Europe Cruises: Excursions

Lavish Palaces, Byzantine art, beautiful Mosques, bustling bazaars, Turkish food… all things that come to mind when you think of Istanbul. This tour is designed to cover the major highlights of Istanbul and maximize your time in this classical city. Walk to the Hippodrome to see the remains of what was once the scene for political struggles and uprisings in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. Visit Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and considered as the 8th wonder of the world by most art historians and the most important Byzantine monument in the world. Another highlight of your tour is Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Other stops in your itinerary are a historical mosque and the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part for a brief period of time. You’ll also visit the open and modern section which offers the best artworks and most reliable shopping. During your visit to the Grand Bazaar, you’ll stop at the modern section where you’ll enjoy local snacks and a presentation of carpets, leather or jewelry, followed by time for shopping. A Turkish lunch is also part of your classical Istanbul experience.

Start your morning with a visit to Pompeii. Here, a flourishing civilization, buried for 1,700 years under 20 feet of ash and pumice, was recovered so perfectly preserved that you can see how the 20,000 residents lived and loved, worked and played, ate and drank. En route, you’ll visit a cameo factory nearby to see how the famous jewelry is made and then have some time to browse the store. Visit the cliff-top town of Sorrento, a village with splendid views of the sea and the colorful marina below. Enjoy some free time to explore the flower-filled main street and the Corso Italia, lined with boutiques. Then it’s on to the hills above Sorrento, where a family-owned farm produces homemade products. Tour the farm and its old wine cantina, learn how they produce olive oil and homemade mozzarella, and during lunch get a chance to sample the local fare surrounded by a lemon and olive grove. Note: During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and long lines. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring bottled water. This tour includes extensive walking during the visit of Pompeii’s excavations and approximately 1 1/2 miles of walking. For all Norwegian Epic calls and Tuesday calls on Norwegian Spirit, lunch at the farmhouse will be after 2:30 pm. less

One of Sicily’s must-see sites is undoubtedly the Valley of the Temples, along the coastal road on the outskirts of Agrigento. In this impressive archaeological park you find eight well preserved Greek temples, and other remains, built between 510 BC and 430 BC; very much worth the nearly 2 ½ hours drive. As you approach the site, impressive, ancient ruins perched on the ridge, unfold as one of the most outstanding monuments of Greek art and culture. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., it was one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean. Walk the ancient paths surrounded by olive trees. Visit the Temple of Jupiter (Zeus), which if completed, would have been one of the largest in the ancient world.

From the Tempio dei Dioscuri, only four of its columns stand today. Nearby you’ll find a sacred area dedicated to Demeter and Persephone – the underground gods – as well as two sacrificial altars. Possibly the oldest of all, the Temple of Hercules was built in the ancient Doric style. Eight of its columns have been restored. The Temple of Concord is the largest, most majestic and best-preserved of the Doric temples in Sicily. It has a peristyle of 34 tufa limestone columns, although its’ original stucco facing has disappeared. And last but not least, the impressive Tempio di Hera Lacinia (dedicated to Juno, or her Greek equivalent, Hera) with its partially-preserved colonnade. Its elevation offers an impressive view of the valley. A lunch box from your ship is provided, and you’ll also stop for refreshments and a taste of the typical Sicilian cannolo, before the return drive.

Hop in your jeep and drive through the rugged terrain of Mykonos to the old lighthouse. Continue your drive to the Fragma and to Agios Ioannis where you can see the island of Delos from a distance. Following the road to Kalo Livadi, you’ll admire the great view of rugged rocks to the left and right. Arriving at Kalafatis Beach, you’ll be given free time to swim in the crystalline waters of the Aegean; umbrellas, sun beds and water sport facilities are available on the beach at your own expense. As you explore the hidden corners of Mykonos Island you’ll pass by Monastiri before arriving at Ano Mera Village. Here you’ll enjoy some snacks and refreshments at the peaceful square of the village before taking the road back to your ship. Note: The vehicles are manual transmission and self-driven. Driver must be experienced with manual transmission and be able to start the vehicle on an incline or off road situation. There is no narration while driving; your leader/guide will give explanations at the different stops. If you would like a personal driver for the vehicle, please visit the Shore Excursion Desk on board to make arrangements for an additional cost. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and must provide a valid driver’s license. Four persons can be accommodated per vehicle, but we recommend two persons per vehicle, as the back seats are not comfortable for some adults. Even though this tour has limited participation, a minimum number of participants is required to operate. Not recommended for guests with neck, back or hip problems as well as physical limitations. If you plan to swim at the beach, please remember to wear your swimsuit, and bring a towel and sun protection. No changing facilities or showers are available. Swimming will only be possible from June through September. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water, use suitable sun protection and dress in layers. In case weather is not permitting, the beach stop will be replaced with free time in Mykonos town at the end of the tour. This tour is only available from June through August. less

Journey back in time to the evolution of Greek Civilization. Visit the Acropolis and its famous landmarks and see the highlights of Athens. Admire the Propylaea, the temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum, and stand in awe in front of the Parthenon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Plaka followed by some free time to explore this old district. Visit the National Archaeological Museum, housing an unrivaled collection of treasures of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek Art. A few of the most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, Head of Hygeia "Goddess of Health", a bronze statue of the "Jockey-Boy" of Artemision, Golden Mask of Agamemnon and brilliant Minoan-style frescoes from Santorini. 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 areas the marble is uneven and slippery. There is additional walking and steps at the museum. During summer months expect extreme large crowds 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 be aware that there is much less congestion at the sites and less traffic during winter, so tour durations may be slightly shorter than listed but the content of the tour will not be affected. less