OVERVIEW

Experience the joys of two iconic Scottish activities: drinking a wee dram of whisky and playing the bagpipes. After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at a downtown venue for a whisky tasting. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will host the event, in which the whiskies will be served at cask strength. That means the drams will not have been subjected to chill filtration or any other interference that would alter their tastes. You will be served three drams, a dram being an eighth of a fluid ounce. The tasting will reveal the remarkable variety within the distillation processes and present the complexities that the different oak casks and aging times impart. Before each dram is sampled, one of the society’s members will describe the whisky’s characteristics. Some whiskies might taste spicy and dry while others may be heavily peated with strong smoky flavors. The experience will be enlightening and entertaining. Your immersion into the world of bagpipes will be just as fulfilling. Louise Marshall, one of Scotland’s most renowned pipers, will lead your workshop. She has played for Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Benedict XVI, and her instruction will be based on years of experience. Marshall will teach you basic chanter techniques, show you how bagpipes work and describe the instrument’s history. If you wish to look the part, Scottish attire such as kilts, sporrans and feather bonnets will be available.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the basics of chanter technique, how bagpipes function, and the instrument’s rich cultural history.
• A fun and educational way to experience two pillars of Scottish heritage—whisky and bagpipes in one engaging outing.
• Optional use of traditional Scottish attire, including kilts, sporrans, and feather bonnets, adds to the immersive experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

Delight in the medieval character of Taormina while strolling its atmospheric streets and admiring landmarks such the Greek theater from the 2nd century. After departing from the pier, you will have a short panoramic tour of Messina. Continuing along the coast to the south, you will approach Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you will discover while navigating its narrow, cobbled streets. As French author Guy de Maupassant wrote of his stay in 1883, “Were a man to pass a single day in Sicily and ask, ‘What must one see?’ I would answer him without hesitation, Taormina.” Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there in the summer. After visiting, you will enjoy free time to wander about the areas that interest you the most. You might take in the views from the fragrant public garden or shop along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of hospitality.

OVERVIEW

Explore parts of Edinburgh that are often overlooked but shouldn’t be, as these revitalized areas have become thriving destinations. After departing from the pier, you will soon reach Dean Village, a historical area of Edinburgh where grains were milled for 800 years. Once a separate village where many mill workers lived, it still seems vastly different from busier Edinburgh. Highlights include a 19th-century residential building for the mill workers known as Well Court and Dean Bridge, which spans the Water of Leith. Thomas Telford, the engineer behind the ingenious Caledonian Canal, designed the bridge. While meandering about, you might also see decorative mill stones and stone plaques with carvings of baked breads and pies, a nod to the grains used to make them. Continuing, you will next explore Stockbridge, a village on the north edge of Edinburgh that is wonderfully bohemian and artsy. Landmarks include the Roman temple-inspired St. Bernard’s Well, whose waters supposedly have medicinal qualities, and the Stockbridge Colonies, a cluster of 19th-century stone homes that is really a village within a village. A leisurely walk to Leith follows. A port for more than 1,000 years, Leith has been thoughtfully renovated and revitalized, yet its historical character has remained intact. During the guided portion of your visit, you might see what the largest swing bridge in the United Kingdom was once, a 17th-century signal tower that was originally a windmill, and the statue of Roberts Burns. During free time, you can explore even further.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spot mill stones, stone plaques, and carvings of bread and pies, paying tribute to the area’s milling past.
• Enjoy a leisurely walk to Leith, Edinburgh’s historic port, revitalized yet rich in heritage.
• Wander at your own pace to discover more of this dynamic, waterfront neighborhood blending history with modern culture.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

OVERVIEW

View the absolute icons of New York from a water perspective while cruising the Hudson River and up close while driving through the heart of Manhattan. The Big Apple’s skyline will look especially dramatic from the boat as you will see One World Trade Center – the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – looming in the background. Once you pass Lower Manhattan, you will cruise past Ellis Island and on to the Statue of Liberty, where the boat will pause long enough for you to take close-up photos of this inspiring beacon of freedom and hope. The bus will follow a route that also presents one landmark after another, including Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park, the urban oasis that famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted co-designed in 1858. You will hear insightful commentary throughout the tour and all the way to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the Hudson River for an unforgettable water perspective of Manhattan.
• Snap photos while the boat stops as close as possible to the Statue of Liberty.
• See countless landmarks while riding through Manhattan.
• Pass Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park.
• Head to either JFK or LaGuardia airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Watch a fascinating woodworking demonstration in Sorrento and wander through the ruins of Pompeii, which reveal ancient life in a surprisingly candid way. The craftsmen will demonstrate the art of intarsia or wood inlay, which has long been associated with Sorrento. During free time that follows you might browse the boutiques and dine on your own. If you stop for lunch, be sure try a glass of chilled Limoncello, a sweet lemon-flavored liquor that has been produced locally for more than a century. You will then head to Pompeii, a Roman town forever known for the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried it under ash and pumice in 79 AD. After watching artisans hand-carve classic cameos, you will meander through the excavated ruins. The buildings are largely intact, frescoes adorn the villas and everyday objects are scattered about, just as they were when the volcano erupted. Expect to see ancient baths, temples and residences with intricate mosaic floors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch woodworkers demonstrate the art of intarsia or wood inlay, a specialty in Sorrento.
• Browse Sorrento’s museums and boutiques or dine on your own during free time.
• See the artistry behind the making of traditional cameos in Pompeii.
• Walk through the ruins of Pompeii for an eye-opening look into ancient life.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Discover the charms of several villages in western Malta, where you will observe artisans practicing age-old crafts and get a genuine feel for daily life. Antoine tan-Newl is one of the island’s few weavers that still uses traditional techniques and watching him create items such as handmade rugs, blankets and bags on a wooden loom is a fascinating experience. He may even invite you to try your hand at weaving. In the nearby village of Żebbuġ, you will see the locals playing bocci, a traditional sport that is closely related to the French game of petanque and Italian bocce. You will be welcome to join the game or just sit back and enjoy locally sourced snacks that may include stuffed green olives, an area specialty. You will also stop in the village of Santa Venera for an introduction to traditional Maltese musical instruments such as simple whistles made from wheat stems and reeds.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of traditional life by visiting a number of quintessential villages.
• Watch artisans practice traditional crafts such as weaving and making musical instruments.
• See locals playing bocci and join in a game, if you like.
• Snack on a platter of Maltese delicacies in one of the villages.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Split! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as many of the stops will include wi-fi in real time.

Your tour begins with an orientation drive thru Split with designated selfie stops at: • Bacvice Beach
• Split National Theatre
• Vidilica Viewpoint
• S. Dominous Cathedral
• And MORE!

To make this experience even more fun you will be provided with a selfie stick to help catch your best pose. Your picture-perfect day includes a local snack of smoked ham, cheese and a glass of wine. End the day with some free time to explore on your own before returning to the ship.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample a local glass of wine at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

Your tour begins with a short drive into the center of Edinburgh, Scotland's bustling capital city. From your coach, enjoy panoramic views of some of the city's landmarks before making your way to Edinburgh Castle.

The unwritten history of Edinburgh goes back to the ancient British tribes who existed in clusters of wooden huts on the rocky slopes of the castle crag, choosing the windy heights for greater security. Arriving at the Castle, you will enter via the Esplanade, which slopes steeply towards the main gate. There is much to see within the castle, including the 15th century Old Royal Palace in which are housed the Scottish Crown Jewels. The amazing regalia on display in the Crown Room have their origins in medieval times. Also found here is the Apartment in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI of Scotland who also became James I of England. This intriguing castle has without doubt, witnessed many tense moments in its thousand year history.

Following your visit, you'll re-join your coach and travel through the Old Town, descending eastwards along the ridge from the castle. This is the historical area known as `Royal Mile` and your route takes you along Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate - passing delightful multi-storied houses and quaint side streets. You will also drive past St. Giles Cathedral, considered the finest of the city's churches. This impressive cathedral dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, and is known for its famous crown spire. Continuing, you'll then pass Palace of Holyrood House, Scotland's premier Royal Palace. Dating from the late 15th century, it is the official Scottish residence of the Queen.

Before heading back to Leith, it's a drive along famous Princes Street, with its array of fine stores on one side, and beautifully laid out formal gardens on the other, affording outstanding views across to the ever present castle, standing majestically on its extinct volcanic rock.