SHORE EXCURSIONS

Sail along the island’s beach-blessed eastern shore, taking in the magnificent scenery and stopping along the way to swim and snorkel. One of the most beautiful stretches of sand is Kalithea Beach, which earned a Blue Flag eco-designation for the high quality of its water and strict environmental preservation. Because the sea is so clear there, snorkeling is particularly popular. Schools of porgies, brightly colored wrasses and damsel fish are commonly spotted along the rocky bottom just offshore. You will also visit a beach farther south that is so gorgeous that Anthony Quinn purchased it after filming “The Guns of Navarone” in the area in 1960. Named for the actor ever since, the beach offers excellent snorkeling and swimming as the waters are remarkably transparent. The smallish cove that shelters the beach couldn’t be more photogenic. Following your beach activities, you will enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in a lovely setting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous coastal scenery as you sail along the eastern shore of Rhodes.
• Swim and snorkel at Kalithea, a Blue Flag beach known for its excellent water quality.
• Relax on a spectacularly beautiful beach that actor Anthony Quinn once owned.

OVERVIEW

Fly to the tiny isle of Grimsey to explore this northernmost inhabited part of Iceland which straddles the Arctic Circle. The flight from Akureyri airport takes just half an hour, but Grimsey might as well be a million miles away. Barely 100 souls reside here, along with the occasional polar bear dropping by from a drifting ice floe. Years ago, Grimsey was larger – but large chunks of it have tumbled into the sea over time and its residents have learned to make do with a diminishing land mass. Subsistence itself can be a challenge as a result, with islanders relying on locally caught seafood, scant imported goods and the most prized of edible island delicacies: bird eggs snatched by brave rappellers who clamber down Grimsey’s sheer sea cliffs during the brief summer. While mentioned in the earliest of Icelandic sagas, this miniscule outpost’s big claim to fame came late in the 19th century when the locals’ exceptional prowess at chess captured the outside world’s attention. Go figure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly to a remote islet sitting astride the Arctic Circle and observe its unique lifestyle firsthand.
• Wander Grimsey’s few streets, encounter its residents and wonder at how they manage to thrive here.
• See the island’s signature lighthouse, a church built from driftwood and raucous colonies of puffins and other seabirds making a home along the cliffs.
• Step across the Arctic Circle yourself, so you can boast about it later to friends at shipboard dinner.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Fly high over Ålesund, the surrounding fjords and the Sunnmore Alps in a helicopter for bird’s-eye view of the area’s extraordinary natural beauty. Once you take a seat inside the helicopter – which holds five or six passengers – and its rotors start turning, the thrills will begin in earnest. During the flight, your pilot will highlight the stunning sights below as you soar along the following route: Ålesund – Storfjord – Hjørundfjord – Sunnmørsalpene – Sykkylven – Ålesund. Please note that the exact route may vary depending on weather and wind conditions. The breathtaking Norwegian landscape is sure to leave a lasting impression, and the panoramic views from above offer a perspective that no photo from the ground can match. Enjoy the freedom of flying in a comfortable helicopter, complemented by fascinating historical insights and facts shared throughout the journey.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Norway’s fjord country from a high-flying helicopter.
• Fly over the Sunnmore Alps and along stunningly beautiful steep-walled fjords.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Glide underwater on a motorized aqua bike that allows you to effortlessly observe the colorful marine life in Bora Bora’s crystal-clear lagoon. A short cruise across the water will bring you to a scooter platform, where the adventure will begin. After an orientation to help you maximize the experience, you will hop on a two-person aqua bike and ease into the water. It will be a progressive immersion and an experienced diver will be nearby, so you will feel completely comfortable as you submerge to a depth of about 10 feet. The aqua bike features an enclosed upper compartment that will keep your head dry so you can breathe normally without air hoses of any sort. That way, you can concentrate on the abundant wonders underwater. You can expect to see neon-colored parrot fish, brilliant blue tangs, elongated trumpet fish and goat fish, which are named for their goat-like “beards.”

HIGHLIGHTS
• Glide through a lagoon about 10 feet underwater on an aqua bike built for two.
• Breathe normally without air hoses so you can fully concentrate on the spectacular sights.
• Observe seemingly endless schools of brightly colored tropical fish.
• Take in the natural beauty as you cruise to and from the lagoon’s aqua bike platform.

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

OVERVIEW

Hear a stirring performance of Andrea’s Bocelli’s music in the glorious Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major and dine on an extraordinary lunch paired with wines from the Bocelli family estate. Rome is during its Jubilee 2025, a celebratory year in which pilgrims are encouraged to visit and the Holy Doors are opened in the basilicas. Your in-depth exploration of Saint Mary Major will include rarely seen upper areas, the interior dome and an underground archaeological site. In another exclusive part in the church, you will be treated to a concert of some of Andrea’s most popular songs while enjoying a glass of Bocelli prosecco. A magnificent four-course meal, in which each dish will be paired with Bocelli wine, will follow at a rooftop restaurant that offers sweeping views of Rome. Later, you will tour the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and stop in Saint Peter’s Square, which fronts Saint Peter’s Basilica.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour exclusive areas inside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
• Listen to a lyric singer and pianist perform songs that Andrea Bocelli made famous.
• Enjoy a four-course lunch paired with wines from the Bocelli family winery.
• Visit the interior of another basilica and stand before Saint Peter’s Basilica.
• Gain an understanding of the significance of 2025 being a Jubilee year in Rome.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the fertile Hunter Valley in a helicopter for bird’s-eye view of this bucolic setting that is Australia’s oldest wine-growing region. Once you take a seat and the rotors start turning, the thrills will begin in earnest. The R44 helicopter features large windows and seating for only three passengers so you will be assured of an excellent view of the natural beauty below. You will first soar over the coast of Newcastle, where you will look down on the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere and the ANZAC Memorial Walk, which commemorates the sacrifices of Australia’s soldiers during World War I. As you fly inland, the landscape will change dramatically as agriculture dominates, especially vineyards. Upon landing at one of the valley’s most prestigious cellar-door restaurants, you will sit down to a three-course gourmet lunch. Ask recommendation for paired wines produced in the Hunter Valley to be served to enhance the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Soar over Newcastle in a large-windowed helicopter that holds only three passengers.
• Enjoy the ultimate bird’s-eye view of the city and its naturally beautiful coast.
• Fly above the Hunter Valley, an incredibly fertile wine-producing region.
• Land at a cellar-door restaurant for a gourmet lunch served with Hunter Valley wine.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Follow the rugged Thousand Water Trail in an off-road Super Truck and stop along the way for photos of the most stunning natural attractions. You will travel caravan-style in a convoy of 4x4 vehicles that can easily handle the harsh, rugged terrain as you will discover firsthand by driving across rivers and through mud banks. After passing the active Hengill volcano, which supplies geothermal energy to much of South Iceland, you will pause near the Nesjavellir Power Plant and take in the sweeping views of Lake Þingvallavatn. Ahead lies Hvammsvik, where you can ease into the outdoor hot springs. Few experiences are quite so relaxing and picturesque as the 1,200-acre resort is nestled along the shore of Hvalfjördur, a lengthy fjord named for a folkloric red-headed whale. Later, you will stop to snap photos of thundering Þórufoss waterfall and Úlfarsfell, a smallish mountain that offers surprisingly long views of Reykjavik and Faxafloi Bay.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive along the Thousand Water Trail in a convoy of 4x4 Super Trucks.
• Take in the spectacular views near a volcano that supplies geothermal energy to Reykjavik.
• Soak in outdoor hot springs that are directly on a fjord with a folkloric legend.
• Behold a gorgeous waterfall and admire the views of Reykjavik from a scenic lookout.

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

OVERVIEW

Fly over gorgeous Bora Bora in a helicopter that will provide a literal bird’s-eye view of the lush volcanically formed landscape that James Michener, author of Tales of the South Pacific, described as “the most beautiful island in the world.” The exact route of the flight will depend on the wind and weather conditions, but regardless of where you fly the sights will be absolutely spectacular in every direction. During the 20 minutes or so that you spend in the air, you will gaze out over turquoise lagoons, secluded beaches, dense forests and dramatically soaring peaks such as Mount Otemanu, one of two extinct volcanoes at the heart of Bora Bora. It rises more than 2,400 feet above sea level. Bora Bora means “first born” in the Tahitian language, a reference to the Tahitian story of the creation of the world. Few islands are quite so inspiring, romantic and steeped in legend as Bora Bora.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View Bora Bora from the air while flying over its most gorgeous areas in a helicopter.
• Behold the island’s turquoise lagoons, secluded beaches and dramatically soaring peaks.
• See firsthand why Bora Bora is considered one of world’s most beautiful islands.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the Reykjanes Peninsula in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view of the crater-dotted volcanically formed landscape below. As you soar over the peninsula, you will get a good sense of the topography that continuous geothermal activity has shaped. It won’t be long before you are looking down on the Seltún hot springs, whose boiling mud pools and steam vents have stained the soil bright yellow, red and green. The crater lake Grænavatn – which is Icelandic for “green water” – is an even brighter shade. Then, there is the Blue Lagoon, whose geothermally heated seawater is rich in minerals that contribute to its silky blue color. One of the highlights will be touching down at Eldvörp so you can explore the long row of craters and spatter cones where steam continues to rise from fissures in the ground. A series of 13th-century volcanic eruptions known as the Reykjanes Fires formed this otherworldly landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take an exhilarating helicopter ride over the volcanically sculpted Reykjanes Peninsula.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of volcanic craters and highly active geothermal areas.
• See how hissing steam vents have turned the soil bright colors.
• Pass over a volcanically formed green lake and the geothermally heated Blue Lagoon.
• Touch down at Eldvörp, a bizarre landscape that 13th-century volcanic eruptions formed.

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

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the surrounding fjords, glaciers and villages in a helicopter for a bird's-eye view of the area’s extraordinary natural beauty. Once you take a seat inside the helicopter and its rotors start turning, the thrills will begin in earnest. Although the exact route will depend on the weather conditions, the helicopter is scheduled to begin by flying over Åkerneset, a mountain that suffered a landslide in 1934, causing a devastating tsunami in the waters of Sunnylsfjord. You will then loop south over the villages of Hellesylt and Stryn and on towards the Loen Skylift, one of the world’s steepest cable cars. Flying over the stunning Loen and Olden valley, known for their breathtaking beauty and uniquely turquoise glacier waters – a signature feature of the region.Other highlights include Ramnefjellet, another mountain known for landslides, and Lodalskåpa, a jagged peak that juts out of the Jostedalsbreen glacier. Experience the unforgettable feeling of hovering above the majestic Jostedalsbreen glacier and its famous Briksdal glacier arms – a truly spectacular sight from above. The flight will take you over the quintessential fjord landscape, whose star attractions may well be Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic natural beauty and majestic glaciers, best appreciated from the helicopter.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Norway’s fjord country from a high-flying helicopter.
• Fly over stunningly beautiful steep-walled fjords and ancient glaciers.
• Hear commentary about the natural wonders and past disasters from landslides.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of idyllic villages such as Hellsylt, Stryn and Geiranger.
• See Geirangerfjord, a fjord so magnificent that UNESCO named it a World Heritage site.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Zip around the southern coast of Mykonos in an open-air high-speed boat and stop along the way for cocktails at three beach bars buzzing with activity. You will cruise in a rigid inflatable boat known as an RIB. It will be an exhilarating, adrenaline-charged experience as you race through the water from one idyllic beach to another. You will first hit the Kalua Beach Club, which is tucked along the sheltered waters of Paraga Bay. Feel free to hang out at the beach bar, take a refreshing dip in the sea and relax most any other way you please. The same goes for Super Paradise, a beach club that lives up to its name. Although a prime spot for partying, it also offers plenty of quieter slices of paradise. Then, there is Solymar, an exclusive club along Kalo Livadi Beach, where you can take advantage of its wonderfully laid-back ambiance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Buzz along the island’s gorgeous southern coast in a high-powered rigid inflatable boat.
• Stop for cocktails at three beach bars, each with its own personality.
• Stretch out on the beach, swim in the sea and mingle with the locals at each beach club.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly high over Reunion Island in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view of the staggering natural beauty of this remote French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. As you soar over the island, you will get a good sense of the topography, which is volcanically formed, ruggedly mountainous and mostly blanketed with lush vegetation. You will look down on a number of natural amphitheaters known as cirques, each one a bit different from the others. Cirque de Mafate is completely surrounded by mountains and wonderfully pristine because it is so inaccessible. Cirque de Salazie is the largest and greenest of the cirques and lined with many waterfalls. Then, there is Trou de Fer – the Iron Hole – a deep collapsed volcanic crater ringed by waterfalls. You will also fly over Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted Feb 13, 2026.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Reunion Island from high above in a helicopter with large windows.
• Look down on the primeval terrain of volcanic peaks and craggy mountains.
• Fly over natural amphitheaters lined with waterfalls thundering over their cliffs.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

HELPFUL HINTS

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