Transatlantic Cruises: Excursions

Drive through Ponta Delgada, and then head northeast along the pleasant roads bordering agricultural areas, stretching across the island to Ribeira Grande. Ribeira Grande has a distinct feeling of Portuguese influence. Visit some of the most significant monuments of the city, including examples of Baroque architecture. Continue your drive along the north coast stopping at a tea factory to taste the tea on your way to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint. From this viewpoint you can observe the biggest and oldest volcanic crater at the bottom of which lays Furnas Lake and where the spa of Furnas Valley is located. Once in the village of Furnas, visit Terra Nostra Garden, a luxuriant garden in an extravagant atmosphere where the color of the flowers mixes with the exuberant vegetation originating from diverse continents. Next, visit the big phenomenon of the island, the hot springs. This is an area with diverse forms of volcanic activity with fumaroles spouting boiling water and medicinal mud; one of the most spectacular being Caldeira de Pero Botelho. Pass by Furnas Lake, with the Gothic profile of the Chapel Nossa Senhora das Vitorias reflected on its clear waters. Return to Ponta Delgada along the southern coast passing by Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of the island. Note: Tour involves approximately 0.6 mile (1,000 meters) of walking on uneven ground, gravel and cobblestone. Ribeira Grande, tea factory, hot springs area, Terra Nostra Botanical Park and restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Tour order may vary but all mentioned sights will be covered. Visibility from all scenic outlooks is dependent upon the weather and therefore cannot be guaranteed. less

Depart from Ponta Delgada from the southwest of the island to see the view over Mosteiros and the youngest eruptions on the island. On the way back, drive to the inside of the crater of Sete Cidades that was formed thousands of years ago. Visit Santiago Lake viewpoint followed by the most important view of the crater. Stop at Vista do Rei to admire the twin lakes. The calm waters along the edges of the crater make a striking contrast with the steep slopes and create a fascinating scene. Inside the crater lays the picturesque village of Sete Cidades. Afterwards visit Pico do Carvao to see both sides of the island at the same time. Back to Ponta Delgada, stop at Portas do Mar to enjoy an Azorean tasting of local cheeses and wines with a view over the sea and the marina. Note: Tour involves approximately 82 feet (25 meters) of walking on both flat and uneven ground. Sete Cidades village and restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Tour has limited participation. Tour order may vary but all mentioned sights will be covered. Visibility from all scenic outlooks is dependent upon the weather and therefore cannot be guaranteed. less

Departing your ship, drive along Avenida do Mar to reach the terminal. There you’ll board your cable car for a ride over the city and harbor on our way to the Village of Monte, located in the outskirts of Funchal, on this cruise tour. At Monte you'll have the opportunity to take a trip back to the past when you join the toboggan ride back to Livramento. The ride downhill in a wicker sledge is an exciting one, providing you with a taste of the Madeira of past decades, when this was the established form of transport from Monte to Funchal. After a short drive along a winding road you’ll reach Eira do Serrado, offering spectacular views of the interior of the island. Take a short walk up to the viewpoint on Pico do Serrado at an altitude of approximately 3,592 feet (1,095 meters), for an amazing view down onto the village of Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), a small village located in the heart of the island, nestled between almost perpendicular mountains. In 1566, the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here where they also brought the convent’s treasure. Your last stop before returning to your ship will be at one of the famous wine lodges in Funchal, where you'll sample (and may purchase) the world famous Madeira Wine. Note: A jacket is recommended as Madeira has a microclimate. This tour involves approximately 3/4-mile of walking (5 to 10 minutes) on cobblestones and uneven surfaces with approximately five steps to get to the viewpoint at Eira Do Serrado; approximately 10 steps at Monte and five to eight steps at the Madeira Wine Company. Cable car is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties as access is similar to a ski lift; i.e. cable car does not stop for boarding, rather it moves slowly. An approximately five-minute walk is required from the bus stop to the wine lodge. Itinerary may be operated in reverse order. Toboggan ride will be closed in observance of Good Friday, so it will not be available for guests on the Norwegian Jade sailing of April 3, 2012. less

Explore the city of Cartagena. Begin with a stop at La Popa Monastery, built during the 17th century and dedicated to Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, patron saint of Cartagena and a Colonial museum. Visit a small chapel to see the famous wooden statue of the Virgin, and marvel at the wonderful gold leaves laminated main altar. Continue to San Felipe de Barajas situated outside the walled city for a panoramic view of this monumental fort considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World. Then, continue to Las Bovedas Artisan Center, built as dungeons and as a means of storage. Walk through narrow cobblestone streets and squares inside the walled city. Wander through Plaza de Bolivar which features a statue of its namesake. Visit the Inquisition Palace, established in the year 1610 to punish any crimes against the Catholic faith. You’ll see samples of jails and torture chambers. The sentencing ceremony used to take place in public, in the middle of the plaza. Next, visit the San Pedro Claver cloister and monastery built in homage to the protector of slaves. Before returning to your ship, take home some souvenirs from the Pierino Gallo shopping center and enjoy panoramic sightseeing through Bocagrande, the modern part of the city. Note: Casual clothes and comfortable shoes are recommended. Wear sunscreen and bring your camera. less

Start your tours with a drive along the Borgundfjord, through the modern suburbs to the old trading centre of Borgund. Here, visit the Sunnmøre Open-Air Museum where you’ll see various types of farmhouses and boathouses. This Museum houses a number of different old boats and the shipbuilding process were known to be the most reliable along the coast. You’ll also find copies of the so-called Kvalsund and Fjørtoft-boats from the year 700 A.D. Alongside lies the fishing vessel "HELAND" - better known as the Shetland bus as it was used to carry Norwegian partisans across the North Sea during World War II. Lastly, make a detour up on Mount Aksla to enjoy the magnificent view over the town and its surroundings before returning to your ship. Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 600 yards over even surfaces with 2 to 3 steps to enter/exit the coach. Walking at the Sunnmøre Museum is at the guests' discretion. Comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing are recommended. Please note that some of the door openings are low so guests should mind their head when entering. Tour may operate in reverse order. less