SHORE EXCURSIONS

Gain an understanding of how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island’s natural beauty. Pyrgos is known for its 13th-century Venetian castle, the classic Cycladic design of its homes and the panoramic views from its hilltop location. It will be an ideal setting to pause for a cup of coffee and a Greek sweet. Megalochori is equally picturesque, as you will discover while meandering the village’s atmospheric cobbled streets lined with neoclassical houses. The intriguing Museum of Musical Instruments honors the history of the instruments that make Greek music so recognizable. You will learn how classic instruments such as the bouzouki and laouto are handmade and have the chance to play some of them. Afterwards, you will visit the family-owned Gavalas Winery, which has been producing traditional wines such as Katsano and Nykteri since the 19th century. There you will sample wines indicative of Santorini’s terroir and snacks that pair perfectly with them.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Pause for a snack and to revel in the village of Pyrgos’ classic Cycladic setting.
• Discover how some of the most recognizable Greek musical instruments are hand-crafted.
• Sample a selection of traditional wines and local delicacies at a family-owned winery.

See the innovative solar and wind installations on Tilos that made it the first island in the Mediterranean to be fully powered by green energy. A ferry will bring you to the island, where you will see the hybrid power station that stores the renewable energy in batteries. Although Tilos is small with only about 500 residents, it has made a huge impact in encouraging other places to follow its lead in sustainable energy. You will meet the mayor and other officials that supported the project from the beginning and learn how they ensured its success. Tilos once bought its oil-based electricity from the nearby island of Kos; it now plans to sell its excess green energy back to Kos. Being completely powered by renewable energy has allowed Tilos to become more self-sufficient, have greater stability and make a smaller ecological footprint.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See how Tilos became the first island in the Mediterranean fully powered by green energy.
• Visit the solar and wind power station that supplies the island’s renewable energy.
• Talk to the mayor and other officials that helped Tilos develop its sustainable energy plan.

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

OVERVIEW

Treat your inner adventurer to an exhilarating multi-transport survey of the Southern Alps high country by coach, offroad touring vehicle and jet boat. It all starts sedately enough, as you head out by motorcoach into the fertile earthen patchwork of the Canterbury Plains – where the island grows its wheat and grazes its cattle. But don’t get too comfortable; the scenery changes dramatically as you reach Rubicon Station on the banks of the spectacular Waimakariri river gorge and make the switch into rugged offroad touring mode. Piloted with skill around Mt Torlesse Station, bouncing heartily across a spectacular landscape framed by jagged Southern Alp peaks and gorges, you’re bound to fill your camera with social media friendly shots. A well-deserved stop for lunch provides a break from the action, but it won’t last. Soon enough, you’ll shift back into thrill gear as you board a lightning-fast jet boat capable of 360-degree spins and strap in for a ride up the steep-walled Waimakariri River gorge to Staircase Viaduct. Learn more about Kiwi Jetboating thanks to the persistence of Bill Hamilton in perfecting the water jet and providing a new way to explore parts of back country New Zealand at the Jet Boat World museum. After that little jaunt, the coach drive back to Lyttelton will feel like slow motion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience adventure without exhaustion on a thrilling, multi-vehicle tour of the Southern Alps.
• Travel by coach across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Springfield Adventure Centre and a switch into offroad mode.
• Buckle up for a rollicking drive through rugged high country terrain framed by mountains and gorges.
• Hold onto your hat again later as you zoom up the majestic Waimakariri river gorge on a jet boat nimble enough to make 360-degree spins.
• Enjoy lunch at midday and return back to port with spectacular photos and memories.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water-resistant jacket.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Enter the world of the Humpback, Minke and Orca on a whale-spotting expedition off Iceland’s northern coast. Coupled with an informative whale museum visit, lunch at a local eatery and a stop to marvel at thunderous Godafoss falls, this has the makings of an exhilarating day indeed. You’ll travel from Akureyri pier by coach to the town of Husavik. There, you’ll head out by boat into Skjálfandi Bay, where hungry cetaceans like to feed on the abundant krill, plankton and fish. For the next three hours, all eyes will be fixed on the water – waiting to spot the next fluke, tail, blowhole or full-tilt breach. Entertaining you as you wait, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins will likely be seen cavorting in the waves. Once back on dry land, it’s time for lunch and an interval spent soaking up the fascinating info on display at Husavik Whale Museum. Enroute back to Akureyri, you’ll stop to take in the roar of Godafoss, its waters plunging over a huge horseshoe-shaped rim to form one of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. But then, nothing quite compares to the sight of a giant Blue Whale or leaping Humpback.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the Iceland countryside by coach as you head for a tiny town on the northern coast.
• Spend three exciting hours on a whale-watching cruise in the krill-rich feeding grounds off Husavik.
• Tour an award-winning museum where ecology of whales and history of whaling is vividly presented.
• Visit the mighty “Waterfall of the Gods” – Godafoss – thundering over its wide horseshoe cliff.
• Enjoy lunch in a local Icelandic restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, 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.

On this full-day excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to explore both Petra, the ancient Nabataean caravan-city ideally situated between the Red and Dead Seas, and Wadi Rum, a nature lover's paradise.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, this area was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. The Nabataeans transformed the forbidding desert into a bustling metropolis with magnificent buildings carved directly into the rose-hued sandstone hills. Camel caravans passed through, loaded with spices, textiles and incense from distant regions, and the city of Petra flourished, until a massive earthquake left the structures of Petra in ruins.

You’ll travel deep within the desert for approximately two hours, to Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra. Upon arrival, walk to the impressive entrance to Petra, a narrow gorge formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks. Your first view is of its most elaborate ruin and achievement, the Treasury. Used as a backdrop in the movie, Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, enjoy time to explore the Treasury and the Outer Siq, leading to immense tombs, facades and doorways.

Enjoy a late buffet style lunch at a local hotel. Transfer to yorur off-road vehicles and begin a journey through the starkly beautiful Wadi Rum, with its sheer granite and sandstone cliffs, and uniquely shaped mountains. The stunning scenery, of the towering cliffs, ancient riverbeds and mauve-colored stretches of sand will amaze you, as you drive through the desert, en route to a Bedouin camp. Upon arrival, indulge in a buffet dinner served under Bedouin tents before your return to Aqaba and your ship.

Sit back and appreciate all the sights along the famed Hana Highway without having to navigate the curves yourself. Travel over one-lane bridges and along the winding Road to Hana in the air-conditioned comfort of an exclusive 8-passenger luxury Limo-Van, featuring all Captain's chair seating.

Relax and take in the incredible scenery of lava cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, lush hillsides of feathery ferns, and trees laden with tropical fruit. You'll have plenty of photo opportunities and time to explore, with many stops made along this spectacular coastal drive.

Experience the Ke'anae Peninsula, one of the last enclaves of native Hawaiians, offering splendid tranquil taro fields and a stop for a light morning snack. It's also the perfect place for you to learn about the native Hawaiian people, their culture, and the land they call home. See Waikani Falls, a cascade of fresh mountain rainwater. These are just some of the many sights for you to enjoy.

This full-day tour includes an alfresco picnic-style lunch at a Hana beach park. After lunch, guests delight in discovering Wai'anapanapa State Park, with numerous unique scenic features. Stroll on the black sand beach, photograph lava sea arches, or view beautiful lava formations. The return journey offers an optional swim to take a dip in a freshwater pool under a cascading waterfall, so bring your swimsuit underneath your clothes and a towel for - a perfect "Heavenly Hana" experience. An opportunity to swim at either Pua'a Ka'a ( waterfall ) or Waianapanapa ( black sand beach ) but not both, is offered to guests. The optional swimming opportunity is determined based on safety conditions.

Sail along the island’s beach-blessed eastern shore, taking in the magnificent scenery and stopping along the way to swim and snorkel. One of the most beautiful stretches of sand is Kalithea Beach, which earned a Blue Flag eco-designation for the high quality of its water and strict environmental preservation. Because the sea is so clear there, snorkeling is particularly popular. Schools of porgies, brightly colored wrasses and damsel fish are commonly spotted along the rocky bottom just offshore. You will also visit a beach farther south that is so gorgeous that Anthony Quinn purchased it after filming “The Guns of Navarone” in the area in 1960. Named for the actor ever since, the beach offers excellent snorkeling and swimming as the waters are remarkably transparent. The smallish cove that shelters the beach couldn’t be more photogenic. Following your beach activities, you will enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in a lovely setting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous coastal scenery as you sail along the eastern shore of Rhodes.
• Swim and snorkel at Kalithea, a Blue Flag beach known for its excellent water quality.
• Relax on a spectacularly beautiful beach that actor Anthony Quinn once owned.

Drive through a game reserve with vastly different types of terrain that increase your chances of observing a variety of archetypal animals. Sibuya Game Reserve features more navigable riverfront that any other reserve in South Africa and you will cruise through one of its most scenic sections. Still, the highlight will be the three-hour drive through Sibuya in a 4x4 vehicle, during which you will likely travel through various vegetation types like East Cape Valley bushveld, grassland, and coastal forest. You will have an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffaloes – which roam freely through the various biomes. Sibuya is also an extraordinary birding destination as more than 400 avian species live there. The guides will point out and identify the birds, which include Goliath Herons, a species known to swallow fish weighing as much as two pounds. You will have much to reflect upon over the buffet lunch that follows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Sibuya Private Game Reserve in a 4x4 looking for animals such as the Big Five.
• Drive through diverse terrains that are home to lions, elephants and countless birds.
• Cruise along one the reserve’s many navigable rivers while looking for other wildlife.
• Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch at the Sibuya visitor center.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Kayak the serene waters of the fjord that fronts Ísafjörður, a natural setting enhanced by the many seabirds that flock here to raise their young during the summer. After a briefing on how to get the most out of the experience, you will ease into a sleek kayak and paddle off into the clear, calm waters of the fjord. Ísafjörður sits in a spectacularly scenic setting, so there will be plenty to see as you paddle between the majestic mountains that rise abruptly from both sides of the fjord. Because of the steep backdrop, almost all the buildings are at the water’s edge. Although Ísafjörður is the largest town on the Westfjords peninsula, its population is only a few thousand, and the town has remained remarkably quaint and well worth a photo. You can also expect to see quite a bit of wildlife while kayaking, especially seals and seabirds that may include oystercatchers and arctic terns.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through the glass-smooth waters of the fjord that fronts Ísafjörður.
• Take in the magnificent scenery that surrounds the steep-walled fjord.
• Watch for wildlife such as seals and seabirds, which are often abundant.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

For those travelers who prefer an added measure of intimacy and flexibility, we are pleased to offer this Exclusive tour. With a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of just 16, each tour benefits from a higher level of personal attention and the added flexibility and agility that comes from traveling in a small group. Board your 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 ten highlights of the city. Photo stops will be made at the East Side Gallery, a 3/4 mile section of the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie 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. 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 have an outside visit of Charlottenburg Palace, the oldest surviving Prussian palace. 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.

For those travelers who prefer an added measure of intimacy and flexibility, we are pleased to offer this Exclusive tour. With a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of just 16, each tour benefits from a higher level of personal attention and the added flexibility and agility that comes from traveling in a small group. Board your 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.

Gain an understanding and appreciation of the far-reaching influence of Andrea Bocelli’s family, beginning with a concert by artists that study with Andrea’s son Matteo. The performance will be held in Villa Bertelli, a stately 19th-century residence in the seaside Tuscan town of Forte dei Marmi. Matteo inherited his father musical genes, having performed as a singer and pianist on his own and with his father. Matteo is also a skilled vocal coach, which you will recognize as soon as his students begin to sing.

At the nearby Alpemare Beach Club, which the Bocellis completely renovated, you will be treated to a tasting of wines from the Bocelli vineyards. The wines will be paired with a Tuscan appetizer, a perfect way to whet your appetite for the seafood lunch that will follow. The views will be as inspired as the cuisine, as the beach club overlooks a pristine stretch of sand and offers panoramic views of the majestic Apuan Alps.