SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

Enjoy a combination of Slovenia’s best known sites the capital city of Ljubljana and Lake Bled. Both are a wonderful gateway to Slovenian heritage. After a guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Following your approximate two hour drive to the Alpine town of Lake Bled, you’ll have different options to enjoy from a walk around the picturesque lake to visiting a medieval castle visit, all during your free time and at your own expense. After World War II, this was one of the most appealing state residences and drew many people who were attracted by the beauty of this town. Today new pilgrims have been discovering this tranquil and lovely place.

After a guided walk through Ljubljana, a medium sized European city, you’ll have time to explore your own pace. It offers all the friendliness of a small town and at the same time has everything that a capital should. This city of culture boasts one of the oldest philharmonic halls in the world. Every year it hosts more than 10,000 cultural events ranging from prestigious concerts, theater performances and fine art exhibitions.

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.

Meander through a fragrant herb garden in a 19th-century farm and then savor a delightful lunch of traditional Slovenian dishes. As an introduction to the country’s limestone karst region, you will pause to take in the sweeping views from a castle that overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. The culinary experience unfolds at a charming local family homestead, where a husband and wife grow and prepare herbs and dishes themselves. You'll discover the herbs they cultivate for culinary and medicinal purposes, such as sage, fennel, and balm mint. The karst terrain also nurtures the growth of fragrant lavender, adding to the region's aromatic allure. As you will discover during the lunch that follows, many of the herbs have been used in the dishes. To complement the meal, you will be served Teran wine, a dark-ruby wine sometimes called King of the Karst.

Despite its small size, Slovenia is quite varied in terms of landscape. Between the Alps and the sea, you’ll find the broad belt of the Slovenian Karst, which is part of the great Dinaric mountain range. This is a mainly limestone area notable for a special karstic phenomena, both visible in its topography and underground. Take an approximately one hour drive from Koper to discover the unique underworld beneath this beautiful landscape. Board an electric train that will take you to Postojna Cave for a 1 1/2 hour visit. Well-kept paths comprise the greater part of the cave so it does not present any difficulties for most visitors.

Your trail begins at the cave’s railway station and will take you to the first natural passage, known as the “Upturned Ship”. Visit Gothic Hall rich in stalactite decoration, where the remains of Ice Age animals have been found and the Conference Hall, previously known as the Ballroom, has been the venue for dances and concerts for 180 years. While you admire these natural sculptures, the train takes you to Great Mountain where the tour of the caves continues on foot in groups led by guides. This trail takes you you past very unique and charactertisic formations that have been named!

At the Predjama Castle photo stop, a former hideout for the brazen knight named Erazem of Predjama, evidence indicates that this steep and imposing cliff has been fortified since at least the 13th century. Reboard your train by the Conference Hall to return to the surface and to your waiting ship in Koper.

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.

Ljubljana is the largest and busiest Slovenian city wth a combination of romantic stories, medieval charm and a livley student atmosphere. During your walking tour, your guide will try to capture the transformation from Roman times to the present for you. It bears witness to all five millenniums of its rich history. Apart from the remains of the Roman Emona, it boasts a medieval castle, numerous Baroque buildings, picturesque bridges and the vast Tivoli Park.

You will see all of the main attractions - three bridges created by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik, Preseren Square named after the poet and the open-air market known for its organic food and culinary highlights. In addition, you'll pass the Town Hall kept as it was in medieval times, Robba's Fountain a Baroque masterpiece and more hidden gems. This walking tour makes for an exciting exploration and has something for every interest.

Visit the enchanting coastal town of Piran, known for its Venetian charm and rich heritage. Begin with a scenic drive passing Izola, with a photo stop to capture its stunning views. Upon arrival in Piran, enjoy a guided walking tour through its historic streets, followed by free time to explore at your leisure or savor the local atmosphere. Next, journey to the traditional village of Padna, where you'll experience authentic Slovenian culture. Stroll through the village, sampling local delicacies made from family recipes and tasting wines crafted from nearby vineyards. The village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, orchards, and vineyards, making it a truly memorable stop. Relish the heritage, flavors, and tranquil countryside of Slovenia before returning to your ship.

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.

In the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia and just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian-Italian border lies the Lipica Stud Farm - the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse. You'll visit the stud farm, which was founded in 1580 and today, is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, this farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II, Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.

The riding school was established during the Austrian Empire in 1572 and is the oldest of its kind in the world. Records show that a wooden riding arena was first commissioned in 1565, but it wasn't until 1729 that Emperor Charles VI had the architect Fischer von Erlach build the white riding hall used today. For a time, the riding hall was used for various private ceremonies, but it is now open to the public, who may witness the training and performances by the stallions.

OVERVIEW

Sample traditional Slovenian foods at various venues in and around Koper and enjoy a glass of wine in the surrounding Slovenska Istra wine region. As you drive into the countryside and along the Slovenian Riviera, the views will be extraordinarily panoramic. You will pass lovely seaside villages such as Izola, picturesque beaches and verdant nature parks. Following the wine tasting, you will return to Koper for samplings that will reflect the region’s cuisine and local specialties. You will be offered homemade doughnuts handcrafted from a family recipe, an ice cream perhaps made with gianduja – a blend of chocolate and hazelnut paste – and chocolate sprinkled with Piran salt flower, a mineral-rich ingredient with an aromatic taste that is much less aggressive than that of ordinary salt. The latter may be the most unusual of the tastings as centuries-old processes and tools must be used to extract the salt from the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive into the surrounding wine region and sample a glass of characteristic wine.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the gorgeous Slovenian Riviera.
• Walk through downtown Koper and stop to sample Slovenian delicacies and desserts.
• Gain insight into traditional Slovenian cuisine during the tastings.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.