Like the old MGM movie mascot, a lion parades in front of you and growls as a signal to his mate in the African bush. Giraffes poke their heads atop of trees and pluck off leaves to eat and a long and lean leopard chases after his prey. A colony of deer forage for food. All of these scenes are in South Africa awaiting visitors to this cosmopolitan country that offers a variety of experiences in addition to the wildlife.

But let's start with the wildlife and the way I experienced it. I stayed at Mala Mala Game Reserve located adjacent to Kruger National Park. The Reserve provides unimpeded access to wildlife and members of the Big Five: lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephants can be viewed on a daily basis.

The day at Mala Mala begins with a hearty breakfast and is followed by a game drive. Guests at Mala Mala board jeeps with a maximum of six passengers and are guided by an experienced rangers who know where to find wildlife and are familiar with all aspects of bush ecology.

Millions of flowering tulips in a myriad of colors can be enjoyed in a spectacular setting at Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam, but check your calendar because this dazzling display can only be seen in the spring during late March and April in Holland.

A delightful excursion into this cornucopia of colors is made easy by riverboat. My husband and I recently returned from a "Tulip Time" cruise aboard the AMA Prima, launched in 2013. The 9-day cruise began and ended in Amsterdam and visited the port cities of the Netherlands and Belgium including: Volendam, Edam, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Antwerp, Ghent, Willemstad, Kinderdjik and Ultrecht with an optional excursion to Brugge.