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.

Discover the charms of Granada, the architecturally stunning capital of the Andalusia region, by exploring a magnificent palace, the Royal Chapel and the city’s oldest quarter.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for scenic drive inland to Granada, a city likely named for the Spanish word for pomegranate, a fruit so abundant it is depicted on Granada’s coat of arms. Or Granada may have derived from its Moorish name, as the city was the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492.

Granada features a wealth of extraordinary architecture such as your first stop, the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957.

Walking a bit farther, you will soon arrive in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin quarter (down part of the quarter), the city’s oldest section. UNESCO has deemed it a World Heritage site for its harmonious blend of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Nearby, you will find the glorious Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Spanish monarchs such as Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand. Be sure to see the chapel’s mausoleum, spectacular altarpieces and ornate grilles before enjoying free time and perhaps lunch on your own in the surrounding historical area.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Malaga.

This interesting tour allows you to appreciate the turbulent history of this amazing Fortress that is Gibraltar.

Meeting your guide at the pier, you will transfer directly to the Cable Car Base station where modern technology does all the hard work for you as you are transported to the Top Station, perched at the very summit of "The Rock". The magnificent panorama that will open out before you is sufficiently breathtaking to make you forget that you are suspended in mid-air.

In the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide, you will learn of the momentous events that took place over the centuries that have made this small outpost famous throughout the world.

The Top Station is located on the site of an old gun emplacement last used during the Second World War.

Here your guide will walk you around the terraces and introduce you to the geography of this British colony at the entrance to the Mediterranean. You may also take the opportunity to use the restrooms, look around the Souvenir shop and Restaurant or simply wander around the former anti-craft battery site. Your guide will now accompany you back to the Cable Car for a short ride to the Middle Station and the sanctuary of Gibraltar's oldest inhabitants, The Rock Apes. These tail-less monkeys (macaca sylvanus) are roaming free. Many legends surround these monkeys and your guide will brief you as to their origin. Keep your possessions close. Remember they are wild animals. Please do not touch or feed them.

After enjoying your encounter with the Apes and their enchanting antics you will again board you coach for a five minute drive north until we reach Princess Caroline's Battery and the entrance to the Upper Galleries, or the Great Siege Tunnels.These are a system of tunnels carved out of solid limestone. The works were commenced on the 25th of May 1782 by the forerunners of the Royal Engineers and today they stand as a monument to their ingenuity and engineering. We shall walk through Windsor Gallery, to St. George's Hall. This is a fascinating experience ignored by most visitors to the Rock. As you leave the Great Siege Tunnels you will see the runway built during the Second World War with rocks hewn out of these and other tunnels inside the Rock.

A short drive will then take you to see the first buildings ever constructed by the British in Gibraltar which now house the Gibraltar "A City Under Siege" exhibition. Here the visitor will see the hardship endured by the inhabitants of the Rock in times of great need when the relentless sieges failed to re-conquer Gibraltar - The Gateway to the Mediterranean. A short distance away you will pass by the Moorish Castle built in 1333 by the Moors, who spearheaded their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula from Gibraltar in 711 AD. This impressive Tower still bears the scars of Battle.

Your tour is now coming to its end and the choice of leaving you in the busy town center or returning back to the vessel is completely yours. Should you wish to remain in town you will be responsible in making your own way back to the ship.

Discover memorable highlights of Portugal including the Royal Palace at Queluz, Sintra the summer residence of kings and the resort town of Cascais. As you depart Lisbon, enjoy the panorama of the River Tagus with views of the Monument of Discoveries, Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem. Drive to the Portuguese Royal Palace at Queluz. The simple exterior belies the lavishness within of the Throne Room and the Hall of Ambassadors. The sculpted gardens, with rows of hedges, artistically carved shrubs and huge magnolia trees are impressive.

You’ll visit Sintra, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal. The Royal Palace is the dominant architectural feature, located right in the center of town. You’ll enjoy some free time here to stroll the charming narrow streets lined with bakeries, craft shops and small boutiques. Continue to the resort town of Cascais, it was developed during the late 19th century around a charming town. Enjoy some free time in the historical center with its narrow cobbled streets and interesting architecture.

OVERVIEW

Drive through Nuuk, the world’s smallest capital, and trace the town’s history through its marquee attractions. Nuuk means “headland,” a reference to its location at the tip of a peninsula at the mouth of an extensive fjord system. Missionary Hans Egede founded the city in 1728, although Inuits, Vikings and various other groups had lived there on and off for about 4,000 years. The route that you will follow passes landmarks that include the Parliament, the University of Greenland and Katuaq, a cultural venue whose modern design was inspired by the magical play of light on the ice and snow. The National Museum occupies several buildings around the colonial harbor, where a statue of Egede overlooks the sea. Other prominent historical buildings include Nuuk Cathedral. You will also drive through Nuuk’s neighboring suburbs, which include Nuussuaq and the more contemporary Qinngorput district. Regardless of where you travel, craggy mountains provide a majestic backdrop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic drive through the diminutive capital of Nuuk.
• Gain insight into Nuuk’s history while passing landmarks such as Katuaq Greenland Cultural Center.
• Drive through the residential suburbs for a look at local life.

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.

See how pineapples are sustainably grown on São Miguel Island and how cosmetics are made in ways that don’t harm the environment. Because of climatic conditions in the Azores, pineapples can’t grow outdoors, so to meet the demand farmers grow them in greenhouses. While visiting an eco-friendly pineapple farm, you will learn about the innovative methods used to coax fruit from the tropical plants. Azorean pineapples are intensely flavorful and exotically aromatic. The islanders also sustainably and ethically produce cosmetics using natural ingredients rather than chemicals. The ingredients are locally sourced and may include natural extracts, aloe vera and oils derived from plants. While participating in a hands-on workshop in a cosmetics laboratory, you will learn how to produce items such as soaps, face masks and shower gels without negatively impacting the environment. At the end of the workshop, you will receive your creation as a memento.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a pineapple farm that sustainably grows this distinct Azorean fruit in greenhouses.
• Visit a cosmetics laboratory whose products are made without harming the environment.
• Join a workshop to create a cosmetic product that you will be given as a memento.

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

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Seville ! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as some of the stops might include wi-fi in real time. Your accompanying guide will help you choose the spot to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination. Your tour begins with a scenic drive from Cadiz to the majestic city of Seville.

You will have designated selfie stops at: Metrosol Parasol, Streets of the Old Quarter, Plaza de Espana.

To make this experience even more fun you will be provided with a selfie stick to help catch the perfect picture. Your picture-perfect day includes some free time to explore on your own. Note: Tour involves approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of walking on mostly flat and cobblestone terrain, and some steps.

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.

Gain a greater understanding of Northern Ireland and its culture by following a foodie guide through Belfast, pausing every so often to sample classic dishes and delicacies.

After departing from the pier, you will soon reach the heart of Belfast, where you will commence a walking tour, accompanied by a local food enthusiast. The exact locations to be visited will be determined the day of the excursion, but they will definitely be establishments that best represent the cuisine of Northern Ireland. These will be the markets, restaurants and cafés that the locals frequent, rather than those typically found in guide books.

You may well start at St. George’s Market, the oldest covered market on the entire island of Ireland. While browsing the stalls and soaking up the atmosphere, you will sample delicacies that are distinctly Irish. You may be offered a chunk of fried eel or a bite of Belfast bap, a hearty sandwich typically loaded with Irish bacon, scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese.

Continuing on to other foodie locales, you might try a few spoonfuls of colcannon, a mixture of mashed potatoes, cabbage, cream and butter. Of course, potatoes appear in all sorts of classic dishes such as Irish stew, Ulster fry and boxty, a tasty potato pancake.

Other Irish staples that you may sample include fluffy soda bread and wheaten farls. The latter is a griddle cake that is served in quarters known as farls.

Venture into the beautiful Thingvellir national park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site only about 30 miles from Reykjavik, and ranking at the top of Iceland’s attractions. This national park offers outstanding sceneries of mountains surrounding a vast lava plain covered in green moss and wild flowers. Head to the Geyser area where you’ll see hissing springs, bubbling pools and other geothermal phenomena. Lunch will be served nearby, amongst these scenic surroundings.

Another highlight of your day is the Gullfoss waterfall. The ‘Golden Waterfall’ is the most famous of the country’s many waterfalls. Here, the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two falls, creating an awesome spectacle. Being located on an old magma chamber, Hveragerdi is notorious not only for its abundance of hot springs, which heat the community’s greenhouse industry, but also for its earthquakes.

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.