Explore. Dream. Discover.

Ávila, located near the Madrid area, is notable for its well-preserved medieval architecture and historical significance. The city’s iconic Ávila City Walls and numerous Romanesque and Gothic churches offer insight into medieval urban planning, defense, and religious life. Ávila’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, along with its connection to figures like Saint Teresa of Ávila, provides opportunities to explore Spanish history, spirituality, and literature, making it a compelling destination for understanding the historical and cultural development of the region.

Salamanca in Spain is renowned for its rich academic and cultural heritage. The city is home to the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest universities in Europe, offering insight into the history of education, scholarship, and intellectual life. Its historic architecture, including the Plaza Mayor and the stunning cathedrals, illustrates Renaissance and Baroque design, while the city’s literary and cultural traditions provide a deeper understanding of Spanish language, art, and society. The combination of educational, historical, and cultural experiences makes Salamanca a rich site for exploration and learning.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is best known for its cobbled streets, stunning bridges and production of delicious port wine. As part of our port program, students will tour a Port Cellar and while they won’t be drinking any Port (rules are rules) students will sample a taste of Fado, a musical genre that originates from Lisbon and can be traced back to the 1820s. Students will also enjoy a walking tour of the old city and time to explore the famous Ribeira district, filled with buzzing restaurants, shops and cafes.

Málaga, perched on the Costa del Sol, is a city where history, art, and innovation converge into a vibrant learning environment. Its ancient Alcazaba fortress, Roman theatre, and Moorish architecture offer lessons in history, engineering, and cultural exchange, while the Picasso Museum connects students to art, creativity, and personal expression. Bustling markets, like Mercado Central de Atarazanas, teach about gastronomy, trade, and local traditions, and the city’s urban beaches and port illustrate geography, ecology, and the human relationship with the sea. Festivals, flamenco performances, and artisan workshops provide hands-on insight into Andalusian culture, music, and craftsmanship. In Málaga, education extends beyond classrooms: the city itself becomes a space for curiosity, observation, and immersive learning, blending past, present, and creative possibility.

Our crew will leave their ship behind for a 4-day trek into the Sahara Desert, crossing the Atlas Mountains, and stopping in ancient villages along the way. In the desert, we will form a Class Afloat camel train for a safari into the Sahara. Upon arrival at a Bedouin desert camp, students will be treated to dinner and an evening of dancing around the bonfire before settling into a night under the desert stars. Long before dawn, we will climb the tallest sand dune to watch the sunrise over the Sahara – an incredible lifelong memory.

Tenerife is the largest and most populated of the seven Canary Islands, and a spectacular stop on our itinerary. In previous years, students have hiked up El Teide, the world’s third largest volcano. The volcano’s, craters and rock formations are so incredible they have been the backdrop for many famous movies, including Star Wars! Class Afloat students also love to take surf lessons at the famous reef break, the Spanish Left, at Playa de las Americas.

Mindelo in Cape Verde offers rich educational value through its unique blend of natural, cultural, and historical features. Its coastal setting provides opportunities to learn about island geography, marine ecosystems, and environmental sustainability, while the city’s vibrant arts scene—highlighted by music, literature, and events like the Carnival of Mindelo—supports understanding of cultural expression and heritage. In addition, Mindelo’s history as a port city offers insight into trade, migration, and global connections, making it a meaningful place to explore topics related to society, environment, and cultural diversity.

Located on the banks of the Suriname River, students will have the chance to explore the ornate wooden Dutch colonial buildings of Paramaribo and tour the Amazon, learning from local guides about the medicinal properties of jungle plants. Crew members will also have the chance to ride on long, motorized canoes on the Upper Suriname River in the hopes of spotting caimans. Keep your eyes peeled!

The island of Dominica is host to sperm whales, a variety of flora and fauna and the world’s largest hot spring (Boiling Lake). The youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, it is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity. The island is surrounded by lush mountainous rainforests and is often referred to as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean". During our port stay in Dominica, students will get to experience nature at its best and most pristine. With a bit of luck, they may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Sisserou Parrot, Dominica’s national bird that can only be found on the island.

Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe offers strong educational value through its blend of cultural, historical, and environmental features. As a major Caribbean port city, it provides insight into colonial history, trade, and the lasting impacts of the transatlantic slave trade, particularly through sites like the Memorial ACTe. The surrounding coastal and tropical environments support learning about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate, while the city’s vibrant markets, Creole culture, and French influences offer opportunities to explore language, identity, and cultural diversity in a real-world context.

Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe offers strong educational value through its blend of cultural, historical, and environmental features. As a major Caribbean port city, it provides insight into colonial history, trade, and the lasting impacts of the transatlantic slave trade, particularly through sites like the Memorial ACTe. The surrounding coastal and tropical environments support learning about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate, while the city’s vibrant markets, Creole culture, and French influences offer opportunities to explore language, identity, and cultural diversity in a real-world context.

Road Town and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands offer meaningful educational value through their natural environments, history, and cultural context. Road Town, as the capital, provides insight into government, trade, and the role of small island economies, while also reflecting the historical influences of colonization in the Caribbean. Virgin Gorda is known for its unique geological formations, particularly The Baths, which support learning about geology, coastal processes, and marine ecosystems. Together, these locations offer opportunities to explore biodiversity, sustainability, and Caribbean culture, while also highlighting the environmental and economic challenges faced by island communities.

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a city where history, culture, and urban life converge into a rich learning environment. Its Colonial Zone—the oldest European settlement in the Americas—offers lessons in architecture, early colonial history, and cultural exchange. Museums, plazas, and historic streets invite exploration of art, politics, and social development over centuries. The city’s vibrant markets, music, and festivals provide hands-on insight into Dominican culture, identity, and community traditions. Santo Domingo’s modern neighborhoods, alongside its historic sites, create a living laboratory for studying urban planning, economics, and sustainability. Here, education extends beyond textbooks: the city itself becomes a space to observe, reflect, and engage with the interwoven stories of land, people, and history.

Nassau in The Bahamas provides a diverse setting for educational exploration through its combination of history, environment, and culture. The city’s past, including its colonial roots and connections to piracy, can be seen in landmarks such as Fort Charlotte, offering insight into how the island developed over time. Its surrounding waters and coral reef systems create opportunities to understand marine life, ecosystems, and conservation efforts. At the same time, Nassau’s blend of African and British influences is reflected in its traditions, language, and daily life, allowing for a deeper appreciation of cultural identity in the Caribbean.

From wandering the streets of Hamilton or St. George's to visiting the Royal Navy Dockyards or walking the Railway Trail, there's no shortage of things to see and do in beautiful Bermuda.

Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores, is a gateway to learning where nature, history, and culture intersect. Surrounded by volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean, it offers lessons in geology, ecology, and sustainable island living. Its historic center, with churches, fortifications, and traditional architecture, provides insight into Portuguese settlement and Atlantic navigation. Markets, festivals, and local crafts illustrate community life, social traditions, and cultural continuity, while the city’s universities and research centers connect learners to modern science and innovation. In Ponta Delgada, education extends beyond classrooms: every street, shoreline, and festival becomes an opportunity to explore, observe, and reflect on the interconnection of people, place, and environment.

Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is a city where history, literature, and innovation come together as a living classroom. Its cobblestone streets, medieval castles, and Georgian squares offer lessons in architecture, urban development, and European history. The city’s rich literary heritage—from the works of James Joyce to contemporary writers—invites exploration of storytelling, language, and cultural identity. Museums, theaters, and public libraries provide insight into art, politics, and social change, while vibrant markets, music, and festivals reveal traditions, community life, and creative expression. Dublin’s mix of historic neighborhoods and modern innovation hubs makes it a place where learners can study both the past and present, observing how people, culture, and place continually shape one another.

Home to the Alexander Von Humboldt II, Bremerhaven, Germany-students will disembark the ship and begin their land-based travels of semester 2.

Enkhuizen in the Netherlands offers a distinctive setting for educational exploration through its strong maritime history and well-preserved heritage. Once a key port during the Dutch Golden Age, the city provides insight into trade, navigation, and economic development, particularly through attractions like the Zuiderzee Museum, which showcases traditional life around the former Zuiderzee. Its location along the IJsselmeer also supports learning about water management, land reclamation, and environmental adaptation, while the city’s architecture and cultural traditions reflect the broader history and identity of the Netherlands.