Travel-Learn Program

When: February 23, 2012 - March 04, 2012 (iCal)

Description

Our island adventures in Tahiti and French Polynesia begin with a visit to cosmopolitan Papeete, Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia. Here we will spend our first two nights and travel on an exclusive excursion to the renowned Paul Gauguin Museum. As we visit Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Mooreae, we will continue our exploration of the tropical paradise that has captivated explorers, mariners, artists, writers for centuries. Throughout the cruise, on board naturalists will discuss the islands’ history and cultural traditions. This splendid opportunity includes air from Los Angeles* and a whole host of complimentary features aboard our Five-Star small ship M.S. PAUL GAUGUIN. To extend our French Polynesia experience, three nights in a seaside resort on Moorea or Bora Bora are available.

Activity Level: Moderately Active

*Air included from LA and air add-ons have limited availability and are not guaranteed.

Download the program brochure.

For Early Booking Incentive, your choice of cabin category, & to avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

From $4,995 per person, double occupancy (includes air from L.A.).

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1, 2 & 3 - Papeete, Tahiti

Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia and the gateway to the treasures of the South Pacific has extended its welcome to visitors since its founding in 1824. Located on a natural harbor cooled by the trade winds, Papeete enjoys one of the finest natural settings in the South Pacific. During an excursion to the east coast, visit the American author James Norman Hall Museum; admire the natural wonders of the Faarumai waterfalls, the black sand beach of Point Venus and the green cliffs of Matavai Bay; and stop at the coral-stone tomb of Pomare V, the last king of Tahiti. On the third day, board our chartered vessel, the M.S Paul Gauguin and depart for our exploration of the remaining Society Islands.

Day 4 - Raiatea

In the pre-colonial era, Raiatea served as the political and spiritual center of the Society Islands. It was the hub for the colonization of Hawaii, the Marquesas and New Zealand. Constructed of coral and black volcanic rock along the eastern shore, is one of the best preserved marae (temple) complexes in Polynesia. Raiatea’s tranquil Faaroa River, the only navigable stream in Polynesia, threads its way through a world of wild hibiscus, bamboo and Tahitian chestnut trees.

Day 5 - Taha’a (Moty Mahana)

Idyllically set across a blue lagoon to the north of Raiatea, Taha’a is dominated by the profile of Mount Ohiri, named for Hiro, the Polynesian god of sailors and thieves. Spend the day in the private South Seas paradise Motu Mahana, where you can swim, snorkel or kayak, and enjoy a traditional feast with Polynesian entertainment.

Day 6 & 7- Bora Bora

Called “the most beautiful island in the world” by author James A. Michener, Bora Bora is the prototypical vision of a South Seas paradise. Its distinctive black basalt peak is cloaked in a lush tropical forest and silhouetted against turquoise lagoon waters. Bora Bora was settled by adventurous Polynesian mariners in the 10th century A.D., and the islanders still maintain a very traditional way of life. In Bora Bora’s forested interior the ruins of stone marae (meeting place) preserve the legacy of ancestral Polynesian deities.

Day 8 & 9 - Moorea

Rivaling Bora Bora in scenic splendor is Moorea, a distinctive heart shaped island formed by a long-extinct volcano. A former sanctuary for vanquished Tahitian warriors, the island lured the American novelist Herman Melville in 1842 and inspired James Michener to write his unforgettable Tales from the South Pacific. Moorea offers and intriguing blend of traditional and Western culture; abandoned temples evoke its Polynesian heritage, while European churches underscore its role as the center for 19th century missionary activity.

Day 10 - Papeete/Return home

Today we disembark the M.S. Paul Gauguin and make our way to the airport for our return home.

Price and Itinerary are tentative and subject to change

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu