SHORE EXCURSIONS

Golf enthusiasts won't want to miss this tour that visits the famous golf club at St. Andrews.

Between The Firth of Forth and The Firth of Tay the North Sea border county of Fife contains a land of gentle hills, cut by the River Eden flowing eastwards to St. Andrews. Named after Scotland's patron saint, St. Andrews is the home of the world's oldest golf club, the Royal and Ancient, founded in 1754. The Club is the headquarters of world golf and the supreme authority in golfing matters.

Even from a distance, St. Andrews delights the visitor. It is a town for all seasons and all tastes. Set on the east coast, surrounded by countryside, St. Andrews is part of a kingdom in its own right, central to Scottish history in learning and devotion. Scholars walk through the quiet alleys and lanes, where men at arms once raced in the fury of the Reformation. There have been other dramas as well - crowds from all over the world have gathered round the 18th hole of the famous Old Course, knowing just how much depended on a single putt.

Departing by coach from Leith, it's a picturesque 1-hour drive along the main route that runs northwards from the Forth road bridge. You route then branches off onto country roads with fine pastoral views as you head ever closer to St. Andrews.

On arrival into St. Andrews, you'll make a brief photo stop at the atmospheric ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral, which are among the most photographed in Scotland. The great east window and surviving foundations give an impression of the size and splendor of the edifice. The cathedral was founded in 1160 by Arnold, Abbot of Kelso, but the turbulence of medieval Scotland delayed its completion until 1318. It grew to become the longest and greatest church in the land, unequalled anywhere else.

Your tour continues with a panoramic drive through St. Andrews, viewing the bustling market town, and then it's onward to enjoy an overview of the layout of the golf courses. An exterior view of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is included. This venerable golf club has been of central importance in the evolution of the game, both in St. Andrews and world-wide.

You'll have time for a guided short stroll around areas of the Old Course, or to browse in one of the many small specialist shops selling golfing memorabilia and items of golf clothing, before commencing the return drive to Leith via Cupar and the central areas of Fife.

OVERVIEW

Drive along the phenomenally scenic Cabot Trail into Cape Breton Highlands National Park – the largest protected wilderness area in Nova Scotia – and stop along the way at landmark attractions. As an introduction to the island’s natural beauty, you will first pause at St. Anns Overlook to snap photos of the sweeping panorama. Other brief stops will be made at The Gaelic College, where traditional Gaelic arts are taught, and at the Keltic Lodge, a premier hilltop resort with a highlands link golf course. Lunch follows at a popular restaurant in the nearby town of Ingonish, which was founded as a fishing port perhaps in the early 1500s. Free time follows on Ingonish Beach, a narrow strip of land that borders the ocean on one side and a large freshwater lake on the other. It was the favorite beach of Alexander Graham Bell, the famed Scottish that lived in nearby Baddeck.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic drive along Cabot Trail, which loops through the island’s northern half.
• Behold the island’s natural beauty from atop St. Anns Overlook.
• Pause at historical landmarks such as The Gaelic College and the Keltic Lodge.
• Dine in the town of Ingonish and spend free time exploring its namesake beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Discover the rolling hills and pastoral beauty of Prince Edward Island on a scenic drive along the beautiful southern shoreline of Canada’s smallest and greenest province. Start with the highlights of Charlottetown and then travel, through the heart of the south shore famous for its rolling hills, red cliffs and winding rivers. Learn about the history of Confederation Bridge, one the world’s longest multi-span structures that link the province with mainland Canada. There will be incredible photo opportunities of the bridge, after your crossing during your stop at the Cape Jourimain Interpretive Centre. After travelling back across the Confederation Bridge, enjoy some free time to explore Gateway Village to do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, or simply take in the views. On the return route to your ship, enjoy the sights - acres of potato fields, lush woods, and some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the beauty of Prince Edward Island.
• Experience the highlights of Charlottetown and travel through the heart of the south shore.
• Travel across the Confederation Bridge and learn about its history.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Drive in and around Split in an electric, open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk and see the most naturally beautiful and historically important attractions. Although first colonized by Greeks, this area wasn’t developed until Roman Emperor Diocletian built a magnificent seaside palace in the early 4th century. As you will discover, this UNESCO World Heritage site is an architectural treasure. Nearby Bacvice Beach will offer another perspective of Split’s gorgeous coast. Chances are, you might see people playing picigin, a ball game played in shallow water that originated at this very beach in 1908. Sustipan Park is another popular gathering place because it is so green and serene. Be sure to see the columned stone gloriette that honors those that were buried at Sustipan when it was a cemetery. The ultimate view of Split awaits you at the top of Teraca Vidilica, a terraced lookout that you may explore on your own during free time.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ride around Split in a tuk-tuk, an electric vehicle that looks somewhat like a golf cart.
• Explore Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 4th century.
• Pause for photos at Bacvice Beach and Sustipan Park, two popular gathering places.
• Enjoy a sweeping view of Split for atop a lookout during free time.

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

Settle in for a spectacularly scenic ride around Zadar in a tuk-tuk, an open-air vehicle that resembles a golf cart. While driving through the city’s outskirts, you will be treated to uninterrupted views of one beautiful beach after another. Much of Zadar borders the sea, including its iconic sphinx statue. A wealthy resident built the concrete sculpture in 1918 as a tribute to his wife, who died prematurely. According to legend, a treasure is buried beneath the sphinx, which somewhat emulates the more famous one in Egypt. You will also pause at the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, two other unusual seaside attractions. The former plays music as seawater rushes through underground pipes fitted with whistles. The latter uses solar panels to collect energy that powers an imaginative light show each evening. For a historical understanding of Zadar, you will walk through Old Town, an area settled in the 9th century BC.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ride around Zadar in a tuk-tuk, an electric vehicle that looks somewhat like a golf cart.
• Stroll the wonderfully atmospheric, pedestrian-only streets in Zadar’s Old Town.
• Behold Zadar’s iconic sphinx, a strangely incongruous concrete statue built in 1918.
• Hear the Sea Organ play music as seawater rushes through its underground pipes.

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy morning or afternoon tea at a country club, then go kangaroo spotting around the links by golf cart. A short drive from the port and through the city brings you to Eden Gardens Country Club. The grounds here teem with wildlife, but by far the most popular is that iconic bounding Aussie biped, the kangaroo. Get on a golf-cart safari around the picturesque golf course in search of the array of fauna that calls this place home. On your return to the Club house you will be provided with morning/afternoon tea and a chance to ask any questions you may have. Along the way, you will stop to get that special photo of the kangaroos and whoever else is out and about today. Bring your best camera gear.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Head to the Eden Gardens Country Club where the golf course is something of a wildlife reserve.
• Enjoy a civilized morning or afternoon tea.
• Get great photo opportunities with the kangaroos who share this habitat with the drivers and putters.
• Be on the lookout for other animals; you never know who you’ll see here.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Travel to Glamis Castle, a royal residence since 1372, reputed to be the most haunted stately home in Britain. It was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Your tour of the interior shows you many of the rooms open to the public. Walking through the door leading from the dining room to the crypt is to pass in a few seconds from the era of Queen Victoria to the Middle Ages. The most splendid room in the castle is the drawing room. Together, the rooms present an array of china, paintings, tapestries and furniture spanning five centuries. In the grounds stand a pair of wrought-iron gates made for the Queen Mother on her 80th birthday. Leaving Glamis Castle, you continue via the impressive bridge crossing the River Tay to the town of St. Andrews, international home of golf. During free time here you can browse amongst the many shops specializing in golf memorabilia, have lunch on your own, or walk across the famous 18th green to capture some of the atmosphere of the great matches played here over the years.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one of Britain's most historic and haunted stately homes, a royal residence since 1372.
• Childhood home of the Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret.
• Walk from the Victorian dining room into the medieval crypt.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through Barcelona for two hours in an eco-friendly tuk tuk for a unique introductory look at the city before exploring further on your own. Your four-passenger tuk tuk is an oversized golf cart of sorts that is electric-powered, emission-free and an ideal form of transportation because it offers such an unusual perspective of Barcelona. All that is required of you is to sit back and enjoy the sights as the driver describes them in fascinating detail. You will drive past iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia church, Casa Batlló – two UNESCO World Heritage sites by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí – and the atmospheric Gothic Quarter. From atop Montjuic hill, you will enjoy a sweeping panorama of Barcelona all the way to the sea. Time will also be allotted for you to wander about Barcelona on your own, which allows you to see the attractions at your own pace.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Barcelona’s landmarks while riding through town in an electric, emission-free tuk tuk.
• Enjoy a unique perspective of the city from the open-air golf cart-like tuk tuk.
• Behold UNESCO World Heritage sites designed by revered architect Antoni Gaudí and much more.
• Walk about Barcelona on your own following the introductory tuk tuk tour.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through Malaga in an eco-friendly tuk tuk for a unique introductory look at this city that the Phoenicians founded in the 8th century. Your four-passenger tuk tuk is an open-air golf cart of sorts that is electric-powered, emission-free and an ideal form of transportation because it offers such an unusual perspective of Malaga. All that is required of you is to sit back and enjoy the sights as the driver takes you past some of the most renowned landmarks in this Andalusian city with Moorish roots. You can expect to see Plaza de la Merced – where Picasso’s birthplace is located – the bullring where Spain’s most legendary bullfighters have performed and the excavated ruins of a 1st-century Roman amphitheater, parts of which the Moors used to build the palatial fortification Alcazaba in the Middle Ages. You will also see Calle Larios, an elegant pedestrian and shopping street that leads into Old Town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Malaga’s landmarks while riding through town in an electric, emission-free tuk tuk.
• Sit back and enjoy a unique perspective of the city from the open-air golf cart-like tuk tuk.
• Pass attractions such as the Roman amphitheater, the bullring and a bustling food market.
• Admire affluent Calle Larios, a shopping street that you might visit on your own later.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Bridge Doha’s past and present on this superb excursion to a bustling marketplace and the Katara Cultural Village, and drive past many of Doha’s landmarks. Begin at the Old Souq, which has evolved from a weekend market for Bedouin nomads into a modern bazaar that still appears centuries old. Meander through the maze of shops, a mesmerizing cacophony of colors, sounds and smells, and catch the whiff of aromatic herbs, the sight of falcons on sale and the animated haggling of vendors and shoppers. After your guided tour, enjoy free time to browse the wares, which include enticing Arab clothing and jewelry. Walk through the Souq Underpass to Msheireb Downtown & Msheireb Downtown Tram Tour and drive to Katara Cultural Village and visit Mosques, Amphitheater, Street Art Installations. As a leisurely finale, settle in for a panoramic drive through Doha, taking in sights such as Qatar University, the Doha Golf Club, Al Jazeera’s headquarters and The Pearl-Qatar, a series of manmade islands just offshore that are home to luxury residences, hotels, shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Soak up the stimulating atmosphere of Doha’s Old Souq, a modern evolution of an ancient Bedouin market.
• Appreciate time on your own shopping for jewelry, Arabic clothing and much more, perhaps seeing falcons on display.
• Drive to Katara Cultural Village and visit Mosques, Amphitheater, Street Art Installations.
• Examine the museum’s collection of notable works of Islamic art created over 13 centuries.

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

OVERVIEW

Spend hours zipping around the streets of Key West on a golf cart that is easy to drive and, best of all, easy to park. Golf carts couldn’t be more convenient, which is why so many locals drive them instead of cars. The streets in Key West are somewhat narrow and when traffic is heaviest – which is often when cruise ships are in town – golf carts are ideal for getting around. They allow you to spend less time walking and more time sightseeing. Plus, they are fun to drive, especially since these golf carts are gas-powered with plenty of zip. You will find one that is perfect for your party, whether it is just for yourself or for as many as six people. The rental time is flexible, too. You can rent a golf cart for just 3.5 hours or for up to 5 hours. Either way, it will be a blast.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rent a golf cart that is easy to drive and easy to park in even the tightest spaces.
• Zip from attraction to attraction without wasting time walking.
• Have fun driving the gas-powered golf cart or just riding along as a passenger.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Ride a tuk-tuk through Oporto’s historic district, pausing to browse a revered bookshop and to admire the sweeping view of the city from atop a riverside monastery.

After departing from the pier in your tuk-tuk, you will travel along the waterfront enjoying a street-level view of Oporto. The tuk-tuk is a covered three-wheel vehicle much like a golf cart. It was named for the sound of its engine, but your tuk-tuk will be electric and quieter.

Oporto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis so there is plenty to see. Its history is inescapable as Oporto lies in an area that has been occupied since the 8th century B.C. The oldest section of town is known as Ribiera, a district so culturally and architecturally important that UNESCO deemed it a World Heritage site.

In time, you will pause at the Lello Bookshop, an institution in Oporto since 1906. It’s a stunningly beautiful neo-Gothic building with stained-glass windows and a grand staircase that is as inspiring as the books lining the wooden shelves.

Nearby stands Oporto’s fortress-like cathedral, where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s. The city’s largest church, it features a prominent rose window that is part of the original façade.

After crossing the Luis I bridge, which spans the Rio Duoro, you will stop at another UNESCO World Heritage site: the Monastery of Serra do Pilar. From the rooftop belvedere, you will enjoy a commanding view of the city before returning to the pier.