Europe Cruises: Excursions

If you want to explore fascinating Florence on your own and also indulge in the flavors of the world famous wines of its surrounding countryside, this is the perfect tour for you. You’ll travel to Florence via motorcoach with an English-speaking guide and then visit a wine producing estate. You’ll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 3 1/2 hours to shop and explore the city at your leisure. At the end of your free time you’ll meet your escort and reboard your coach for a ride of approximately 1 hour to Castello del Trebbio. Built by the Pazzi family in 1184, in 1968 it was purchased and restored by the Baj Macario family who currently live and work in the castle.

The family run estate offers high quality products such as wine and extra virgin olive oil. You’ll visit the castle and the cellars, while listening to the glorious history of the place turned into the up-to-date reality of wine and olive oil makers. After tasting the wines accompanied by Tuscan specialties, you’ll have some free time to wander amongst the grapevines and olive trees or simply relax and enjoy the views before the return drive.

A visit to Fez will transport you back to ancient times as you walk through the narrow alleyways of this mystical city; the soul of Morocco. This journey will be well worth the long, over three hour drive. A brief orientation drive through Rabat on your way to Fez will acquaint you with the capital city. Once in Fez, you’ll visit the Dar Batha Museum, displaying a rich collection of hand crafted pottery that traces Morocco’s cultural history, in addition to other important collections. The most beautiful of all Moroccan ceramic objects were made by Fez craftsmen.

You’ll have a great photo opportunity in front of the Royal Palace, a great example of Arab-Islamic architecture. See the Al Quaraouiyine University, the first university in Morocco, and the second in the Arab and Islamic world. Near the main gate of the city is the former Jewish quarter. During your walk through the Babr’ssif section, stop at a wool dyeing factory. You'll also stop at a tannery where they process leather for slippers, jackets, wallets and other leather goods. Visit the beautiful Attarine School, founded in the 14th century. The carved stucco and glazed tile revetment evoke the Nasrid palace of the Alhambra in Spain. Another great photo opportunity is the 14th-century fountain in the Nejjarine area. You’ll enjoy lunch at a typical Moroccan restaurant.

Are you the type of person who wants to explore a destination on your own? Then don't miss this convenient opportunity for an organized transfer into the heart of Berlin. Depart the pier and take a short walk across to the train station to board your exclusively chartered standard train for an approximate 3 to 3 1/2 hour journey from Warnemunde to Berlin. While relaxing and watching the German countryside pass by, you’ll be served a light breakfast snack. Upon arrival at one of Berlin’s train stations, your escort will accompany you on a short coach transfer to a central drop off point in Berlin from where you’ll explore Berlin on your own. Return to a central train station in the early evening as your escort has instructed you, for your return train journey back to Warnemunde. Note: Upon arrival at Berlin station, you’ll receive a short coach transfer from the station to a central drop point. You spend time on your own in Berlin and also return to the departure station on your own. The tour price does not include any entrance fees, lunch or guiding services. It will be your responsibility to be at the return train station at the instructed departure time. Please note that actual time available to spend in Berlin will be subject to arrival/departure time and the station used for arrival/departure. This may cause a variation in time for exploration. You’ll be provided with exact directions, emergency contact details, specifications and details of how to get around in Berlin and back to the designated departure train station. The order of the sights may vary. less

This two day tour is designed to offer you an all-embracing experience to get to know the city of Istanbul. You’ll begin with an orientation drive which reveals Istanbul's connections between Europe and Asia. Continue to traveling over the Golden Horn toward the Old City. Your tour includes a visit to the ancient Hippodrome followed by the Blue Mosque, renowned for its architectural harmony, proportion, elegance, and its six minarets. Visit the St. Sophia Museum, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Built originally as a cathedral, it later became a mosque and then finally a museum. Next, head to Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex and once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. There you’ll have the opportunity to admire many of its great treasures. You’ll also visit the Underground Cistern, the largest and most magnificent covered cistern in Istanbul. In addition you’ll visit, Ibrahim Pasha Palace, known as the Turkish Islamic Museum of Arts, located on the west side of Hippodrome, exhibits a variety of items that include antique kilims, manuscripts, Islamic calligraphy, carved and inlaid wood, ironworks, stone sculptures, stained glass and folk art as well as the Ethnological collection, which is devoted mainly to the nomads of Anatolia. The Museum also hosts the most valuable ancient Turkish carpets belonging to the original Usak and Selcuk Carpet collections. Enjoy a boat ride on the Bosphorus, along the shoreline of this narrow waterway and indulge the views of the Dolmabahce Palace, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the few remaining towers of the Anadolu Hisar, where you’ll see the city’s connection to the Black Sea. Finally, it is time for a stop at one of the most colorful sites in the ancient city; the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar is composed of two sections: the covered traditional part and the modern open section. The covered section is a whole quarter on its own and is surrounded by a wall which can be entered through several gates. The maze of streets and lanes are one of the greatest sights in the city, where various trades are segregated into different sections. You’ll have a chance to explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered part for a brief period of time. You’ll also visit the open and modern section which offers the best artworks and most reliable shopping. Here, you’ll see a presentation on the unique art of Turkish carpets and be given additional time to shop. Enjoy some complimentary refreshments while you shop and stroll in the handicraft store. A traditional Turkish lunch is included on your second day. Note: Tour is only available for Norwegian Jade winter sailings. Tour order is dependent on traffic conditions, but all sites will be visited during the two days. Participants are required to remove their shoes in order to enter the Mosque. The "Gallery" section of St. Sophia and "Harem" section of Topkapi Palace are not included in the program and can be visited independently during free time. Some sections of Topkapi Palace may be temporarily under renovation and closed to the public. Water is included during lunch; however, soft drinks and/or alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost. Please expect differences in tour duration due to traffic conditions. less