Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome)
Civitavecchia is the gateway to
the splendor of Rome, but is a 45 minute drive from the pier along
the Via Aurelia through the Etruscan countryside. It is our
suggestion to experience Rome in this fully guided and escorted
excursion. Comfortable walking shoes are a must as inside the
city, we will visit the principal attractions on foot.
Imperial Rome
$160 per person App. 10 hrs.
Includes lunch. -
excursions
Of all of Italy's cities, none provides a more compelling
fascination than Rome. Our full day adventure offers visits to
the principal points of interest and features two thousand years
of history. Your day begins after breakfast onboard, as your
private escort greets you on the pier. Upon arrival in the city
and a brief orientation at Piazzas Venezia, you will be escorted
to the Vatican. Without any doubt, the highlight of your visit
will be the remarkable Sistine Chapel and the masterpiece work
of Michelangelo. Gaze in awe at St. Peters Basilica, the largest
Church in the word and the square of Piazza San Pietro. To make
your sightseeing complete, you will also see the Roman Forum,
the Arch of Constantine and of course, the famed Colosseum where
over 50,000 spectators would watch gladiatorial combats. Midday
through the excursion, a typical Italian lunch will be served at
a respected restaurant. Independent shopping time will also be
made available as time permits.
Naples
Ancient Pompeii
$69 per person App. 4 hrs. -
excursions
One of our "Cruise Director's Choice"
excursions. This highly recommended tour features the remarkable
ruins of the city buried under the ash of Mt. Vesuvius. You will
enter the fabled city through the Sea Gate as you experience a
walk down the cobbled street to the Forum, the center of the
city. View magnificently preserved homes and artifacts hundreds
of years old. This tour is one of the musts of any visit to
Naples.
Venice
St. Marks and City Highlights
$59 per person App 3 hrs.
-
excursions
Travel by private motor-launch to St. Marks square from where
the tour of the city will begin. Your private guide will
acquaint you with the history and background of each highlight
visited, including Doge's Palace, the Basilica, the Companile of
St. Marks and the Clock tower. Explore
the most renowned sites in Venice such as Doges’ Palace, St.
Mark's Square and Cathedral. You will pass through picturesque
waterfronts as you leave the ship on your motor launch transfer
to St. Mark's area, where you will land and meet your
knowledgeable guide. The guided
portion of your tour will begin at Doges’ Palace, the
Bridge of Sighs that spans the canal between the Doges’ Palace
and the historic prison and then to St.
Mark’s Square, with its stately public buildings and elegant
cafés beneath the arcades. There you will admire the colorful
clock tower, topped by two bronze Moors who hammer out the time,
300-foot tall Campanile looking out over the city and St.
Mark’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful and moving
buildings in Italy and serves as a vivid reminder of the glories
of the Venetian Republic. Before your interior visit, your guide
will explain the exterior and interior features from the outside
of the basilica, as guides are not permitted to give narration
inside. Once you enter, you will follow your guide through the
impressive interior, marveling at the sight of marbles and
carvings surrounded by a haze of blue and gold mosaics.
Following the tour, you may visit the glass showrooms and you
will have an opportunity to purchase authentic Venetian
glassware and other Venetian specialitys. At the end of the
tour, you may stay in town and return to the ship independently
(at own expense) or return to the ship via motor launch. Your
escort will lead you to your launch.
Florence (Livorno)
Two options are available for the
visitor in the port of Livorno, Pisa and/or Florence. To make the
day a once in a lifetime experience, our suggestion is to visit
Florence and its highlights along with the short stop for photos
at Pisa.
Florence Masterpiece plus Pisa
$169 per person App. 9 hrs.
Lunch included -
excursions
A fascinating excursion, providing a magnificent sampling of the
city's architectural marvels and priceless art. Your first
glimpse of the city will be from the Piazza Michelangelo,
overlooking the tile roofs and marble towers. From this lofty
viewpoint our buses will descend into Florence where we will
visit all of the major sights. Your exclusive guide will escort
you every step of the way, visiting Michelangelo's
"David", the Piazza del Duomo. Cathedral Santa Marid
and the gilded bronze "Gates of Paradise" at the
Baptistery. A welcome rest will be made at a local restaurant
for lunch after which you will experience the beautiful Gothic
church of Santa Croce and the tomb of Michelangelo. On the
return a 30 minute stop will be made in Pisa for photos of the
famed tower. We will attempt to visit as many of the sights as
possible, so please note that comfortable walking shoes are a
must as most are only accessible by foot.
Messina, Sicily
$34 per person App. 3 hrs.
excursions
A comprehensive overview of the heart of Messina and surrounding
suburbs. Experience beautiful hilltop vistas as well as up close
sights in the small villages. Enjoy the drive through the Piazza
Municipio and the Via Garibaldi to the heart of the city, Piazza
Cairoli. Enjoy the sights of the city before continuing out of
the city to the countryside to the top of Colle San Rizzo for a
fascinating view of of the Aeolian Islands and the hills of
Calabria. A stop will also be made at the Cathedral Square for a
view of the oldest astronomical clock in the world before
returning to the ship
Genoa
Exclusive private excursions to Portofino or Milan
$69 per person Approx 8 - 10
hrs. -
excursions
To provide you with the best possible services to these cities,
we have arranged for private transportation and English speaking
guides to escort you. These exclusive options will provide you
with the personal attention we feel is important when visiting
these well known cities. Transportation will range from private
sedans to vans to motorcoaches depending on the size of the
group with which you are traveling.
Historical
Istanbul
$36 per person App. 4 hrs. -
excursions
The most comprehensive excursion of Istanbul begins with a drive
over the Galaa Bridge to the Old City. Visit the huge Hippodrome
home of the ancient chariot races, St. Sophia, Byzantine Basilica
of Holy Wisdom and other city highlights. We will also include
ample, escorted shopping time at the colorful Grand Bazaar before
returning to the ship.
Kusadasi (Ephesus)
$39 per person App. 4 hrs. -
excursions
Travel through the colorful Kusadasi and on to the countryside to
the ancient city of Ephesus. Walk along narrow streets grooved by
chariots as you view the impressive ruins dating back to the Roman
period. Visit the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater where
St. Paul preached. Your return to the ship takes you along the
Arcadian Way to Basilica built over the grave of St. John, built
in 6 AD. Highly recommended for every visitor.
Baltic/ Scandinavia
The Complete Copenhagen
App 3 hours $38 p.p. -
excursions
The Grand Tour of Copenhagen covers all the
major sights of the Capital.
We pass by the Tivoli Gardens and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and
continue with a drive through the colourful canal district, past
the National Museum to Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish
Parliament. We continue on to the old Stock Exchange and across
Kongens Nytorv , where we can see the Royal Theatre, famous for
its Royal Ballet. The tour continues past the colourful harbour
district of Nyhavn to Amalienborg Palace - winter residence of the
Royal Family.
This is followed by a visit to the Gefion Fountain and the Little
Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale. We then
pay a visit to one of the many magnificent churches in Copenhagen
and pass Rosenborg Castle, where the crown jewels are protected by
the Royal Guard.
Oslo , Norway Oslo Highlights
App 3 hours $38 p.p.-
excursions
Oslo, the
capital, is Norway's most important industrial, commercial and
shipping centre. Of the city's total land area, some 12% has been
developed while the remainder is a network of woodland trails,
islands and countless lakes offering good fishing and bathing.
Oslo is also the focus of national art and culture, with major
collections, maritime museums, theatres, opera, concerts and
restaurants of every category.
Departing from the pier under the Akershus
Castle and Fortress, we drive past the City Hall, richly adorned
with decorations by many of Norway,s most distinguished artists.
Passing Parliament, the National Theatre, the Royal Residence and
suburban areas you reach Holmenkollen, the world famous ski
jumping area. From this vantage point, there are some wonderful
views of the city and Oslofjord. The tour continues through
charming residential areas with their picturesque wooden houses
and large gardens, and through the Vigeland Sculpture Park with
its beautiful sculptures all created by Gustav Vigeland.
A short drive brings you back to the pier.
Stockholm, Sweden- Sensational Stockholm App
3 1/2 hours $38 p.p.-
excursions
Built on a string of islands, Stockholm
was founded 700 years ago by King Birger Jarl at the strategic
point where the fresh water of Lake Mälaren meets the salt water
of the Baltic. A good starting point for an exploration of the
city is the 'Old Town' (Gamla Stan), a cluster of old
buildings and narrow cobbled streets which formed the original
Stockholm. The old buildings are beautifully preserved and the
main streets, Österlånggatan and Västerlånggatan,
are pedestrian precincts with a host of boutiques, handicrafts
and antique shops. The Old Town has three churches of historic
interest, Storkyrkan and Riddarholm Church, both
dating from the 13th century and the German Church with its
magnificent Baroque interior. Overlooking the harbour is the Royal
Palace, which contains the State Apartments, the Crown Jewels,
the Hall of State and Chapel Royal, Royal Armoury and Palace
Museum. Within easy reach of the Old Town, in a magnificent
setting on the edge of Lake Mälaren, is Stockholm's elegant City
Hall (Stadshuset), inaugurated about 60 years ago. There is
a spectacular view of the capital from the top of the 100m (350ft)
tower. Another spot for a magnificent view is the observation
platform on the Kaknäs communications tower which, at 155m
(508ft), is the highest building in Scandinavia.
Tallin, Estonia-Historical Tallinn-
App 4 hours $36 p.p.
excursions
This varied tour takes you to through the
cultural center of Tallinn and the central park of Kadriorg,
founded in the time of Peter The Great. Pass through the
residential areas before arriving at Pirita marina and the ruins
of the 15th Century convent of St. Birgit. Pause at
Russalka, Estonia,s most famous monument dedicated to the
shipwreck in the Gulf of Finland in 1893. Returning to Tallinn,
continue to The Old Town. The walking portion commences at
Cathedral Hill and takes you along cobbled streets, past medieval
houses, towers and bastions. Visit the 13th Century
Russian Orthodox Church and the Dome Church, and walk past the
Castle, now home to Estonia,s Parliament.
Gdansk, Poland
Malbork Teutonic Knights Castle App
5 hours $39 p.p.-
excursions
One of the largest, oldest and most popular
castles in Poland. The Castle was built on the right bank of Nogat
River. The construction by the Teutonic Knights created this
massive stone fortress that includes formidable defensive walls,
towers, a labyrinth of chambers and wonderful architectural
details. Extensive restoration took place in the 1800s and after
WWII. Your guided tour today includes the Castle complex and its
grand exhibition hall which displays collections of armoury,
ceramics and Baltic amber.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki Highlights plus Porvoo-App
4 1/2 hours $65 p.p.-
excursions
Departing the harbour we pass by the
Helsinki shipyard, Market Square, Embassy Park, Uspenshi Orthodox
Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Continue on via the Olympic
Stadium, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum and the Parliament
building. After leaving the city on the coastal road you will
arrive at the second-oldest city in Finland.in app 45 minutes.
Experience a delightful sightseeing tour of
this ancient city, seeing many of its lovely majestic buildings,
including the medieval Cathedral and the bridge of Porvoo.
Experience a walk on the cobblestone streets of the old quarter,
with its multi-colored ancient wooden houses. There is ample free
time in Porvoo for shopping in the handicraft shops. On the return
if time allows we will also include a stop in Sipoo for a visit to
the 14th century church.
Egypt
/ Israel
Alexandria or Port Said, Egypt
The Pyramids Of Egypt
App 11 hours $145 p.p. -
excursions
The most talked about excursion of the
cruise. Today's excursion is by exclusive motorcoach as you travel
through the country along with your guide a knowledgeable, English
speaking Egyptologist. Experience the sights within Cairo before
continuing on to Memphis, with the statue of Ramses and the Sphinx
of King Amenophis and temple of Ptah. Then it is on to Sakkara,
the burial place for kings and nobles. View the Step Pyramid of
Zoser, the largest stone structure in the world and other historic
tombs. After lunch, we continue on to the true highlight of the
day, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Enjoy a once in a lifetime
experience as you visit the Sphinx and the famed pyramids. Time
allowing a short visit will also be included at the Papyrus
Institute before concluding this fascination excursion. There is
also the opportunity for an optional camel ride or a photo
opportunity just sitting on these desert creatures.
Ashdod, Israel
Jerusalem & Bethlehem
App 8 hours $90 p.p. -
excursions
Departing Ashdod we drive via the Judean
mountains to Jerusalem, where you will experience a magnificent
view over the "golden city" from atop the Mount of
Olives. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus as you walk through
Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus spent the last moments before
his arrest. Reboard your coach for the short drive to the Jaffa
gate. Walk through the old city to the church of the holy
sepulcher, built on what is believed to be the site of Christ's
resurrection. Continue your walk through the Christian quarter to
the via Dolorosa, passing the stations of the cross. Proceed
through the Roman Cardo to the Jewish quarter and the western or
wailing wall. This is the last vestige of the ramparts that
surrounded the holy temple of the Jews. After lunch you will drive
to Bethlehem for a visit to the church of the Nativity, built
above the place where Christ is said to have been born. The actual
cave of the nativity is a small crypt with a vaulted masonry roof.
We will also view other highlights of the city before returning to
Ashdod via the new city of Jerusalem.