EXCURSIONS À TERRE

L'île Mykonos est célèbre à travers le monde pour sa beauté époustouflante, avec ses moulins, ses baies, ses superbes plages, ses maisons blanches et ses églises aux dômes bleus et rouges. 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.

Experience country life in a village near Kusadasi, where you will mingle with the residents and help them harvest crops. You might discover how the villagers spend most days, earn livings and view the rest of the world. This frank, face-to-face conversation will offer great insight into country life, and you can expect the villagers to reciprocate and ask about your life. A meandering walk through the village will bring you to fields of fruits or vegetables, depending on the season. There, you will have the opportunity to join the villagers as they harvest the farm’s crops. What better way to experience rural life than to be a genuine part of it, sharing each moment as if you were a local? Chances are, you will work up an appetite, which will easily be appeased with a hearty Turkish breakfast, known as “kahvalti.” It typically includes cheeses, black and green olives, spicy sausages, fruit preserves and fresh-baked bread.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Mingle with the locals in a small village on the outskirts of Kusadasi.
• Learn about the farmers’ rural lifestyle and join them in a harvest, if you wish.
• Enjoy a hearty Turkish breakfast with country favorites such as sausage, cheeses and olives.

Enjoy an enlightening introductory walk through Nanortalik, the southernmost town in Greenland. Founded in 1797, Nanortalik is the country’s 10th-largest town despite having only about 1,350 residents. Even the translation of its name, which means “the place with polar bears,” indicates that nature not people rules supreme.

For an authentic glimpse into daily life in this rather remote town, you will see the local school, police station and fire department. As you walk about, the guide will describe in detail the challenges and joys of living in Nanortalik. You will also browse the open-air museum in old town, a collection of colonial-era buildings such as turf huts that reflect the area’s history. Inside, you will find exhibits of model boats, leather clothing able to withstand harsh conditions and fishing gear that the indigenous Inuits use. It is believed that the Inuits were among the Arctic people that invented the kayak about 4,000 years ago.

Explore a series of caverns decorated with pre-Columbian paintings and a hilltop village designed to replicate a 16th-century Mediterranean village. The caves are truly wondrous and not just because of its hundreds of beautifully preserved native Taino Indian wall paintings, which are known as pictographs. While walking the cave’s winding paths, you will also see abundant geological wonders, which include eerily shaped, dramatically lighted stalactites and stalagmites. Be sure to look into the Water Mirror, a subterranean lake that reflects the unusual formations on the ceiling. Unlike the ancient cave system, the village Altos de Chavon only looks old. Local artisans built it in the 1980s as a cultural and artistic center, and its setting above the Chavon River is spectacular. Architectural highlights include a Grecian-style outdoor amphitheater and the stone St. Stanislaus Church. The village’s Archaeological Regional Museum contains thousands of real Pre-Columbian artifacts that lend insight into the indigenous people.

The old port of Mandraki, where this tour begins, is believed to be the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Historic sites abound in Rhodes, as you will soon discover after enjoying a panoramic view of the city and Rhodes Bay from atop Monte Smith.

Visit the fully restored 14th-century Grand Masters Palace, which contains beautiful alabaster windows, French and Venetian furniture, and floor mosaics with scenes from Greek mythology. It served as a fortress in times of war, and a residence for the Grand Master and a meeting place for senior knights during times of peace. As you continue down the Avenue of the Knights, where the knights lived, the cobblestoned street seems to exude a noble and somewhat forbidden aura, as its lofty buildings stretch in an unbroken wall of honey-colored stone, punctuated by huge doorways and arched windows. At the conclusion of this tour, you can either return to ship, or remain in the old town to explore further on your own.

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.

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.

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.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Naples & Sorrento! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site Our 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 Sorrento which is a balcony over the sea with amazing views of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Villa Communale
• Piazza Tasso
• Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola
• Castle Nuovo

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 the tour, you will get to taste traditional Neapolitan slice of pizza and local beer.

Explore the Medieval beauty of the Bodrum Peninsula during this memorable visit to the Castle of St. Peter.

Few sights match those encountered along the Bodrum Peninsula. With rolling hills on both sides, and colorful yachts and sailing vessels docked right outside its walls, the seaside Castle of St. Peter is truly a sight to behold. The towers and battlements of the castle tower over the town, and serve as a reminder of its storied past.

Depart the pier for the walk to the Castle of St. Peter, and a guided tour of the Museum of Underwater Archaeology housed inside. The Castle was built in the 1400s by the Knights of St. John, a group of expatriates that began in the 11th century with a church and hospital in Jerusalem. Although the Knights observed the Catholic religion, they denied care to no one. When they decided to build the Castle of St. Peter, they instructed their builders to remove marble, stone and other usable material from the tomb of King Mausolos, or Halicarnassus Mausoleum, for use in the castle's construction.

Upon arrival at the castle, you will pass through its seven gates embellished with coats of arms and inscriptions. During your walking tour, you will visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The museum attracts hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, has earned an award for Museum of the Year and appeared in National Geographic magazine. You will marvel at the exhibits of submarine archaeology, including amphora and large, copper ingots recovered from a shipwreck just offshore.

Following your castle and museum tour, you will walk back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Venture into the Provençal countryside with a truffle hunter and a truffle-hunting dog for a demonstration of how to find these coveted fungi, after which you will sample them with several local wines. Your adventure will take place near Rognes, a village known its wine, quarried stone and the cultivation of black truffles. These delectable fungi delicacies, sometimes called Provençal black diamonds, grow underground near the roots of specific host trees. Their locations are closely guarded, as the truffles are highly prized for their pleasant aroma and earthy flavor. Accompanied by a truffle hunter and a specially trained truffle-hunting dog, you will head into the vines in search of black truffles. Once the dog sniffs out a truffle, the hunter will show you how to extract it from the soil without damage. It is a slow, methodical process that reflects the value of these black fungi. After truffle-hunting, you will enjoy a tasting of truffles paired with local wines.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hunt for black truffles in the Provençal countryside with a guide and truffle-hunting dog.
• See how to methodically extract the truffles from beneath the soil without damaging them.
• Enjoy a sampling of black truffles thoughtfully paired with local wines.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.