Europe Cruises: Excursions

This classic city tour takes in all the highlights of Reykjavik with one stop at the Pearl Vantage Point. You'll leave the harbor towards the Laugardalur or 'warm water valley', passing the city’s main sports and recreation area with its outdoor geothermal swimming pool. From here, you'll head inland and arrive at the City’s municipal conservation area of Heidmork. Reykjavik has easy access to a plentiful, clean and uncontaminated water supply from the cold spring area Gvendarbrunnar. The surrounding lava fields, craters and imposing mountain ranges bear witness to the country’s fiery origins and succeed in providing visitors with a taste of the great outdoors. You'll return to the hustle and bustle of the inner city, driving past the open-air museum at Arbaer where selected old houses are shown and cross the Ellidaar, (Ellida River) one of the world's cleanest Salmon rivers known to flow through a capital city. You'll then make a stop at The Pearl (or Perlan), which, is built on the hot water reservoir tanks that provide Reykjavik with water for the taps and radiators. Here, the panoramic view at the platform is so splendidly clear, it is the perfect photo opportunity. You'll continue past the Hallgrims church, and head for the charming old quarter of Reykjavik with its colorful wooden houses and narrow streets before passing the city lake, Tjornin, with its rich birdlife. Your next stop will be at the harbor area for a photo stop. On the way back, you'll follow the coastline, pass the famous Hofdi house where the summit meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev was held in 1986. Note: Most of the sites on this tour can be seen from the coach. Order of sites may vary. less

See the best of Cartagena with a tour of the city accompanied by local guide experts. Your first stop will be a view of the imposing military fort of San Felipe de Barajas situated outside the walled city and considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World. You'll then continue to the historic Colonial city characterized by its walls which took 194 years to be completed. These immense walls enabled Cartagena to defend itself from the numerous attacks of English pirates and other invaders. You’ll be able to walk through Spanish Colonial architecture, some of the best preserved in South America with its imposing merchant’s houses, narrow streets, flower bedecked balconies, civic buildings and beautiful churches. The city is dotted with many squares and public spaces which are now home to sidewalk cafes and restaurants where locals and visitors relax and enjoy the magic of this city. Your next stop will be Bocagrande, which in contrast with the old city is modern with high rise apartment complexes, hotels and restaurants, a great place for visitors. You’ll then have a brief stop for shopping at the Pierino Gallo shopping center famous for its wide variety of jewelry shops. Note: There is a 30 minute continuous walk-in old town. Bring comfortable attire, hat and sun block. less

On this tour a Faroese family opens the doors to their home and invites you in. Your hosts will serve light refreshments including coffee, tea, and home-baked cake. This visit will give you an excellent opportunity to make acquaintance with locals and to see how a Faroese family lives. On your way back to the harbor, the driver will take you to a viewpoint overlooking Torshavn. less

If walking is not your thing, this is an ideal introduction at a leisurely pace into the heart and surrounds of Malaga. The whitewashed villages of Costa del Sol are impressive historical monuments in themselves, and their people still live according to age-old traditions, inherited from their Iberian, Roman and Moorish forefathers. Many of the villages near the coast have become fashionable resorts, while still maintaining their ancient charm, whereas others, lost in the highlands, remain rough and ready olive-farming towns. Sit back and let your guide bring to life both Malaga’s past and present on this panoramic tour of the city and surroundings. Driving past the subtropical gardens of the park to the bullring on the eastern side of the city, the coach will wind its way to the Castle of Gibralfaro, where a short photo stop will be made. You may opt to stretch your legs or remain on the coach. Enjoy the street life of Malaga while sipping on complimentary tea, coffee or a soft drink at the terrace of one of the local cafeterias near the cathedral before your panoramic drive to the pier. less

Take a panoramic tour of Cartagena. Begin with a photo stop of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, originally built in the 17th century and considered the largest Spanish fort in the New World. Snap pictures of the ancient towering walls and main entrance. Then, drive by the Old City where your guide will point out historical facts about the Inquisition Palace, the Cathedral and its dome churches. Your next stop will be Las Bovedas, built in the late 18th century as dungeons and as a means of storage. Sightsee and shop in the many handcraft boutiques and stores. Continue your journey for a sightseeing tour of the modern residential area of Bocagrande, famous for its wide variety of hotels and restaurants. Here, you'll have the option to stay in the city, visit Pierino Gallo Mall, or return back to the ship on your own. Note: This is a panoramic tour with optional photo stops. Only collapsible/foldable wheelchairs are welcomed. Transportation does not have a lift and cannot accommodate scooters. Participants must be able to negotiate two to three steps up into the transportation. Please visit the Shore Excursion Desk for more details. You have the option to return to the ship either with the tour or on your own. less