AROUND THE WORLD

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Meet fellow travelers, your expert trip leaders and dedicated guest services staff for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

DAY 2-4, CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Peru offers amazing landscapes and a warm, lively culture. In historic Cusco, see how Inca and Spanish cultures intertwine. Travel aboard a historic train to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most astonishing archeological treasures. Visit the Inca ruins in Sacsayhuaman.

Hotel: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

DAYS 2-4: NORTH COAST, PERU

(ALTERNATE)

If you’ve already visted Cusco and Machu Piccu, or prefer to stay at a lower elevation, you may opt for Trujillo, the commercial center of northern Peru. Visit the temple of the Sun and The Moon, along with Chan Chan, a 500-acre royal palace built in pre-Inca time, the Lady Cao Museum and the Museum Tumbes Reales of Sipán.

Hotel: Hotel Libertador Trujillo and Belmond Miraflores

DAYS 5-6: EASTER ISLAND, CHILE

On the grassy landscape of Rapa Nui National Park, explore the mysterious and massive <em>moai</em> and the Ahu Tahai ceremonial complex. Discover the remains of this mysterious ancient culture as you explore the island’s rolling green hills where wild horses roam. Indulge in a festive dinner complete with elaborately costumed entertainers performing traditional song and dance.

Hotel: Hangoroa Eco Village & Spa

DAYS 7-8: APIA, SAMOA

Cross the international date line and lose a day en route. This pretty South Pacific island is a quick stopover on our way to Australia, as well as a chance to sample a bit of Polynesian culture and visit the former estate of Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Hotel: Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort

DAYS 9-10: GREAT BARRIER REEF OR DAINTREE RAINFOREST, AUSTRALIA

The northeast coast of Australia is home to some of the world’s most impressive natural wonders. Immerse yourself in the underwater splendor of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. Cruise to the reef’s pristine northern reaches where you can snorkel among a vibrant collection of coral and tropical fish. Or if you’ve already experienced the Great Barrier Reef, embark on an expedition into one of Australia’s last truly wild areas: the Daintree Rainforest. Take a tour with an Aboriginal guide through the world’s oldest living rainforest, approximately 90 million years older than the Amazon.

Hotel: Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa

DAYS 11-13: ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA

The city of Angkor Thom represents ancient urban planning at its best. This “city of temples” incorporates canals, large water reservoirs and, of course, temples, including the famous Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm. Visit the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, see a performance of classical Apsara dance and discover the culinary landscape of Siem Reap.

Hotel: Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

DAYS 14-15: TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

See perhaps the world’s most famous building, the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum that took more than 22 years and 20,000 people to build. Learn about the construction of this UNESCO World Heritage site with your guide, as well as the history of the Mughal Empire. Explore nearby Red Fort of Agra, where legend has it Shah Jahan spent his final days, and Emperor Akbar's grand tomb.

Hotel: The Oberoi Amarvilas

DAYS 16-18: SERENGETI, TANZANIA

The Serengeti Plain is home to Tanzania’s largest national park and Africa’s densest “big cat” predator population. Your safari adventure begins with a game drive to the lodge where you can spot wildlife such as zebra, antelope, elephant, lion and leopard.

Hotel: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

DAYS 16-18: NGORONGORO CRATER, TANZANIA

(ALTERNATE)

If you have already visited the Serengeti, take light aircraft to the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. With your expert naturalist guides, observe its permanent population of about 25,000 animals, including bull elephants, black rhinos and lions.

Hotel: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

DAYS 19-20: LOST CITY OF PETRA AND WADI RUM, JORDAN

Visit the Lost City of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its elaborate rock-cut architecture. Imagine that you’re one of the first explorers of this once-forgotten desert city as you walk through the Siq, a narrow chasm in the bedrock, and emerge before the elaborate Treasury. Opt to discover the spectacular rock formations of Wadi Rum, an evocative lunar-like landscape made famous by T.E. Lawrence and the film “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Hotel: Mövenpick Petra

DAYS 21-22: MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

Marrakech is an oasis of palm and olive groves surrounding one of the most vibrant walled medinas in the world. Explore the medina, a jumble of vibrant souks, and stroll through Jemaa el-Fna, a lively square where snake charmers and performers entertain passersby. Stroll through the artful blue and green landscapes of Majorelle Gardens. Or opt to spend a day in the ruggedly beautiful terrain of the Atlas Mountains.

Hotel: La Mamounia

DAYS 23-24: ORLANDO

Relax and enjoy a casual meal and a night’s rest before returning home on your independent flight.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport