Europe Cruises: Excursions

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

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

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

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

This classic Reykjavik excursion encompasses the ‘Big Three’ – Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir, and more. The ‘Big Three’ are collectively known as the Golden Circle and provide a look at some of the scenic wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned. You’ll begin your day venturing into the beautiful Thingvellir national park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site only about 30 miles from Reykjavik, and ranking at the top of Iceland’s attractions. This national park has outstanding sceneries with an area surrounded by mountains and encompassing a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers. Continue to Geyser area where you’ll see hissing springs and other geothermal phenomena. Lunch will be served in this area amongst these scenic surroundings. Next, drive to the Gullfoss waterfall. The ‘Golden Waterfall’ is the most famous of the country’s many waterfalls. Here, the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two falls, creating an awesome spectacle. Then, visit waterfall Faxi with its salmon ladder and adjoining traditional sheep round up pen; also, the town of Hveragerdi to see an earthquake exhibition. Being located on an old magma chamber, Hveragerdi is notorious not only for its abundance of hot springs, which heat the community’s greenhouse industry, but also for its earthquakes. Lastly, appreciate a scenic drive of the city on your way back to your ship. Note: The itinerary might be reversed, if necessary. Most of the sights of this tour can be seen from the coach. less