be subject to change. Come with an open mind and a great sense of adventure, together we can turn any voyage into a wonderful Expedition.

Excursions: A host of fascinating and exciting excursions are offered during this voyage. Highlights include: Old Belem: Arts and Culture, The Musa Museum & Botanical Garden, Grand Amazon Tour which takes you deep into the Rio Negro tributary of the Amazon, Scenic flight over Manaus and the Amazon, Kaieteur Falls, Botanical Gardens Birding, Market Tour with Chef Delven nd so many more! You'll be able to pick and choose your favorites.

Activity Level: Easy to moderate. Some activity options offered require moderate to high exertion and are not suitable for all activity levels. Alternative activities are always offered at these landings for less active passengers.

Special Offer Details: For a limited time, when Venetian Society members refer a friend who has never sailed with Silversea, and they book a new voyage, you BOTH enjoy $500 savings per suite.

Early Booking Bonus: Save 20% when you book and pay in full by Nov 30.

Air Credit: An $1,800 per person air credit is reflected in the current rates.

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