Europe Cruises: Excursions

Le Castellet is a typical Provencal hilltop village perched on wooded hills above the vineyards. The seaside resort town of Bandol, with its sheltered bay, is cradled by the surrounding hills. Mountain and sea, what a great combination! A scenic drive takes you to the remarkable stronghold of Le Castellet, formerly owned by the Lords of Les Baux. It boasts well preserved ramparts, a carefully restored 12th-century church, and a castle dating back to the 11th century. Entering by one of the two fortified gates, called le portail and le portalet, you’ll be taken on a guided walking tour around the narrow streets up to the castle which is now home to the town hall. Time at leisure allows you to explore the arts and craft workshops, galleries, pottery and many other shops before the drive to the seaside resort of Bandol. This small, pleasant resort located on a bay is sheltered by high wooded slopes. Enjoy some free time here to take in the activity of your choice. Relax while in one of the inviting waterfront cafes or stroll along the fashionable boutiques. The choice is entirely yours! Note: There is approximately 2 miles of extensive walking on relatively flat terrain in Bandol and uphill and cobblestone terrain in Castellet. less

Experience Istanbul by land and sea. Begin with a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait on a local boat; you’ll delight in a mixture of past and present sites including unforgettable castles, towering minarets, and world-famous modern luxury hotels. Following your boat trip, continue to the Old City by bus to visit the Blue Mosque, at one end of Sultanahmet Square, designed by architect Mehmet Aga to rival Hagia Sofia at the opposite end of the square. This is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Its interior walls are adorned with beautiful blue green tiles, which give the mosque its most popular name. On one side of the square is the Hippodrome. Not much is left of it, just the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine and Constantine Columns. Continue your walk through this bustling square to reach the majestic Hagia Sophia, now a museum and the most important Byzantine monument in the world. The intricate mosaics that adorn its ceilings and walls are of immeasurable artistic and historic value. Next stop is the Grand Bazaar, composed of a covered traditional part and a modern open section. The covered section is a labyrinth of streets with more than 4,000 shops that sell anything you can imagine; from the most expensive art work, to the cheapest trinket, the grand Bazaar has it all. You’ll be fascinated by the exotic atmosphere. At the open modern section, you’ll find the best shops and most reliable shopping. It is here that you’ll participate in a presentation on the art of Turkish carpets while enjoying complimentary refreshments. You’ll have time to shop or browse at the handicraft store. A stop for lunch is scheduled during the tour to enjoy a Turkish style meal. Note: Expect differences in tour durations due to traffic conditions. Participants are required to remove their shoes in order to enter 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 Blue 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 bazaar remain open, therefore the visit to the Grand Bazaar may be replaced with the Spice Bazaar. The 'Gallery' section of St. Sophia is not included. There is approximately 1 mile 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. less

A visit to the ancient city of Nora is a must for those who want to learn about the island’s centuries of occupation, admire Roman and Phoenician remains and the sparkling blue Mediterranean under the watchful eye of the 400 year old Spanish watchtower. Enjoy an orientation drive through Cagliari with a photo stop at Monte Urpino’s panoramic lookout point. Drive along the coast passing St. Gilla's lagoon, where if you’re lucky, you’ll see the pink flamingos and the salt flats. This pleasant drive follows the route taken by thousands of pilgrims every year as they follow Santo Efiso’s Cart.

Nora was founded by the Phoenicians. It had two harbors, one sheltered from the west winds and the other from the Mistral. The site has Carthaginian and Roman remains. After a period of Roman prosperity, there was a decline and in the 3rd Century AD the city was engulfed by the sea in a natural disaster. Admire the beautiful mosaics of the thermal baths, an amphitheater and small Roman Theater, as well as small houses and villas. Recently the forum, or agora, has been found, but a substantial part of the former town remains under the sea. It isn't hard to imagine ancient people living their lives so close to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. You’ll also see the outside of the little church where, every year, during the first days in May, important religious celebrations take place to commemorate St. Efisio. The church was built on the same site where the saint was martyred.

Note: Tour involves walking approximately 1 mile/1 1/2 kilometers over uneven and rough terrain at the Nora site. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or that are in wheelchairs. less

Today you’ll visit Pergamon, the intellectual center of Asia Minor, and an ancient healing center - Asclepion. Pergamon, a center of learning and arts possessed one of the greatest libraries of antiquity. Among the ruins lays an impressive amphitheater, the Temples of Trajan and Dionisus, the Altar of Zeus, the Sanctuary of Demeter, a three terrace gymnasium and the Agora. The next stop is Asclepion, located to the southwest of the lower city, which was a sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepios. This center was something very similar to a modern natural healing clinic where patients were given exercises, drugs, herbal remedies or the waters of the springs to drink. Galen, who first introduced the notion of experimentation to medicine, was among its famous physicians. You’ll make a stop for a shopping opportunity and refreshments. The tour will end with a drive to Izmir. Note: There is approximately 1 1/4 miles of walking over uneven and cobblestone surfaces with inclines and steps. During summer months, expect crowded venues and long lines as well as temperatures that can reach extreme highs. We recommend that you drink a lot of water, use suitable sun protection and dress in layers. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. A cable car is used to transport guests up to Pergamon from the parking area. less