Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has announced a new ship and new river cruise programme on Burma’s Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, starting in November 2014.

Two itineraries will be on offer: the 10-night Golden Treasures of Myanmar and 14-night Hidden Wonders of Myanmar, both detailed in a new brochure. All voyages start in Yangon and include pre-cruise hotel accommodation in the city. The first departure, Hidden Wonders of Myanmar, is November 24, 2014.

One of the world’s most secretive, mysterious and fascinating places, Burma has a unique, centuries-old culture and spectacular architectural wonders, including sacred structures gilded with gold leaf and encrusted with precious gems. AmaWaterways’ river cruises are carefully designed to take in all the highlights:

The Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary costs from £4999pp, including return UK flights from London, two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise stay in Yangon, transfers to and from the ship, ten nights on board the ship, all tours, all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, on-board entertainment including cultural shows and lectures, and port charges.

More info: 0808 223 5009   www.amawaterways.co.uk

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Variety Cruises Cape Verde, Cuba, the Greek Islands, Costa Rica and the Seychelles.

Boutique cruise specialists, Variety Cruises has ramped up their cruise offering with a host of new itineraries and dates to Cape Verde, Cuba, the Greek Islands, Costa Rica and the Seychelles.

Comprising a fleet of 11 fully owned vessels - including mega yachts, sail cruisers and private luxury yachts - Variety Cruises specialises in unique journeys for the inquisitive mind and is one of the largest small ship cruise lines in the world. Each ship hosts a limited number of passengers from 40 up to 75 offering an intimate boutique cruise or yachting experience that allows dockings in smaller ports of call.

The Islands of Cape Verde Archipelago *New*

Variety Cruises’ latest itinerary will give guests the chance to travel around this archipelago with its unique blend of African and Portuguese heritage aboard the elegant yacht Harmony V. Highlights include stops in the old city of Praia in San Tiago, the striking Monte Gordo volcanoes on Fogo and the San Nicolau Islands and Mindelo in San Vincente known for its vibrant nightlife and artistic traditions. Offering a diverse landscape comprising verdant mountain ranges and lush jungles to volcanic backdrops and wide deserted beaches plus a pleasant year-round climate, this itinerary will provide a colourful cruise experience set to the gentle rhythms of West African music.

Eight day cruise. Available 23^rd & 30^th November and 7^th  December 2014. Prices from £865 per person (excluding port charges, flights and transfers).

Sights and Sounds of Cuba *20 sailings from 2014 - 2015*

Discover a beautiful country of amazing cultural and architectural diversity; explore vast countryside and museum cities. Highlights include the beautiful UNESCO Heritage sites of Vinales in Pinar del Rio region, Bahia de Corriene- a biosphere reserve, Trinidad with its impressive mansions, and the stunning Valley de Ingenios where time stands still.

Seven day cruise. Available from 29^th November 2014. Prices from £1,500 per person (excluding port charges, flights and transfers).

The Seychelles Cruise *departure dates available all year round*

Explore the unspoilt paradise that is the Seychelles on board a small luxurious ship. Hopping from island-to-island allows guests to explore the exquisite surroundings. Cruise highlights include The Vallee de Mai- a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its palm trees, its Coco de Mer plants and black parrots- with stops at the picturesque Anse Lazio and the Island of Curieuse famed for its colony of giant tortoises.

Eight day, five day and four day cruises are all available. Available all year round. Prices from £899 per person (excluding port charges, flights and transfers).

The Treasures of Costa Rica & the Panama Canal 2014-15 *Updated Itinerary*

The Treasures of Costa Rica and the Panama Canal invites guests to discover lands full of vibrant charm, friendly people and a fascinating history. This cruise encapsulates lush jungles and marine parks, colonial architecture and stunning Caribbean coast lines. Highlights of this eight day cruise include the stunning Quepos, Corcovado and Drake Bay in Costa Rica, the Granito de Oro & Coiba Islands, Panama Canal Transit, and San Blas Islands in Panama.

Eight day cruise. Available from 14^th December 2014 - 15^th March 2015. Prices from £1690 per person (excluding port charges, flights and transfers).

Aegean Odyssey *New *

The striking whitewashed Cyclades, Ephesus and the intoxicating islands of the Dodecanese will be the ports of call for guests enjoying the Aegean Odyssey. Embarking Athens guests will sail from the Greek capital aboard the Panorama II, a two-masted state-of-the-art sail cruiser with opulent interiors and an intimate vibe with just 25 cabins available.

Eight day cruise. Available weekly from 24^th April until 19^th September 2014. From £1,155 per person (excluding port charges, flights and transfers).

 Boutique cruise specialists Variety Cruises (+44 208 324 3114 ; www.varietycruises.co.uk )

AdventureSmith Explorations Panama Canal Centennial

AdventureSmith Explorations Launches
Small Ship Cruise and Land Itineraries
Focused on Panama Canal Centennial

Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/ announces a year of expedition cruising and land-based touring focused on the 48-mile engineering feat called the Panama Canal that celebrates its centennial in 2014.

On a variety of itineraries guests will learn the history of overcoming hardships endured from 1881 when work on the canal first began, only to be aborted and started again when the United States in 1904 put its resources behind this engineering miracle that began changing the course of commerce – and world history -- in 1914, the same year that World War I began. Today some 14,000 ships pass annually through the canal.

Following are five ways to experience with AdventureSmith Explorations the Panama Canal by sea and by land in 2014.

Panama Adventure Cruise aboard the 24-guest Discovery catamaran is the region’s only all-Panama small ship cruise and it offers a guaranteed daytime transit of the Panama Canal. The per person double rate, inclusive of land excursions, is from $3,850 for seven days.  Guests are introduced to tropical rainforests, isolated beaches and remote native villages as well as the Panama Canal. Expert naturalist guides lead nature hikes; there are kayaking and snorkeling excursions among unspoiled reef.

Costa Rica & The Panama Canal aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion is a two-day canal transit with a visit to Barro Colorado and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute with experts from National Geographic. The per person double rate is from $5,690 for eight days. Guests explore exuberant, colorful and diverse nature in national parks, wildlife reserves and a privately owned tropical garden. In addition to abundant wildlife, guests swim and snorkel Panama’s famed Isla Coiba, kayak along remote coastlines and horseback ride on the beach.

Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Colombia Cruise aboard the 72-guest Variety Voyager showcases Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline. Guests enjoy one of the most upscale small ships in the region at a per person double rate, inclusive of land excursions, from $2,590 for eight days. This is also an experience in private yachting as guests unravel the Pacific Ocean coastline of Costa Rica, enroute accessing the nature reserves and national parks of Isla Coiba, Corcovado and Manuel Antonio, and witnessing life in the San Blas Islands while crossing the Panama Canal.

Best of Panama explores the canal, volcanic highlands and the Caribbean Coast, enroute meeting some of Panama’s indigenous people.  From coast to coast and past to present, guests on a private guided tour of the locks and on a jungle boat adventure in the canal glean the history and workings of the canal and the original Panama railway. Guests visit a thriving indigenous village and Spanish colonial forts and enjoy moderate daily hikes to, among others, the tropical cloud forest rich in flora and fauna. There are opportunities for zip lining, paddling a dugout canoe and touring a coffee plantation. The per person double occupancy rate is from $2295 for 10 days.

Panama Family Adventure embraces nature, culture and wildlife at a per person double rate of $2,600 (adults), $950 (child age 3-5), $1,250 (child age 6-11) for nine days. Guests experience the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal before venturing to the western highlands of the Caribbean coast to white water raft the Chagres River, go canopy zip-lining in the Chiriqui highlands, snorkeling in the Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro. Touring historic Panama City is also included.

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. In 2012, owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious 14th Annual Travel Specialists List as the world’s expert on small ship expeditions. A distinction he received again in 2013. For information, availability and 2014 reservations, Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or visit www.adventuresmithexplorations.com.