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COLOMBO, SRI LANKA Brimming with old-world charm, Colombo is Sri Lanka's cultural epicenter. With its large harbour and strategic seaside location, Colombo quickly earned favour among ancient traders. First colonized by the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, then the English, who ruled until the country gained independence in 1948. Still today, evidence of all three nations is clear in the cuisine, language and architecture. Within the city's 19th-century fortress stands the neobaroque Old Parliament Building. NOSY BE (ANDOANY), MADAGASCAR Andoany, formerly known as Hell-Ville, is the small capital city of Nosy Be, an island off Madagascar's northwest coast. The island is known for its crater lakes, waterfalls and rainforests, which are home to an array of wildlife. The Lokobe Nature Preserve hosts endemic lemurs, bats, reptiles and birds. Nearby Nosy Komba allows glimpses of the rare black lemur. The waters offshore support extensive coral beds, attracting divers and snorkelers. Nosy Tanikely, a small uninhabited island, is famous for its unmarred beauty and frequent sea turtle sightings. MALÉ, MALDIVES Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is the gateway to this enchanting, low-lying archipelago scattered across the equator. Remotely situated some 620 miles southwest of India and Sri Lanka and consisting of 26 atolls covering approximately 115 square miles, Asia's smallest country is a tropical paradise full of white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and tranquil lagoons teeming with birdlife. Offshore, colourful reef fish, sea turtles and other marine life mingle among the vibrant coral gardens, making the Maldives a premier destination for curious divers and snorkelers. MOMBASA, KENYA The lands outside of Mombasa are the home of the Maasai people, an Indigenous nomadic ethnic group in Kenya and Tanzania with a captivating culture rooted in their pastoral lifestyle. Their history is marked by resilience against colonial forces and a deep connection to the land. Their age-old traditions revolve around cattle herding, warriorhood and communal living. The Maasai are renowned for their distinctive red clothing, intricate beadwork and high-jumping dance. Today, Maasai communities balance tradition with modern challenges to preserve their rich heritage. 29 Call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ) or contact your local Viking travel agent