Europe Cruises: Excursions

Discover the main sites of interest in Helsinki, also known as the 'White City of the North.' Along the way you’ll pass Embassy Park and the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral with its brilliant gold onion domes. Continue on to Senate Square and see important buildings attributed to the Neo-Classic architect Carl Ludwig Engel, including the famous Lutheran Cathedral. You’ll pass the open-air market 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 honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Pass by the Opera House and then stop to see the Temppeliaukio Rock Church, a unique house of worship blasted into solid rock and topped by a copper dome. Finally it’s on to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare, and other important landmarks. At the end of the tour, you can get off in the downtown area to explore the city on your own or return by your bus to the cruise pier. Should you decide to remain in the city, you’ll be responsible for your own return to the cruise pier. This option is only available for morning departures. Note: Order of sights might vary. Guides are not allowed to escort large groups through churches while a service is in progress. In this instance the guide will describe the church from the outside. We cannot guarantee entry if services are being held. Due to new traffic restrictions, buses will no longer be allowed to drive nearby the rock church; therefore, there will be a 20 minute walk to and from the church (approximately 1,600 feet). less

Board your coach in Tórshavn harbour, the rocky peninsula where the ancient vikings met. Travel up to the scenic, ridge-top road that runs along the southern part of Streymoy Island, pausing above Tórshavn for a photo stop at a viewpoint. Further north, stop for breathtaking views of Kaldbak and Kollafjørður fjords. Next, pass a charming mountain tarn to admire the hand-hewn stone salmon ladders leading to Lake Leynar. Arriving at Leynar, you may visit the local wood turner or take a walk on the beach. Then, discover the colorful village of Kvivik, site of an ancient viking settlement dating from the 10th century. Alongside a pleasant stream, explore the remnants of viking farmhouse and byre; here, you can enjoy the tranquility of this peaceful village. Your next stop will be Kollafjørður, where you’ll visit an old faroese church. This black, wooden built church with its traditional faroese turf roof is one of nine churches built in the period from 1830 to 1850. You journey back to Tórshavn will take you through a three-kilometer long tunnel and along a fjord at sea level. less

Begin your tour with a panoramic view of the military fort of San Felipe de Barajas. Situated outside the walled city, this monumental fort is considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World. Continue to the El Cabrero neighborhood for a visit to the Rafael Nunez House and Museum. Rafael Nunez is one of the most illustrious cartageneros of all times. He became president of Colombia four times and created the constitution of 1886. The house where he lived and died is built in the spectacular Antilles architectural style and is now a museum. During your guided walk you'll admire some of the best-preserved Colonial Spanish architecture in South America with its imposing merchant's houses, narrow streets, flower-bedecked balconies stunning civic buildings and beautiful churches. Next, visit the Dungeons within the walled city ramparts, which were built to store provisions for the troops and are now home to a high quality handicrafts market selling brightly decorated cloth, woodwork and woven bags made by some of the indigenous peoples of Colombia. Your tour continues to the Palace of Inquisition. The aim of the Inquisition was to judge crimes against the Catholic faith, but it never recognized anyone's innocence. This building whose construction was finished in 1776 is an example of civilian architecture of the 18th century. Walk to the Plaza Bolivar where you'll visit the Gold Museum which houses a complete and beautiful archeological display of the pre-Colombian cultures and the fabled El Dorado. You'll have some spare time for shopping in the old city for the famous Colombian emeralds or an opportunity to take more pictures of this lovely city. Note: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays when it will be substituted by a visit to Galeria Cano next door, which has replicas of the Gold Museum. The visit to San Felipe Fortress is only Panoramic; there is approximately 20 minutes stay in Las Bovedas and approximately 30 minutes at the emerald shops. Rafael Nunez House will be closed until June 2013; San Agustin Cloister will be visited instead. less

Fasten your seat belts and get ready for fun! Hop on your fully automatic Xrail Buggy for the safest off road experience. Explore Cabo San Lucas’s magical transition from desert to ocean as you travel through mountains and canyons at Migrino sandy river beds, making your way to Half Moon canyon and TreeRock. Here, your guide will enrich you with the knowledge of native history. Step on the gas and enjoy a thrilling ride until you reach the river’s delta where the desert merges with the Pacific Ocean. Next, make your way back to the starting point and then to your ship. Note: Participants must be at least 6 years of age and in good health. Price is per Buggy, only one person needs to book the tour. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and present a valid driver’s license to the tour operator. Pregnant women and guests with back/neck injuries, heart conditions or epilepsy may not participate on this excursion. Helmets and goggles are provided at the starting point of the tour. Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty. less