From the shores of historic Massachusetts we’ll cruise down the continent’s Atlantic shore, exploring the first cities of the thirteen original colonies. All were seaports that welcomed new colonists and served as starting points for merchant ships exporting fur and timber to Europe, and in time, ideas about independence and self-government. This is where you will find America’s most historic towns, filled with the finest 17th-, 18th, and 19th-century architecture. Then, from Key West, continue to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama—showcases for wonderful natural and manmade treasures. Discover national parks protecting rain forests, waterways that are home to a rich variety of wildlife, and the remarkable Maya sites. This voyage culminates with the exciting transit of the famous Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important waterways.
Day 1 - Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Fly to Boston and transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Massachusetts’s historic capital on your own.
Day 2 - Boston, Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA
This morning enjoy a tour of Boston’s many historic sites with lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon transfer to Gloucester to embark Clelia II.
Day 3 - Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Clelia II sails into the yacht-filled harbor of Newport, the one-time summer playground of New York’s wealthiest families. Many of the grand “cottages” they built are now cared for by The Preservation Society of Newport County and are open to the public. See the Breakers, the 70-room Italian Renaissance mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and Rosecliff, designed by architect Stanford White and inspired by the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. Also tour the historic harbor at Newport with its fine architecture.
Day 4 - At sea
Spend the day at sea cruising along the Eastern Seaboard.
Day 5 - Yorktown, Virginia; Colonial Williamsburg, USA
From the port of Yorktown, our excursion leads to historic Colonial Williamsburg. The capital of the Virginia colony from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg is the nation’s premier living museum, offering visitors a glimpse of life as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries. A guided tour leads along the Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg’s main thoroughfare, past the Capitol, the courthouse, the Governor’s Palace and the historic Bruton Parish Church, which has held Episcopal services here since 1715. Then enjoy time at leisure to explore the museums and side streets, which are filled with taverns, bakeries and the restored houses of wheelwrights, coopers, apothecaries and other tradesmen.
Day 6 - At sea
Relax aboard as the ship cruises along the coast of North and South Carolina.
Day 7 - Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Arrive today in Charleston, one of the East Coast’s loveliest cities. A prosperous, cosmopolitan seaport as far back as colonial times, it was in here in Charleston’s harbor that Confederate troops first fired upon Fort Sumter, thus starting the Civil War. Tour Charleston’s extensive historic district, which includes the Heyward-Washington House, an 18th century structure which features a separate kitchen house and enchanting formal garden; the Calhoun Mansion, noted for its 14-foot-high ceilings, ornate plaster and wood moldings and sweeping stairwell; and the Nathaniel Russell House, a neoclassical townhouse set amidst beautiful gardens. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Charleston, or drive to historic Middleton Place Plantation, a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that is a National Historic Landmark. Situated on the Ashley River, the property includes the House Museum, built in 1755 as the gentlemen’s guest quarters, and 65 acres of magnificent gardens.
Day 8 - Savannah, Georgia, USA
Call at Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, founded by James Oglethorpe in 1733, on a bluff overlooking the Savannah River. In December 1864, the city fell to Sherman’s troops and was spared certain destruction when President Lincoln intervened on its behalf. Today the fine avenues and open spaces that Oglethorpe planned form the cornerstone of the three-square-mile historic district, which features over 1,000 Federal and Regency buildings and 21 verdant squares brimming with azaleas, gardenias, cabbage palmettos, English yews, giant oaks and other lush vegetation. A tour includes the Davenport House, an elegant Federal-style home that presides over the northwest corner of Columbia Square; the opulent Owens-Thomas House, designed by noted English architect William Jay; and the Romanesque Cotton Exchange, once one of the busiest. In the afternoon enjoy time at leisure to stroll among the lovely streets and squares.
Day 9 - At sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as Clelia II continues her journey along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Day 10 - Key West, Florida, USA
Discover the Florida Keys, a string of islands spanning 126 miles. We’ll dock in Key West, located at the end of the chain and which is known as the southernmost point of the continental United States. Attractions include Ernest Hemingway’s house, where he lived from 1931-1940, the Museum of Art and History; and a butterfly conservatory. You may also travel to Marathon, located halfway between Key West and Key Largo where you can visit the Pigeon Key National Historic District or the Crane Point Museum and Nature Center. For those interested, there will be the opportunity for snorkeling, a premier destination to do so.
Day 11 - At sea
Day 12 - Progreso, Uxmal, Mexico
Arrive in Progreso, on the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula for an excursion to Uxmal. One of the most majestic of all Maya cities, Uxmal means “three times built,” but, in fact, the city was built at least five times. Explore the site at leisure, including the unusual oval-shaped Pyramid of the Magician; the magnificent Palace of the Governor, with its splendid mosaics; and the elaborately decorated Nunnery. Spend the night aboard ship docked in Progreso.
Day 13 - Progreso, Chichen Itza or Meridal, Mexico
This morning, drive to Chichen Itza, one of the most imposing of all Maya sites. Dominating the site is the great main plaza with the adjoining El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcon. Other buildings include the Temple of the Carved Panels; the Temple of the Warriors, and the nearby Group of the Thousand Columns; the Ball Court; the Caracol Observatory; and others. Alternatively, drive to Merida, Yucatan’s beautiful capital, which has preserved its colonial architecture and charm with its historic buildings, many of which were built from disassembled Maya pyramids such as the Catedral de San Ildefonso, Mesoamerica’s oldest cathedral.
Day 14 - At sea
Day 15 - Puerto Barrios, Quirigua, Guatemala
Arrive in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala’s main port, and drive to Quirigua, an extensive Maya site occupied as early as A.D. 550 and noted for its huge carved stelae.
Day 16 - Puerto Castilla, Capiro Calentura National Park, Honduras
Surrounding the historic town of Trujillo are the mountains that make up Capiro- Calentura National Park. Today, explore the park and its inhabitants— monkeys, tropical birds including the parrot and toucan; and several species of reptiles. Toward the summit of Calentura are spectacular views of Trujillo and along the way through this lush rain forest we will encounter waterfalls, exotic plants, trees and giant ferns.
Day 17 - At sea
Enjoy lectures aboard Clelia II as we cruise toward Costa Rica.
Day 18 - Puerto Limon, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
From Puerto Limon, Costa Rica’s main Caribbean port, explore Tortuguero National Park, a vast area of protected rain forests, beaches, canals, and waterways that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. This is also one of the most important nesting places in the world for the green sea turtle, which lays its eggs between July and October.
Day 19 - Panama Canal, Panama
Partial transit of the famous Panama Canal.
Day 20 - Colon, Panama
Dock in Colon and transfer to Panama City for return flights to the United States.
