Europe Cruises: Excursions

The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, 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. Visit one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque because of the over 21,000 blue-green Iznik tiles used for its interior decoration. The six minarets and the layout of the domes and semi-domes create a unique exterior. 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. Continue your walk and visit Hagia Sophia, "Holy Church of Wisdom," now mostly referred to as St. Sophia Museum, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and considered as the 8th wonder of the world by most art historians. St. Sophia originated as a church in 360 AD and was later converted into a Mosque when the city was conquered by the Ottomans. Today, it’s considered as 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. The Treasury Section houses the 86-carat spoon maker diamond and an equally impressive emerald dagger. Another stop in your itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar is composed of two sections: the covered traditional part and the modern open section. The covered section is a whole quarter on its own and is surrounded by a wall which can be entered through several gates. The maze of streets and lanes are one of the greatest sights in the city, where various trades are segregated into different sections. 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. Here, you’ll see 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. A Turkish lunch is also part of your classical Istanbul experience. Note: This tour is not available for Norwegian Spirit's August 3, 2013 sailing. Participants are required to remove their shoes when entering the Mosque and are provided with an environmentally friendly bag to store them. As this tour visits a place of worship, please dress respectfully: no bare shoulders or exposed knees. Should the mosque be closed to visitors due to religious festivities, you’ll visit another historical mosque. On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar closes and only the shops of the outer open area of the bazaar remain open. Therefore, the visit of the covered section may be replaced with the Spice Bazaar. The "Gallery" section of St. Sophia and "Harem" section of Topkapı Palace are not included. There is approximately 2 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and some inclines and steps on this tour. Your Turkish lunch includes water; additional drinks are available at an extra charge. 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 9, 2013 through August 7, 2013, including the Festival Period of Ramadan from August 8, 2013 to August 10, 2013. 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