EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Between dramatic cliffs and the sparkling waters of Boka Kotorskam, you’ll find the towns of Kotor and Perast, each with a charm of their own. This amazing landscape was created 300,000 years ago by tectonic forces and is part of UNESCO’s list of protected natural sites. A short scenic drive on the inner part of the bay, full of contrasts, takes you to Perast. This easternmost shore was the earliest inhabited area in the Boka, as evidenced by archaeological finds. The town reached its peak in the 18th century under the Republic of Venice. At that time, ornate baroque palaces and magnificent houses were constructed. Walk the quaint streets of this town full of typical Venetian architecture.

Visit the cathedral of St. Nikola, a beautiful example of Venetian-Romanesque style. The two small islands in front of Perast offer an impressive view, each of them with a picturesque chapel. Sail to one of these islands, and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rock and learn of its legend. Most of the present day church was erected after the great earthquake of 1667 when the original sanctuary was destroyed. You’ll find a collection of paintings and a beautifully embroidered tapestry made by a local lady, among its treasures. Once back in Kotor, you’ll continue on a walking tour of the town with its historical buildings and delightful streets.

Behold some of the world’s most impressive Byzantine mosaics, which adorn the walls and ceilings of Ravenna’s 6th-century basilicas and mausoleums.

Depart from the pier and enjoy a brief drive through the ancient city of Ravenna. After a photo stop at the 6th-century Mausoleum of Theodoric, a rotunda-shaped tomb that the emperor built for himself, you’ll arrive at the city center and begin your walking tour.

Ravenna is revered for its well-preserved Byzantine mosaics, and you’ll see them in all their glory at sights such as the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica, which Theodoric also built. Most of the original mosaics depicting the life of Christ still exist, and the colors are vibrant, even after 1,500 years.

You’ll also tour San Vitale Basilica, whose Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the western world. Be sure to note the glittering mosaics in the ceilings of the choir and apse. More spectacular mosaics await you at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which dates even earlier to 430 A.D. The Roman empress who commissioned the tomb was never buried here, but it certainly would have been a grand final resting place.

Nearby, you’ll find the tomb of the poet Dante, who died in Ravenna in 1321 while exiled from Florence. The mound of dirt to the right of his tomb is where Dante’s urn was buried to protect it when Ravenna was bombed during World War II.

An hour of free time follows your walking tour, after which you’ll return to the pier.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Mykonos, many of them iconic attractions that define the island. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures.

As you walk and ride around Mykonos, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Mykonos Old Port
• Matogianni
• Windmills Square
• Little Venice neighborhood
• Ano Mera village

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions on Mykonos.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Spend free time in Mykonos Town, home to the artistic neighborhood Little Venice.
• Experience the tranquil charm of Ano Mera, a picturesque village in the heart of Mykonos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Mykonos, many of them iconic attractions that define the island. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures.

As you walk and ride around Mykonos, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Mykonos Old Port
• Matogianni
• Windmills Square
• Little Venice neighborhood
• Ano Mera village

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions on Mykonos.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Spend free time in Mykonos Town, home to the artistic neighborhood Little Venice.
• Experience the tranquil charm of Ano Mera, a picturesque village in the heart of Mykonos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Experience Bruges like a local by exploring areas off the beaten path but still in the shadow of landmarks such as Kruispoort. Although you will stop at this 15th-century gate, the sites that lie ahead will reveal a lesser-known but not less spectacular side of Bruges. You will see windmills along medieval ramparts, follow atmospheric lanes through residential neighborhoods and pause at the bridges and inner canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North. Upon arriving in St. Anne’s, you will behold the Jerusalem Chapel, which was designed to mirror the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. By the 16th century, Bruges had become a textile center for woven lace, and you will observe a demonstration of this artisan trade that continues to flourish. Another way to become immersed in local life is at the Market, a sprawling square that has been a marketplace for more than 1,000 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Explore atmospheric areas of Bruges that are typically unknown to all but the locals.
• Cross landmark canals that gave Bruges its nickname, the Venice of the North.
• Watch a demonstration of lace making, a trade that has flourished in Bruges for centuries.

OVERVIEW

Explore the architectural ruins on Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived for centuries until the fall of the empire. The elliptical Colosseum may well be the most recognizable Roman building from ancient times, and while pausing to snap photos of its exterior you will hear about the amphitheater’s notorious past as a venue for everything from gladiatorial games to public executions. A few steps away, you will find Palatine Hill, home to numerous imperial palaces, the first being the 1st-century Domus Tiberiana. This palace complex includes residential quarters, places of worship and rooms for the guards that protected the emperor. You will also visit the nearby Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome. There, emperors were crowned, elections were held and speeches were given that changed the course of the empire. Following this deep dive into antiquity, you will enjoy free time to shop and dine in Venice Square.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Behold the exterior of the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic and notorious amphitheater.
• Walk among the ruins of the imperial palaces built on the slopes of Palatine Hill.
• Visit the Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome.
• Spend free time shopping and dining on your own in Venice Square.

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

Artistic expression takes many forms on this phenomenal excursion, which offers an in-depth look at the area’s iconic ceramics, architecture and mosaics.

Depart from the pier and enjoy a leisurely drive inland to Faenza, a city celebrated for its glazed earthenware pottery, known as faience. Your guided walking tour here includes a stop at the International Museum of Ceramics where you’ll trace the global history of the craft through its extensive collection. This marvelous collection includes pieces from the Far East, works by modern artists such as Picasso, and centuries-old faience ceramics.

Continuing on, you’ll soon arrive at the late 15th-century Faenza Cathedral. While its exterior is rather plain brick, the interior holds a number of invaluable pieces of Renaissance art, including paintings and a wooden choir stall. Following your exploration of the cathedral, you’ll have a bit of free time before being treated to a leisurely lunch of regional specialties. Afterwards, you’ll make your way back to Ravenna for a walking tour through the city center.

Byzantine mosaics take center stage here at sights such as the 6th-century Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica. Almost all of its original mosaics depicting the life of Christ still exist, and the colors are surprisingly vibrant, even after 1,500 years. You’ll also tour the San Vitale Basilica, whose Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the western world, and they too are in splendid condition.

More spectacular mosaics await you at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The Roman empress who commissioned the tomb in the 5th century was never buried here, but it certainly would have been a grand final resting place. After visiting, you’ll re-board your coach and transfer directly back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Find serenity along the intertwining waterways and marshes of Green Venice, a haven for nature lovers. You’ll board a touring boat for an approximately one-hour journey inside the marshlands of Poitou-Charentes, affectionally called Green Venice. You’ll understand this appellation as you glide beneath arcing trees on a vibrant emerald carpet created by the shimmering layer of duckweed resting on the water’s surface. Experience the outdoors as it might have appeared three centuries ago, perhaps spotting plovers, swans, snipes, pewits and ashen or crimson herons resting along the banks. In complete tranquility, sail through tunnels of ash trees and poplars past verdant fields and tiny hamlets dotting the fabulous landscape, the chirping of birds and gentle parting of the waters the only sounds breaking the calming silence. You’ll disembark in the diminutive village of Coulon, nestled on the bank of the La Sèvre River and a quiet respite from the bustle of larger towns. Relish time at your leisure to stroll and soak in the quaint ambiance of this utterly enchanting corner of glorious France.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Immerse yourself in one of France’s most stirring landscapes, the tranquil waterways known as Green Venice.
• Glide on a boat over green-carpeted waters and under the shade of age-old trees.
• Seek out an array of birds that include graceful swans and dignified ashen or crimson herons.
• Appreciate time on your own to roam the delightfully unspoiled hamlet of Coulon.

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

Admire Hamburg from two unique perspectives: while cruising along the shores of its main urban lake, and while driving past its most historical highlights. After departing from the pier, you will soon notice the abundance of waterways throughout the city. The Elbe River connects Hamburg to the North Sea, and the city boasts an extensive network of Venice-like canals. The prevalence of water keeps Hamburg’s 1,400 parks and gardens flourishing, as you will see at leafy Planten un Blomen park downtown, which you pass during your panoramic coach tour. Then, it’s on to Alster Lake, where you will enjoy a leisurely cruise across its serene waters, presenting you with a different perspective of the city. The lake was formed in the 12th century after the Alster River was dammed. Today, small pleasure vessels often sail the waters and joggers follow the paths along the shore. Following your cruise, you will resume driving through Hamburg, passing the most iconic landmarks, which miraculously survived a devastating fire in 1842 and World War II bombings. One highlight is certainly St. Michael’s Church, whose soaring clock tower has loomed over the city since the 1680s. However, locals consider the 647-room town hall, a neo-Renaissance masterpiece, to be the symbolic heart of Hamburg. As a contrast to its opulence, you will also visit a modest 17th-century almshouse for the widows of shopkeepers. Before returning to the pier, you will have some brief free time in the city center to perhaps pick up a souvenir or two.

OVERVIEW

Recognize how the architecture of Mykonos has evolved through the centuries by exploring landmarks that were built during different time periods. For a glimpse into the island’s Byzantine-style architecture, you will visit Panagia Paraportiani, a complex of five small whitewashed churches in the atmospheric Kastro neighborhood. A short walk will bring you to the island’s iconic windmills, some of which the Venetians built in the 16th century. The windmills overlook Little Venice, a jumble of houses precariously perched right on the water’s edge. The neighborhood dates to the time when Venetians ruled Mykonos, starting in 1390. The Ottomans also ruled until ousted in a revolution that broke out in 1821. One of the heroines of that struggle was princess Manto Mavrogenous, a Mykonos resident whose statue you will see in her namesake square. While standing atop a scenic overlook, you will enjoy a sweeping view of Old Town that will add to the historical context.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Old Town Mykonos and learn how its architecture has changed over time.
• See landmarks from the 14th to 20th centuries, each one a glimpse into that time period.
• Gain insight into the influence of the Venetians and Ottomans that once ruled Mykonos.
• Admire the ultimate view of Old Town Mykonos from an elevated viewpoint.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise the countless canals that crisscross Giethoorn, a small village that is largely free of vehicles as most everyone gets around by walking, bicycling or boating. Although there are only a few thousand residents, each year nearly a million people descend on Giethoorn to admire its fairytale-like setting and leisurely pace of life. Cruising the canals, some of which were dug by hand, will present a unique water perspective of the village, which is often referred to as the Venice of the Netherlands. Along the way, you can expect to see an abundance of 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses with thatched roofs and pass under innumerable wooden bridges as the village boasts more than 175 of them. If you notice a flat-bottomed, square-front vessel being poled like a Venetian gondola, it will likely be a punt. Few experiences are quite so relaxing as cruising the canals of Giethoorn.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Giethoorn, an idyllic village that is almost completely devoid of roads and cars.
• Cruise the shallow and narrow canals that run through Giethoorn.
• Appreciate Giethoorn’s serenity, slow pace of life and fairytale setting.
• Hear commentary about the history of the village, which was settled in the 13th century.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a picturesque drive inland to Brisighella for an enlightening walk through the heart of the medieval village and a lunch that reflects the cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region. Sometimes called the Three Hills Village for its three prevalent gypsum hills, Brisighella exudes a wonderful medieval ambiance, especially along the Via del Borgo. This 14th-century covered walkway was once used to transport gypsum on donkeys, the reason it is nicknamed Donkey Way. Other architectural highlights include the 14th-century La Rocca fortress and a clock tower that was erected a few centuries later. It perches on one of the three hills. Your ensuing lunch will be prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as brisghello, an olive oil so distinctive that it earned a Protected Designation of Origin certification. Emilio-Romagna cuisine is also renowned for its specialty cheeses, prosciutto, tagliatelle pasta and Bolognese ragú sauce, some of which will be served.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through medieval Brisighella, which nestles among three iconic hills.
• See 14th-century landmarks such as Donkey Way and La Rocca castle.
• Dine on traditional cuisine from the Emilia-Romagna region.

HELPFUL HINTS

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