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

Enjoy the main sights of Helsinki, also referred to as the 'Daughter of the Baltic' or the 'White City of the North' from the comfort of your motorcoach. Your tour begins with a drive along a picturesque road on your way to see the great variety of Helsinki’s architecture. In Senate Square, you’ll see several buildings attributed to the Neo-Classic architect Carl Ludwig Engel. Enjoy a photo stop at the famous Lutheran Cathedral and continue on to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare. You’ll see the Parliament House, the National Museum, and also Finlandia Hall, designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto. Pass the new Opera House on your way to the Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Olympic Games were held. Then it’s on to Sibelius Park, where you can photograph a monument completed of 527 steel pipes honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Enjoy a view of Embassy Park and the colorful open-air market on your drive back to the pier. Note: Order of sights might vary. Although some photo stops are included, no sites will be visited on this tour. Only collapsible/foldable wheelchairs are allowed as they can be stored in the luggage compartment of the bus. Guests must be able to manage 3 steps to enter the bus. 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

Discover one of the most beautiful bays of Europe on this relaxing tour and get close to places only accessible by boat. You’ll get within close proximity of the arsenal and admire the National Marine buildings. See the marine cemetery, the last anchorage place for old vessels; the port of La Seyne sur Mer and its old shipyards along with the Corniche of Tamaris. Cruise by Lazaret Bay and its mussel farms, Les Sablettes, St Mandrier Peninsula, the jetty which closed the bay from the east and its fortifications Eyguillette, Balaguier, St Louis, Lamalgue, Tour Royale and Cap Brun.

Toulon’s coastline is lined with deep creeks shaded by pines; it offers turquoise blue waters, sandy beaches and picturesque small fishing ports. At the completion of the tour you decide if you’re ready to head back to the ship or if you prefer to stay in town to do some shopping, try the local cuisine or just relax at your leisure.

Depart the pier in the late morning for an approximate 2 1/2-hour scenic tour that covers the main attractions within the Warnemuende/Rostock area. Drive to Rostock past the typical Eastern Block living quarters of the area. Upon arrival in Rostock’s center, you’ll see its century’s old red-brick architecture, experience the local Hanseatic ambience, pass the old ‘New Market’ with its beautiful City Hall, and St. Mary's Church – Rostock's famous landmark. Continue past ruins of the old city walls and a former STASI prison (State Security of former East Germany) before continuing into the countryside. You’ll pass by the Bad Doberan Cathedral, one of northern Germany’s largest and mightiest medieval churches that towers above the rest of the village and nearby fields. From here you’ll continue through lush countryside and small villages before returning to your ship. This is a perfect tour for guests with walking difficulties. Note: The order of the sights may vary. Most shops in Rostock will be closed on Sundays. less