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10 DAYS OF CULTURE & ADVENTURE IN VANUATUSpanning just over 800 miles, the once volcanic archipelago of Vanuatu consists of approximately 82 small islands, 65 of which are inhabited.With a European heritage that dates EDFN�WR�������9DQXDWX�ZDV�ÀUVW�inhabited by Melanasians prior to being claimed by Spain and later France and the United Kingdom. Vanuatu—“Vanua,” meaning “land” or “home”, and “tu,” meaning “stand” —was so named after receiving its independence in 1980. The island nation remains culturally diverse, divided into three distinct cultural regions: the north, where wealth is measured by how much one can give away; traditional Melanesian in the center, and a system of grants of title and privilege in the south.The cultural diversity is also exhibited in the cuisine, which spans French to modern Asian-fusion, with an emphasis, of course, on the abundant local seafood.A cultural guide can be arranged to join your party for a day or the full extent of your charter.

ESPIRITU SANTO

MALEKULAAMBRYM

PENTECOST

MAEWO

EFATE

TANNA

EPI

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DAy 1EFATE Today you’ll greet Belle Aimée and her crew at Port Vila. After settling in to your stateroom and enjoying a refreshing welcome cocktail on the aft deck, you have the option to explore the duty-free Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, which is a shopper’s delight due to its colorful blend of French, English and Melanesian cultures. Foodies may wish to peruse the local fruit and vegetable market with the Chef.After lunch, depart Port Vila for the 30-minute cruise to the beautiful and remote retreat of Havannah Harbor and spend the afternoon snorkeling, swimming or kayaking in the crystal clear waters. Guests that venture ashore may take advantage of the many small fruit stands purveying deliciously sweet treats.Alternatively, take a short drive inland to the Mele Cascades, where you can follow the pathway under the waterfalls or, if you’re feeling adventurous, enjoy a guided abseiling adventure from the top of the falls to the pool 160 feet below. Return to Belle Aimee in the late afternoon. After an al fresco gourmet meal on the upper deck, retire to the sun deck for an aperitif under the stars.

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DAyS 2-3EFATE During World War II, the island of Efate, particularly Havannah Harbour, was used as a base for many U.S. naval ships. Today is a day to explore the undersea world, where many relics from the era are still visible. 6ZLP��GLYH��ÀVK��VXQEDWKH�DQG�UHOD[��while exploring the varied shoreline that alternates between rugged coastal areas and sandy beaches. Visit Hideaway Marine Sanctuary, where you can send a waterproof postcard via the world’s only XQGHUZDWHU�SRVW�RIÀFH��

TANNA After breakfast, Belle Aimée departs for the Melanesian island of Tanna, which is known for its large banyan WUHHV��Á\LQJ�IR[HV��KRW�SRROV�DQG�traditional kastom dances and villages, where modern inventions are restricted.Spend the day horseback riding on the beach or interact with the locals with a cultural tour through Tanna’s kastom villages. The more adventurous may wish to try ash boarding down the slopes of the yasur Volcano. At dusk, your guide will lead you on the hike to the crater’s edge where you’ll witness an amazing nighttime ÀUHZRUNV�GLVSOD\�FRXUWHV\�RI�0W��<DVXU�Volcano, the world’s most accessible active volcano.

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DAyS 4-5EPI you’ll get an early start today enroute to Epi Island, a cruise that will take you atop the ridge of a bubbling undersea volcano. The greatest volcanic eruption in history separated the islands of Epi and Tongoa and formed a crater nearly a mile deep. Understandably, this is one of Vanuatu’s top wall dive sites and an experience dive enthusiasts ZLOO�QRW�ZDQW�WR�PLVV��$IWHU�\RXU�ÀOO�RI�UD\V��GRJWRRWK�WXQD�DQG�ZKLWHÀQ�sharks, Belle Aimée will continue on to Lamen Bay, where you can spend the afternoon back in the water swimming with the dugong and sea turtles, or hiking inland to experience WKH�YLYLG�ÁRUD�DQG�IDXQD�Sunsets as viewed from Epi are spectacular, and tonight’s will be best enjoyed with friends and family over a delicious meal prepared by Belle Aimée’s chef.

AMBRyM Depart early this morning for Ranon, on the north of Ambrym. Known as the “Black Magic Island” Ambrym is the best place to buy wooden carvings and tamtams. Visit a traditional village where you may witness ancient customs or dance. Enjoy a cave tour or hike to Mts. Marum and Benbow, whose successive eruptions created a moon-like landscape in the island’s center that is breathtaking.

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DAyS 6-7PENTECOST The lush, mountainous island of Pentecost is most known for its “Nanghol” or land-diving, a fertility rite ritual that takes place between April and June to celebrate the yam harvest. Take a village tour and visit some of the island’s historical sites including many picturesque waterfalls. After a leisurely dinner on the upper deck, Belle Aimée draws anchor to head to Asanvari, off the island of Maewo, where you will anchor for the evening.

MAEWO The rugged island of Maewo is not only a lush haven for bird watchers, it is also steeped in intrigue, as it is famous for its magic sorcerers. Enjoy the black sand beaches and a village cultural tour today, but note that visitors are expected to adhere to the same restrictions as the villagers. Most traditional male dances, for example, are forbidden to be seen by women and, in return, some women’s dances may not be seen by men. After a satisfying lunch of “laplap” - the national dish made with grated root vegetables steeped in coconut milk and cooked with chicken or beef and wrapped in banana leaf - you’ll visit the large waterfall at Naone, on North Maewo, before departing in the early evening for the island of Espiritu Santo.

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DAyS 8-10ESPIRITU SANTO <RXU�ÀQDO�GD\V�DERDUG�%HOOH�$LPpH�will be spent enjoying Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. Guests can break off to enjoy various activities today, from a GHHS�VHD�ÀVKLQJ�H[FXUVLRQ�WR�VQRUNHOLQJ��VZLPPLQJ�RU�VXUÀQJ�DW�the picturesque Champagne Beach; playing on Belle Aimée’s many water toys or simply relaxing on the sun deck with a good book.

ESPIRITU SANTO Keen divers will not want to miss the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, the world’s largest accessible ship wreck, or Million Dollar Point, a stunning undersea site of trucks, bulldozers and equipment dumped after World War II. Non-divers will enjoy an adventure trek to Millennium Cave or a horseback ride through cattle and coconut plantations. Return to Belle Aimée for an early evening cruise to the private Ratua Island to swim and relax as the sun descends.

ESPIRITU SANTO (DUO\�ULVHUV�FDQ�ÀW�LQ�D�ÀVKLQJ�excursion or a visit to the Blue Holes on North Malo this morning before bidding a fond farewell to Belle Aimée and her crew and transferring by air from Luganville to Porto Vila IRU�WKH�ÁLJKW�KRPH�

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