SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Fall under the spell of the island of Faial’s unique natural beauty on a tour that highlights a stunning landscape largely developed from volcanic eruptions. Drive to Espalamaca, a dazzling overlook affording the finest view of enchanting Horta. If the day is clear, you’ll treasure the arresting sight of three other Azorean islands: Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. Journey past elegant windmills and a landscape ripe with vivid blue hydrangeas to Caldeira, a massive crater left by the now-extinct volcano that created the island of Faial. Behold the mile-wide depression, sumptuously blanketed with indigenous junipers, tree heathers, cedars and ferns. Travel to Capelinhos, where the strikingly barren terrain is rocky and hauntingly lunar-like. See the stately lighthouse, the only building to survive the devastation of a volcanic eruption in the mid-20th century. You’ll pass through verdant Capelo Forest Park and Praia do Norte, a splendid seaside parish shaped by a volcanic eruption in 1672 that’s now a surfing mecca. Marvel at fascinating sights on this journey through the wonders of Faial.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience Espalamaca’s exceptional view of charming Horta and beyond.
• See natural wonders created by volcanic activity once prevalent in the Azores.
• Marvel at the mile-wide Caldeira crater, cloaked by gorgeous native trees.
• Observe the jet-black volcanic ash still covering the floor of the Capelinhos lighthouse.
• Delight in Praia do Norte, where massive waves are the result of an incredible underwater ravine.

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

If you would like to explore archaeological site of Pompeii on your own, this private motor coach transfer is ideal.

Boarding your coach at the pier, you’ll head to Pompeii and be dropped off in a central location. A tour escort will be traveling with you to and from the ship and will answer any questions you may have about sightseeing or shopping.

After your allotted time in Pompeii, you’ll rejoin your motor coach for the return to Naples.

Take a scenic drive through the countryside to the magnificent city of Florence. Pause in the Piazza del Duomo to admire the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade is covered in a mix of pink and green marble.

View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and after the meal you’ll have free time to explore on your own or to shop, before your tour continues to the historic town of Pisa. Here, you’ll make a brief photo stop in Miracle Square for a look at the exterior of that famous Leaning Tower. Built in the 12th century, it began to lean soon afterwards, but has now been stabilized.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Rome! Share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site. Professional guide & selfie expert will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to Rome. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Colosseum
• Imperial Forum
• Campidoglio
• Borghese Gardens
• Pinicio Terrace
• Spanish Steps
• Trevi Fountain
• Navona Square
• St. Peter’s Square

To make this experience even more fun you will be provided with a selfie stick to help catch the perfect picture. In addition, you will enjoy some free time at Navona Square and end your picture-perfect day with a gelato near St. Peter’s Square.

Admire the city’s marquee attractions, stopping for photos at the key landmarks before visiting St. Demetrius Church and the Archaeological Museum.

After departing from the pier, you will soon enter the heart of Thessaloniki, a thriving metropolis that is the second largest city in Greece. Considering its size and the importance of Thessaloniki in the ancient world, there are plenty of fascinating attractions. The most recognizable is the White Tower, a 15th-century fortress that has become the city’s symbol.

Even older are the Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, which the emperor built in the 4th century to commemorate his victory over Persia. Although many of the supporting buildings have now crumbled, these two structures have stood the test of time. Similarly, the citadel and Thessaloniki’s defensive walls are reminders of its tumultuous history. The best views are from Upper or Old Town, one of the few areas that survived the great fire of 1917.

Of course, not all of the attractions are ancient. You will also pass the International Trade Fair grounds and the campus of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Still, the tug of history is irresistible, especially as you meander through St. Demetrius Church admiring the Byzantine mosaics that depict the story of the saint. More historical artifacts await you at the Archaeological Museum, which includes exhibitions on subjects such as prehistoric Macedonia and the use of gold in jewelry, coins and clothing. After browsing the museum, you will return to the pier.

Explore a wetland nature reserve on reclaimed land that now supports an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna. Salt pans covered much of this area for centuries, and it wasn’t until about 50 years ago that the brackish wetlands became an important habitat for flora and fauna. As you walk through this wonderfully unique ecosystem, a naturalist will describe the transformation of the reserve and how environmentalists prevented it from becoming an industrial zone. Nearly 250 types of birds—more than half the species in the entire country of Slovenia—have been spotted there, including Eurasian reed warblers, black-winged stilts and squacco herons. You can also expect to see a huge variety of colorful butterflies flitting about. Halophytes are among the more intriguing plants found in the wetlands, as they thrive in salty ground. From a distance, these succulents appear to have ice on their leaves, but it is actually dried salt that the plants exude from their glands.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain insight into how former salt pans were transformed into a thriving wetland.
• Walk through a now-protected nature reserve with a naturalist guide.
• Observe abundant wildlife that includes more than half the bird species in Slovenia.

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

The island of Mykonos is world famous for its stunning scenic beauty comprised of windmills, sparking bays, superb beaches, white houses and churches with their colorful blue and red domes. You'll pass by Ornos Beach, one of the most cosmopolitan beaches on the island with an abundance of luxurious hotels, tavernas and yachts mooring offshore.

You’ll make a short photo stop at the beach of Kalafatis to experience one of the island's beautiful beaches and to enjoy the breathtaking view. As you head to the center of the island, you'll visit the village of Ano Mera and the Monastery Panayia Tourliani. You’ll also have a chance to enjoy ouzo and Greek appetizers in the peaceful little square of the village.

Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Porto as a prelude to dining on dishes made to pair with the city’s namesake port wine. While traveling through the city’s historic district, which is so architecturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site, you will pass landmarks such as the Casa da Música concert hall and the cathedral where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s. This immersion into Porto will also provide insight into the production of port, the fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley. Taylor’s Port Lodge in nearby Gaia offers the ideal setting for an exquisite tasting of appetizers created especially to pair with these wines. Tour the famous cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia while learning the history of Port wine. The family run company was founded hundreds of years ago in 1692, and has since been the best known and well respected winery in the area.

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

A visit to the ancient city of Nora is a must for those who want to learn about the island’s centuries of occupation, admire Roman and Phoenician remains and the sparkling blue Mediterranean under the watchful eye of the 400 year old Spanish watchtower. Enjoy an orientation drive through Cagliari with a photo stop at Monte Urpino’s panoramic lookout point. Drive along the coast passing St. Gilla's lagoon, where if you’re lucky, you’ll see the pink flamingos and the salt flats. This pleasant drive follows the route taken by thousands of pilgrims every year as they follow Santo Efiso’s Cart.

Nora was founded by the Phoenicians. It had two harbors, one sheltered from the west winds and the other from the Mistral. The site has Carthaginian and Roman remains. After a period of Roman prosperity, there was a decline and in the 3rd Century AD the city was engulfed by the sea in a natural disaster. Admire the beautiful mosaics of the thermal baths, an amphitheater and small Roman Theater, as well as small houses and villas. Recently the forum, or agora, has been found, but a substantial part of the former town remains under the sea. It isn't hard to imagine ancient people living their lives so close to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. You’ll also see the outside of the little church where, every year, during the first days in May, important religious celebrations take place to commemorate St. Efisio. The church was built on the same site where the saint was martyred.

Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Drive to one of the most important agricultural centers, Arucas, known as the banana capital of the island. Here you’ll visit a Banana Plantation and learn everything about this important and typical crop of Canary Island. You will also have the chance to taste one together with some local specialities! Next you will visit Jardin de la Marquesa. It originated as a small garden surrounding the summer residence of the marquis of Arucas and expanded to the lush gardens you’ll find today. This botanical garden has hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical flora. Flower lined lanes and ponds enhance the beauty of this place, where you may also encounter wandering peacocks. Taste a banana liquor at the Gardens, before rejoining the bus and head to the picturesque village of Teror, where colonial buildings grace the town's boulevard. Enjoy a walking tour and some free time before the drive back to pier.

Enjoy a glass of sherry while learning to make authentic tapas at the Bodega Casa del Marques, a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant. The elegant residence is decorated with period furnishings that lend it an ambiance so authentic that it feels as if you were transported to another time. While there, you will learn to make tapas, some traditional and others topped with surprisingly inventive ingredients. These small-plate snacks reflect the local cuisine and are typically served with a glass of sherry, especially in Jerez, which has been producing the fortified wine for more than 175 years. The exact tapas that you will prepare will depend on which ingredients are freshest and most flavorful. They might include fried fish, meatballs or something a bit more unusual such as stewed ox tail. Be sure to add favorite ingredients, as you will dine on the tapas afterwards.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Participate in a hands-on culinary class at a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant.
• Learn to prepare authentic, small-plate tapas with traditional and unusual ingredients.
• Dine on the finished tapas and enjoy a glass of sherry as an accompaniment.

OVERVIEW

Experience São Vicente’s unique natural attractions by hiking through a picturesque valley, swimming in a volcanically formed lagoon and gazing over the landscape from high atop a mountain. Discover Mato Ingles, a charming village founded by 19th-century English traders, and begin a hike along a path through an exceptionally arid valley. Despite the barren appearance, you’ll notice small farms scattered about, growing crops such as corn, potatoes and beans. After a brief coach ride, arrive at the eastern shore and appreciate the stark contrast of the white sands of Praia Grande’s beach against the backdrop of black lava mountains. Enjoy a traditional island cocktail known as a pontche, made with sugarcane molasses and grogue, the national liqueur of Cape Verde. You’ll marvel at the stunning scenery at Baja das Gatas, or Catfish Bay, where you may swim in a volcanically formed lagoon before savoring a hearty traditional lunch at a nearby restaurant. Ascend to the top of majestic Monte Verde, the highest point on São Vicente, for sweeping vistas of the myriad landscapes blanketing this fascinating island.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike into a picturesque valley from Mato Ingles, an enchanting 19th-century village.
• Notice small farms with flourishing corn, potato and bean crops, despite the barren soil.
• Appreciate the pearly sands of Praia Grande beach and refresh yourself with a flavorful native drink.
• Swim at Catfish Bay, a lagoon formed by volcanic activity in centuries past.
• Savor the nuanced flavors of the Cape Verde Islands with lunch at a popular local restaurant.
• Take in sweeping views from Monte Verde, São Vicente’s highest point.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes or boots.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and swim gear.
• Pack a towel and bottle of water from the ship.