SHORE EXCURSIONS

Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

Between dramatic cliffs and the sparkling waters of Boka Kotorskam, you’ll find the towns of Kotor and Perast, each with a charm of their own. This amazing landscape was created 300,000 years ago by tectonic forces and is part of UNESCO’s list of protected natural sites. A short scenic drive on the inner part of the bay, full of contrasts, takes you to Perast. This easternmost shore was the earliest inhabited area in the Boka, as evidenced by archaeological finds. The town reached its peak in the 18th century under the Republic of Venice. At that time, ornate baroque palaces and magnificent houses were constructed. Walk the quaint streets of this town full of typical Venetian architecture.

Visit the cathedral of St. Nikola, a beautiful example of Venetian-Romanesque style. The two small islands in front of Perast offer an impressive view, each of them with a picturesque chapel. Sail to one of these islands, and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rock and learn of its legend. Most of the present day church was erected after the great earthquake of 1667 when the original sanctuary was destroyed. You’ll find a collection of paintings and a beautifully embroidered tapestry made by a local lady, among its treasures. Once back in Kotor, you’ll continue on a walking tour of the town with its historical buildings and delightful streets.

Glide through the Venice of the North in a fitting manner, via glass-roofed canal boat. It’s an incomparable way to experience this cosmopolitan city that stretches over some 70 islands and boasts 60 miles of canals and 1,000 bridges. An obscure port mostly visited by fisherman back in the 13th century, Amsterdam steadily grew in trade importance – blossoming into one of the world’s most important ports as the Dutch Golden Age gained steam. On this relaxed waterway tour, you’ll traverse some of the four concentric canal rings that define the old city center while learning much of the history behind this watery network from your guide. Along the way, expect to pass countless variations on the signature gabled canal house design the city is so famous for. Just as colorful are the procession of houseboats and tiny skiffs tied up in organized randomness along the stone canal banks. The designated route brings you by such major monuments as the National Maritime Museum, magnificent Town Hall (once considered Europe’s largest administrative building).

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Mykonos, many of them iconic attractions that define the island. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures.

As you walk and ride around Mykonos, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Mykonos Old Port
• Matogianni
• Windmills Square
• Little Venice neighborhood
• Ano Mera village

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions on Mykonos.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Spend free time in Mykonos Town, home to the artistic neighborhood Little Venice.
• Experience the tranquil charm of Ano Mera, a picturesque village in the heart of Mykonos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

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

Behold the spectacularly preserved mosaics that prompted UNESCO to declare many of Ravenna’s early Christian monuments a World Heritage site. These buildings from the 5th and 6th centuries display Greco-Roman traditions, Christian iconography and extraordinary artistic flair. Almost all of the 1,500-year-old mosaics in the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica are intact, including ones showing the Last Supper and baby Jesus with the Virgin Mary. You will also tour the San Vitale Basilica, which was begun by the Goths and finished under Byzantine rule in 548 AD. Its Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the Western world. During free time, be sure to visit the tomb of the poet Dante, who died in Ravenna in 1321. The mound of dirt to the right of his tomb is where Dante’s urn was buried to protect it from bombing during World War II. You will later be transferred to the Bologna airport in time for your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Ravenna’s extraordinary mosaics, many of them in UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Marvel at the rich colors in the detailed mosaics, even in ones that are 1,500 years old.
• Spend free time shopping or visiting other attractions that sound appealing.
• Transfer to the Bologna Airport with plenty of time to catch your flight.

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

OVERVIEW

Explore the architectural ruins on Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived for centuries until the fall of the empire. The elliptical Colosseum may well be the most recognizable Roman building from ancient times, and while pausing to snap photos of its exterior you will hear about the amphitheater’s notorious past as a venue for everything from gladiatorial games to public executions. A few steps away, you will find Palatine Hill, home to numerous imperial palaces, the first being the 1st-century Domus Tiberiana. This palace complex includes residential quarters, places of worship and rooms for the guards that protected the emperor. You will also visit the nearby Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome. There, emperors were crowned, elections were held and speeches were given that changed the course of the empire. Following this deep dive into antiquity, you will enjoy free time to shop and dine in Venice Square.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Behold the exterior of the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic and notorious amphitheater.
• Walk among the ruins of the imperial palaces built on the slopes of Palatine Hill.
• Visit the Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome.
• Spend free time shopping and dining on your own in Venice Square.

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

See historical attractions that define Padua, including the basilica named for Saint Anthony, whose remains are buried there. While browsing the interior of this magnificent 13th-century basilica, you will likely see pilgrims praying as they place their hands on the green marble slab that covers Saint Anthony’s tomb. The city’s roots go back to the Roman Empire and the past is still venerated, especially in public squares such as the Piazza della Frutta, where you will find the medieval Ragione Palace, the oldest building in Padua. Other highlights include the elegant Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy, and the astronomical clock that overlooks the Piazza dei Signori. Be sure to notice the clock’s unusual 24-hour dial that the hands go around but once a day. After free time to further explore the city center, you will transfer to the Venice Airport leaving plenty of time to make your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Padua’s most iconic landmarks on a guided walk through the historical city center.
• Enjoy an interior visit of the 13th-century basilica that holds the remains of St. Anthony.
• Take advantage of free time in Padua to explore independently.
• Transfer to the Venice Airport with plenty of time to catch your flight.

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

OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in Mykonos centuries ago, when Byzantine chapels, Venetian traders and Ottoman rule were each leaving their mark on the island. Recognize how the architecture of Mykonos has evolved through the centuries by exploring landmarks that were built during different time periods. For a glimpse into the island’s Byzantine-style architecture, you will visit Panagia Paraportiani, a complex of five small whitewashed churches in the atmospheric Kastro neighborhood. A short walk will bring you to the island’s iconic windmills, some of which the Venetians built in the 16th century. The windmills overlook Little Venice, a jumble of houses precariously perched right on the water’s edge. The neighborhood dates to the time when Venetians ruled Mykonos, starting in 1390. The Ottomans also ruled until ousted in a revolution that broke out in 1821. One of the heroines of that struggle was princess Manto Mavrogenous, a Mykonos resident whose statue you will see in her namesake square. While standing atop a scenic overlook, you will enjoy a sweeping view of Old Town that ties all these stories together—gentle time travel for the soul, from the Mykonos of past centuries to the whitewashed island you see today.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Step into the Mykonos you wish you could have seen centuries ago, walking through Old Town as it shifts from Byzantine chapels to Venetian windmills and Ottoman-era lanes.
• See landmarks from the 14th to 20th centuries, each one a glimpse into that time period.
• Gain insight into the influence of the Venetians and Ottomans that once ruled Mykonos.
• Admire the ultimate view of Old Town Mykonos from an elevated viewpoint.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Find serenity along the intertwining waterways and marshes of Green Venice, a haven for nature lovers. You’ll board a touring boat for an approximately one-hour journey inside the marshlands of Poitou-Charentes, affectionally called Green Venice. You’ll understand this appellation as you glide beneath arcing trees on a vibrant emerald carpet created by the shimmering layer of duckweed resting on the water’s surface. Experience the outdoors as it might have appeared three centuries ago, perhaps spotting plovers, swans, snipes, pewits and ashen or crimson herons resting along the banks. In complete tranquility, sail through tunnels of ash trees and poplars past verdant fields and tiny hamlets dotting the fabulous landscape, the chirping of birds and gentle parting of the waters the only sounds breaking the calming silence. You’ll disembark in the diminutive village of Coulon, nestled on the bank of the La Sèvre River and a quiet respite from the bustle of larger towns. Relish time at your leisure to stroll and soak in the quaint ambiance of this utterly enchanting corner of glorious France.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Immerse yourself in one of France’s most stirring landscapes, the tranquil waterways known as Green Venice.
• Glide on a boat over green-carpeted waters and under the shade of age-old trees.
• Seek out an array of birds that include graceful swans and dignified ashen or crimson herons.
• Appreciate time on your own to roam the delightfully unspoiled hamlet of Coulon.

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

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, which you pass during your panoramic coach tour. 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.

Visit the world famous caves known for their delicately ramified dripstone formations resembling fishing hooks. A scenic drive towards the east passes the villages of Algaida, Montuiri, Villafranca and Manacor. Majorca is well known for their production of manmade pearls, you'll stop in a village to visit a pearl factory.

Situated near Porto Cristo are the Caves of Hams. The incomparable beauty of the caves is heightened by the artistic lighting created by Lorenzo Caldentey, son of the discoverer. Inside the caves there are several lakes and on the largest of all called Sea of Venice, there are daily performances of the show Magical Mozart, in tribute to the famous composer.