Explore a wetland nature reserve on reclaimed land that now supports an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna. Salt pans covered much of this area for centuries, and it wasn’t until about 50 years ago that the brackish wetlands became an important habitat for flora and fauna. As you walk through this wonderfully unique ecosystem, a naturalist will describe the transformation of the reserve and how environmentalists prevented it from becoming an industrial zone. Nearly 250 types of birds—more than half the species in the entire country of Slovenia—have been spotted there, including Eurasian reed warblers, black-winged stilts and squacco herons. You can also expect to see a huge variety of colorful butterflies flitting about. Halophytes are among the more intriguing plants found in the wetlands, as they thrive in salty ground. From a distance, these succulents appear to have ice on their leaves, but it is actually dried salt that the plants exude from their glands.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain insight into how former salt pans were transformed into a thriving wetland.
• Walk through a now-protected nature reserve with a naturalist guide.
• Observe abundant wildlife that includes more than half the bird species in Slovenia.

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

Drive around a lake that is a natural phenomenon of sorts, as its water disappears each autumn, leaving the lake dry until the winter rainy season. For an overview of the lake’s unusual hydrological system, you will first browse a museum with a scale working model of Lake Cerknica, showing how each year it drains into the porous karst that lies beneath the lakebed. A leisurely walk around the shore will add another dimension to your understanding of this well-known “intermittent lake,” as it’s known geologically. When full, the lake is the largest in Slovenia. Much of the flora and fauna changes seasonally with the water level. Regardless of when you visit, you can expect to see flowering orchids, medicinal plants, and countless birds, all of which the naturalist will describe in fascinating detail. More than half of Europe’s bird species have been spotted there at one time or another.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Follow a naturalist around an unusual “intermittent lake” that completely drains each year.
• View a scale model of Lake Cerknica that shows how its hydrological system works.
• Enjoy the flora and fauna that thrives around the lake as the naturalist describes them.

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

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.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Florence & Pisa! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site 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 Piazza della Signoria. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Santa Maria de Fiore Cathedral
• Piazza della Repubblica
• Ponte Vecchio
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• The Tower of Pisa

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.

Cruise into the North Sea to a large offshore wind park that greatly contributes to Belgium’s ambitious sustainable energy goals. Before you head out to sea from Blankenberge harbor, you will hear about Belgium’s commitment to wind power, how wind turbines work and their effect on the climate and marine life. The country has embraced the development of wind parks because other means of energy emit excessive carbon dioxide and importing electricity has its limitations. It will be quite the experience to view the dozens of offshore wind turbines up close from the comfort of the boat. They soar high above the water and continuously generate power by optimizing the available wind. As part of your immersion into clean energy, you will see how the power is transported to shore for distribution.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Observe offshore wind turbines up close from a boat that provides a unique perspective.
• Learn the benefits of wind power and why Belgium is so committed to its development.
• See how the power from the offshore wind turbines is transported to shore.

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

The island of Mykonos is world famous for its stunning scenic beauty comprised of windmills, sparking bays, superb beaches, white houses and churches with their colorful blue and red domes. You'll pass by Ornos Beach, one of the most cosmopolitan beaches on the island with an abundance of luxurious hotels, tavernas and yachts mooring offshore.

You’ll make a short photo stop at the beach of Kalafatis to experience one of the island's beautiful beaches and to enjoy the breathtaking view. As you head to the center of the island, you'll visit the village of Ano Mera and the Monastery Panayia Tourliani. You’ll also have a chance to enjoy ouzo and Greek appetizers in the peaceful little square of the village.

Snorkel the azure waters adjacent to the of Belize's Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living barrier reef. This is a shallow water entry, well suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Depart from the Harvest Caye Marina on one of our comfortable snorkel vessels for the short scenic ride to a beautiful site along the reef. This location is teeming with multitudes of colorful reef fish, co-habiting among the beautiful hard and soft coral formations, intermingled with sponges, sea fans, and delicate sea anemones.

Possible sightings of spotted eagle rays and schools of larger fish are quite common, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers also call this patch of the reef home. After snorkeling, re-board your boat and enjoy the return trip while listening to Caribbean rhythmic vibes. After returning to the pier, as you step off the boat, you can pick up your complimentary rum punch.

Every year, about 5 million tons of plastic end up in our Oceans and sea. This plastic comes from waste that we throw away in the street, fishing nets that are left behind, but also by washing synthetic clothing or by brushing our teeth. All these different types of plastic together form the plastic soup in the seas and Oceans. During this activity, you will be walking on the Belgium beaches for one hour to collect as much as plastic as possible. This way we can prevent birds or other animals to swallow this plastic. Afterwards your coach will take you to the Biostoom in Ostend, where you will learn more how this waste is recycled into green energy. This organization will give you a explanation of how it generates green electricity by processing waste. After learning more about this process your guide will escort you back to the ship.

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

Visit several of Old Town’s most iconic sites, which gained even greater fame after serving as locations for the fictional capital King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones.”

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive in the oldest section of Dubrovnik, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fans of the TV series “Game of Thrones,” which is based on George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novels, will recognize this part of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing, the fictional capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

Your first stop will be imposing Lovrijenac Fortress, located just outside the medieval walls that encircle Old Town. Known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, the 11th-century fortress perches atop a craggy rock overlooking the sea, which represented Blackwater Bay in the books.

Continuing on, you will enter Old Town and make your way to the defensive walls to the south. After climbing the steps, you will walk along the stone battlements, which afford extraordinary views of the sea and the inner city. These walls appeared in numerous scenes in “Game of Thrones”; they were particularly prominent in the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

Later, you will enjoy free time within Old Town, where you may explore other sites that you may recognize from the series. For instance, the Jesuit Staircase was where Cersei Lannister began her Walk of Shame in Season Five, and many of the show’s market scenes were filmed along St. Dominic Street. Following free time, you will return to the pier.

Experience the wonders of the Panama Canal on this spectacular partial canal transit. Arriving in Panama City, you will disembark the ship and take a short transfer by coach to the La Playita dock where you will board a spacious ferry and begin your unforgettable tour of the Panama Canal. The first lock you will pass through is the Miraflores Locks, where your ship will be raised the first 56 feet and enter Miraflores Lake. From here, you will transit through the Pedro Miguel Locks, where you will be raised the second 28 feet and enter Gatun Lake, once the largest man-made lake in the world. Crossing the Continental Divide at this point, you will continue to Gaillard Cut. The Gaillard (or Culebra) Cut, was the most challenging section of the canal to build. As you pass through the Cut, you'll see the continuing excavation that keeps this passage open to marine traffic. Enjoy a buffet lunch aboard the ferry before your fascinating tour of the Canal ends in the small village of Gamboa. While not large, Gamboa is home to the headquarters of the Panama Canal dredging division and some of the largest floating cranes in the world. After leaving your ferry, board a waiting motorcoach for the just over 1-hour drive back to the ship at Amador. Each tour participant will receive a certificate that commemorates their crossing of the Canal.

Come experience the world famous, magnificent ruins of the walled city of Tulum, the only Mayan city built right on the blue Caribbean Sea! After a 45-minute ferry to Playa del Carmen, your guide will lead you to an air-conditioned motor coach for a scenic and informative one-hour drive to Tulum.

Once there, your guide will escort you through the ruins giving a complete narration along the way. See the restored temples and some of the mysterious hieroglyphic writings still visible today. Visit the temple of the frescos, famous for the detailed carved figures and original paints. And perched on the edge of the Caribbean and rising high above all of the other ruins is “El Castillo” with its breathtaking view of the aqua-colored water below.

Get an authentic glimpse of life in Kotka by browsing attractions that highlight the influence of the sea. The city is surrounded by water as it covers two islands in the Gulf of Finland at the mouth of the Kymijoki River. While strolling through Sappoka Water Garden, you will soon realize the calming effect of its central waterfall and many ponds and brooks. Kotka’s most iconic building is the Maritime Centre Vellama, a complex of museums within a modern façade that resembles a massive wave that reflects the colors of the sea. Its Museum of Kymenlaakso focuses on cultural aspects and presents a history of the Coast Guard. The complex’s Maritime Museum of Finland is even more comprehensive, as it holds everything from nautical charts to underwater archaeological artifacts to full-size ships. You will gain a different historical perspective at the 19th-century Kotka Church, which is known for its rose windows and for having the largest baroque organ in Finland.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Recognize how the sea has shaped Kotka while enjoying a panoramic drive around town. • Stroll through serene Sappoka Water Garden, the city’s most popular park. • Browse two marine-oriented museums within the Maritime Centre Vellama complex. • Behold the largest baroque organ in Finland at the Kotka Church.