OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Dominican culture by experiencing the local cuisine, spirits and dances firsthand. While pausing for photos along the seaside boulevard El Malecon, you will discover a bit about the local history, which you will delve into more deeply at the engaging Confluence Ethnographic Gallery. Besides browsing the museum’s exhibits – which cover topics ranging from piracy to Carnival celebrations – you will enjoy a tasting of premium Dominican rum, most likely a selection from Ron Barceló, a brand made with 100% sugarcane juice. The restaurant La Catalina will serve as the venue for the remaining festivities, which begin with a performance of merengue, a lively dance so emblematic of the national identity that UNESCO recognized it on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. You will be encouraged to join the costumed dancers, who will be happy to show you the steps. A delightful lunch of traditional Dominican stew known as sancocho follows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the Dominican culture and history through immersive experiences.
• Browse an ethnographic museum and sample a popular premium Dominican rum.
• Watch costumed dancers perform the merengue and join in the fun if you wish.
• Dine on a traditional Dominican stew at the atmospheric restaurant La Catalina.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise remarkably close to Hubbard Glacier for the ultimate look at this huge river of ice that has the distinction of being North America’s largest tidewater glacier. After boarding the boat directly from the cruise ship in the mouth of Disenchantment Bay, you will settle into the heated cabin with large windows that provide excellent viewing. The vessel also features a shallow draft, allowing it to easily cruise around the icebergs near the face of the glacier, which is hundreds of feet high above the waterline. Hubbard Glacier is nicknamed the Galloping Glacier because at times it advances several feet a day. Few natural sights are quite so spectacular as when large chunks of ice calve – or break off – from the glacier with a thundering roar. The naturalist guide will describe the glacier’s characteristics in fascinating detail, as well as the wildlife, which includes harbor seals, bald eagles, orcas and even humpback whales.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Hubbard Glacier up close from the comfort of a heated, expedition-style boat.
• Behold the sheer face of the glacier, which soars hundreds of feet above the waterline.
• Hear compelling commentary about Hubbard Glacier from the naturalist guide.
• Look for harbor seals, orcas and humpback whales, which inhabit the surrounding waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

Travel by cable car to the summit of The Rock for a tour focused on the turbulent history of the fortress that is Gibraltar. It starts with a breathtaking ride up to the Top Station, site of a World War II anti-aircraft gun battery. You’ll take in the terrace views as your seasoned guide provides background on this British colony at the entrance to the Mediterranean. Returning to Middle Station, you’ll visit the Apes’ Den for an up-close encounter with tailless Barbary macaques, then board your excursion coach for a drive past Princess Caroline’s Battery and a walk through portions of the Great Siege Tunnels, hand-excavated in 1782-83 by the forerunners of the Royal Engineers and still considered one of the most impressive defensive systems ever devised. Driving on, you’ll visit ""A City Under Siege"" – an enlightening historical exhibition housed in the earliest British buildings on Gibraltar. Having learned much of The Rock’s story, you can now either explore further independently in Old Town or transfer back to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride to the top of The Rock via a thrilling cable car suspended high above Gibraltar.
• Learn of the momentous events that have made this strategic outpost famous throughout the world.
• Observe a troop of notoriously playful Barbary macaques up close at the Apes’ Den.
• Take a guided walk through the Great Siege Tunnels.
• Tour "A City Under Siege" - an enlightening exhibition housed in Gibraltar’s oldest British buildings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Visit several of Old Town’s most iconic sites, which gained even greater fame after serving as locations for the fictional capital King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones.”

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive in the oldest section of Dubrovnik, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fans of the TV series “Game of Thrones,” which is based on George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novels, will recognize this part of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing, the fictional capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

Your first stop will be imposing Lovrijenac Fortress, located just outside the medieval walls that encircle Old Town. Known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, the 11th-century fortress perches atop a craggy rock overlooking the sea, which represented Blackwater Bay in the books.

Continuing on, you will enter Old Town and make your way to the defensive walls to the south. After climbing the steps, you will walk along the stone battlements, which afford extraordinary views of the sea and the inner city. These walls appeared in numerous scenes in “Game of Thrones”; they were particularly prominent in the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

Later, you will enjoy free time within Old Town, where you may explore other sites that you may recognize from the series. For instance, the Jesuit Staircase was where Cersei Lannister began her Walk of Shame in Season Five, and many of the show’s market scenes were filmed along St. Dominic Street. Following free time, you will return to the pier.

Drive a Jeep through downtown Nassau and its suburbs, taking in attractions such as the caves where the indigenous Lucayans once lived and then pausing to relax at the beach..

After a short walk from the pier, you will hop into a Jeep Wrangler and hit the open road. There is plenty to see during your time behind the wheel, starting with downtown Nassau, the capital, largest city and cultural hub of the Bahamas..

You will drive through the colorful shopping district on Bay Street and see highlights such as palm-dotted Rawson Square, lovely government buildings such as the Supreme Court and the pink-hued House of Assembly. You will then head west past lovely Cable Beach and on towards the Nassau Caves for a photo stop..

The Lucayans, the original residents of the Bahamas once lived in these caverns. Settlers later used the caves for religious services and the guano inside to fertilize their crops..

You will drive along JFK Drive, which recognizes President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 meeting in Nassau to discuss Polaris, the United Kingdom’s submarine-based nuclear-weapons program. The fabulous and sprawling Baha Mar resort is another Bahamian landmark that you will pass. .

Free time on one of Nassau’s most inviting beaches follows, during which you might stroll along the shore, bask in the sun or simply admire the natural beauty and serenity of the sea. Then after a bountiful lunch at the Bahamian Grill, you will return to the pier..

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. 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 in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample a local glass of wine at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

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 the wonders of the Panama Canal on this spectacular partial canal transit. Arriving in Panama City, you will disembark the ship and take a short transfer by coach to the La Playita dock where you will board a spacious ferry and begin your unforgettable tour of the Panama Canal. The first lock you will pass through is the Miraflores Locks, where your ship will be raised the first 56 feet and enter Miraflores Lake. From here, you will transit through the Pedro Miguel Locks, where you will be raised the second 28 feet and enter Gatun Lake, once the largest man-made lake in the world. Crossing the Continental Divide at this point, you will continue to Gaillard Cut. The Gaillard (or Culebra) Cut, was the most challenging section of the canal to build. As you pass through the Cut, you'll see the continuing excavation that keeps this passage open to marine traffic. Enjoy a buffet lunch aboard the ferry before your fascinating tour of the Canal ends in the small village of Gamboa. While not large, Gamboa is home to the headquarters of the Panama Canal dredging division and some of the largest floating cranes in the world. After leaving your ferry, board a waiting motorcoach for the just over 1-hour drive back to the ship at Amador. Each tour participant will receive a certificate that commemorates their crossing of the Canal.

The Ottomans and Byzantines ruled this city for centuries, and testament to these great empires stand the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, opposite each other in Sultanahmet Square. You’ll see these two impressive of Istanbul as well as the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Start with a visit to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque. Continue to the Hippodrome, to see the remains of what was once the scene for political struggles in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. See the Hagia Sophia Mosque from outside a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as a church for hundreds of years during the Byzantine Empire and was converted to a Mosque when the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453. Continue to the great Byzantine Basilica Cistern, located across from Hagia Sophia. Next stop is the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a short time to experience the exotic atmosphere of the covered part.

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.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. 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 in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample a local glass of wine at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

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.

OVERVIEW

Travel by panoramic coach on a tour that offers fascinating insights on the lives of those who make the sometimes-harsh landscape of Iceland’s Westfjords their home. Beginning from the pier, you’ll drive through the streets of Isafjordur and out along the coastal road for a tour of wondrously remote Bolungarvik, a fishing village towered over by its surrounding mountains. Nearby, you’ll stop at the outdoor Ósvör Museum, where a century-old fisherman’s hut has been restored, complete with the tools of the trade – and the fisherman. On another leg of the journey, you’ll find yourself up amidst breathtaking views of the magnificent mountains of the Djup, largest of the West Fjords and the Buna River. Not far from that spot, you’ll stop to admire a beautiful, stepped waterfall in Tunguskogur and take an opportunity to taste the freshest, clearest mountain water you may ever have encountered. Back in Isafjordur, you’ll stop in at the Maritime and Folk Museum, which calls one of the town’s oldest and best-preserved houses its home. The museum presents an excellent collection of artifacts related to the region’s maritime history – as well as a sizable accordion collection. Gotta has something to do during those long winters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the remote Westfjords region by coach, stopping to absorb the local color in its many forms.
• Visit the remote fishing village of Bolungarvik and tour a century-old fisherman’s hut nearby in Ósvör.
• Behold stunning mountain vistas along the Djup fjord and taste clear mountain water from a waterfall in Tunguskogur.
• Tour a quirky Maritime and Folk Museum, filled with historic fishing artifacts – and accordions.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Board your motor coach and brace yourself as you set out on a South Shore Adventure of Nova Scotia! Visit Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay and discover their colourful houses, museums, art galleries, souvenir shops, cafe’s and restaurants. This tour will demonstrate the beautiful diversity of the South Shore and allows you free time to plot your journey at each location, whether you want to savor the local foods and atmosphere in one of the cafe’s/restaurants, buy souvenirs, or just mosey along viewing the impressive sites and taking pictures, the choice is yours!

At Peggy's Cove, discover why this picturesque seaside village with its stately lighthouse has been an inspiration to artists and writers for generations. It is here that the power and majesty of the Atlantic Ocean truly comes to life along the granite shores of the Cove - worn and shaped through the crashing surf.

Continuing on, you will arrive at another extraordinarily scenic area, Old Town Lunenburg. Established in 1753, it is North America’s best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement. The original layout and appearance has been retained so faithfully that UNESCO designated Lunenburg a World Heritage site. During free time, you can explore the brightly colored Old Town, which is easy to navigate because the streets follow a rectangular grid pattern designed in Britain. You can expect to see 18th-century wooden buildings and perhaps a replica of the Bluenose, Canada’s legendary racing ship that was launched here in 1921. Finally, we will visit Mahone Bay, considered to be one of the most attractive towns in Canada. This small and friendly community is renowned for the view across the Bay of three prominent churches. Take time to explore the many varied and local offerings along lovely Main Street before relaxing on the return drive to the Port of Halifax.