Shore Excursions

Athens

Your tour begins with a visit to the Acropolis, which dominates the landscape of Athens. After your walking tour of this world famous site and its architectural masterpiece – the Parthenon, your tour continues through the various areas of Athens. Along the way you pass many of the city’s other major sites, such as Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games 1896, and the Constitution Square. Afterwards its time to visit the famous Plaka, with its countless shops, restaurants, taverns, and street musicians. This is the perfect place to enjoy lunch, then take a stroll, maybe do some shopping, before returning to your ship.

Bodrum

Bodrum is the modern name for the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus, birthplace of Herodotus – the “father of history”. It is also the site of King Mausolus' Tomb - the famous Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Now a lively market town with an expanding tourist trade, Bodrum is a perfect getaway destination, with large parts of the region still relatively untouched, and a beautiful location on the Aegean Sea of the Eastern Mediterranean. Your private shore excursion will include a visit to the remnants of the ancient structures, such as the excavated base of the Mausoleum, as well as the area’s major sight – the massive 15th century Castle of St. Peter, built by the Knights of St. John. It is now a famous museum of nautical archeology, with spectacular displays of recovered undersea treasures found in the waters around Turkey. Depending on the length of your time on shore, your tour can also take you to the renowned holiday paradise of Bodrum Peninsula, with its secluded bays - popular for yachting, isolated sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and small traditional villages.

Istanbul

For sheer excitement, energy, mystery and marvels, this city has few rivals on the planet. Istanbul is truly a city at the crossroads, where the influence of Asia and Europe, the religion of Christians and Moslems, and the culture of Turks, Persians and Orientals have all found their way into the daily life of this bustling metropolis.

Your full-day private shore excursion starts at your cruise ship pier, where you will be met by your guide. Your tour will focus on Istanbul’s most famous sights, starting with Topkapi Palace, which was built over the ruins of Constantine's Imperial Palace and was the residence of the sultans and the administrative seat of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years. Your next stop is the awe-inspiring Haghia Sophia - a triumph of Christianity and the symbol of Byzantium for nearly a thousand years. The famous Blue Mosque - one of the great and defining features of Istanbul's skyline, was constructed in the early 17th century to rival Haghia Sophia. What’s left of the ancient Hippodrome is now mostly a park with remnants of the ancient structure that once accommodated up to 100,000 spectators. Only a few reminders of its vast collection of trophies, statues, and monuments remain today, that once adorned a magnificent structure. Last stop on your tour is the fabled Grand Bazaar. It is actually the covered centre of a vast commercial area within the city, with thousands of shops, markets, restaurants and tea houses. Your challenge here is to distinguish the genuine craft items from the seemingly endless supply of imitations. Yet, don’t let that stop you from an incredible experience in this labyrinth of shops.

Livorno

Depart from the port of Livorno to one of Italy's most charming areas – the Cinque Terre, with its quaint medieval towns, its spectacular terraced vineyards and the romantic 'Via dell'Amore', at many points carved into the hillside cliffs. Admire beautiful Vernazza, a jewel perched on a rocky promontory, which stretches out towards the sea with a small port against green hills. From here we can take you by boat to Portovenere, or by train to La Spezia. Then continue by road to Pisa. Here you visit the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, with its famous Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo and the Cathedral, before returning to your ship.

Monaco

See the highlights of Monte Carlo, including a visit of Les Grands Apartements of the Palace and the Throne Room. Then drive along the Corniche to  Eze, a charming medieval town, high above the Mediterranean coast. Continue to Nice and after a lunch break start your walking tour of charming and colourful Old Nice and the famous seaside boulevard – the Promenades des Anglais.

Kusadasi

Your guide will first take you to the site that was once the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of antiquity. Then proceed to nearby Ephesus, for a guided walking tour of what remains of one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Among the impressive structures are the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre. It was here that Paul preached to the Ephesians. The theatre has seating for 24,000 and is used today for a local spring festival. You also have an option to visit the Terrace Houses, opened to the public only recently and providing a rare window into the lives of the ancients. At the end of your tour you will have an opportunity to shop in the commercial area of Kusadasi. If your ship is sailing only later that evening, you may want to stay on shore and enjoy a seaside dinner with a beautiful view over the bay.