SHORE EXCURSIONS

See the icons of Monaco and Monte Carlo and then explore further on your own, admiring the majestic architecture and elegance of these two gems on the French Riviera.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive along the gorgeous French Riviera to Monaco. During the walking tour that follows, you will see highlights such as the monumental Oceanographic Museum, which rises out of a sheer cliff overlooking the sea. Prince Albert I founded the museum in 1910 and its aquarium is among the best in Europe.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is another icon. Prince Rainer III and Grace Kelly were married here in 1956 and both are buried in the church. The cream-colored facade was constructed with Italian granite starting in 1875 and it took more than 10 years to finish the entire cathedral, which is the largest in Monaco. Interior visits may not be possible if activities are taking place in the cathedral.

After free time to explore a bit further, you will continue on to Monte Carlo, driving along a section of road where the annual Monaco Grand Prix race has been held since 1929. You will notice the road is winding with hairpin turns, a signature of this Formula One race.

You will also see the grand Monte Carlo Casino, which opened in 1863. Designed by Charles Garnier, the architect behind the Paris Opera, the casino is an architectural masterpiece that may well be the most recognized building in Monte Carlo. Free time follows, after which you will rejoin your coach and return to Villefranche.

Enjoy meeting the locals and being entertained by whimsical lemurs on this delightful tour to nearby Nosy Komba.

Board your local boat from the ship's gangway and cruise across the east coast of Nosy Be to Nosy Komba, passing the verdant Lokobe evergreen forest along the way. Reaching the fishing village of Ampangoriana, you will tender ashore (please note it is a "wet" landing) and then have a bit of time to mingle with the locals and browse for souvenirs. Approximately 500 yards from the village is the Black Lemur Sanctuary, home to Madagascar's most famous residents, the black lemurs. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe these lively creatures as they leap from tree to tree. The black lemurs are the males and the brown lemurs the females. Although these animals live in the wild, they are tame enough to be fed with bananas and their capricious behavior will no doubt be fun to watch.

Leaving the sanctuary, you will walk to a nearby snack bar where you will be treated to a light snack while relaxing in the shade of a Tamarind tree and taking in the wonderful views of the Lokobe Reserve and surrounding islands. During your break, the local Sakalava embroiders will give you a demonstration on tablecloth making and the village children will perform a brief folk show for you. Free time will be provided for you to stroll on the beach, shop for souvenirs or perhaps take a dip in the ocean.

At the conclusion of your visit, you will re-board your boat and cruise back to Nosy Be and your awaiting ship.

Discover the many faces of Salvador da Bahia during your morning excursion. Get a glimpse of the city’s intriguing cultural mix of African and European heritage. During the tour you will get to see the historic part as well as the modern section, even the Bahian subway, a contrast between the new and the old.

From the ship, a short drive will take you to the Farol da Barra for a brief stop. Then proceed directly to Municipal Square, where you can see the Lacerda's Elevator that links the upper and lower city and also take a overview of Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saints Bay). From there, we start our walking tour through the Historical Center, arriving at "Terreiro de Jesus Square", to visit two of Salvador's most important churches.

Facing Terreiro de Jesus Square is the Baroque Cathedral. It was formerly the chapel of the largest Jesuit seminary outside Rome. The plain exterior masks one of the most beautiful churches in the city. The stunning interior includes a paneled ceiling of carved and glided wood which gives the church a light airy feel, contrasting sharply to the overwrought Rococo altar and side chapels.

At the end of the recently renovated square stands the Church of São Francisco. The opulent interior features cedar woodcarvings, covered in gold leaf that took 28 years to complete. Also note the beautiful white and blue tiled walls and the spectacular painted ceiling.

The Pelourinho District is one of the oldest areas in town; you will stroll throughout its narrow cobbled streets lined with old buildings which now house art galleries, jewelry and souvenir shops. The “Largo do Pelourinho” is a colonial square and pillory, where slaves and prisoners were punished in full view of the approving gentry.

Back to coach, we will pass by the Dique do Tororó, where we can see the the "Orixás Sculptures", by the bahian artist Tati Moreno, to reach the Barra district where is located the "Farol da Barra" (Lighthouse) at the fortress of San Antonio, built to protect the Portugueses colonists from Dutch invaders; we will stop only for historical information, no disembark.

Driving by coastline passing by the most beautiful beaches of Salvador to reach the Restaurant Rincão Gaúcho. Stop for lunch.

Following lunch, your drive will take you via the modern part of the city and stop will be made at the Mercado Modelo to disembark those who are interested in browsing through stalls displaying an extensive selection of traditional Bahian handicrafts.

The return to the pier will be on foot as you please.

Experience a full day adventure visiting the world's richest marine habitat - Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Your fast catamaran awaits by the ship to transfer you directly to the activity platform. After approximately 90-minutes, you will arrive at one of the most pristine, accessible and versatile Outer Great Barrier Reef sites available. Your reef experience will provide you with approximately 3 hours at a pontoon over the reef. During your time on the platform, you can choose from several activities included in your package.

Step aboard a Glass-bottom Boat to view colorful fish and intricate coral reef gardens. The inviting aquamarine waters are sure to provide a tempting attraction for those wishing to snorkel (mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device provided). Optional scuba diving and special escorted snorkelling tours are available at an extra charge, as well as an assortment of souvenirs. Your pontoon conveniently offers an underwater viewing chamber so that you may view the beautiful coral and the magnificent array of fish without getting wet.

The platform has a spacious deck, with ample undercover seating, large easy access snorkel decks, an Underwater Reef Viewing Observatory and a children's safety swimming enclosure. The ultimate in comfort, the pontoon also features access to fresh water showers and changing rooms. Reef life is located just meters away from the platform, making it suitable for all age groups and swimming abilities from the novice snorkeler to the most discerning diver.

Complementing your day aboard, you will be treated to morning and afternoon tea, as well as a hot/cold buffet lunch. Other optional refreshments and a licensed bar are available for an additional cost.

Following what will surely be an unforgettable day at one of the World's greatest natural treasures, you will retrace your route back to Cairns and your awaiting ship.

Following your Iguazu Falls adventure, you will fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your NCL designated hotel. Guests who depart from Buenos Aires on the day of the tour cannot participate as they will not make it on time to connect with any international fight. This is an overnight tour and hotel is not included. Fly to a national park on the border of Argentina and Brazil and behold the staggering power and beauty of Iguazú Falls by walking along trails and cat walks that give you extraordinary views of this amazing natural wonder. After departing from the pier, you will transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires and fly directly to Iguazu, which lies inland near Iguazú National Park. The falls were discovered in 1541 by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and established in 1984 as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Situated in Iguazú National Park, the falls are shared by both Brazil and Argentina. The massive cascade is made up of 275 separate waterfalls that thunder down sheer cliffs in a majestic display of nature’s power. The falls are nearly twice as high and three times as wide as Niagara Falls, a fact not lost on Eleanor Roosevelt who reportedly said, “Poor Niagara,” when she beheld roaring Iguazu. You will observe this staggeringly beautiful, natural phenomenon by walking a path either above or below the falls. Both trails are extraordinary in their own way. The surrounding rainforest is equally impressive, as it is home to about 2,000 plant species and 400 bird species, including toucans, parrots and peregrine falcons.

OVERVIEW
Race through the countryside in an all-terrain vehicle and enjoy a cool mountain stream and its tumbling cascades. The Damajagua River is the waterfalls’ source and the setting couldn’t be more beautiful. After hiking through the jungle, you will arrive at a series of cascades that comprise this natural wonder. You will be free to swim in the numerous mountain pools, slide down cascades with slick rock chutes and even jump off some of the waterfalls into the refreshing water below. This area is only accessible on foot, which limits the number of other adventurers. The adrenaline rush will continue once you ease into an ATV and tear off into jungle. You can take the wheel or ride in the passenger seat. Either way, it will be exhilarating, especially if it’s been raining because the mud will be flying. Although you will be mostly off road, you will stop in a village to interact with the locals.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools below the Damajagua waterfalls
• Slide down the slick chutes that the cascades have carved into the rocks.
• Marvel at the secluded pristine setting, which can only be reached on foot.
• Race through the countryside in an open-air ATV built for adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit and towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Observe the abundant wildlife in the naturally beautiful Patagonian steppe, highlighted by a leisurely walk among a large colony of Magellanic penguins.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the New Gulf and on to rugged Punta Ninfas on the Patagonian steppe. The vegetation here is shrubby, wind-blown and an ideal wildlife habitat. Gray fox, llama-like guanacas and various species of seabirds, including oystercatchers and albatrosses, are found in this dry landscape.

Even so, penguins are the star attractions in this part of Patagonian, as you will discover from your base at El Pedral Lodge. Perched on a cliff, the lodge was built in 1904 and some of the period furnishing still remain, including the mahogany dining table.

From here, you will head to a nearby Magellanic penguin rookery for an extended walk among these highly social birds. If you hear the penguins braying like donkeys, it is simply the way they seek mates.

You can expect to see the penguins tottering about, tending to their young, interacting with each other, and perhaps hunting small fish just offshore. A group of penguins floating in the ocean is called a raft; a group on land is sometimes called a waddle because of their awkward walk.

Later, you will walk through a ravine where you can observe fossils from the Cenozoic Era, estimated to be at least 30 million years old. Lunch at the lodge follows, after which you will return to the pier.

Relax at an exclusive waterfront resort where you will enjoy the serenity of your own over-the-water bungalow with a day bed for two and all sorts of other premium amenities.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a wonderfully scenic drive toward the east end of Roatan island, where you will find the Turquoise Bay Resort. Directly on the ocean with the lush Bonacca Ridge as a backdrop, the resort couldn’t be more picture perfect.

Upon arriving, you will receive a welcome cocktail and an enlightening overview of the property so you can maximize your time here. You will then meander over to your own thatched-roof bungalow that rises just above the water.

Furnished with a comfortable teak day bed for two, the bungalow will be your home base at the resort. It features a suspended patio with a swim-up platform, a shaded and a sunny area, and an ice box with an ice-cold bottle of champagne just waiting for you to pop the cork.

If you need a towel, drinks or snacks, simply use the pager. Butler service is included to ensure that your time at Turquoise Bay will be completely carefree. Other amenities include a reserved beach if you want to stretch out on the sand and a spectacular three-course lunch.

Feel free to spend hours enjoying the serenity of your over-the-water bungalow or explore other areas of the resort. The choice is entirely yours.

Tear through the jungle canopy high above the forest floor on a series of ziplines, stopping every so often on towering platforms that will offer extraordinary views. The venue for your adventure will be Hacienda Campo Rico, a former sugar plantation that blankets thousands of acres of subtropical forest. Following an orientation that will allow you to maximize the experience, you will walk to the hilltop starting point. The view from this elevated perch will be magnificent, but only a hint of what’s to come. After being harnessed in and stepping off the platform into thin air, you will race through the tree canopy on a series of ziplines, each one a thrill in its own way. It will be an absolutely exhilarating experience as you fly through the air as high as 200 feet above the ground. You will pass over glassy lagoons, fields of plantain and pastureland before the last zipline ends at the Mojito Bar.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Race through a tree canopy high above the jungle floor on a series of ziplines.
• Marvel at the views of the forest and sea, especially from atop the zipline platforms.
• Walk along a natural path and across wooden suspension bridges between platforms.
• Toast the adventure with a refreshing beverage at the Mojito Bar, if you wish.

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

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the woods with a truffle hunter and a dog specially trained to sniff out the prized subterranean mushrooms. Truffles grow near the roots of trees such as birch oaks and hornbeams and prefer well-drained soils. Expert truffle hunters know where to find them and fiercely guard the locations, as gourmands covet these aromatic, flavorful delicacies, sometimes paying huge sums for the rarer ones. As you follow the truffle hunter and dog through the forest, you will learn about the local species of truffles and their characteristics. Watching the dog in action will be quite the treat, as it has a knack for finding truffles at peak ripeness. The lagotto romagnolo is the traditional truffle-hunting breed in Italy, although many other breeds can be trained to point out a buried truffle. As the perfect end to your truffle-hunting adventure, you will sample a selection of truffle-based specialties.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a specially trained dog find truffles growing underground deep in the woods.
• Gain insight into the world of rare truffles, which are coveted among gourmet chefs.
• Sample classic Italian specialties made even more flavorful with local species of truffles

View a plethora of spectacular geological wonders on this enthralling tour of Réunion’s volcanically formed landscape.

Take a scenic drive along the coastline to Saint-Pierre and begin your ascent to the high plateau of Plaine des Cafres, where you’ll pass fields of heather and gentian, thick forests and small villages. Notice the cooling freshness of the coast gives way to the heat of the volcano and, from the nearly 6,800-foot summit of the Nez de Boeuf, delight in sweeping vistas across the valley to the Commerson Crater’s stunning caldera.

Stand in awe at the Pas de Bellecombe, a viewpoint perched atop a 492-foot cliff overlooking a volcanic valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface and features more than 60 small craters spread around the larger Bory and Dolomieu Craters.

Following your unique exploration, visit La Cité du Volcan museum to obtain further insight on the island’s volcanoes before partaking in a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant. You’ll long ponder Mother Nature’s raw power and her role in creating the bewitching landscapes of breathtaking Réunion.

Discover the fascinating world of whales by watching them off Iceland's northern coast and then visiting a unique whale museum. A stop at a legendary waterfall rounds out this tour.

Starting off from the pier, you'll first drive through northern Iceland's lush valleys to Husavik, the first Icelandic town to offer whale-watching cruises. It was a natural fit as the nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay attract a diversity of species that include the Humpback, Minke and Orca.

Upon arriving in Husavik, you'll board a boat ideally designed for viewing marine life and cruise into the bay to look for whales feeding on krill, plankton and small fish. During the three hours aboard, you may see Humpbacks raising their uniquely patterned flukes above the surface before diving, slender Sei Whales spouting through their blowholes, or massive Blue Whales gorging, as they typically consume an astounding four tons of tiny krill daily. It's also likely that you will spot some other marine life, such as playful harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins.

Following this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the award winning Husavik Whale Museum. Here, you will have an excellent opportunity to learn even more about cetacean behavior.

Continuing on, you'll make your way to thundering Godafoss, an Icelandic word meaning "Waterfall of the Gods." The name refers to an event that supposedly occurred 1,000 years ago when an Icelandic chieftain threw statues of the Norse gods into the water to symbolically demonstrate Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Whether the legend is true or not, it's quite a sight to behold the Skjalfandafljot River cascade over the horseshoe-shaped cliff and plummet into the roiling tempest below. Afterwards, you'll transfer back to the pier where your tour concludes.