Europe Cruises: Excursions

Your coach will take you from the pier to start your walking tour from Senate Square, with its neo-classical atmosphere. It is surrounded by the Main Lutheran Church, the Senate Building, and the University. Walk by the central railway station of Eliel Saarinen and see the National Theater and Sanoma Talo. Enjoy a flavorful cup of fresh coffee and pastry served in one of the many coffee venues in downtown. Continue your tour by walking to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare where you’ll see Helsinki’s museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum, the new Music Hall and the House of Parliament. Then, visit the world famous Rock Church built of bedrock and quarried stone. Continue your walk towards Sibelius Park, in which the name was given to the park honoring Finland’s greatest composer, Jean Sibelius. Note: Guests must be in good physical conditions to walk approximately 4 miles uneven and cobblestone surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Order of sights may vary. less

Board your guided air-conditioned transportation and pass through Puntarenas and its surrounding mangroves. Then, proceed southward along the coast past the port of Caldera and small fishing villages, such as Mata de Limon. Next, head inland into the coastal range of mountains passing by small farming communities such as Tivies and Ceiba. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to see typical Costa Rican rural life. Along the way, you may encounter different species of birds as well as sugar cane, bananas, coffee, mangos and other crops that are often exported to North America and Europe. Continue traveling south until you reach Tarcoles River, where sightings of very large crocodiles can frequently be seen. This is where your Canopy Tour adventure will begin. Upon arrival to the canopy tour reception, you’ll get geared up with the necessary equipment and briefed on safety instructions. You’ll be guided on a 15 to 20 minute walk through the tropical transition forest to the beginning of the tour. Once here, you’ll proceed to the first horizontal traverse cable. The Original Canopy tour consists of nine observation platforms, and eight horizontal traverse cables connected between the immense trees of this tropical paradise. Your journey through the trees will take approximately one hour. Here, you may see deer, monkeys and a variety of birds including the endangered scarlet macaw, orchids, bromeliads and mahogany trees. At the end of the tour you'll receive a complimentary bottle of water. Other beverages and souvenirs will be available for purchase once back at the reception area. After a few minutes of relaxation, you’ll board your bus for the return journey to the pier. Note: Participants must be at least 5 years of age and weigh no more than 275 lbs. Although wildlife sightseeing are common, they are not guaranteed. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women or for guests with seizure disorders, heart, back, neck or balance problems. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring insect repellent. A change of clothing is recommended. less

Commissioned by Pericles and built by Pheidias, the perfectly proportioned Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, representing the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Follow the winding path to 'the upper city' entrance through the Propylaea gateway. Beyond, on the highest part of the hill, stands the crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, looking out over the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Old City below. After the Acropolis, you’ll drive to both the old and new sections of Athens, separated by Hadrian’s Arch. You’ll pass the statue of Lord Byron, the Corinthian Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square to the former Royal Palace. Here you’ll have a chance to take a photo of the Presidential Guard or Evzones in traditional uniform, as they stand watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other sights on the drive include the Academy, National Gardens and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium, built in 1895 for the first modern Olympic Games. 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. less

For the snorkeling enthusiast, this tour combines two of the best areas in the emerald waters of Huatulco. From the pier area it is a 10-minute sail to La Entrega Beach, while a site briefing is given. There you’ll enjoy 45 minutes of snorkeling in the calm, translucent waters of the area and be amazed at the variety of marine life seen on the coral reef. Next is a 20-minute trip to Cacaluta Bay, which some locals call King's Beach because it was the favorite of King Juan Carlos I of Spain on his 1993 visit to Huatulco. Along the way, you’ll pass by the spectacular blowhole and Organo and Maguey Bays. Snorkel another 45 minutes from the boat in the passage between the island and beach, an outstanding pristine place with white coral and rocks. Note: Participants must be at least 16 years of age and in good physical condition. Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel and sunscreen. You’ll be required to sign a waiver release form in order to participate. Some light current might be present. Participants should be able to get in and out of the boat by ladder. Depending on weather, water clarity and sea conditions, the above itinerary may vary and/or the stop at Cacaluta could be changed to an alternate site. All dives will be from the boat with no beach snorkeling. There are no showers on the boat. less