Athens (Piraeus)
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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Piraeus: The Ancient City of Athens - 8 Hours
Dominated by the remarkable Parthenon, which has stood for over 2,000 years, Athens is a city of major architectural and archaeological treasures. At Piraeus Port you will receive a warm welcome from your guide and driver who provides a captivating insight into the city’s history and culture during your full day tour.
For most, the highlight of a visit to Athens is the world famous Acropolis and the Parthenon. Dedicated to the Goddess Athena, it is one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world. This afternoon, delight in the mesmerising display of eclectic Greek and Oriental art at the Benaki Museum. Complete your day with a drive past the Panethenaic Stadium, the pure marble masterpiece that served as the original site for the modern Olympics. At the end of the tour you are privately transferred back to your cruise ship.
Highlights:
- Ascend the Acropolis to the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world
- Tour the Benaki Museum
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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Piraeus: Cape Sounion - 5 hours
Meet your guide as you disembark your cruise ship in Piraeus and venture along the scenic coast to Cape Sounion where you visit the ancient ruined Temple of Poseidon. This temple is believed to date from the 5th century BC and was built to honour Poseidon, who ranked second only to Athena herself in terms of power. The Temple enjoys an impressive position, high on the cliffs, and has, over the centuries, been marked by many travellers’ carved signatures, including that of Lord Byron. After touring the site, you return to your cruise ship in Piraeus.
Highlights:
- Venture along the coast to Cape Sounion to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon
Tour Duration: 5 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 A&K local guide (5 hours)
• Entrance fees
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
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07/24/2024 |
07/24/2024 |
Bozcaada (Tenedos)
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07/25/2024 |
07/25/2024 |
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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Istanbull: 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
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07/26/2024 |
07/27/2024 |
At Sea
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07/28/2024 |
07/28/2024 |
Messina, Sicily
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07/29/2024 |
07/29/2024 |
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 - Picturesque Positano - 8 hours
Cruise along the Amalfi Drive with your local guide, a proud Campanian, for a trip to the 'vertical village' of Positano. Explore this jumble of colorful cottages clinging to the cliff and revel in its panoramic views...
Today's journey takes you on a short, but stunning trip along one of the world's prettiest coastlines - the Amalfi Drive. The roads and the tunnels represent a feat of engineering that links remote seaside villages once only accessible by boat; leave the winding roads to your guide and focus your attention on the craggy cliffs, lush forests and glittering sea. As you make your way to Positano, get all the insider insight on the local history, the colorful Amalfitani and the most photographed fishing village in Italy. Nothing can really prepare you for the sight of this seaside resort climbing a cliff beside the azure Tyrrhenian Sea; famed American writer Steinbeck said it best when he said "Positano bites deep." Its dizzying heights, hairpin curves, relentless sun and miles of uneven stairs heighten the senses and make every experience more intense. Enjoy a day of leisure exploring the town: wander through its quaint stairways and alleys, indulge in fresh-off-the-hook seafood and delicacies alla Amalfitana, browse the shops and delicatessens and linger over the view before returning to Sorrento Port.
(Tour duration: 8 hours)
Highlights:
- Meet your local expert drivet portside and begin a day exploring the coastline.
- During your trip you will have the chance to explore Positano.
- Enjoy the shopping, relaxing area, and fantastic seafood dishes that Positano has to offer.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- A l driver at disposal for the duration of the tour.
Not Included:
- Personal items and meals purchased.
- Additional costs accumulated during the tour.
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Ruins of Pompeii
Highlights:
Relive the days of Ancient Rome in the eerie ruins of Pompeii…
Join your driver to venture down the peninsula to Pompeii. This once vibrant port town comes to life as your guide shares intriguing tales and you discover its basilicas and baths, its elaborate mosaics, detailed frescoes and private homes. This insightful tour will give you a unique glimpse of life for the average Roman.
Tour Duration: 5 hours, Guided tour in Pompeii: 2,5 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- A driver for transportation to and from the port
- A local expert tour guide for the duration of the tour
Not Included:
- Personal items and meals purchased.
- Additional costs accumulated during the tour
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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
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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
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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
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Exclusive Pizza Cooking Lesson at Villa Ida
Highlights:
Experience a master class in Neapolitan pizza at a quaint villa outside Sorrento
Villa Ida is a quintessential Sorrento home with lemon trees in pots around the pool. Join your chef in the rustic kitchens and learn the secret to making authentic Neapolitan pizza and a tasty dessert. Lunch is served at the family table either under the pergola or by the fire with a side of stories filled with local color.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions: Pizza cooking lesson and lunch
Not Included: Entrances not specified and gratuities, personal items, additional costs accumulated during the tour.
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07/30/2024 |
07/30/2024 |
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
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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
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Discover artistic Rome on a vintage Vespa
Highlights:
Today go off the beaten track and discover the arty side of Rome on a vintage Vespa!
The Eternal City is not just ancient ruins and baroque churches as it has recently experienced a boom in Street Art! Discover the contemporary vibes of Rome with your local guide on a Vespa, admiring the unforgettable street art and the neighborhoods of Tor Marancia, Porto Fluviale, Garbatella, Ostiense and many more! Do not forget your camera, you will go hunting for murals in the most unconventional neighborhoods of Rome.
Tour Duration: 8 hours, Vespa tour: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Easy
Inclusions:
Not Included:
- Personal items and meals purchased.
- Additional costs accumulated during the tour.
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Painting with Caravaggio for Kids
Highlights:
Interactive experiences like this hands-on workshop keep kids engaged & entertained…
Engage your child’s natural curiosity and give them deeper insight into the art they have seen while in Rome, like Caravaggio’s painting of St. Jerome with an eerie skull in the Villa Borghese. During this hands-on workshop (with or without parent participation), our resident art experts will teach children from 10 and up more about Caravaggio’s technique – like his dramatic use of lighting known as chiaroscuro – and help them create their own masterpiece to take home. Enjoy some time to enjoy a pizza lunch and some time at leisure before heading back to Civitavecchia port!
Tour Duration: 8 hours, workshop: 2 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions: Transfer and workshop
Not Included: Entrances not specified and gratuities, personal items, additional costs accumulated during the tour.
|
07/31/2024 |
07/31/2024 |
Florence/Pisa (Livorno)
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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Livorno: Cycling Lucca's Medieval Walls - 5 hours
Your English-speaking driver will meet your at Livorno pier today for the journey through Tuscany to Lucca where your expert local guide will be waiting for you. Lucca is a graceful and beautifully preserved town whose lovely streets are lined with old houses. Your guided walking tour through the city follows much of the original Roman pattern and includes the Duomo di San Martino and the Church of San Frediano.
The heart of Lucca is encircled by vast walls. Enjoy cycling along the top of these walls and take in the spectacular views of the city. Return to Livorno from here.
Highlights:
- Walking tour through the streets of Lucca, a beautifully preserved Tuscan town
- Cycle along the city walls, admiring the incredible views
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide in Lucca (3 hours)
- Bicycle rental
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Livorno - Pisa & Florence - 9 hours
Meet your private English-speaking driver at the pier side of Livorno port.
Enjoy a pleasant drive (30 minute) on board of our new luxury Mercedes van to your first stop in the university town of Pisa.
Here you will have time to visit the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its famous Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and the Cathedral.
You may also decide to upgrade your tour by adding a guide for a 2-hour tour, which allows you to climb the famous Tower without waiting and queuing.
Please note that children must be 8 years old to access the Tower.
As you approach Florence after a relaxing drive (1 hour) through the Tuscan countryside and up the Viale dei Colli stop at the stunning terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy the most impressive views of the city before continuing down into its heart.
After a lunch at leisure you will be met by your private English-speaking guide to begin a wonderful walking tour through Piazza Santa Croce, the impressive Piazza del Duomo (S. Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell tower), Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio), Piazza della Repubblica and the elegant Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).
You may also decide to upgrade your tour by adding a no-line reservation to visit either the Accademia or the Uffizi.
Please note that on Mondays, the Accademia and the Uffizi are closed.
We will ensure your timely return transfer to the Livorno Port.
Highlights:
-
Pisa - Piazza dei Miracoli, Leaning Tower, Baptistery and the Cathedral (Optional and upon a fee: 2 hour guide at disposal and no-line reservation to climb the Leaning Tower)
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Florence - Piazzale Michelangelo, Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica and Ponte Vecchio (Optional and upon a fee: no-line reservation to visit Accademia or the Uffizi)
Tour Duration: 9 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury Mercedes minivan at disposal for the entire day
- English-speaking driver at disposal for the entire day
- 4 hour English-speaking guide in Florence
- No-line reservation for the Leaning Tower of Pisa (optional)
- No-line reservation for Accademia or Uffizi (optional)
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Livorno: Chianti Countryside & Wine Tasting - 8 hours
Meet your guide and driver at the pier side of Livorno for a full day of discovery in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Hill-towns gaze across the countryside from on high, many encircled by Etruscan walls and slender cypress trees. As you travel along the winding roads, soak up the rich panorama comprising beautiful rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves. Admire the charming hamlets and farmhouses as well as fortified villas and castles that symbolise colourful history of the region during the Middle Ages. Travel through San Casciano, Badia a Passignano, Montefioralle, Greve and Castellina on your way to the Casanova Winery. Here you will be met by your guide for a tour of the vineyards and, of course, tastings of their fine red wines.
After lunch at your leisure, continue to the picturesque medieval town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its surviving towers where you may wish to see the Collegiata containing 15th-century frescoes, the Palazzo del Popolo containing Renaissance paintings or simply wander the narrow cobbled streets.
Highlights:
Casanova Winery
San Gimignano
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at disposal during the tour
- An English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees to the Casanova winery
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Livorno: Best of Florence & Pisa - 8 hours
Your English-speaking driver will meet your at Livorno pier today for the journey through Tuscany to Florence where your expert local guide will be waiting for you. As you stroll through the narrow streets, take in the lovely piazzas, churches and palaces before visiting Florence’s most famous landmark; the splendid Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore).
At the Galleria dell' Accademia, the world’s most celebrated statue awaits you. Marvel at Michelangelo's exquisite David; a colossal 17-foot nude inspired by the biblical hero renowned for heroically killing the giant Goliath. Wander along the enchanting medieval streets until you emerge out onto the open Piazza della Signoria; the centre of political life in Florence since the 14th-century.
After lunch at leisure, return to Livorno stopping briefly in Pisa to admire the famous Leaning Tower.
Highlights:
- Florence's Duomo
- Galleria dell'Accademia
- Piazza della Signoria
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
- An expert English-speaking guide in Florence (3 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Galleria dell'Accademia
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Livorno - Pisa & Lucca - 8 hours
Meet your private English-speaking driver at the pier side of Livorno port.
Virtually every guide book to Italy will show you a picture of the leaning tower of Pisa, but the great surprise when you get there is that it is merely the belfry for the most magnificent cathedral complex, with a stunning baptistery and walled cemetery. Though the sea has now receded, in medieval times, Pisa was a great maritime republic, rivalling Genoa and Venice and this superb ensemble, known as the ‘field of miracles’ was a religious hub worthy of its status. The cathedral has a beautiful pulpit, sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and a mosaic, Christ in Majesty, completed by Cimabue in 1302. After years of work to stop the tower from falling down, you can once again ascend to the top and will be very aware of the ‘lean’, as you wind your way up.
Please note that children must be 8 years old to access the Tower.
After lunch (not included), make your way to Lucca, the most perfect completely walled city and birthplace of the composer, Puccini. It is known as the town of 99 churches and you will visit the S.Martino Cathedral and the beautiful San Michele. The Piazza Anfiteatro follows the exact lines of the Roman amphitheatre, indeed, you can still see some of the arches and columns. The surrounding countryside is full of olive groves and Lucca is known for producing some very fine olive oils.
We will ensure your timely return transfer to the Livorno Port.
Highlights:
-
Pisa - Piazza dei Miracoli, Leaning Tower, Baptistery and the Cathedral (Optional and upon a fee: 2 hour guide at disposal and no-line reservation to climb the Leaning Tower)
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Lucca - the walls, Duomo, Roman Amphitheater, Guinigi Tower (Optional and upon a fee: 2-hour guide at disposal)
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury Mercedes minivan at disposal for the entire day
- English-speaking driver at disposal for the entire day
- No-line reservation for the Leaning Tower of Pisa (optional)
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Gastronomic and historical tour in Pisa countryside - 8 hours
Meet your private English-speaking driver at the pier side of Livorno port.
You will discover some of the most authentic gastronomic productions in a tiny Tuscan medieval village… definitely an off the beaten track and non-touristic experience!
With your driver you will reach the charming hilltop village of Lari where you will have the chance to visit the medieval castle from where you’ll admire a breathtaking view of the luxury countryside. We will arrange for you a special appointment to an historical pasta producer to see how artisanal pasta is made still using last century machines. After that you’ll visit a butcher shop that works following the original Tuscan tradition with tastings of its delicious cold cuts. You cannot miss also a tasting of Lari’s cherry liquor, a real delicacy!
The day will end with the visit of a “frantoio”, the place where olive oil is made, where you’ll learn how this precious product is created with explanations to understand the difference between extra virgin olive oil and industrial production.
Light lunch with olive oil tasting will be included.
All the places you will visit are family held, rustic and very informal: you will have the chance to plunge into the most real and authentic Tuscany!
Back to livorno port in itme to catch the ship.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Low
Inclusions:
- Luxury Mercedes minivan at disposal for the entire day
- English-speaking driver at disposal for the entire day
- Visits and tastings
- Light lunch
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
-
Ornellaia Wine Tasting & Lunch
Highlights:
Enjoy a private tour of one of Italy’s premier Super Tuscan wineries.
Today you’ll have the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of award-winning winery Ornellaia and take a closer look at the production process and learn more about this iconic Italian brand. After a private tour of the vineyards, cantina and cellar, enjoy a special lunch cooked by their chef. Along with a four-course meal of local delicacies, sample a selection of 5 estate’s celebrated wines.
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions: Tasting and Lunch
Not Included: Entrances not specified and gratuities, personal items, additional costs accumulated during the tour.
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Customize your Fragrance in Florence
Highlights:
Travel to Florence to enjoy a very special perfume experience with your local expert right in the heart of Florence!
Smell is where spontaneous emotions and feelings are born. Nothing works better than a perfume when it comes to bringing back memories. Venture from Livorno Port to Florence for a custom experience: with the help of our master perfumers you will compose your precious blend of aromas, containing your favorite scents; flowers, resins, flashes of citrus, pungent spices, aromatic woods, warm oriental notes and many more to choose from for your own personalized fragrance that you can take home with you. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure!
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Please inquire
Wheelchair Accessible: Please inquire
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions: Transfer and personalized fragrance
Not Included: Entrances not specified and gratuities, personal items, additional costs accumulated during the tour.
|
08/01/2024 |
08/01/2024 |
St. Tropez
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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St Tropez: Highlights of St Tropez - 4 hours
St Tropez is one of a handful of place names known around the world, and for many, the very mention of the name conjures up images of the ultimate hedonistic jet-set resort. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of St Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quay, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists and slowly cruising expensive cars.
Take the time to explore the narrow little streets and markets. In the Place aux Herbes, the fishermen sell their catch and local farmers their fruit and vegetables. The real heart of the town is the Place des Lices. Here, the locals play boules under the shade of plane trees surrounded by some fine restaurants. If shopping for luxury items is your thing, all the major French and Italian designers have boutiques in St Tropez.
Highlights:
- Explore St Tropez's narrow streets and markets, where fishermen sell their fresh catch
Tour Duration: 4 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 driver-guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
|
08/02/2024 |
08/02/2024 |
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: Historic Barcelona Half Day City Tour
Visit the old city (Ciutat Vella) with the famous Las Ramblas boulevard, the Betlem church, Palau de la Virreina, Casa Bruno Cuadros, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Boqueria Market, Santa Ana Church and entrance to the Güell Palace (closed on Mondays). Afterwards drive to the Montjuic Mountain with lovely views over the city and Ports.
4 hours 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 Rambla is possibly the most well known avenue and represents a typical postcard of the city. A place for public and sport celebrations, the Rambla is a boulevard that starts in Plaça Catalunya (Barcelona’s commercial area) and ends in the Port, offering a multicoloured picture of people enjoying a walk, live statues, artists, musicians, painters and atmosphere. One of the symbols of the Rambla is the Fountain of Canaletes. Tradition says that visitors who drink from this source will return to Barcelona.
One of the main arteries of the historic quarter, La Rambla, leads to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is one of the best places to catch the rhythm of the city. The visitor is led through its different sections, from the Romanesque church of Santa Anna, to the different stalls, passing gorgeous examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture on the way and the Boquería Market.
It is worth to stop for a moment and visit the Church of Betlem and the Palau de la Virreina, with permanent exhibitions of interest. A visit to the Market of la Boqueria is advisable to enjoy an incredible contrast between colours and activity, ideal to discover why Mediterranean cuisine is internationally known due to its ingredients.
Walking down the avenue, in direction to the sea, we find the Plà de la Boqueria. Its pavement is decorated with a mosaic of Joan Miró. Very near is the Gran Teatre del Liceu (the Opera House), recently reconstructed after a devastating fire in 1994. Crossing the Rambla we find the Plaça Reial, an interesting porticoed square, ideal to relax and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants.
In Nou de la Rambla Street is located the Palau Güell, a beautiful palace of recommended visit where you will be able to appreciate all the creative capacity of Antoni Gaudí. Afterwards the great gothic Shipyards. The Rambla ends in the port, dominated by the Columbus Monument, built in 1888.
One of Barcelona’s finest landmark buildings is the Reials Drassanes, the medieval shipyards which are a unique example of civic Gothic architecture with a full-scale replica of the royal galley used by Juan of Austria at the Battle of Lepanto,
Some of the modern facilities are the inheritance from the 1992 Olympics. Their mark can also be seen on the hill at Montjuïc, beside the monumental work from the 1929 World Exhibition. The Plaça d'Espanya, the Magic Fountain, the Palau Nacional and the Olympic Ring are a few of its most important works. The Olympic Stadium, the Calatrava Tower and the Sant Jordi Sports Centre.
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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: Barcelona Full Day City Tour
Visit the Park Güell inside, the gothic and Jewish quarters, the cathedral and the old Synagogue inside, the Sagrada Familia church inside (The Temple of the Holy Family).
8 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
Its early city centre, which was surrounded by walls during Roman times, makes up what today is the Gothic 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, situated on the site of a Paleochristian basilica. Construction began during the Romanesque period but was finally completed during the Gothic period, which is the dominant style. The interior naves are at nearly the same height, which causes the impression of being in a single site. The dome base is covered on the inside with handcrafted woodwork. The door from the cloister to the cathedral and the chapel of Santa Lucía are of great interest.
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 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) are just a few of the many modernist gems treasured by the city. 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.
One of the main arteries of the historic quarter, La Rambla, leads to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is one of the best places to catch the rhythm of the city.
Park Güell seems as if it were taken from the pages of a fairytale: strange, eccentric, even dream-like, but undeniably beautiful. A stroll through the park will awaken even the sleepiest imaginations. The peculiar shapes and daring color combinations mixed in with the park’s vegetation create a unique world to which visitors feel irresistibly drawn.
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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: Tapas Tour (tapas, wine & Market)
A walking tour through the gothic quarter of the city with the churches, convents, palaces, narrow streets, Iglesia de Santa Maria del Mar, Boquería market, la Rambla and the famous Spanish Tapas.
4 hour tour
Afternoon or evening tour
No wheelchair
Moderate physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Transportation by Deluxe Vehicle; Guided Tour;
Not Included: Tapas on own or other services not specified
Its early city centre, which was surrounded by walls during Roman times, makes up what today is the Gothic 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 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 temple of 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.
One of the main arteries of the historic quarter, La Rambla, leads to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is one of the best places to catch the rhythm of the city. The visitor is led through its different sections, from the Romanesque church of Santa Anna, to the bird and flower stalls, passing gorgeous examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture on the way and the Boquería Market. And the terraces, pubs and bars should not be forgotten because they are where one of the most deeply-rooted of all traditions of Spain is carried out: the “tapeo” (Tapas are essentially snacks. Bigger portions that are ordered to make up part of a meal are called raciones).
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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: Cooking Class Half Day
Cook the most traditional Spanish recipes with our team of professional chefs and enjoy the food you have prepared.
4 hour tour
Morning tour
No wheelchair
Light physical activity
Pick up and drop off at the Port
Included: Cooking class & a meal with drinks.
Not Included: Any other services not specified
Discover the local culture through gastronomy with our hands-on workshops. Our half-day workshops are highly hands-on. You will learn how to cook the Spanish dishes that have traveled the world. You will cook them yourself with the aid of an experienced chef and the complicity of a small group. Among scents, flavors and good wine, we will unveil the secrets of our cuisine while you enjoy a traditional meal.
You can start with a walking tour around the famous Boqueria market before your cooking class and learn how to get the best and freshest ingredients for your Spanish cooking. Our chefs will give you plenty of tips on picking local, seasonal products. Back at the school, you'll continue your cooking experience and you'll end your day adventure enjoying the food you have prepared in a friendly and casual atmosphere!
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Barcelona: Wine-Cava Cellar Half Day
Drive to the Penedès wine country to visit a wine cellar and taste the Catalonian wines.
4 hour 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; wine taste & aperitifs.
Not Included: Any other services not specified
We will visit a Wine-Cava Cellar in the Penedés wine area located at 45 minutes from Barcelona. Penedès is a wine-producing region having a Spanish Denominacio d'Origen (DO). Penedès DO includes all Penedès region and municipalities of four other comarques: Anoia, Alt Camp, Baix Llobregat and Tarragonés. The area is framed by the coastal hills of the Serra del Garraf and the higher inland mountains which skirt the Catalan Central Depression. Long considered one of the country's best wine-producing regions after the Rioja, it is also one of the most ancient viticultural areas in Europe.
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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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08/03/2024 |
08/03/2024 |