SHORE EXCURSIONS

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.

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.

A scenic ride through the charming Flemish countryside takes you to Ghent, a delightful town that is proud of its medieval heritage.

Your guide will lead you to the pontoon where you’ll board a canal boat for a fun and thorough exploration of the city. As you cruise through the historic city, see highlights such as the impressive castle of the counts, the Fish Market, 13th century monasteries and the ancient port of Ghent along with its mercantile houses. Once your canal cruise ends, you’ll have free time to independently explore this gracious city. You may choose to enjoy a locally brewed beer in one of the stylish bars, or maybe a coffee in one of the waffle houses. Strolling along the narrow streets, many of which are pedestrian, you’ll be enthralled by the unique architecture, while the shops will tempt you with their fine chocolates, Flemish lace and other locally-crafted wares.

Visit a memorial park that recounts the devastation from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 and then enjoy the wonders on beautiful Miyajima Island. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built after World War II as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who died in the atomic bomb blast. While here, you will see the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures left after the blast, and the Peace Memorial Museum, a repository for enlightening artifacts from the bomb blast. Following lunch, you will enjoy an entirely different perspective of the area at Miyajima Island, which you will reach by ferry. Revered for its breathtaking beauty since ancient times, the island is home to the glorious Itukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site renowned for its “floating” red torii gate. You will have time to wander through the main hall and the adjoining shrines, which can be reached through bright-red passageways.

The timeless beauty of Bordeaux is yours to discover during this orientation tour of the city and its surrounding areas, complimented with free time to do as you please and have lunch on your own. Your drive to Bordeaux takes you along the famous Medoc wine road, Route des Chateaux, 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.

Reaching Bordeaux, you’ll have a short orientation of the city before being dropped off to enjoy a few 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.

Experience the treasures of the Namib Desert during this memorable off-road expedition that includes a stop at the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon. Board your off-road vehicle for a drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which encompasses the Naukluft Mountain Range and part of the Namib, one of the world’s oldest deserts and site of the world’s highest and most vividly colored sand dunes. As you explore the unique plant life and terrain of this arid region, you’ll discover Moon Landscape, a vastly eroded valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface due to the wind’s effect on the rock formations and sand. You’ll proceed to the Welwitschia Valley, where thousands of bizarre welwitschia plants are scattered about. After stopping to view these distinctive specimens as well as a variety of interesting lichens, you’ll continue to a scenic location for a refreshment of juice and savory snacks.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See the rugged mountains, shifting dunes and vibrant colors of beguiling Namib-Naukluft National Park.
• Gaze in awe at a lunar-like topography carved out by the wind at Moon Landscape.
• Study the uniquely unattractive welwitschia plant, found only in the Namib Desert.
• Appreciate a relaxing stop for savory snacks and orange juice.

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

This tour is an introduction to Sicily’s capital and its attractions combined with a visit to Monreale and its cathedral, said to be one of the most outstanding Norman structures in the world. A panoramic drive through the city of Palermo brings you to the historical center to visit the Doumo (cathedral), with a long and complex history. It was built with the intention to surpass the cathedral of nearby Monreale; although for most visitors, Monreale’s Duomo remains the winner, but still well worth a visit. Its construction began in the 12th century, but has been restored and modified many times through the centuries, giving the structure a mix of styles. The 15th century south porch of Catalan style, with its fine carved wooden doors, is one of its most interesting features. Inside, you’ll find the tombs of many of Sicily’s kings and other members of the royal families.

A drive of about six miles brings you to Monreale, and a ten minute uphill walk to its cathedral. It’s a classic blend of Norman art with Arabic, northern, classic and Byzantine elements. Looking at its exterior you’ll find that it’s pleasant enough, but the magnificent splendor of this temple is found inside. Over 68,000 square feet of rich golden mosaics cover its interior, second only to Hagia Sofia’s in size, but much better preserved. They depict biblical events, with a huge figure of Christ crowning the apse. After visiting the cathedral, enjoy some free time to explore the old town of Monreale on your own.

Discover the unique denizens of the world's oldest desert during this off-road adventure in the Namib Desert. Settle in for a vista-filled drive in an off-road vehicle to the eerily beautiful Namib Desert. Upon arrival, you’ll be led by an expert guide through seemingly lifeless landscapes in search of indigenous species and learn how they adapt to the inhospitable environment. Perhaps see creatures like the sidewinding adder, the Palmetto gecko, the sand-diving lizard, the Namaqua chameleon and various other diminutive beetles, lizards and geckos that live and survive in the torrid desert conditions. Enjoy refreshing orange juice and savory snacks. During your return along a scenic coastal road, contemplate the nearly ineffable beauty of the bewitching Namib and its resilient tenants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Board an off-road vehicle for an exhilarating outing into the breathtaking Namib Desert.
• Search the barren landscape for indigenous species that have adapted to the challenging environment.
• Stay alert for glimpses of the Palmetto gecko, sand-diving lizards or Namaqua chameleons.

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

Board your exclusively chartered train for your journey to Berlin. Upon arrival, you'll depart on an exciting tour, covering the top ten highlights of this bustling city. Depart the pier and take a short walk to the train station to your chartered standard train for an approximate 2 1/2 to 3 hour journey to Berlin. While relaxing and watching the German countryside pass by, you’ll be served a light snack. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your local tour guide and transfer to a coach. You exciting city tour of Berlin will cover the top highlights of the city. Photo stops will be made at the reminiscence of the Berlin wall, and at the Bebelplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in the city. You’ll pass by Potsdamer Platz where the first hole in the Berlin Wall was made and which today is a block of glass and steel skyscrapers and checkpoint Charlie, the most famous border crossing checkpoint of Berlin. At the Holocaust Memorial, you’ll have another opportunity for a photo stop before making your way over to the Brandenburg Gate. After enjoying a traditional German pub-style lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll drive into the former western part of Berlin, where you’ll pass by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and see the Victory Column commemorating the Prussian victories. Depending on the order of the tour and timing, you’ll have the opportunity to spend some leisure time, before transferring to the train station for your return journey.

Enjoy hours of free time in Huis Ten Bosch, a meticulously manicured theme park that is a re-creation of a quaint Dutch town. Named for the royal palace in the Hague, Huis Ten Bosch is a sincere homage to the Dutch, who opened a Dutch East India Company trading office nearby in the 17th century. While wandering about the canals, you may see a replica of the palace, clusters of windmills, fields of colorful tulips and every other imaginable Dutch icon. As you might expect, large areas of the park are devoted to shopping, entertainment and restaurants. New attractions and seasonal events are constantly being developed and contrasted with the traditional Dutch cityscape. Perhaps the best place to start your adventure is atop the Domtoren observation platform, which offers a sweeping view of this wonderfully bizarre theme park.

Board your exclusively chartered standard train for an approximate 2 1/2 to 3 hour journey to Berlin. While relaxing and watching the German countryside pass by, you’ll be served a light snack. Upon arrival at one of Berlin’s train stations, your local tour guide will welcome and assist you to board your coach. Depart on an exciting tour of Berlin, covering the top ten highlights of this bustling city. Photo stops will be made at the East Side Gallery, a 3/4 mile long section of the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie and at the Bebelplatz where below the ground level lays the Empty Library. You’ll pass by the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989, and which is today a pristine block of futuristic glass and steel skyscrapers.

A few blocks away from here, at the Holocaust Memorial, you’ll have another opportunity for a photo stop before making your way over to the famous Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag government building. Before continuing your sightseeing tour, you’ll enjoy a traditional German pub-style lunch at a local restaurant. Next, enjoy an outside visit to the Charlottenburg Palace, the oldest surviving Prussian palace, and then drive into the former western part of Berlin, along the Kurfuerstendamm, where you’ll pass by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church and the largest department store on the continent of Europe, the KaDeWe. Continue passing Berlin’s main train station with more than 80 shops that are all open seven days a week. Also, see the Victory column commemorating the Prussian victories. Depending on the order of the tour and timing, you’ll have the opportunity to either spend some time at leisure at the Kurfuerstendamm, Friedrichstrasse, Unter den Linden Boulevard or Berlin’s Main Train Station (or similar), before transferring to the station for your return journey.

Delve into the daily bustle of Swakopmund on a visit to a working-class residential district during this rewarding tour. Travel a coastal road to Mondesa Township, which was established in the early 1950s to provide housing for Owambo, Damara and Herero people working in the city of Swakopmund. You’ll find that this district, just a brief distance from Swakopmund’s center, reveals a radically different world from the tourist center, providing you with an invaluable opportunity for personal growth by interacting with the friendly families who reside there. Observe the inhabitants’ daily life during an approximately three-hour customized tour that engages you in the resident’s everyday activities, and learn some of the region’s history to assist you in bridging the cultural gap and achieving increased understanding. In addition to benefitting from your immersion into a much different way of life, you’ll feel gratified that a portion of your visitor’s fee is contributed to a community fund that honors and supports the district’s citizens.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit Mondesa Township, a culturally diverse district of Swakopmund built to house the city’s workers.
• Meet the resident families, a priceless opportunity to grasp a culture likely entirely different from your own.
• Further your knowledge of the township’s history to better understand life in Mondesa.
• Appreciate that a portion of your fee supports Mondesa’s citizens.

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