SHORE EXCURSIONS

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Venice! 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. Professional photographers & selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

HIGHLIGHTS

Your tour will start with a private boat transfer along Giudecca Canal. Your tour will have designated selfie stops at

• San Giorgio Bell Tower
• St Mark Basin
• St Mark Square
• Bridge of Sighs
• Rialto Bridge
• Fondaco dei Tedeschi

To make this experience even more fun you will be provided with a selfie stick to help catch the perfect picture. End your picture-perfect day with a beverage from the Fondaco bar.

Cruise across the Venetian Lagoon to Chioggia, a low-key port known as “Little Venice” because of its many canals, bridges and historical architecture. Chioggia has long revolved around fishing and its fish market is still one of the busiest venues. Like Venice, Chioggia has its share of notable churches such as the 14th-century San Martino and the 17th-century Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. The latter’s highlights include an ornate high altar with scenes of Virgin Mary’s life. Its bell tower stands outside the cathedral near the ancient gate to the city. During the guided walking tour, you can expect to meander along Corso del Popolo, the main street. Be sure to notice the clock in the campanile of the Sant’ Andrea Church. Said to be the world’s oldest clock, its mechanism is housed in a protective glass case. For a literal taste of Choggia, you will snack on traditional cicchetti side dishes before exploring further on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise across the lagoon to Chioggia, which is affectionately known as “Little Venice.”
• Admire the historical churches and other landmarks while walking through Chioggia.
• Snack on a selection of side dishes that are representative of Chioggia’s cuisine.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Become familiar with the workings of a dairy farm that runs on solar energy and follows practices that reduce stress on the animals. The farm is adjacent to the Sant’Alberto Solar Park, one of the largest photovoltaic plants in Italy, which supplies the renewable energy in a manner that doesn’t disturb the grazing sheep. The name Buon Pastore, which translates to “good shepherd,” is fitting as the dairy is passionate about treating the animals and pastures with great respect. The automatic system that milks the sheep is designed to be as gentle and agreeable as possible. The extracted milk is then made into a variety of cheeses, a process that you will watch through a large glass wall. The farm also keeps bees, which produce the honey for the tasting that follows the tour. You will also be offered Buon Pastore cheeses that have been aged in a stone-lined cave, fresh-baked flatbread, and local wines.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Wander about an eco-friendly dairy farm that runs on solar energy.
• Recognize how the sheep and pastureland are treated with great respect.
• Watch the cheese-making process step by step.
• Sample a selection of cheeses, honey, flatbread, and wines made on the farm or locally.

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

Explore nearby Giudecca Island, which once thrived as an industrial area, but has since become a desirable residential area with outstanding architecture. The largest and closest island to Venice, Giudecca was originally called Spinalunga, meaning “long thorn” because of its thin shape. During the walking tour of the island, the guide will lead you through sections of town where you can watch daily life unfold. You will see working-class neighborhoods and luxurious hotels such as the Hilton Molino Stucky, which was built around an old flour mill. Although primarily residential, the island attracts visitors seeking a more laid-back atmosphere. Casa dei Tre Oci, the “House of the Three Eyes,” may be the island’s most well-known building. A fine example of neo-Gothic architecture, its name is derived from the striking triple windows at the front of the house. The waterfront is an attractive gathering place because the cobblestone streets are lined with charming shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore laid-back Giudecca, the largest and closest island to Venice.
• Walk through characteristic neighborhoods and around the shop-lined harbor area.
• See Giudecca’s most unusual home, which is nicknamed the “House of the Three Eyes.”

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Explore the contemporary village of Port Grimaud, whose winding canals resemble Venice, and ascend to atmospheric medieval Grimaud on this tour of contrasts. You’ll enjoy a leisurely drive along the coast to waterfront Port Grimaud, a pedestrian-friendly village designed in the 1960s to evoke Venice by means of its intricate network of canals. During your visit, you’ll delight in arched bridges spanning the narrow waterways and colorful homes built to the water’s edge. Travel to Grimaud, a hilltop hamlet that has lovingly retained its feudal character. Behold the ruins of an 11th-century château that overlooks the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and discover the heart of the village, a warren of narrow streets lined with beautifully restored 15th-century houses. Pass historically significant dwellings that are painted in pastel colors and feature unusual door frames carved from black lava. You’ll agree the town’s ancient fountains, wrought-iron balconies adorned with bright flowers and centuries-old churches make it seem as if time has stood still.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Feel transported to Venice in Port Grimaud, a 1960s seaside village interwoven by countless canals.
• Cross quaint arched bridges over glittering canals lined with multi-hued homes.
• Visit the superb medieval village of Grimaud, set high above the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
• Wander immaculately preserved 15th-century streets boasting historic stone-built homes.

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

Behold some of the world’s most impressive Byzantine mosaics, which adorn the walls and ceilings of Ravenna’s 6th-century basilicas and mausoleums.

Depart from the pier and enjoy a brief drive through the ancient city of Ravenna. After a photo stop at the 6th-century Mausoleum of Theodoric, a rotunda-shaped tomb that the emperor built for himself, you’ll arrive at the city center and begin your walking tour.

Ravenna is revered for its well-preserved Byzantine mosaics, and you’ll see them in all their glory at sights such as the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica, which Theodoric also built. Most of the original mosaics depicting the life of Christ still exist, and the colors are vibrant, even after 1,500 years.

You’ll also tour San Vitale Basilica, whose Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the western world. Be sure to note the glittering mosaics in the ceilings of the choir and apse. More spectacular mosaics await you at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which dates even earlier to 430 A.D. The Roman empress who commissioned the tomb was never buried here, but it certainly would have been a grand final resting place.

Nearby, you’ll find the tomb of the poet Dante, who died in Ravenna in 1321 while exiled from Florence. The mound of dirt to the right of his tomb is where Dante’s urn was buried to protect it when Ravenna was bombed during World War II.

An hour of free time follows your walking tour, after which you’ll return to the pier.

If there is one memory you’ll take home with you, it’s of drifting through Venice’s canals on a gondola as darkened waters lap your boat and music melts on the air. This delightful after-dinner excursion offers the chance to experience that quintessential canal ride while being serenaded by musicians in traditional fashion. O Sole Mio! From your ship, you’ll transfer by private motor launch to St. Mark’s Basin where your gondola awaits. After your ride, you can stretch the evening’s magic with a stroll around St. Mark’s Square. Perhaps stop for an espresso at one of the elegant cafes with their orchestras and chandeliers before catching the motor launch back to your ship.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Mykonos! Selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to Agios Ioannis Beach considered the most beautiful beach on the island´s southwest coast. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Agios Ioannis Beach
• Little Venice
• Beach of Kalafatis
• Ano mera
• A Mykonian farm
• Mykonian Old Town

To make this experience even more fun, you will be provided with a selfie stick and utilize our Selfie Station in order to help catch the perfect picture. During your visit to the Mykonian farm, you’ll be able to enjoy some local wine traditional treats.

Admire Hamburg from two unique perspectives: while cruising along the shores of its main urban lake, and while driving past its most historical highlights.

After departing from the pier, you will soon notice the abundance of waterways throughout the city. The Elbe River connects Hamburg to the North Sea, and the city boasts an extensive network of Venice-like canals. The prevalence of water keeps Hamburg’s 1,400 parks and gardens flourishing, as you will see at leafy Planten un Blomen park downtown.

Then, it’s on to Alster Lake, where you will enjoy a leisurely cruise across its serene waters, presenting you with a different perspective of the city. The lake was formed in the 12th century after the Alster River was dammed. Today, small pleasure vessels often sail the waters and joggers follow the paths along the shore.

Following your cruise, you will resume driving through Hamburg, passing the most iconic landmarks, which miraculously survived a devastating fire in 1842 and World War II bombings. One highlight is certainly St. Michael’s Church, whose soaring clock tower has loomed over the city since the 1680s. However, locals consider the 647-room town hall, a neo-Renaissance masterpiece, to be the symbolic heart of Hamburg. As a contrast to its opulence, you will also visit a modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers.

Before returning to the pier, you will have some brief free time in the city center to perhaps pick up a souvenir or two.

Experience Bruges like a local by exploring areas off the beaten path but still in the shadow of landmarks such as Kruispoort. Although you will stop at this 15th-century gate, the sites that lie ahead will reveal a lesser-known but not less spectacular side of Bruges. You will see windmills along medieval ramparts, follow atmospheric lanes through residential neighborhoods and pause at the bridges and inner canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North. Upon arriving in St. Anne’s, you will behold the Jerusalem Chapel, which was designed to mirror the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. By the 16th century, Bruges had become a textile center for woven lace, and you will observe a demonstration of this artisan trade that continues to flourish. Another way to become immersed in local life is at the Market, a sprawling square that has been a marketplace for more than 1,000 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Explore atmospheric areas of Bruges that are typically unknown to all but the locals.
• Cross landmark canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North.
• Watch a demonstration of lace making, a trade that has flourished in Bruges for centuries.

OVERVIEW

Discover captivating Zakynthos during this coach and walking tour that introduces you to Zakynthos Town, the island’s oldest monastery and a traditional island village. You’ll begin your guided walking tour of Zakynthos Town, sometimes called the Venice of the South, at the expansive square named after Dionysios Solomos, the revered poet who wrote Greece’s national anthem. Pass splendid landmarks such as the Byzantine Museum and the Church of Saint Nicholas, and stroll along the city’s main shopping area. Board your coach for a photo stop at the village of Bochali, located below a Venetian fortress, and appreciate sweeping views of Zakynthos Town and the sparkling Ionian Sea. At the 14th-century Monastery of Anafonitria, you’ll learn that Saint Dionysios, Zakynthos’ patron saint, served as the monastery’s abbot for the majority of his life. View colorful 15th-century frescoes that were uncovered during the monastery’s painstaking renovation. In the traditional mountain village of Volimes, you’ll find colorful rugs, embroidery, honey and olive oil offered by roadside merchants. Choose a unique keepsake as a reminder of your magical day in this Greek paradise.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore Zakynthos Town, known as the Venice of the South, on a guided walking tour.
• Marvel at magnificent vistas of Zakynthos and the azure Ionian Sea from the village of Bochali.
• Visit the Monastery of Anafonitria and view its glorious 15th-century frescoes.
• Shop for handicrafts, embroidery, honey and olive oil in the mountain village of Volimes.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress appropriately for a religious venue; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View Zakynthos Town from a charming hillside village, explore one of Zakynthos’ most renowned churches and enjoy traditional food and entertainment on this illuminating tour. Visit the picturesque hamlet of Bochali, located on a promontory below a Venetian fortress, and appreciate sweeping views of the sparkling Ionian Sea and Zakynthos Town, known as the Venice of the South due to the influence of the powerful Italian republic during the Middle Ages. In the quaint village of Machairado, explore the 14th-century Church of Saint Mavra, one of the most intriguing churches on the island. Survey a remarkable collection of fine icons and frescoes painted by Greek artists and admire a striking early-19th-century bell tower, whose square footprint and soaring spire are distinctively Venetian. Just off the dramatic cliffs at Kampi, you’ll discover the Mediterranean’s deepest point, which plunges to 17,280 feet. Enjoy a traditional folkloric performance and delectable Greek mezedes, or small plates, all while surrounded by Zakynthos’ dazzling panorama.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Marvel at magnificent vistas of Zakynthos and the azure Ionian Sea from the village of Bochali.
• Visit Machairado’s Church of Saint Mavra and view a fascinating collection of icons and frescoes.
• Appreciate breathtaking views from Kampi’s dramatic cliffs above the Mediterranean’s deepest point.
• Enjoy a rousing traditional folkloric show and savor a repast of flavorful mezedes, or small plates.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress appropriately for a religious venue; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.