LANDAUSFLÜGE

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.

Enjoy a carefree day in the laid-back fishing village Afurada, mingling with the locals and browsing exhibitions that will present a candid look at the area’s history. Afurada isn’t touristy, but rather presents an authentic impression of daily life in a seaside village. You might see locals chatting with their neighbors, others shopping at outdoor markets and fishermen mending their nets. Life unfolds slowly here, away from the hustle and bustle of Oporto, and that is much of Afurada’s charm. For a historical and cultural perspective of the village, you will browse the Interpretive Heritage Center. You can expect to see wooden fishing boats, ships’ instruments and brightly colored lunch boxes, the kind sailors typically pack for a day at sea. You will also walk through village squares where locals typically gather to socialize and grill freshly caught seafood. The guide may introduce you to some of them to enhance your appreciation of local life.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy the charm of a fishing village that has yet to be commercialized.
• Mingle with the locals as they go about their daily routines.
• Browse the exhibits in a heritage center that lends insight into the area’s history.
• Stop at a traditional tavern and sample characteristic Portuguese foods.

Experience the ultimate family getaway at the all-new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay. Your ticket includes full-day access to four exciting zones — Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River, and Splash Cay — featuring 19 total waterslides throughout the park, including 11 main attractions and 8 kid-friendly slides in the splash zone. From towering slides and cliff jumps to a winding lazy river and splash-filled fun for every age, Great Tides Waterpark delivers nonstop excitement the whole family will love.

You’ll journey to the ancient place of Mayan pilgrimage known today as Chacchoben, also known as "The Place of Red Corn". At the pier, you’ll be greeted by a bilingual guide who will direct you to an air-conditioned bus. Onboard the bus your guide will brief you on the interesting history and unique attributes of this sacred Mayan site. Upon arrival at Chacchoben you’ll be surrounded by jungle. Your guide will escort you through the ruins, giving you a complete explanation of the sacred temples and other structures seen there. See original red paint on the stucco walls of one of the pyramids and the temple where a mural was found showing the astronomical positions of the planet Venus. You’ll have time to climb the Gran Basamento taking you above tree level. Here archaeologists found ceremonial offerings dating to around 1000 B.C. Your guide will also explain about the wildlife and medicinal plants that are used by the modern-day descendants of the ancient Mayan people. During the tour, you will reach a structure known as the Gran Basamento, which is not a pyramid, but an elevated platform.

OVERVIEW

Acquire an enlightening overview of Vancouver by viewing its most alluring attractions and then exploring on your own. Although large and metropolitan, Vancouver has still retained much of its natural beauty in urban oases such as Stanley Park. After pausing there to admire a display of First Nation totem poles and take in the serenity, you will enjoy an entirely different ambiance in bustling Chinatown. Exotic open-air markets, heritage buildings and pagoda-topped telephone booths are staples in this ethnic neighborhood, which dates back to 1890 when Chinese immigrants settled in what was then known as Shanghai Alley. Another historical perspective awaits you in Gastown, an area that developed in the early 1870s. The neighborhood is named for settler “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a saloon owner who was considered full of hot air because he spun tall tales. The cobbled streets of Gastown are now lined with upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain an overall understanding of Vancouver by driving around its downtown.
• Enjoy the tranquility of Stanley Park, North America’s third-largest urban park
• Visit vibrant Chinatown, Vancouver’s most established ethnic community.
• Walk through Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and one of the trendiest

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

Travelling through Jamaica's beautiful countryside, you'll drive past some historic sites and districts on the way to Dunn's River Falls. Described as a living and growing phenomenon, the waterfall continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually associated with thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. Experience the thrill of climbing the waterfall, in a human chain led by experienced Falls Guides. Pause at the 'massage parlour' and experience the soothing effects of the water as it cascades over the rocks, to the sea. For the less adventurous, view the activities of the more intrepid from the "safe" vantage point of the terrace or deck. For those who enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts, lose yourself in the lush tropical foliage of ferns, bamboos, ginger lilies, crotons, orchids, a variety of palms and breadfruit trees. After visiting the falls, you will be treated to a delicious Jamaican buffet lunch at a local Restaurant before the return drive to Montego Bay.

Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively district of Cholon, you will browse the bustling Binh Tay Market and a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris. Saigon is also known for its artisans, especially those that make lacquerware, a traditional skill that you will observe in a workshop.

Sample wine at a leading chateau in the region famous for its wines, Bordeaux. The region is not only known for its wine though, Bordeaux’s historic city center offers something for all tastes. You’ll enjoy free time here to discover some of its many attractions and lunch on your own.

Your drive to Bordeaux takes you along the famous Medoc wine road, Route des Châteaux, with panoramic views of vineyards as far as the eye can see. The Medoc vineyards are orderly and impeccably maintained, and the famous Chateaux region produces superb wines. Stop to visit the cellars of one of the region's famous château and learn about winemaking techniques before enjoying a tasting of two recent vintages.

Reaching Bordeaux, you’ll have a short orientation of the city before being dropped off to enjoy approximately 3 hours of free time to explore at your leisure. Take advantage of this opportunity to shop, visit museums or just stroll about and discover more about the history of the city. Some of the city highlights are Place de la Bourse, the riverfront, Cailhau Gate, Grosse Cloche from the English Period, the Bordeaux Cathedral, and Gambetta Square. Don’t miss the Grand Theater, one of the most beautiful 18th-century theaters in Europe. The pedestrian friendly city center and waterfront have many shops, cafes and restaurants for you to choose from as well as a number of museums. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll have a wonderful time in Bordeaux.

Discover the allure of the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Santiago de Compostela on this full day tour.

Traveling by coach, it's a comfortable ride of just over 1 hour to this charming town that offers visitors a magical glimpse into the past. Upon arrival, you will disembark your coach for a ten-minute walk to the center of the city where you will find the famous cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro. Here, you can appreciate the great Romanesque architecture of the Cathedral and surrounding buildings. Positioned to one side of the Cathedral is the well-known Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos, a former hospital which is now a luxurious hotel. Directly opposite the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy. Built in the 18th century, the Palace today serves as the Town Hall and also the parliament building for the regional government.

Making your way to the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, you will be treated to a leisurely lunch of local favorites accompanied by a glass of rosé wine. Following lunch, your guide will provide you with plenty of information from the exterior of the Cathedral. Afterwards, those who wish may enter the Cathedral independently during the free time you will be provided. For those who choose to enter, you will find a unique gamut of architectural styles. Romanesque, Baroque and Ogival Gothic styles are all combined with the most elegant Plateresque throughout the vast confines of the cathedral. There is also a silver urn containing the ashes of St. James, the Apostle of Santiago. The urn is kept in a small crypt situated immediately under the ornate high altar dominated by the carved image of the Patron Saint of Spain.

Your guided tour resumes with a walk through the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela. Before rejoining your coach for the transfer back to the ship, free time will be provided to explore on your own or do some souvenir shopping.

Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Porto as a prelude to dining on dishes made to pair with the city’s namesake port wine. While traveling through the city’s historic district, which is so architecturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site, you will pass landmarks such as the Casa da Música concert hall and the cathedral where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s. This immersion into Porto will also provide insight into the production of port, the fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley. Taylor’s Port Lodge in nearby Gaia offers the ideal setting for an exquisite tasting of appetizers created especially to pair with these wines. Tour the famous cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia while learning the history of Port wine. The family run company was founded hundreds of years ago in 1692, and has since been the best known and well respected winery in the area.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Porto as a prelude to dining on dishes made to pair with the city’s namesake port wine.
• Pass landmarks such as the Casa da Música concert hall and the cathedral where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s.
• Tour the famous cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia while learning the history of Port wine.

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

Experience the ultimate family getaway at the all-new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay. Your ticket includes full-day access to four exciting zones — Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River, and Splash Cay — featuring 19 total waterslides throughout the park, including 11 main attractions and 8 kid-friendly slides in the splash zone. From towering slides and cliff jumps to a winding lazy river and splash-filled fun for every age, Great Tides Waterpark delivers nonstop excitement the whole family will love.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty west of Lisbon where you will find two landmarks with intriguing royal connections. You will first encounter the National Palace of Queluz, which was built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for the future King Pedro III. Often referred to as the “Portuguese Versailles” for its opulent Rococo style, Queluz has been restored to its original grandeur after a devastating fire in 1934. Highlights include the gilded Throne Room where state banquets were held and the tiled canal in the gardens, which could be filled with water so the royal court could ride gondolas. Continuing on, you will soon arrive in historical Sintra, a town that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. During free time, you might browse the Palace of Sintra – considered Portugal’s best-preserved royal residence – or simply meander about this idyllic town that poet Lord Byron described as a “glorious Eden.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the lavish National Palace of Queluz, an 18th-century Rococo treasure.
• Learn the disturbing history of the palace, where a mentally ill queen was confined.
• Spend free time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site city of Sintra.
• Visit the Palace of Sintra or simply meander about, shopping and dining if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

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