EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a relaxed orientation tour of Dunedin, home to some of New Zealand’s most elegant Victorian architecture, its oldest university and its first public botanical gardens. Second largest city on the South Island, central Dunedin sits deep within beautiful Otago Harbor. Your picturesque coach drive from the pier traces the harbor’s shore, passing charming Sawyer’s Bay, Roseneath and St. Leonard’s on the way into the city. A tour of the grand Jacobean house known as Olveston Historic Home provides a remarkably well-preserved glimpse into the refined Dunedin life circa 1906. Set on an acre of wooded land, this graceful 35-room residence is the epitome of English Arts & Crafts style and still contains the marvelous artwork and artifacts collected by its original owner. Continuing through the city, you’ll pass many more landmark structures including the Law Courts, Otago Boys High School and First Church, the Edwardian mansions of Royal Terrace and High Streets, and Gothic Revival-styled Otago University, founded in 1869 and as vital as ever. Spanning 69 manicured on a hilltop, magnificent Dunedin Botanic Gardens are older still, but – just like the university – thrive today. Enjoy free time for strolling here and be sure to visit the classic Winter Garden Glasshouse.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a sightseeing drive to central Dunedin from the port, tracing beautiful Otago Harbor and its towns.
• Tour a 35-room home that features fine art and intriguing collectibles, perfectly capturing the style of this city known for its worldly elegance.
• Travel along streets lined with Edwardian and Victorian mansions, churches and cathedrals, and the Gothic campus of New Zealand’s first university.
• Stroll among camellias and rhododendrons, roses and splashing fountains in an 1863 botanic garden.
• Ride back to the pier directly or step off in town to explore awhile longer and catch a shuttle back later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Uncover the charms of Murcia, a delightful, unspoiled city featuring a beautiful cathedral, a tranquil monastery and myriad inviting plazas. Journey for approximately one hour to Murcia through the heart of the Segura River Valley, inhaling the invigorating scent of the thriving citrus groves all around. Upon arrival, you’ll make your way to the magnificent Cathedral of Murcia, perfectly situated in grand Plaza de Belluga, and admire its ornate Baroque façade. You’ll learn that, like much of Murcia, the cathedral incorporates a variety of styles that have been successively layered since the sanctuary’s origin in the 14th century. Examine one of the best Islamic art collections in the region at the elegant Santa Clara Monastery, which was built over the remains of a Muslim temple, and relish time at your leisure to stroll around the vibrant city. During your exploration, you’ll come across many wonderful squares, such as the Plaza de Flores, or Flower Square, and Roma Square, home to a well-preserved amphitheater. From its peaceful religious sites to its bustling plazas, you’ll find that Murcia is a treasure worth discovering.

OVERVIEW

This tour visits two iconic Otago Peninsula sights, one a rookery and the other a castle. Skirting the harbor’s north shore and charming towns of Sawyer’s Bay, Roseneath and St. Leonard’s, your coach will swing through Dunedin city proper on a brief orientation spin, passing the hilltop botanic gardens and University of Otago campus. Rounding the inner tip of the harbor, you’ll head out onto the rugged Otago Peninsula to the Royal Albatross Center, where you’ll be escorted to the Observatory after an informative intro at the Reception Center. Access to the colony is strictly controlled, with every measure taken to protect these rare birds’ natural habitat. With wingspans up to 10 feet they seem ungainly on the ground – but watching one glide by in flight is a uniquely spectacular and exhilarating experience. Your visit to Larnach Castle will deliver a distinctly more civilized thrill. This impressive stone mansion, set amidst trees and colorful gardens, dates from 1885 and boasts many elaborate features including a graceful hanging staircase and intricately carved ceilings, hallmarks of the many English and Italian artisans who built it. Your time here includes a lovely luncheon, guided house tour and free time in the gardens.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic drive along the harbor shore, through Dunedin and out to rugged, wild Otago Peninsula.
• Travel to the Royal Albatross Observatory, site of the world’s only mainland albatross nesting site.
• Visit the natural habitat where you can observe these amazing seabirds up-close – maybe even see a few soaring by on 10-foot wingspans.
• Tour the no-expense-spared mansion known as Larnach Castle, built for a wealthy 19th-century banker by a small army of European artisans.
• Savor a delightful luncheon here, with some free time after to wander the sprawling grounds awhile.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel to a rural wildlife park for up-close looks at Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and some most-unusual other animals, then enjoy a driving overview of Burnie. Your leisurely drive inland toward Mount Dial Nature Recreation Area traverses idyllic terrain and scattered villages where life has changed little over the centuries. Once at Wings Wildlife Park, you’ll have ample free time to ramble the trails and encounter famous fauna like the Tasmanian devil and Australia’s trademark kangaroo, as well as obscure ones like the bettong, a tiny marsupial that hops around like a mini-kangaroo. Other strange and unfamiliar creatures who call the park home include boobook owls, crab-eating macaques, quolls and long-nosed potoroos. Somehow, even American bison and Japanese quail are on the resident list. The more you learn about this immense menagerie of Tasmanian wildlife and their behaviors, the more interesting they seem. Back in Burnie, you’ll enjoy a downtown drive before returning to the pier. Founded in 1828 around an excellent natural harbor on Emu Bay and surrounded by vast eucalyptus forests, the timber industry dominated the town for the next 100 years. Today, the creative arts and culinary endeavors are what Burnie is most known for.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach to Wings Wildlife Park, the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife in Australia.
• Spend about two hours meandering the park’s paths and encountering its residents.
• See Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, bettongs, quolls, potoroos and others in this curiosity-shop of indigenous fauna.
• Settle in for a scenic return drive across an unspoiled landscape, followed by an informative orientation spin around Burnie itself.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended; no heels.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed

Enjoy exploring two of the region's most charming towns - Villajoyosa, famous for fishing and chocolate, with vividly painted houses and Altea, one of the most beautiful towns of the Costa Blanca which maintains its former fishing village feeling. The old section, atop a hill, offers spectacular views and perfect photo opportunities.

A scenic drive along the coastal road takes you to Villajoyosa, a small seaside town, famous for its fishing and its’ chocolate. Still dependent on its fishing industry, each afternoon the daily catch brought in by the local fishermen is auctioned off in the port. The quaint houses that line the seafront are painted in bright rainbow colors and legend has it, that this is so the fishermen can see them from the sea. Upon arrival at the seafront, you’ll enjoy free time to explore the town on your own.

Your route to Altea takes you along the coastal road via Albir, providing wonderful views of the sweeping bays of the Costa Blanca. Altea's old town is an enchanting picture postcard scene of white-washed houses that has managed to maintain its authentic atmosphere. Follow your guide on a walk to the famous square at the summit, where you’ll find the Virgin of Consuelo Church with its iconic blue roof. After an outside visit of the church, you’ll have free time to soak up the town's ambience and enjoy the wonderful views.

Admire the gorgeous natural beauty of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, where you may walk through the woods and learn about Tasmania’s curious flora and fauna. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely drive inland, passing ancient rainforests, sub-alpine lakes and jagged Mount Ossa, the highest point in Tasmania. The scenery along the way will be absolutely stunning, as it is some of the wildest, most undisturbed terrain in the country. You can expect even more natural wonders upon arriving at Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, which is within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. This is a land of icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, endemic King Billy pines reflected in glassy lakes, and fascinating wildlife such as Tasmanian devils, quolls and platypus. A visit at the park’s interpretation center provides an opportunity to learn about some of the unusual species found here and the history of the area. During free time that follows, you may enjoy a meandering walk through the rainforest, where you will see Pencil Pine Creek and several waterfalls. More spectacular vistas await you at Dove Lake, a gorgeous body of water in the shadow of soaring Cradle Mountain. If it’s sunny, you should be able to see its twin dolerite spires. Your time here is at your leisure so feel free to walk along the shore and admire the enchanted forest that surrounds the lake, or simply rest in the shade before heading to nearby Cradle Mountain Lodge for lunch. Afterwards, you will retrace your steps and return to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy rare close-up views of nesting albatrosses, fur seals and other fascinating wildlife on an observation cruise around Otago Harbor and out to Taiaroa Head. It’s just a short drive from the ship to the floating pontoon where you’ll board your sightseeing vessel and head out on a course past the picturesque townships of Carey’s Bay, Deborah Bay and Acheron Head. Along the way, your captain will provide rich commentary about the impressively unspoiled environment and the sights you are seeing; knowledgeable deck guides will be on hand to field any questions. Once at Taiaroa Head, you’ll be immersed in a scene alive with wildlife – boasting over 10 species of nesting birds amongst its inhabitants, including the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatrosses. Southern Fur Seals also breed along this isolated stretch of rugged shoreline, and many other mammals make a home here as well. You might even spot some of the area’s winsome penguins and playful dolphins. Adding to this fascinating wildlife menagerie, the rocky peninsula’s volcanic terrain and traces of early settlement provide a dramatic backdrop to this very privileged nature experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Embark on a relaxed cruise out Otago Harbor to Taiaroa Head, a famous magnet for marine wildlife.
• En route, get background on the area’s rich natural history from the captain and seasoned deckhands.
• Enjoy rare close-up views of the captivating animal life along this rugged coast – including some 10 species of breeding seabirds, including the very rare Royal Albatross.
• Observe a breeding colony of Southern Fur Seals along with numerous other mammals, even occasional penguins and dolphins.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Return to the Victorian era as you stop at the University of Tampa campus, once the former Tampa Bay Hotel built in 1891 as a palatial resort. This elegant structure stands on 150 acres of lush tropical grounds overlooking the Hillsborough River. The Hotel was built and furnished by railroad tycoon Henry Bradley Plant, recapturing an aura for an opulent Victorian winter resort. This magnificent structure, with its eye catching silver minarets, was modeled after the Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor bought forty acres of land from local Tampa citizens and began building Ybor City. Thus began this community of factories and small worker’s homes. At the Ybor City State Museum complex, you will pass by an authentically renovated cigar worker’s shotgun house dating from the turn of the century that was the home of early cigar factory workers.

A stop will be made in Ybor City and you will learn about the unique society that created the cigar industry, the primary manufacturing industry responsible for the early development of Tampa. Other highlights include a drive along Bayshore Boulevard where you’ll see lovely upscale homes overlooking the Bay and the waterfront area, home to the Tampa Convention Center, Forum, Cruise Terminals, Shoppes at Channelside, the Florida Aquarium and Harbour Island, plus the Sports Complexes that are home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

After your transfer into town, enjoy some of Stockholm’s highlights on a panoramic drive through the city on your way to Skansen, one of Sweden's leading tourist attractions. Skansen Museum is the oldest open-air museum in the world, with more than 1.3 million visitors annually. People come from everywhere to see the unique collection of historical buildings from all over Sweden as well as the Scandinavian wild and domestic animals and the exotic fauna at the Aquarium. Skansen has its own stage for concerts, a lively town quarter, a hot-glass workshop, craft workshops, cafes, restaurants, shops, and to top it all off, a fantastic view of Stockholm. Over the years, about 150 historical buildings have been moved here from nearly every part of Sweden. Most of them date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors to the houses and farmsteads are met by hosts in period costumes. They often demonstrate domestic occupations, such as weaving and spinning and there's also a wonderful display of glassblowing.

This tour provides you with the perfect opportunity to discover two Mediterranean cities located in the heart of the Costa Blanca and visit a local winery.

Alicante, capital of the Costa Blanca, White Coast, is also known as the Ciudad de la Luz or the City of Light. Arriving in the old quarter, follow your guide on a walking tour. View the 18th century Neo-Baroque town hall, and stop at the Cathedral for a visit. One of the Cathedral’s most notable features is its Renaissance baroque facade. Inside, you’ll discover an impressive 17th century nave and a 15th century cloister.

Travel from Alicante to the city of Novelda to visit its most important historic building, the sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena. The building is a Gaudi inspired design and has been likened to the Sagrada Familia. Enjoy a visit of the wine cellar of a local winery with a short introduction to its history. See the old machinery once used for wine-making and its evolution up until the present day. Here, you’ll also learn about the wine-making process - from the receiving of the grapes, all the way through before being bottled and labeled. At the end of your guided tour, you’ll be invited to taste one of the wines produced here.

Enjoy a day in the picturesque countryside discovering the caves of Gunns Plains and Australian native animals at Wings Wildlife Park. Your drive takes you through Tasmania’s picturesque countryside and lush green vistas en route to Gunns Plains—a prosperous farming district located south of Burnie. Limestone caves are the region’s main attraction, discovered by a hunter in 1906. Caverns and short passages are accessed by a flight of concrete stairs, and you’ll wind your way through the caves on a guided tour. See an underground river and bioluminescent glow worms, as well as the unusual "ribbon" stalactites.

Drive to the Wing’s Wildlife Park, set on 106 acres. Tasmanian devils, quolls, and many other native animals and farm creatures live here, including reptiles and kangaroos. During your approximately one hour of free time, visit the animal nursery if you wish, or simply explore the park and meet its inhabitants.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the Pavillion Samui Villas & Resort, a waterfront property. The resort overlooks Lamai Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand on the east coast of Ko Samui. You will be free to enjoy the amenities however you please. You might lie back in a lounge chair and bask in the sun, stroll along the lengthy beach as the waves gently lap the shore and take a refreshing swim in the sea. The resort’s expansive pool is just steps away if you prefer that setting for swimming and lounging about. Both Lamai Beach and the pool offer plenty of shade from coconut palms, which are so prevalent throughout Ko Samui that it is known as the Island of Coconuts. Around midday, a sumptuous lunch full of tropical-inspired Thai dishes will be served at the resort.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax at the exclusive Pavillion Samui Villas & Resort on lengthy Lamai Beach.
• Do whatever you please as the resort setting and amenities are yours to enjoy at leisure.
• Swim in the sea, lie back on a lounger, stroll the beach and enjoy a hearty buffet lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.