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.

Travel by train to Rome for an enlightening walking tour of its most iconic attractions and then spend free time exploring further on your own. Although just under an hour, the train ride will be wonderfully scenic and offer an introductory look at the outskirts of Rome. Once you detrain at Saint Peter Station, you will follow the guide to landmarks such as Saint Peter’s Square, where you will behold its glorious namesake basilica from the outside. You will continue along Via della Conciliazione to Castelo St. Angelo, a fortress that was originally built in the 2nd century as the tomb for Roman emperor Hadrian. Free time will begin once you reach the elongated Piazza Navona, an exquisite expression of the Baroque period. If you wish, drop by its famed Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Fountain of Neptune. Or head straight for your choice of other nearby attractions such as the Pantheon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel roundtrip between the port and Rome on an eco-friendly train.
• See some of Rome’s most famed attractions with a guide that will explain their significance.
• Spend hours exploring Rome on your own with no need to rush from place to place.

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

Snorkel the azure waters adjacent to the of Belize's Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living barrier reef. This is a shallow water entry, well suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Depart from the Harvest Caye Marina on one of our comfortable snorkel vessels for the short scenic ride to a beautiful site along the reef. This location is teeming with multitudes of colorful reef fish, co-habiting among the beautiful hard and soft coral formations, intermingled with sponges, sea fans, and delicate sea anemones.

Possible sightings of spotted eagle rays and schools of larger fish are quite common, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers also call this patch of the reef home. After snorkeling, re-board your boat and enjoy the return trip while listening to Caribbean rhythmic vibes. After returning to the pier, as you step off the boat, you can pick up your complimentary rum punch.

Escorted around town by a local, you’ll be introduced to life in Greenland’s eighth-largest fishing village. Suffice it to say, rush hour is no big challenge in this burg. But living in Paamiut has its rewards for the 1,500-or-so souls who call it home. Their scattered skyline is colorful, their blue-black mountain backdrop is stunning – they even have a handsome stave church, one hotel and a supermarket. The fishing is excellent, the mitten-makers are busy, and the wildlife is contented. Minke and humpback whales swim by in the fjord, while white-tailed sea eagles (Greenlanders call them “Nattoralik”) guard the sky and bring good luck to those who spot them.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll the streets of tiny Paamiut with a local who knows its story and residents personally.
• You will have an opportunity to view colonial harbor, museum area (no interior visit included), protected buildings, Church, Culture area, institution area, trade and administration area.
• Be on the lookout for exciting wildlife, from majestic sea eagles in the sky to whales in the fjord.

Delight in the medieval character of Taormina while strolling its atmospheric streets and admiring landmarks such the Greek theater from the 2nd century. After departing from the pier, you will have a short panoramic tour of Messina. Continuing along the coast to the south, you will approach Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you will discover while navigating its narrow, cobbled streets. As French author Guy de Maupassant wrote of his stay in 1883, “Were a man to pass a single day in Sicily and ask, ‘What must one see?’ I would answer him without hesitation, Taormina.” Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there in the summer. After visiting, you will enjoy free time to wander about the areas that interest you the most. You might take in the views from the fragrant public garden or shop along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of hospitality.

Visit an ancient farm and mill that produce olive oil in a traditional way that protects the environment and improves the land’s biodiversity. While walking through the olive groves with the owners of Molino La Paca, you will gain an understanding of the traditional agricultural practices in Andalusia. It provides benefits to the environment, such as less soil erosion, improved fire protection and greater biodiversity. Learn how the processes residues are used to produce energy in a nearby factory. While enjoying olives and a glass of local wine, you will taste the difference in the extra-virgin olive oil that the farm produces. For a glimpse into other aspects of Andalusian life, you will explore Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences and a picture-perfect village perched high on a mountainside.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a farm and mill that produce organic olive oil in an traditional manner.
• Enjoy olives and a glass of local wine.
• Spend free time exploring Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences.

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

Discover the best of Corfu on this tour. You’ll tour the island, visit a stunning palace and enjoy a traditional lunch with live entertainment at a local taverna. Drive through Corfu and arrive at Mon Repos Palace built by order of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and completed in 1891. The empress had fallen in love with the natural beauty of the island during her 1861 visit and also developed a great appreciation for Greek history and mythology.

After a guided visit of the grounds and palace, you’ll continue to the traditional village of Kinopiastes. Enjoy a rich and traditional lunch at the famous Tripas Tavern accompanied by live Greek music and dancers. Board your coach for the drive back to the Old Town of Corfu where you’ll have the opportunity to either be dropped off, to walk through the narrow lanes and browse on your own, or return with the coach directly to your ship.

OVERVIEW
Inspired by the natural beauty of The Bahamas, Baha Bay is designed to perfectly fuse relaxing island chill with exhilarating fun for the entire family. The luxe water park is directly adjacent to Baha Mar and set on 15 lush beachfront acres. With an array of spectacular experiences and tantalizing cuisine, however you like to play in the sun, it awaits you at Baha Bay. Baha Bay offers over 30 attractions; an array of elevated food and beverage options and an exclusive open air casino gaming pavilion. For adventure seekers, there is the adrenaline rush of our one-of-a-kind dueling water coaster and our state-of-the-art FlowCurl™ surf simulator; along with our family raft rides and speed slides, guaranteed to provide you with the thrill of a lifetime. If chill is more your speed, you can exhale and enjoy the island breeze as you ride The River current through Baha Bay’s lush tropical foliage or wade out in the water and ride the tides in our 500,00-gallon wave pool. Younger guests can splash, slide and play all day on slides that are just their size at Kid’s Island.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend hours enjoying the world-class attractions and amenities at Baha Bay Waterpark.
• Enjoy a collection of exhilarating rides
• One (1) lunch per guest is included
• Complimentary seating throughout Baha Bay
• Ride the Caribbean’s only uphill water coaster and hang ten on the surf simulator
• Dine, shop and try your luck in the outdoor casino
• Towel is included

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Beach access is included, with available chairs and umbrellas
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, and sunscreen
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes
• Baha Bay is a cashless venue. All major credit & debit cards are accepted
• Baha Bay is wheelchair accessible throughout the park with ramps and accessible restrooms and eateries

Discover how the natural resources on Amami are maximized to create products that are revered far beyond the island. The silk produced there is particularly valued and has been for more than 1,300 years. As you will see at Oshima Tsumugi Village, the silk manufacturing involves dozens of processes that take up to six months to complete, resulting in distinct textiles with remarkably detailed patterns. You will notice while driving around the island that Amami is almost completely covered with trees, including sago palms. These iron-rich plants are used for dying silk and often eaten despite being toxic if not properly prepared. You will learn about the multi-step process to remove the toxins at Ankiyaba. Bananas are also grown there for their natural fibers, which are used in textiles. The brown sugar from the island’s abundant sugar cane is a key ingredient in making shochu, a unique distilled liquor that you will sample after touring a brewery.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Watch a remarkably complex silk manufacturing process that produces distinct textiles.
• Discover how sago palms and bananas trees are harvested for various industries.
• Tour a brewery that makes the distilled liquor shochu and sample the product.

Join this unforgettable excursion where you’ll travel through small villages and hear their story along the way. Ascend over 900 feet above sea level between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea where you can take some of the most amazing photos on your cruise. Enjoy stunning views and different shades of beautiful BVI blue waters. Listen up as your knowledgeable driver/guide share gems of BVI history and culture. Cross the bridge to Beef Island and swim at the local’s favorite, Long Bay beach. Here you can listen to music, chat with locals, chill at the bars, do light shopping or have a dip in BVI blue waters.

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.

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.