Europe Cruises: Excursions

Seek an active adventure in Dragonja, an attractive valley in any season. Your guide will provide you with instructions and information before you start your hike through this ever changing valley. Hike through deep green pools, red bushes, purple foliage or flowing seeping water through stones depending on the season. Discover the beautiful natural scenery and ecosystem along your way.

There is no better way to explore Baja’s desert and ocean beauty than from aboard your safe and fun Honda Big Red 4 x 4 Mini Jeep®. Along your ride, you’ll see cacti over 20 feet high, towering over the trail. Stops will be made along the way to inform you about the desert flora and fauna as well as at a lookout point over the Pacific Ocean. Take your camera as you’ll have many photo opportunities on this excursion. Your drive will take you to a seaside ranch along the mighty Pacific Ocean where you’ll receive instructions and equipment. Hop on your assigned vehicle and follow your guide for a glimpse into Baja’s rugged terrain. Your 4 x 4 Mini Jeep® will take you effortlessly over hilltops and through river washes. Upon returning to the ranch you’ll have a few minutes to explore the traditional desert adobe houses before returning to the pier. Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age to operate vehicle. Maximum weight per person is 275 lbs. Due to the nature of this tour, pregnant women or guests with a heart condition, knee pain or injury, spinal and/or neck problems should not participate. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen. Signature on liability waiver is required. less

Explore Baja California's desert aboard a rugged Jeep® Wrangler. Your destination is La Candelaria, a small oasis village in the middle of the desert. Once your vehicle is assigned, you’ll set out across the desert caravan-style, following your local guide. Along the drive you’ll be shown some of the local flora and fauna that is found all over the Baja. There are several working ranches along the way, where you’ll see herds of cows and goats roaming the roads. Keep your camera ready as there are many photo opportunities. Driving will be shared among the four guests in the Jeep®. At La Candelaria, you’ll be served a delicious snack and a soft drink or bottled water at the local boarding school, which is home to approximately 75 students during the school week. You’ll also visit a local artist specializing in pottery. As the works are in high demand, there are not always samples available for viewing. Back in the convoy, continue your exploration down one of Baja's largest river washes until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. At the beach, you’ll have some free time to comb the beach for shells or just relax and watch the waves crashing on the shore. Your return trip to the pier will be along Baja's famed Highway 1. Note: Participants must be at least 5 years of age to snorkel. Drivers must be at least 25 and present a valid driver's license. All vehicles have manual transmission and a maximum capacity of four passengers per vehicle. Due to the nature of this tour, pregnant women or guests with any known medical condition or history of illness, including heart condition, knee pain or injury, spinal and or neck pain or injury or any recent injuries should not participate. Guests must be able to walk approximately 750 yards over uneven dirt surfaces to do the walking portion of this tour. Guests with mobility problems can rest at the boarding school while the rest of the group participates on the walking portion of the tour. less

Hidden deep in the heart of the Sierra Mountains, this UNESCO protected reserve is home to abundant wildlife, rich flora and fauna and a completely unforgettable adventure. Using only the safest internationally-approved equipment, your highly experienced and entertaining guide will take you on an unforgettable journey though the stunning nature of Boca de la Sierra. After an approximately 80 minute scenic journey along the coastline of Los Cabos, a warm welcome awaits for you at the rustic base camp. Once suited up, take a short journey on board your original Unimog vehicle deep into the Canyon de la Zorra. Fly across open canyons and emerald green streams on double safety zip lines. Scale the rock face as you ascend specially designed climbing walls, race your friends on the tandem zip line, and prepare yourself for the ultimate adventure - a 98-foot rappel that will take you to the base of the canyon floor. Enjoy a well earned rest back at the base camp with light refreshments and a chance to view your professional photos. Return to your ship with long lasting memories of this truly unique outdoor adventure! Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age, weigh no more than 250 lbs. and be at least 4 feet tall. Must be in good health, and be able to walk uphill for 10 minutes and climb a steep ladder. This tour is not for guests with back, neck, heart or respiratory condition, seizures, physical disabilities or pregnant women. Bottled water, snack, lockers, gear and instructions are included. Guests are not allowed to bring their cameras; there will be professional photographs taken onboard. Participants will be asked to sign safety waiver before participating in the tour. Travel time is approximately 80 minutes each way. less

Upon arrival at Tarquinia Porta Clementina, you’ll collect your bicycles and meet the group leader. Then, proceed through the Medieval historic center of Tarquinia passing by some of the most important monuments in this historic village. Visit the main palazzo and the National Etruscan Museum. Continue towards Santa Maria in Castello until you arrive at the typical farmhouse for a wine tasting session. From here, you’ll return to your ship by coach. Note: Participants must be at least 10 years of age. The bike ride is approximately 3 miles, mainly down hill or level ground. AVAILABLE FOR ALL NORWEGIAN SPIRIT SAILINGS AND ON BARCELONA TO BARCELONA NORWEGIAN EPIC SAILINGS ONLY. less

Turkey has a great history, and Istanbul has been witness to great civilizations that have left behind innumerable treasures. One of those great civilizations was the Byzantine Empire, and in spite of the many centuries past, today you can still find some of the artistic wealth they left behind. Visit the Chora Museum, located just by the ancient city walls; it was built as a church towards the end of the 11th century and has had many restorations and refurbishments during its long history. The church was converted into a Mosque in the 1500s by the Ottomans. Dating from the early 14th century, the mosaics and frescoes lining its walls and ceiling depict the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ and are beautiful examples of the Byzantine Renaissance. You’ll also visit Hagia Sophia, the "Holy Church of Wisdom" or St. Sophia Museum as it is now called. Used as a church for over 900 years, and a mosque for almost 500, it was closed for services in 1934 and converted to a museum since. Many historians have called it the 8th wonder of the world, and it is considered the most important Byzantine monument. The Grand Bazaar is another stop on your tour. It’s one of the world’s largest covered markets and its thousands of shops sell everything from t-shirts and souvenirs to expensive jewelry and antiques. This important trade center sees more than a quarter million visitors daily, from the typical tourist looking for a souvenir to take back home, to the local citizen looking for an everyday household item. The traditional covered section has beautifully decorated domed ceilings with thousands of stalls and stores, and the modern open area has the best modern shops where you can find the most reliable shopping. It is in this modern section that you’ll have a presentation on the unique art of Turkish carpets and be given additional time to shop. Enjoy some complimentary refreshments while you shop and stroll in the handicraft store. You’ll also have free time during your tour to grab a bite to eat at a local cafe or enjoy the cuisine at one of the many restaurants around this area (at your own expense). Note: Tour is not available on the Norwegian Spirit April 17th, August 3rd, September 20th nor October 2nd 2013 sailings. For Norwegian Jade winter sailings, tour is only available on day two. Expect differences in tour durations due to traffic conditions. The "Gallery" section of St. Sophia is not included. On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar closes and only the shops of the outer bazaar remain open. Therefore, the visit to the Grand Bazaar may be replaced with the Spice Bazaar. There is approximately 1 3/4 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and some inclines and steps on this tour. This tour will be subject to national and religious festive days due to the closure of the sites and venues during the month of Ramadan from July 9th, 2013 through August 7th, 2013, including the Festival Period of Ramadan from August 8th, 2013 to August 10th, 2013. less