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.    

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.  

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.

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.

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.

Travel along the scenic Middle Cornich, passing through Eze on the way to Monaco, playground of the rich, noble and famous. You will pause for a glimpse of the Prince's Palace, a former medieval fortress as well as the neoclassical cathedral and the narrow streets lined with shops. A visit to the fabulous resort of Monte Carlo and its famed casino surrounded by beautiful gardens completes your day's excursion. Fully escorted with private guide.

An incredible panoramic excursion of the major sights of this gothic city. Las Ramblas, Paseo de Gracia, Pedralbes Monastery and Montjuic Olympic site are just some of the highlights. A very comprehensive tour of the city and surrounding areas.

Experience Palma with a fully guided excursion of the gothic Belvier Castle, a drive along the Maritime Promenade to the Cathedral and Almudaina Palace. A portion of the day is spent on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter with its mansions of Majorcan nobility. Before returning to the ship you will also visit Cort Square.

No excursion available offers more in the way of history, both real and mythical than this Athenian adventure. A thrilling experience featuring the natural fortress of the Acropolis, the majestic Parthenon and its related structures. Other points of interest such as the Temple of Zeus, Hadrians Arch and the Olympic Stadium Built for the first Olympic Games. A Brief stop will also be made for shopping before returning to the ship. Fully escorted and guided by private English speaking hosts.

Santorini is a striking sight with its sheer cliffs formed by a volcanic eruption around 1450 BC. Legend has it that this was the eruption that forced Atlantis to vanish. After reaching shore, our guide will meet you for the trip to the archaeological site of Akrotiri Visit the excavations of this Bronze Age town buried in the pumice and ashes. As part of the tour you will also enjoy the scenic route along the coast with views of Fira, the capital of the island. Free time is allowed in Fira to explore the labyrinth of steps, allies and other sights.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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 15^th 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 13^th Century Russian Orthodox Church and the Dome Church, and walk past the Castle, now home to Estonia,s Parliament.

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.