Europe Cruises: Excursions

Learn about the history of Tunis during your visit to the Bardo Museum and Carthage. Immerse yourself in the sounds, colors and scents of the streets of Medina and stroll the lanes of picturesque Sidi Boud Said. The Bardo is one of the most important museums in North Africa. It offers a wealth of artifacts and mosaics, which take you through the centuries of Phoenician, Roman and Arab history. Its collection of Roman mosaics is considered one of the largest in the world. Shop for souvenirs or just enjoy a stroll through the meandering streets of Medina.

Enjoy a buffet style lunch of Tunisian and international foods at a local restaurant. Let your imagination take you back to Phoenician and Roman times at the site of what once was the great city of Carthage. Visit the remains of this ancient city, which was one of the most powerful in the Western Mediterranean. You’ll stop to view the Roman baths, Punic tombs, sarcophagi, mosaic floors and the remains of an early Christian basilica. Delight at the sight of the colorful white and blue houses lining the cobbled streets of Sidi Bou Said, a picture perfect village. Enjoy some free time here to do some shopping, take some pictures or simply browse at the shops.

Note:This tour is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs or with walking difficulties. There is substantial amount of walking, including Roman roads in Carthage on even, uneven, gravel and stones, 2 flights of stairs at the Bardo Museum, steps and cobblestones in Sidi Bou Said.

The Ottomans and Byzantines ruled this city for centuries, and testament to these great empires stand the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, opposite each other in Sultanahmet Square. You’ll visit these two impressive landmarks of Istanbul as well as the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Start with a visit to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque because of the over 21,000 blue-green Iznik tiles used for its interior decoration. The six minarets and the layout of the domes and semi-domes create a unique exterior. From here, continue to the Hippodrome, to see the remains of what was once the scene for political struggles and uprisings in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. Visit the St. Sophia Museum, also known as Hagia Sophia, and a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as a church for hundreds of years during the Byzantine Empire and was converted to a Mosque when the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453. Here, you’ll find evidence of both. Continue to the great Byzantine Basilica Cistern, located across from Hagia Sophia. You might think that having so many breathtaking sites to visit above ground leaves no need to go under. But you’ll soon discover why this visit is worth every minute. Next stop is the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar is composed of two sections; the covered part and the modern part. The covered part is surrounded by a wall which can be entered through several gates. The maze of lanes are one of the greatest sights in the city, where various trades such as carpets, jewelry, leather goods, silver, souvenirs, textiles and antiques are segregated into particular sections of the bazaar. You’ll have a short time to experience the exotic atmosphere of the covered part. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the open and modern section of the Grand Bazaar which offers the best artworks and most reliable shopping. During your time around the Grand Bazaar, you’ll attend a presentation on the unique art of Turkish carpets with additional time to shop at the handicraft store while enjoying complimentary refreshments. You’ll also have free time for lunch during the tour and you’ll find many choices around the area (at your own expense). Note: Tour is not available for the Norwegian Spirit August 3rd, 2013 sailing, or for day one of the Norwegian Jade winter sailings. 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 and "Harem" section of Topkapı Palace are not included, however may be visited during free time. There is approximately 1 1/2 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and some inclines and steps on this tour. This tour will be subject to national and religious festive days due to the closure of the sites and venues during the month of Ramadan from July 9th, 2013 through August 7th, 2013, including the Festival Period of Ramadan from August 8th, 2013 to August 10th, 2013. less

Board your coach for the drive to the Medieval village of Eze. As you climb its steep cobblestone streets, the alluring Medieval atmosphere will enchant you. Don’t miss the magnificent views of the coast from the top. Rejoin your coach to continue to ‘The Diamond’, Monaco. Your coach will park at the foot of the rock, where you'll be carried to the top by escalators and elevators. On the upper level enjoy a guided walking tour, passing by the main sights. After free time for lunch, you’ll reach Monte Carlo Square and first discover the well-known Casino Square. You’ll have some free time to take in the attractions of your choice around the Place du Casino. Then your coach will take you directly back to Cannes. Note: Your coach will park at the old train station and you’ll continue on foot (approx. 30 minutes) uphill, over cobblestone streets and large steps. To reach Casino Square, there is an approximate 10 minute walk and 80 steps from the coach parking area. Casino de Monte Carlo opens its Salles Americaines (free admission) at noon, with slot machines only. Salles Publiques (entrance fee of 10 Euros in cash) is open at 12:00 noon for Roulette, 2:00 p.m. for slot machines. Visitors must be at least 18 years of age, show passport and driver’s license. Formal dress is not required to enter most of the casino, but smart dress is strongly encouraged; no shorts or flip-flops are allowed. There is a free-admission, American-style casino at the Cafe de Paris, which opens at 10:00 a.m. less

Fill your senses with the rugged scenery and vibrant colors of this isolated part of the Italian Riviera. Due to the difficulty to reach this area, it’s one of the best preserved regions of the Mediterranean, with centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks winding high above the sea, leading through olive groves, terraced vineyards, orchards and woods. Small sandy beaches among the rocks, high cliffs, caves and tiny bays characterize the very scenic coast. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hills are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Cinque Terre National Park. A drive north takes you to the Cinque Terre. In Manarola, after some free to explore, you’ll embark a motorboat for a scenic cruise (weather permitting) that will take you to the fishing village of Vernazza, where you’ll enjoy time at leisure. No visit to the Cinque Terre can end without visiting Monterosso al Mare. After an introduction from your guide, you’ll have free time to explore the tiny shops and have lunch on your own. Note: Villages may be visited in reverse order. Motorboat transport depends on the weather and sea conditions between villages. Transport can be on choppy seas; the train will be used when weather conditions prohibit boat transfers. Your guide will meet you in La Spezia and will accompany you through the villages; however, you’ll have an escort with you throughout the day. There is approximately 1 mile of walking through cobblestones, gravel, uneven and inclined terrains as well as numerous steps. less