The world has seen so many explorers but Christopher Columbus stands out. This Italian explorer discovered much of what the world knows today as the new World. Although there are some unpleasant stories surrounding his exploration, one can still enjoy an exciting cruise around the world with the itinerary of the Italian explorer. It is an opportunity to witness the unparalleled scenery of various destinations around the world and also learn about the history surrounding these places. Without further ado, here’s an epic itinerary to sail the world like Christopher Columbus.
About Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who made four voyages in the late 15th century and many of these voyages led to discoveries of so many interesting lands many of which were named by him. This period of Columbus's exploration is also known as the Age of Discovery and many other European nations and individuals participated in it, although the exploration of Christoper Columbus particularly stood out for its immense impact on the introduction of the linking of the Old World and the New World.
After Columbus got funding for his voyages from the Spanish King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, he began his epic adventure in the company of three ships - the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria in the year 1492. The original motive of the explorer was to sail West on a mission to create a route to East Asia and also acquire riches for himself and the Spanish Monarchs. The expedition particularly stood out since there was a need for a sea route to the Indies. Portugal had previously tried to achieve this goal but the country had already spent years trying to reach the Indies to no avail. Apparently, the Spanish monarchs thought Christopher Columbus’s proposal of reaching the east from the west was worth trying.
Over the next couple of months (and eventually years), Columbus sailed across the world discovering indigenous people and several unique landmasses, recording every single experience in his diary, and also getting in trouble with the indigenous people as well as his fellow European explorers. His expedition led to many conflicts with indigenous people until his death in 1506 at the age of 54. Even though he did not actually discover the North American continent, Columbus is widely regarded as the explorer who discovered the New World.
The Itinerary Of Christopher Columbus
The motive of Christopher Columbus might be immoral to many but the adventures are inspiring and worth experiencing especially in the present age where one can easily get on a ship and embark on a cruise journey. Since the various voyages were recorded, one can easily follow the epic sailing adventure of this Italian explorer. For sailors, explorers, travelers, or generally anybody around the world seeking to sail across the world and enjoy a sea adventure, here’s an exciting itinerary to follow.
The Bahamas
At the beginning of the exploration in October 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew of three ships first discovered an island in a part of the Caribbean now known as the Bahamas and landed there. Columbus - the leader of the expedition then planted a flag there and claimed the land for Spain. Upon reaching this Island, Columbus concluded that he had arrived in East Asia and spent his time there searching for gold to return to his patron - King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He soon learned that this was not the wealthy land he sought, and his disappointment eventually led him to the next exploration.
Cuba And Hispaniola
After spending some time in the Bahamas searching for gold, Christopher Columbus sailed to Cuba which he also thought to be China but was again disappointed. The explorer and his crew then sailed under the influence of a storm to an island in the Caribbean which Columbus eventually named La Isla Espanola or Hispaniola (in its anglicized form). The island was home to the Taino people who welcomed Columbus with open arms into their land. Today the island is the second-largest in the Caribbean and it is divided into two main regions - Haiti and Dominican Republic. Some of the world's most beautiful beaches are located in this part of the Caribbean as well as a rich history and culture. Its affordability also makes it stand out from other islands in the Caribbean including the Bahamas.
Concerning Christopher Columbus, his discovery of Hispaniola was a fulfilling achievement at first, although the riches he so passionately sought were not in the land. He later left for Spain, leaving behind several dozen men as one of the ships had sunk. What happened at the return of Columbus became known by many to be one of the saddest periods in the Caribbean and what eventually led to the downfall of the explorer who sought to reach the east by sailing through the west.
The Lesser Antilles
Several months had passed and the crew members left in Hispaniola by Christopher Columbus had been put to death by the Taino people. Upon returning from his trip to Spain and beginning his second voyage, Columbus retaliated aggressively against the Taino people and their chief who led the movement to destroy the Spanish settlement on the island. He eventually left his two brothers in control of the destroyed island and set sail for an island in the Lesser Antilles which he later named - Dominica. After unsuccessful attempts to find riches in Dominica, he would spend the next two weeks exploring other islands in the Lesser Antilles including - Antigua, Saint Martin, the Virgin Islands, and many other lesser-known islands in this part of the Caribbean. Each of these islands features unique experiences and is worth a visit at least once.
Trinidad, South America, and Central America
During his third voyage, Columbus discovered Trinidad before eventually sailing to the southern part of Venezuela, making it the first time in history that Europeans had set foot on the South American Mainland. At this point of Columbus’s expedition, he was already in deep trouble with the other colonists he had left his brother in charge of and the Taino who he had subjected to slavery.
Christopher Columbus and his brothers were eventually tried and found guilty of crimes against their fellow Europeans and the indigenous people who warmly welcomed him to the Caribbean islands. This led to Columbus’s arrest and his subsequent vindication and release weeks later. Still overcome by his gold-seeking passion, Columbus embarked on his fourth and final voyage which took him to parts of Central America included - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. After encountering one more storm, Columbus and his men were left stranded and this eventually led to his return to Spain still without a tangible route to East Asia and obviously without the riches of the east.
Although Columbus is noted for his contributions to the discovery of the New World, he was a key player in the eventual extinction of the Taino people who had inhabited the Caribbean Islands for centuries years. Today, Some people claim to be descendants of Taino people in some islands of the Caribbean, but the claim is still under debate. Modern-day Puerto Rico is one of the best places to learn about these indigenous people and their culture as it was considered one of their main settlements before the tragic meeting with the Spanish explorers. One DNA result even claims that the inhabitants of this Caribbean Island have Taino ancestry and visitors to the island can visit the historic destinations and numerous attractions that shed more light on the island's distant past and its indigenous people.