Europe Cruises: Excursions

This leisure tour highlights the spectacular scenery of Majorca and offers the opportunity to taste local specialties. Leaving the port, you’ll embark on a scenic drive with views of landscapes of pine forests and groves of almond and olive trees, beautiful villages and much more. There will be a couple of stops to take in the magnificent views and snap some memorable pictures. Your final destination and highlight is La Granja de Esporles surrounded by beautiful fountains and lush formal gardens. This superb 17th century Majorcan manor was built by a noble family on the site of a 10th century farm belonging to the monks. You’ll have time to explore on your own the grounds and interior of the house, now a museum illustrating the home-life of two centuries ago. A highlight is the wine cellar, where you’ll sample a local wine and various Majorcan products. Afterward, you’ll return to your ship through the village of Esporles. Note: There is approximately 1 mile of walking on uneven surfaces and rough pathways with 35-40 steps at La Granja. less

Enjoy a very scenic and relaxing excursion, experiencing Italy's most famous coastline by motor launch, with minimal walking involved, and time within the beautiful village of Sorrento. After an approximate one-hour drive by coach, you will arrive to the town of Salerno, located at the very end of the Amalfi Coast. There you'll board a private motor launch and enjoy a 45-minute cruise, viewing the Dolomitic cliffs, which at many points, tower perpendicularly out of the sea and have been sculpted by nature into fantastic shapes. Amalfi is situated at the mouth of a deep gorge along the coast. Learn how this was a major shipping port during the Middle Ages and it was also an independent maritime state. Enjoy a narrated walk around the town center of Amalfi, with your guide, who will explain the history and architecture of the Cathedral of St. Andrew as you marvel at the exterior architecture, a mix of Moorish and early Gothic design. Its main treasures are the 11th-century bronze doors from Constantinople. Enjoy some free time on your own in Amalfi, for maybe shopping or relaxation, before cruising back to Salerno where your coach will be waiting to drive you to Sorrento. With its luxuriant vegetation and sun-drenched climate, Sorrento became a favorite resort of wealthy Romans. Experience this cliff-top setting, with an imposing Duomo, distinctive for its 13th-century cloister, and a charming, flower-filled town, all there for you to explore. Enjoy lunch with wine in a local restaurant in Sorrento before returning back to your ship. Note: Tour is not available for winter sailings. Guests must be able to walk approximately 500 yards over even surfaces with 5 - 10 steps. There are several steps to access the lunch venue. Comfortable walking shoes, hat, and sunscreen are highly recommended. Walking during the free time is at the guests' discretion. The drive between Naples and Salerno is approximately 45 minutes and from Sorrento to Naples is approximately 1 1/2 hours. Guests wishing to enter the Cathedral of St. Andrew on their own must ascend approximately 60 or more very steep steps. The order of the tour may be reversed. The motor launch has both inside and outside seating. In case of bad weather conditions and/or rough seas, the cruise to Amalfi will be cancelled and an orientation drive of the Amalfi Coast will be made instead. Due to traffic restrictions of the Sorrento center a short walk from the motorcoach drop off point to the main center and vice versa will be required. During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and long lines. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring bottled water. less

After your tender drops you off at the port of Athinios, you’ll drive to Pyrgos village, one of the oldest settlements and the highest village on the island. Admire the beautiful old houses and the Venetian fortress crowned by several churches. From Pyrgos Square the road runs uphill to the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah, the highest point of the island. From here, the views out over the caldera are majestic. Leaving Pyrgos you head to the northern end of Santorini to the village of Oia, which offers magnificent views of the caldera and the rest of the other islands. With its cobblestone streets, beautiful old mansions and houses perched on the cliffside, you’ll realize why the traditional Cycladic architecture is so well known. Here you’ll have free time to stroll around the narrow streets with the old beautiful houses and the tiny picturesque shops. Then, leaving the village of Oia, make your way to one of Santorini’s most renowned Greek tavernas where you’ll enjoy dinner, music and dances. Experience a typical Greek fiesta dancing to 'Zorba the Greek' and breaking plates while the bouzouki plays its solo. After a buffet-style dinner, you’ll continue to Fira town, the picturesque capital of the island built on the rim of the caldera wall. Enjoy the town at leisure before returning to your ship. Note: Tour participation is limited. Tour involves walking for approximately ½ mile on level, some steps and cobblestone streets. Amount of walking and exertion during free time is up to you. Not recommended for guests on wheelchairs. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. Most tours end in Fira where you’ll board a cable car to return to the pier (cable car ticket will be provided). Lines for the cable car are very long, especially during summer months or when there are several ships in port; please allow sufficient time to return to the tender landing pier. less

This cruise shore excursion is an ideal introduction to the city’s highlights. Reach the natural fortress of the Acropolis, and with your guide you’ll walk up the uneven footpath heading to the summit. Sights include the Propylaea, Temple of Apteros Niki, Erectheum and the Architectural Triumph of the Parthenon. Continue with a city drive and see Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Palace, Hadrian’s Gate and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium. After lunch, drive along the scenic coastal road which affords splendid views of the Saronic Gulf and takes you through some of Athens' most beautiful suburbs. Arrive at Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon, standing some 200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most breathtaking and deeply moving sights in all of Greece. Fifteen of the original 34 columns of the Doric order still stand in majestic splendor. Note: The Acropolis is explored on foot and requires approximately two hours of walking. There are some 75 steps at the entrance and in certain locations the marble is uneven and slippery. During summer months and when there are many ships at the port of Piraeus, expect extreme overcrowding at the sites with possible waiting time to enter, especially at the Acropolis. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. Please also be aware that there is much less congestion, both at the sites and in traffic during winter time, so tour durations may be slightly shorter than listed in the descriptions; the content of the tour will not be affected. less

Begin your tour by sightseeing boat and pass by Suomenlinna, a series of small interconnected islands near Helsinki that are popular with area residents because of their museums, parks and gardens. In 1748, a fortress was built on the islands and was dubbed the ‘Gibraltar of the North’. As your guide describes Helsinki's unique relationship to the sea, continue past waterfront houses and old villas in this unique urban archipelago. Also pass by several other points of interest, including the icebreaker fleet docked for the summer season, and Helsinki Zoo. The zoo is one of the most northernmost zoos in the world. Disembark the boat and enjoy a short visit to Kauppatori (Market Square), where you can shop for local handicrafts, perhaps sample luscious Finnish berries or just enjoy the friendly atmosphere. In warm weather, the square is a popular spot with both locals and tourists. Rejoin your sightseeing coach for a leisurely panoramic tour of some of the main highlights the city has to offer. Pass the Presidential Palace and Uspenski Cathedral, make a photo stop in Senate Square, and then continue on to Mannerheim Street with the Parliament House, National Museum and Finlandia Hall. The Olympic Stadium and new Opera House will also be seen before arriving at Sibelius Park for a final photo opportunity of the monument of over 600 steel pipes which honor the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Note: Order of sights may vary. The panoramic tour section does not include any visits to venues. If the Market Square is closed, an alternative shopping venue will be used. Participants must be able to get in and out of a boat. less