Barcelona
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Barcelona: Walking Tour with Picasso Museum and Medieval Quarter
A walking tour through the Ribera quarter of the city with the Santa Caterina Market, Palau de la Musica, Santa Maria del Mar church, the Born Cultural Center, the Montcada street with medieval mansions and visit the Picasso museum.
4 hour tour
Morning or afternoon tour
No wheelchair
Moderate physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals, Taxis or other services not specified
La Ribera quarter was in Roman times a place for country homes. In the 6th century, the area was dominated by a Christian necropolis. The first monastery was raised here in the 11th century. In the 13th century it was a busy tradesmen’s district and Passeig del Born was Barcelona’ s main square from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Jousting tournaments, executions and other public entertainments took place in the Middle Ages.
The Santa María del Mar church is one of the best examples of 14th century Catalonian Gothic architecture. It is the work of the architect Berenguer de Montagut and was the templeof the shipowners and merchants in Gothic Barcelona. Seen from the outside, its appearance is solid and robust, dominated by straight lines. The inside consists of three naves, an ambulatory and is without a transept. The amazing height of the central nave with its majestic octagonal columns stands out.
The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and it is an architectural jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau, the only concert venue in this style to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (4th December 1997), which today represents an essential landmark in the cultural and social life of Catalonia.
The Santa Caterina market building was constructed on the former site of the Convent of Santa Caterina, from which it takes its name. The refurbishment of Barcelona’s first covered food market by the architectural practice of Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue was completed in 2005. The food market revealed a gleaming, undulating and brightly coloured roof designed to be seen from the air. The roof is attached to the building by a wooden structure, and a vast mosaic of coloured ceramic pieces, representing fruit and vegetables, boldly breaks with the traditional look of a market.
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is a clear example of the ties Pablo Picasso had with the city of Barcelona. Here, he not only received sound academic training but also the artistic effervescence that lit the fire and opened the doors towards modernism.
Inaugurated in 1963, the Picasso Museum not only owns the most important and exhaustive collection of the works of art from Pablo Picasso's youth and period of training but also holds temporary exhibitions of other artists related to this artistic figurehead.
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Barcelona: Walking Tour of the Gothic and Jewish Quarters
A walking tour through the gothic and Jewish quarters of the city with the San Felipe Neri and Santa Maria del Pi churches, Plaça del Rei, Palau Reial Major, Plaça Reial, Sant Jaume square, roman ruins, City Hall, Governor Palace and a visit to the gothic cathedral and the old synagogue.
4 hour tour
Morning or afternoon tour
No wheelchair
Moderate physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals, Taxis or other services not specified
Its early city centre, which was surrounded by walls during Roman times, makes up what today is the Gothic and Jewish Quarter. Narrow streets, with quiet squares and attractive corners, are home to an abundant collection of Gothic buildings, both civil and religious. Surrounding Barcelona's impressive gothic Cathedral, medieval palaces emerge, such as Casa dels Canonges and Casa d´Ardiaca. The Plaça del Rei brings together another labyrinth of marvellous buildings, such as the Palau Reial Mayor and the Chapel of Santa Ágata. The Plaça Sant Jaume holds the Palau de la Generalitat (headquarters of the Catalan government) and the City Hall.
The oldest synagogue in Europe dating back to 1306 is in Barcelona. The site of the older Call of Barcelona –the Call Major– is located between l’Arc de Santamon, Call, Bisbe and Sant Sever Streets. In the mid-13th century, the geographic space designated to the Jewish community was amplified. On the outskirts of what is today the Church of Sant Jaume, the Call Menor (Minor) sprouted and thrived.
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Barcelona: Montserrat Half Day Excursion
Drive through countryside villages to the Benedictine abbey of Montserrat Monastery which contains the most revered image in Catalonia, the Virgin of Montserrat, patron saint of the catalan people. You will be able to attend to a recital by the Escolania, one of the oldest choirs in Europe and visit the museum.
5 hours tour
Morning tour
No wheelchair
Light physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals or other services not specified
The moreneta of Montserrat. The adoration of this Virgin extended all over South America when the monk Bernat Boil accompanied Christopher Columbus to the New World.
It is said that an image of the Virgen de Montserrat appeared in a cave in the mountain. Situated 45 kilometres Northwest of Barcelona, the monastery was founded by Abbot Oliba in 1025, although there is evidence that in the year 888, there was a chapel dedicated to the Mother of God. In the 12th century the Romanesque church was built and in 1223, the first European School for child singers. Leon XIII declared the Virgin of Montserrat patron saint of Catalunya. In the year 1500, San Ignacio de Loyola arrived as a pilgrim. The library has over 300,000 books. We have a choir school. There is a museum with paintings by artists such as El Greco, Picasso and Dalí. There are even treasures from ancient Egypt, amongst which one of the most outstanding treasures is a mummy. Montserrat lost most of its heritage during the Napoleonic Wars. However, since the Monastery was restored in 1844, the Museum has formed a valuable collection of artistic works. Private donations, from the artists themselves, and the sensitivity of the monks have made this possible. The Museum is divided into different sections organised in an instructive way. There are 13th century documents that prove that a choir school already existed in Montserrat. It was a religious and musical institution, made up by choir boys.
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Barcelona: Girona Full Day Excursion
Drive along the highway to visit this important medieval city, with the Call Jewish quarter, the Bonastruc ça Porta jewish center, located in the emblematic building that housed the last synagogue of Girona, it is currently the home of the Museum of the History of the Jews and the Nahmanides Institute for Jewish studies. The Arab baths, the gothic Cathedral and the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants.
7 hours tour
Morning tour
No wheelchair
Light physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals or other services not specified.
The so-called "City of the Four Rivers", shows us a historic centre dominated by medieval buildings and reminders of Romans, Arabs and Jews. Inside the walled enclosure of "La Força Vella" you can find the culiminating works of its historical destiny. One of the rivers, the Onyar, divides the historic centre from the modern city.
The old centre of this Catalan city preserves remains of its long history, from the time it was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B. C. To them we owe its original wall, whose remains stretch from the Archaeological Walk to the Wall Gardens.
Set in this walled enclosure (La Força Vella), stands the Cathedral. Its Romanesque origin is shown in its fortress-like appearance and strategic location, although the most outstanding aspect is an immense Gothic nave, the widest in Medieval European architecture. Inside, it preserves one of the textile jewels of Catalan Romanesque, the Creation Tapestry.
Girona has other key pieces of religious architecture, like the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants. The convent of Sant Doménech, built in Gothic style and a clear example of the importance of the religious orders in the colonisation and repopulation of Catalonia during the Middle Ages, stands amid gardens.
Also to this historical period belong important displays of Arab and Jewish art, the result of these cultures living side-by-side with Christianity for centuries. So, you will discover the multitude of small streets making up El Call, the Jewish quarter of Girona. Calle Força is the heart of this district, which had a synagogue and centres of cabbalistic study. The Call is currently one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Spain.
In the 12th century, Jews moved to a lower part of the city. In 1160 they were already inhabiting the Call, the name given to Jewish quarters in Catalonia. It is a name coming from Latin callis (street), which would become carrer in Catalan and calle in Spanish. In medieval times, call meant a "group of narrow streets". These paved, narrow and labirynth streets constituted the urban space where most of the Jewish population in Girona settled in the 13th and 14th centuries. The community's main body was formed by tradesmen and craftsmen: tailors, shoemakers, weavers, barbers, furriers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and silversmiths opened their workshops in the Call´s narrow streets. Others devoted their time to medicine and astrology, while those who had the means became money-lenders. In Girona there is The Bonastruc ça Porta Centre, located in the emblematic building that housed the last synagogue of Girona, is currently the home of the Museum of the History of the Jews and the Nahmanides Institute for Jewish studies.
Not far from here, a Capuchin convent houses the Arab Baths, where we should point out a pavilion built on eight fine columns and crowned by an octagonal cupola.
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Barcelona: Girona, Figueres & Dali Theater-Musem Full Day Excursion
Drive along the highway to Girona to visit this important medieval city, with the old Call Jewish quarter, the Bonastruc ça Porta jewish center, the arab baths & the gothic cathedral. Afterwards to Figueres to visit the Dali fascinating surrealist theater-museum, a monument to the artist´s fervid imagination.
9 hours tour
Morning tour
No wheelchair
Moderate physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals or other services not specified
Set in this walled enclosure (La Força Vella), stands the Cathedral. Its Romanesque origin is shown in its fortress-like appearance and strategic location, although the most outstanding aspect is an immense Gothic nave, the widest in Medieval European architecture. Inside, it preserves one of the textile jewels of Catalan Romanesque, the Creation Tapestry.
Also to this historical period belong important displays of Arab and Jewish art, the result of these cultures living side-by-side with Christianity for centuries. So, you will discover the multitude of small streets making up El Call, the Jewish quarter of Girona. Calle Força is the heart of this district, which had a synagogue and centres of cabbalistic study. The Call is currently one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Spain.
Not far from here, a Capuchin convent houses the Arab Baths, where we should point out a pavilion built on eight fine columns and crowned by an octagonal cupola.
Figueres, county capital of Alt Empordà, extends over a river plain situated inland in the province of Girona. Known as the home of Salvador Dalí, this town with deep Catalan roots offers visitors the chance to go to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, dedicated to the genius of surrealist painting.
The Dalí Theatre-Museum is without doubt, however, one of the historical milestones that has left the greatest mark on the character of the town was the birth of Salvador Dalí. Situated in the old municipal theatre, has become one of the main cultural places to see in the city. Designed by the artist himself, it holds an important exhibition, which, through numerous works, allows you to take a trip through the career of the main considered a master of Surrealism. The site was extended with the Torre Galatea, where the artistic genius died.
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Barcelona: Gaudi & Domenech Masterpieces Half Day City Tour
Visit the Sagrada Familia magnificent church inside (The Temple of the Holy Family) Gaudi´s unfinished masterpiece, the Modernist Sant Pau Complex by Lluís Domènech.
3 hours tour
Morning or afternoon tour
No wheelchair
Moderate physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals or other services not specified
The urban development of the central area of Barcelona was defined, towards the end of the 19th century, by the Eixample (urban expansion). An extensive grid, with large avenues and chamfered corners, joined the irregular layouts of old districts and outlying towns to the surrounding hills. The emerging Catalonian bourgeoisie chose this place to build its mansions and palaces, following the most daring principles of Modernism.
The Sagrada Familia great expiatory temple: in 1883 the brilliant Gaudí agreed to direct this work, succeeding Francisco de Paula. The artist worked on it until his death. Work to complete this great church still continues today. The first architect to work on this project planned a Neogothic building. However, following his death, Gaudí took over, respecting the original layout of the work, but soon leaving the mark of his personality and way of doing things. He finished only the chapel of San José, the crypt and the door of El Nacimiento. The façades and the entire exterior show extensive decorative elements in bright colours. La Pasión entrance has a cryptogram there.
The Modernist Sant Pau Complex was built between 1905 and 1930 and designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a garden city for nursing the sick. After being used as a public hospital for a century, its newly refurbished pavilions shine again in all their splendour. A visit to this exceptional architectural ensemble is a unique experience. This is Europe’s foremost art-nouveau complex and an icon among Barcelona’s dazzling array of landmarks which embodies the city’s innovative spirit. It was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997 and now its architectural and artistic values have been brought to a wider audience with the new use of its pavilions.
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Barcelona: Tour of the Gaudi Houses
A walking tour in the city center to visit inside the Gaudi houses, Casa Milá La Pedrera, a beautiful and charming monument of great fantasy with its famous roof-top chimneys resembling medieval knights and the incredible Casa Batlló, an architectural gem with a mosaic façade and a tiled roof. From outside the art nouveau buildings, Amatller with ornamentation of polychrome tiles and the Lleo Morera in floral style and the Modernist museum inside (closed on Mondays).
3 hours tour
Morning or afternoon tour
No wheelchair
Light physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals, Taxis or other services not specified
The urban development of the central area of Barcelona was defined, towards the end of the 19th century, by the Eixample (urban expansion). An extensive grid, with large avenues and chamfered corners, joined the irregular layouts of old districts and outlying towns to the surrounding hills. The emerging Catalonian bourgeoisie chose this place to build its mansions and palaces, following the most daring principles of Modernism. Works by Gaudí, such Casa Milà “La Pedrera”, Casa Batlló and the temple of the Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family); Casa Amatller of Josep Puig i Cadalfach and Casa Lleó-Morera of Lluís Domènech I Montaner are just a few of the many modernist gems treasured by the city.
Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for “The Quarry”), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. It was built for Roger Segimon de Milà. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudí”. The building does not have any straight lines. Most people consider it magnificent and overwhelming; some say it is like waves of lava or a sand-dune. This building seems to break our understanding of conventional architecture. The most astonishing part is the roof with an almost lunar appearance and dreamlike landscape.
Casa Batlló building looks very remarkable, like everything Gaudi designed, only identifiable as Modernisme or Art Nouveau in the broadest sense. The ground floor, in particular, is rather astonishing with tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work. It seems that the goal of the designer was to avoid straight lines completely. Much of the façade is decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles (trencadís) that starts in shades of golden orange moving into greenish blues. The roof is arched and was likened to the back of a dragon or dinosaur.
The Museu de Modernisme Català is housed in a centrally located modernista building designed by the architect Enric Sagnier.n The top floor of the MMCat showcases the furniture and decorative arts and has a room dedicated to Antoni Gaudi. The ground floor displays paintings, sculptures and stained glass.
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Barcelona: Gaudi’s Barcelona – 4 hours
An architectural delight awaits you today in Barcelona. Receive a warm greeting at the port from your private guide and driver and commence your half-day tour with a visit to Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece; the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be completed until 2028!
Continue on to Parc Guell, a beautiful municipal garden with a superb panoramic view over the city; the focal point is a colourful sea-serpent-shaped central terrace. Visit the gatehouse where Gaudi lived during his later years which is now a museum dedicated to him. Transfer back to the port at the end of your tour.
Highlights:
- Visit the impressive, but still unfinished Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of the Catalan architect
- Wander through Parc Guell, the UNESCO World Heritage Site considered Gaudi's most colourful creation
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Parc Guell is not recommended for people with mobility issues and is inaccessible for wheelchair users. Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local driver and guide for 4 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
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Barcelona: Art and Architecture in Barcelona – 8 hours
An architectural delight awaits you today in Barcelona, one of the most exciting cities in Europe! Receive a warm greeting at the port by your private guide and driver and commence your full-day tour with a visit to Gaudi's masterpiece, the impressive, but unfinished Sagrada Familia. Although work started on this project in 1882, this iconic church is not expected to be complete until 2028!
Next, visit Parc Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi's most colourful creations. Continue along Passeig de Gracia, to view Gaudi's Casa Batlló and Casa Mila from the outside, with its brilliant wave-like façade.
After lunch, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the true heart of the city - the medieval Gothic Quarter. Here you will visit the magnificent 13th-century Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum, where some of the painter's earliest works are housed. At the end of your tour you are transferred back to the port.
Highlights:
- Walk the labyrinthine alleys of the medieval Gothic Quarter to find architectural gems like the Church of Santa Maria del Mar
- Admire the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, where some of the artist's earliest works are housed
Tour Duration: 8 Hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
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11/14/2024 |
11/14/2024 |
Palma de Mallorca
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Palma De Mallorca: Historic Half Day City Tour
The city tour will start with a visit to the Bellver Castle, located on the top of a hill which offers a magnificent view over the city and the bay. The castle is unique since it is the only circular shaped Gothic construction. The visit will continue to the gothic Cathedral and the old Jewish quarter. Next to it we can see from outside the Almudaina Palace, a monument which was converted from and Arab fortress into the residence of the Kings of Mallorca.
4 hour tour
Morning or afternoon tour
No wheelchair
Light physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour; Entrance Fees
Not Included: Any meals or other services not specified
The present city of Palma was coveted, since times immemorial, by Romans, Arabs and Berber pirates. It was Catalan monarch Jaume I who put an end to Muslim rule in this Mediterranean island in the 13th century and the ruler responsible for the most important buildings in Palma.
Behind the eighteenth-century walls that kept pirates and privateers away, the historic quarter is concealed, within a bay that shares its name with the city. Old churches, palaces and stately mansions speak of a prosperous past.
The cathedral of Palma (Sa Seu) enjoys a spectacular location, on the shore of the bay and fishing port. This elegant Gothic temple is quite harmonious, in spite of its huge size. The cathedral, with its very high vaults, was ordered by King Jaume I, who had it built on top of the old mosque of the Medina of Mayurqa. However, the features that attracts the most attention are a great rose window and a unique wrought iron baldachin, by Catalan master Antonio Gaudí.
Across from Sa Seu is the Palace of L'Almudaina. A former Arab palace and later residence of the Majorcan monarchs, the building is presently a museum. The fact that it resembles an Arab fortress contrasts with the ornate flamboyant Gothic Chapel of Santa Ana, located inside.
Sa Llotja (the fish market) is located in the nearby Passeig Sagrera. This ancient exchange, which is presently an exhibition hall, is one of the best examples of civil Gothic architecture in Spain. Its spiral columns and orgive vaults do not cease to surprise, for a non-religious building. Next to the Exchange is the Consolat de Mar (The Sea Consulate), whose Renaissance arches house the Autonomous Government.
Our journey can continue through Passeig des Born. It is one of the main arteries of the city, dividing the monumental historic quarter from the fishing, popular districts of Sant Joan and Puig de Sant Pere.
Further down you will find Plaça Major, a square with great modernist influence. From this point on, the great avenues and boulevards that make up the new suburbs of Palma de Majorca unfold: the modern city.
Another way is to walk through the old Jewish quarter and the district of Sa Calatrava. Along this journey you will see the Gothic temple of Sant Francesc and, at the heart of "Call" (the Jewish quarter).
Two kilometers away from Palma's city center is the Castle of Bellver. The castle is located on top of the wooded hill that dominates the bay. Its unusual, circular floor plan and the delicate arches inside lend it an ornamental, rather that defensive, appearance. The precinct is the current home of the Municipal Museum of History.
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11/15/2024 |
11/15/2024 |
Provence (Marseille)
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Marseille Shore Excursion - Marseille - 8 hours
Marseille is, first of all, ancient. Started by the Phoenician around 600-BC (ignoring of course the Ligurians who already lived here), taken over by the Greeks in 540 BC, and conquered by the Romans two thousand years ago,
HIGHLIGHTS
- OLD HARBOR - Vieux Panier
- MUCEM Museum
- Sightseeing tour along the Corniche Road up to the Notre Dame de La Garde Cathedral.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Package Include
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed guide
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Do not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
May 1st - due to French law, cost double
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Marseille Shore Excrusion - Alpilles - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of the Alpilles
Depart for the Alpilles, this chain of limestone hills runs east-west, and is where bauxite was first discovered (named after the village of Baux-de-Provence). The Alpilles are an extension of the Luberon Mountains, which stretch out to the east
HIGHLIGHTS
Situated in the heart of the Alpilles, Saint Rémy is one of the "must-sees" in Provence. Surrounded by lush green perfumed valleys, its ancient streets are lined with beautifully restored old houses...
Your journey will then continue with a visit of Les Baux de Provence. This village is situated in the heart of the Alpilles on a rocky plateau 245m high. Brilliant views of Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles can be seen from the look-out points!
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- Entrance fee to Baux de Provence Castel
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
- All day, all year - except during French Bank holidays - rate on request for those dates
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Marseille Shore Excursion - Chateauneuf du Pape - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide at the main exit of your ship and. Depart for a full day visit and wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape wine area,
Lunch at leisure, your guide will suggest you the best place to have lunch depending on your taste and requirements.
During your journey you’ll stop for a visit and wine tasting at two wine estates.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- 2 private wine tasting
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
- all day, all year - except during French Bank holidays - rate on request for those dates
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Marseille - Shore Excursion - Green Provence Tour - 8 hours -
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of the Green Provence
HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy a visit and wine tasting at Le Clos du Pavillon estate.
At this 7ha estate, 4ha of which are used to produce the grapes, a great respect for nature rules the estate. A place is like no other, where the tradition has remained since the 16th century. Production is not mechanized and everything is done manually from the budding to the harvest. This respect and love for wine make fruit flavored wines with its own
- Enjoy lunch at Abbaye de la Celle. (To be paid on site)
A charming restaurant in the heart of in the wine country, located in the shadow of a 12th century royal Abbey, which hosted the good and the great of this world...
- After lunch, enjoy a wine tasting at Chateau Margui.
A new gem in the Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC, that has produced wine for centuries, Margüi fell into oblivion in 1970. Coming back to life in year 2000, it quickly expressed its impetuous personality: 2003, Château Margüi's first vintage, turned out to be very successful.
- End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- 2 private wine tasting
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
- All day, all year - except during French Bank holidays - rate on request for those dates
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Marseille - Shore excursion Aix en Provence - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide at the main exit of your ship and depart for Aix en Provence.
Aix is surrounded by countryside full of authentic Provencal houses and traditional French style gardens. The name Aix comes from the source discovered when the city was founded in 123b.c. by the Romans. Aix was the capitol of Provence in the 15th century, wealthy merchants and local dignitaries helped turn this city into the Florence of Provence as we know it today. One can find all the beauty of the noble Provence of the17th and 18th centuries that include handsome houses and private mansions of the upper class, city squares’ bursting with flowers, ancient fountains and shaded narrow streets.
Discerning shoppers might instead choose the elegant boutiques in the quartier Mazarin, richest and most exclusive quarter of what is a considerably wealthy town.
Lunch is at your leisure; your guide will suggest the best place to have lunch depending on your taste and requirements.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package Include
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- Entrance fee to Cézanne workshop
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
All day, all year - except during French Bank holidays - rate on request for those dates
|
11/16/2024 |
11/16/2024 |
Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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VilleFranche- Shore Excursion - Discovery of Saint-Paul de Vence, Haut de Cagnes & Gourdon - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Saint Paul de vence, Haut de Cagnes & Gourdon.
HIGH LIGHTS
- Saint Paul de Vence, built on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by its ramparts built on the order of Francois 1st, St Paul is certainly one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.
- Then enjoy a visit of Haut de Cagnes, a medieval quarter full of tiny streets, stairs, little restaurants and old houses that gradually descend down and blend with the modern lower city.
- Gourdon clings to the summit of a breathtakingly steep cliff at a height of 760 m and offers an unobstructed view of the Gorges du Loup and the Mediterranean. Clustered behind an imposing castle surrounded by gardens that were designed by Le Nôtre, the old houses have been well preserved and restored in this lively village where craftspeople are a driving force.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
- All day, all year - except for French Bank Holidays, contact us for those dates
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VilleFranche - Shore Excursion - Discovery of Nice, Eze & Monaco - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Nice, Eze & Monaco.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nice, the fifth largest city in France, acts as a magnet attracting people from all over the world, for a multitude of reasons. Elegant and simple, Nice's charm comes from its exceptional climate as well as its beauty. Even in the winter the café terraces are filled with people happily drinking and contemplating the ultra-famous Promenade des Anglais. Always in flower this wonderful walk follows along the bay, looking out onto the Baie des Anges and the beaches on one side, and on the other such luxury hotels as the Negresco.
- From Nice, take the Corniche road to Eze, a medieval village perched like an eagles nest on a narrow rocky peak overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
- Monaco, one of those magic glamorous places that have a worldwide reputation, is situated on the French Riviera between Cap d'Ail and Menton, just a few kilometers from the Italian Riviera
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates
- All day, all year - except for French Bank Holidays, contact us for those dates
|
11/17/2024 |
11/17/2024 |
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Civitavecchia: Imperial Rome & The Vatican City - 8 hours
Your driver will meet you at Civitavecchia today to transfer into Rome where you will be met by your expert local guide.
Begin your tour with a visit to the imposing Colosseum. Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian, the stadium could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators who came to view the gladiatorial battles that lasted up to 100 days! Adjacent is the Arc of Constantine which, dating from AD 315, is a forerunner to many other Triumphal Arches around the world. Possibly even more impressive are the excavations of the vast Roman Forum where the remains of temples, streetscapes, palaces and homes can be found.
After lunch, travel across the Tiber River to the Vatican City. Visit the Vatican Museums, part of the Papal Residence which is estimated to contain 1400 rooms, chapels and galleries. The Museums contain an extraordinarily rich collection of precious arts, maps, sculptures and antiquities but surely the most breath-taking masterpiece is Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. At the centre of the Vatican lies the vast Basilica of St. Paul, the world’s largest church where the colourfully dressed Swiss Guard can be found. The present Cathedral is a beautiful mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, formed under the hands of masters such as Michelangelo. The stunning interior is an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaic, gilt and bronze.
Your tour includes express entry to the Vatican Museums, past the regular lines. The Vatican requires visitors to cover upper arms and legs to below the knee.
Highlights:
- Tour some of Rome's most iconic sites including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum
- Explore the impressive museum collections in the Vatican City and the breath-taking masterpiece that is Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
- Spend time in the Basilica of St. Paul, the largest church in the world
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide in Rome (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to Colosseum, Imperial Forum and Vatican Museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
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Civitavecchia: Rome for Repeat Visitors - 8 hours
A tour designed for those who have visited Rome before, but would like to discover more of this fascinating city. Your driver will meet you at the port and bring you into Rome where your expert guide will be waiting for you.
Take a journey back in time at the church of San Clemente as you descend down three levels and through two thousand years of history. The medieval church was built over the remains of a 4th-century basilica which, in its turn, covers older buildings from the time of the emperor Nero and a sanctuary dedicated to the oriental divinity Mithras.
In the afternoon discover how Rome evolved through the 18th-century and visit the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a majestic royal residence of one of Rome’s most illustrious families. Believed to be the largest privately owned Palace in Rome, the Doria Pamphilj’s vast private art collection is still held here.
Your guide will also be delighted to make additional suggestions for your tour depending on your own personal interests. Alternatively, you may like to revisit some of your favourite places from your previous visit to Rome.
Highlights:
- Visit the church of San Clemente and discover its fascinating history
- Explore the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a majestic royal residence of one of Rome’s most illustrious families, which houses a vast private art collection
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide in Rome (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to San Clemente and Doria Pamphilij
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
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Civitavecchia: Gastronomic Rome and Time at Leisure - 8 hours
Travel with your driver to Rome this morning to meet a food expert for a gastronomic walking tour of the Trastevere District, so called because it lies across the River Tiber. Trastevere was once the bohemian quarter of Rome and still retains its arty edge today. Explore the bustling market and ancient maze of streets whilst discovering the essence of Italy’s best loved food with tastings of gelato, Sicilian pastries, Jewish delicacies, meats and wine.
The remainder of the day can be spent as you wish, your vehicle and driver will remain at your disposal in Rome before returning you to Civitavecchia.
Highlights:
- Uncover Rome's bohemian quarter, along with tastings of Italy's best loved delicacies
- Car and driver at your disposal to discover Rome
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert local guide (3 hours)
- Entrance fees
- All taxes
- Food and wine tastings
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Civitavecchia: Museums of Rome - Capitoline and Borghese - 8 hours
Your driver will meet you at the port and bring you into Rome where your expert guide will meet you. Begin your tour on Capitoline Hill and visit one of the oldest museum complexes in the world; the Capitoline Museums, originally founded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471. Capitoline Hill has been a seat of religious or political power throughout the centuries, making it the most important of the “seven hills” of Rome. It was here that the most important temple in town, dedicated to Jupiter, the king of the gods, was built. See the ruins of the Temple of Jupiter and marvel at the magnificent bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius at Campidoglio Square.
Afterwards, explore the museums, extended over two buildings; the Palazzo dei Conservatori, where you can view splendid frescoes portraying the history of Rome and the Pinacoteca (Picture gallery), and Palazzo Nuovo, where you can admire the wonderful sculptures. Finally visit the ancient Tabularium whose monumental arches overlook the Forum.
Continue up along the Via Veneto to the elegant Villa Borghese, accompanied by your local expert guide and private vehicle. Surrounded by a leafy parkland, the villa was originally designed as a palace of pleasure and entertainment to house Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s incredible collection of antiquities, paintings and custom pieces. Today the collections of sculpture and paintings are among the most important in Italy. Admire the stunning Caravaggio canvases, Titian's enigmatic ‘Sacred and Profane Love’ and the striking sculptures by Bernini and Canova during this fabulous visit. Return to Civitavecchia from here.
Highlights:
- Travel out to Capitoline Hill and visit one of the oldest museum complexes in the world
- Visit Villa Borghese, home to a collection of sculptures and paintings that are among the most important in Italy
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide in Rome (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Capitoline Museums and Villa Borghese
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
|
11/18/2024 |
11/18/2024 |
Sorrento
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Sorrento: The Ancient City of Pompeii - 6 Hours
Travel outside along the coast today with your driver to the ancient site of Pompeii where your expert local guide will meet you to explore this most famous of places. The extensive and varied ruins of Pompeii now provide us with a rich history of life at the time of the Roman Empire. There are theatres, thermal baths, shops and lavish dwellings, many of which have been incredibly well preserved. After your visit you will have time at leisure for lunch before returning to your cruise ship in Sorrento.
Highlights:
- Visit the incredibly preserved Roman city of Pompeii
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide at the Pompeii site (3 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Pompeii site
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Sorrento: The Iconic Amalfi Coast - 6 Hours
Today meet your English-speaking driver-guide and private vehicle for a half-day excursion along the stunning Amalfi Coast taking in the villages of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. The Amalfi drive is the most romantic drive in Italy, following the road snaking along the edge of the rocky cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. Amalfi is the coast's largest town and home to the magnificent 10th-century Duomo fronted by a beautifully coloured 13th-century facade. Also be sure to admire the amazing views from Ravello’s Villa Ruffolo.
Highlights:
- Drive along the magnificent Amalfi Coast, stopping at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour (6 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Villa Ruffolo
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Sorrento: Capri Exploration by Private Motorboat – 8 hours
Explore the island of Capri in style today as you take a cruise in your skippered private motorboat. As you circle the Island of Capri you will be able to stop at Marina Piccola, a delightfully picturesque inlet that provides the Caprisi and other sun worshippers with their best beach – it is also safe for swimming. The entire cove is romantically lined with stabilimenti – elegant bathing lidos.
We suggest lunch at Al Gallo D’Oro (payable locally), which serves an excellent selection of local fare.
Travelling west, pass the beach of Marina Grande and of Bagni di Tiberio. Continue to the next stretch of coastline which consists of the high calcareous cliff with fissures and grottoes covered by lush, indigenous vegetation.
Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or perhaps a lazy swim from the boat before cruising back to Sorrento.
Highlights:
- Private skippered motorboat to explore the beautiful island of Capri, including Marina Piccola and Marina Grande.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- 34-foot (1-4 pax) or 43-foot (5-6 pax) private motorboat with English-speaking skipper (8 hours)
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
|
11/19/2024 |
11/19/2024 |
|
Siracusa
|
11/20/2024 |
11/20/2024 |
|
At Sea
|
11/21/2024 |
11/21/2024 |
|
Kavala
|
11/22/2024 |
11/22/2024 |
Istanbul
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Istanbul: Highlights - 7 hours
An English speaking officially licenced lecturer/guide will meet the guests at the exit of the Istanbul cruise pier at 08:30 am, with a sign reading their names, for a private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.
The private tour program will start with the Roman Hippodrome that was a colossal stadium housing horse races around which the socio-political life of the Roman capital was centered. In its great days, it was 1575 feet long, 384 feet wide and held 100,000 spectators. It was the site of chariot racing, gladiator fights, circuses, inaugurations and triumphal parades.
The tour will continue with a visit to the Blue Mosque- the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman Architecture, famous for its unique hand made original Iznik Tiles impressing the guests with their rich dominant blue colors and oriental patterns. They have become collectors’ items today, auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.
Next visit will be to the Topkapi Palace and its Imperial Treasury Section that was the center of Ottoman Empire’s Government Seat ruling most of the Middle East and the Eastern Europe from this palace for 500 years.
Lunch will be served at a recommended local/select restaurants close to the sites.
In the afternoon, visit the World famous Hagia Sophia (The Church of Divine Wisdom), one of the extraordinary masterpieces in the history of World architecture. When a previous church on this site was burned during the Nikka Revolt in 532, Justinian ordered his architect, Isidorus, to build a structure worthy of his empire. Hagia Sophia was completed in only five years and was dedicated on Christmas Day of 537. The building inspired countless generations by its innovations in weight support and construction techniques and what a dome it was: the popular belief was that ‘the dome was suspended from Heaven by an invisible golden chain’. In reality it was work of men, but a worldly simulator of the Heavens
Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, more dazzling than any other oriental bazaar, built in 1461 and in service ever since. It contains 3,500 shops employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable in the world is for sale here, glittering gold and silver jewelry, antique tiles, leather, and souvenirs. Just seeing and experiencing this fascinating bazaar is a memorable experience.
At the end of today’s private tour, the guests will be transferred back to the cruise pier.
- Closed weekly days for sites/museums:
- St. Sophia is closed on Mondays
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and official holidays.
Highlights:
- Great introduction to Istanbul's history and culture
- The tour covers the main highlights of the city
Tour Duration : 7 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Partial
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a chauffeur driven a/c private vehicle, licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
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Istanbul: Jewish Heritage Tour - 7 hours
An English speaking officially licenced lecturer/guide will meet the guests at the exit of the Istanbul cruise pier at 09:00 am, with a sign reading their names, for a private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.
First visit of the day is to the Galata Tower which was built in 1303 by immigrants from Genoa, Italy. While sipping your Turkish coffee there, you will be amazed at the spectacular view of the Golden Horn and the old buildings located on its shores depicting how Istanbul looked hundreds years ago.
The private tour will continue with a visit to the Neve Shalom and the oldest Synagogue in Istanbul- the Ahrida Synagogue, built around 1470 by Jewish immigrants from Macedonia.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant close to the sites.
The guests will be then taken to the Jewish Museum of Turkey. There is evidence that this building as a former synagogue existed in 1671. However the actual building was re-erected over its original foundations presumably in the early 19th Century. Zulfaris Synagogue has opened its doors as the Jewish museum in 2001. Continue to visit the Balat section, where the Star of David appears.
At the end of the day,a private lecturer/guide will take the guests back to the cruise pier.
Closed weekly days for sites/museums:
• Synagogues are closed on Saturdays and Sunday
* Neve Shalon Synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum) is closed on Saturdays.
* Please forward us a copy of your guests’ passport page with the photo, as required by the Chief Rabbi of Istanbul, to obtain His official approval for the synagogue visits in Turkey.
Added Value:
*Great introduction to Istanbul's Jewish history and culture
*The tour covers the main highlights of the Jewish Heritage in Istanbul
Tour Duration : 7 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Partial
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a cheaffeur driven a/c private vehicle, a licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
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Istanbul: Private Art Collections - 7 hours
An English speaking private lecturer/guide will meet you at at the Istanbul cruise pier at 9 am for departure by chauffeur driven a/c deluxe minivan, to start your private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.
Today’s private tour will start with a visit to the Istanbul Modern Museum of Art, situated at the shores of the Bosphorus. Istanbul Modern Museum of Art exhibits Turkey’s art heritage, and creates a platform for Turkish peoples’ creativity, dynamism, cultural identity and universal values.
A drive along the scenic Bosphorus Avenue will take you to the Family Villa of the Sabanci’s, the Internationally successful Turkish industrialist, now housing Mr. Sabanci’s lifetime collection of rare art pieces and celebrated paintings by Int’l and local masters, displayed in his former Family Home, recently donated to his Foundation as a Private Museum.
Lunch will be served at a local seafood restaurant by the shores of the Bosphorus (at your own discretion and cost).
After lunch, you will visit Private Museum of Lady Sadberk, donated to the nation by art-loving wife of Vehbi Koc, another leading industrialist. The beautiful, late-Ottoman wooden mansion contains a fabulous collection of Turkish arts and crafts, including jewelry, silverware, and Iznik ceramics of the classic period.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel/cruise pier by 4 pm.
Closed weekly days for sites/museums:
• Istanbul Modern Museum is closed on Mondays.
• Sabanci: Museum is closed on Mondays.
• Lady Sadberk Han Museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Added Value:
*Great introduction to Istanbul's art culture
*The tour covers the main highlights of art in the city
Tour Duration : 7 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Partial
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a chaeffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
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Istanbul: Private Yacht Cruise along the Bosphorus - 7 hours
An English speaking officially licensed lecturer/guide will meet the guests at the Istanbul cruise pier at 09:00 am for a private sightseeing tour of Istanbul.
Today’s tour will start with a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace- the largest and the finest example of Ottoman Baroque Architecture, a monument to the Ottomans’ westernization process in the 19th century. The Ottoman response to the overwhelming changes in the post-renaissance world was rapid westernization, initiated in the imperial lifestyle at first that gave way to the creation of a series of baroque-style European-fashion palaces on the shores of the Bosphorus.
You will then board a private boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus against the majestic skyline of Istanbul. Your private boat will cruise along the romantic Bosphorus visiting both the Europe Side and the Asia Side of Istanbul by the shores of local fishing villages, en route when it is possible to take memorable photos of the fascinating environments including the 15th century Rumelihisar? Fortress, the Summer Palaces of Lady Ottoman Sultans, and the historical Wooden Houses (Yalis) of famous Turkish families. The cruise ends on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Lunch will be served at a local seafood restaurants in Kanlica Village by the Bosphorus.
After lunch, you will proceed to the top of the Grand Camlica Hill, where you will enjoy the panoramic view of the European side of Istanbul.
Your private tour will continue with a visit to the Beylerbeyi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans in late 19th and early 20th century.
After this visit, a scenic drive on the Asian shores of the Bosphorus will take you to the Kanlica Village where you will have a taste of the famous “local yogurt” and “apple tea” in a local café by the Bosphorus.
At the end of the day, the lecturer/guide will take the guests back to the hotel/cruise ship by 4 pm.
Closed weekly days for sites/museums:
• Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
Added Value:
*Great introduction to Istanbul's history and culture
Tour Duration : 7 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a chauffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
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Istanbul: The 16th Century Masterpieces of Sinan the Architect - 7 hours
Your English speaking private guide will meet you at the Istanbul cruise pier at 9 am for a private full day sightseeing tour of Sinan the architect’s Istanbul buildings.
The private tour will start with a visit to Rustem Pasha Mosque. It was designed by famous “Sinan the Architect” for Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha. Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles, set in beautiful floral and geometric designs, which cover not only the facade of the porch but also the walls and columns.
Continue to Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, which is the most important of all the imperial mosques in Istanbul. Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife are both buried here and the mosque is considered the most beautiful of the city’s Imperial mosques. It was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, and is erected on the crest of a hill. The mosque is conspicuous by its great size, and has four minarets – one in each corner of the courtyard. The interior is also spectacular; the mihrab (prayer niche facing Mecca) and the mimber (pulpit) are finely carved in white marble, and there are magnificent stained glass windows.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant close to the sights (at your own discretion and cost).
In the afternoon, you will visit the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque located in the Edirnekapi neighborhood near the Byzantine city walls. Located on the peak of the Sixth Hill near the highest point of the city, the mosque is a prominent landmark in Istanbul. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque was designed by "Sinan the Architect" for the favorite daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Mihrimah.
Last visit of the day will be to the Sehzade Mosque which was commissioned by Sultan Suleiman in memory of his eldest son by Hürrem, Prince Mehmet, who died the age of 21. It was the first major commission by the Imperial Architect Sinan and was completed in 1548. It is considered by architectural historians as Sinan's first masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel/cruise ship by 4 pm.
Added Value:
*Great introduction to Sinan the Architect's masterpieces
*The tour covers the masterpieces of Sinan the Architect in Istanbul
Tour Duration : 7 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Partial
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a chauffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
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Istanbul: Edirne Highlights - 11 hours
An English speaking private lecturer/guide will meet you at Istanbul cruise pier at 8 am and you will be driven to Edirne (approx. 3 hours), known formerly as Adrianople and was the second capital of the Ottoman Empire. Edirne is situated in Thrace, in westernmost Turkey on the border of Greece and is known for the Selimiye Mosque, built in the 16th century by the famous architect Sinan. The mosque's main structure comprises 18 small domes dominated by a huge central dome on 8 columns with 3 balconied minarets on 4 sides.
The tour will include visits to Selimiye & Complex (Vakiflar), Turkish - Islamic Works Museum The works are exhibited in the room numbered 14 in Dar - ül Tedris Madrasa in the courtyard of Selimiye Mosque with the Archaeological and Ethnographical Museums, In the hand works part, there is a village kitchen, Carpet, Kilim and Rush Mat weaving looms are located and other incredible mosques such as the Yildirim Mosque, Uc Serefeli Mosque and the Beyazit II Mosque.
Lunch will be served at local restaurant close to the sights, at your own cost.
There are also impressive caravanserais such as the Rustem Pasha and the lively restored Arasta and Bedesten bazaars. You may also see some beautiful Ottoman bridges in Edirne and around the area, such as Uzunkopru, which was also built by the architect Sinan. In the evening You will be transferred back to your cruise ship around 7 pm.
Added Value:
*Great introduction to the former Ottoman capital city of Edirne
*The tour covers the main highlights of the city
Tour Duration : 10-11 hours
Tour can operate: Starting mornings
Wheelchair Accessible: Partial
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Included: Transportation by a cheaffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums
Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses
|
11/23/2024 |
11/24/2024 |
