Europe Cruises: Excursions

Learn about the city that once was one of the most important trade centers of the Mediterranean and stroll the colorful city streets of the Medina. The Old City dates back to the end of the 7th century AD and was the focal point of the city for more than a thousand years until the arrival of the French in 1881. Take a short guided walking tour, followed by some free time for you to explore the labyrinth of alleys and narrow streets packed with a variety of shops selling carpets, perfume, spices, brass, copperware, leather goods and other handicrafts.

This is the ideal place to try your bargaining skills while savoring the sounds, sights and smells of the souks. Drive to Byrsa Hill for a great panoramic view of Tunis. Visit the Carthage Museum and enjoy the La Malga Cisterns which were fed by an aqueduct that carried mountain spring water from Zaghouan. You’ll also visit the Antoinine Baths, built in the 2nd century and the 3rd largest in the Roman Empire. Drive by the Punic Ports and by the Trophet, a cemetery for small children who were sacrificed to the deities Baal Hammon and Tanit.

Note: This tour is not suitable for guests on wheel chairs or with walking difficulties. There is moderate amount of walking, including a few steps, uneven ground and Roman roads in Carthage and crowded narrow streets in Medina.

This excursion combines the charm of both old and new Mexico. Begin with a drive through the Marina Vallarta area and a stop at the small village’s local church. Continue to Hacienda Dona Engracia, one of the finest tequila factories in the area for a first-hand look at the manufacturing process of tequila and some free time to explore the grounds of this working hacienda. A short shopping stop will be made on the way into the center of Puerto Vallarta where you can walk along the popular Malecon, visit the Cathedral of our Lady of Guadalupe and see Old Town City Hall, while taking in fantastic views of the waterfront and the charm of the cobblestone streets. You may choose to stay in town on your own or return to your ship. Note: Short pants are not permitted in the cathedral. Tequila samples are only given to guests 21 and older. less

Immerse yourself in nature during a trekking adventure to Ichkeul National Park; one of the most important areas of migrating birds and home to Lake Ichkeul, the last great freshwater lake of a chain that once stretched the length of North Africa. Ichkeul is situated on the Mateur plain. The area was designated as a biosphere reserve in 1977. The park contains the largest freshwater area in the country and the most important water supply for Tunisia.

Its semi-arid flora encompasses about 400 species of pan Mediterranean plants. Different habitats form this natural preserve, such as mountain, foothills, fresh water marshes and lake with its reed beds. Follow your guide into the park and during your walk, you may discover various animals that roam freely in the reserve. Switching from nature to ancient history, you’ll drive to the Roman ruins and museum at Utica. This old Phoenician settlement was founded around 1100 BC and contains Roman and Punic ruins. The remains of several houses reveal decorative flooring dating back to Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine times. The museum displays mosaic floors from the same periods.

Note: This tour is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs or with walking difficulties. There is extensive walking, approximately 3 hours on uneven terrain, cobbled and rough Roman roads. Sightings of wildlife are likely, but not guaranteed.

Visit two monumental cities rich in history and walk their elegant streets. In San Cristobal de la Laguna you’ll find buildings of enormous historical value thanks to the fact that it was the first capital of the Canary Islands, where the first military, ecclesiastical and civil institutions were located. Many homes and other magnificent structures were built with the wealth obtained by the island's growing trade with the New World. Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour through the old town, explaining the most interesting facts about it. In 1999, the city was titled World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Continuing to the north, arrive to the village of La Orotava surrounded by the banana plantations of the valley which bear the same name. Mount Teide provides the stunning background for this town that distinguishes itself by its magnificent and monumental architectonic structures and its characteristic well-shaded Canarian patios, squares and ancestral houses. The old historic center – declared monument of artistic national interest – invites you for a walking tour. The Concepcion Parish church is also a national monument. La Casa de los Balcones "The House of the Balconies" is a jewel of the island's traditional architecture. Note: Tour involves approximately 3.5 to 4 miles of walking; steep cobblestone streets at La Orotava. less

Your walk will start at Victoria Pier in the heart of Lerwick, opposite the Market Cross. A leisurely stroll takes in the award winning, recently restored Tolbooth. This is now the headquarters of Lerwick's lifeboat station. You’ll see the unique "lodberries", once used by the town merchants for the landing and storage of goods. Climbing uphill you’ll observe a traditional method of recycling in the Shetlands, where an upturned former ferry is now the roof of a garage. You’ll pass various churches on the way to the steep, narrow, intricate web of lanes to the Town Hall, built in 1882. On the first floor, you’ll find the Shetlands' history depicted in pictorial narrative through stained glass windows. Proceed to Fort Charlotte, named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. The fort never saw action, but it housed a garrison throughout the Napoleonic Wars; it was later a base for the Royal Naval Reserve. It also served as the town jail and courthouse from 1837-75, and later a customs house and a coastguard station. At the end of your walking tour you may wish to stay in town to explore Lerwick's variety of small independent shops, browsing for local crafts and knitwear. less

One of the highlights of Huatulco is definitely its wonderful shoreline, composed of several small bays with more than 36 beaches, scattered between rough cliffs and mountains. Take a closer look from the ocean to the natural features of this paradisiacal area and hear the ocean’s voice roaring at La Bufadora (the blowhole) or be surprised with the massive natural Indian face engraved through time by the sculpting action of the waves and the wind - the Stone Face. Visit the resort area at Tangolunda Bay, where buildings are mixed with the mountains as the background. Change your heading toward the west and check the secluded bays of Organo and Maguey. Continue your journey up to Cacaluta Bay and its island, named Playa del Rey in honor of the King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who fell in love with this bay during his visit to Huatulco. You'll enjoy a couple of hours of fun and pleasure aboard your catamaran and have seen six of the nine most beautiful bays in the world - Huatulco, the Nine Bays of Oaxaca. Note: You will not have the opportunity to swim, since this is only a sightseeing tour. There is no walking involved. Water, soft drinks and fresh fruits of the season are served on board. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. Bring suntan lotion. less