Europe, Mediterranean & the Baltic

Start your discovery of Amsterdam with a short city tour by bus. You'll get a glimpse of some of Amsterdam's highlights like the National Maritime Museum, the Weeping Tower and the Royal Palace. Your guide will then lead you to explore Amsterdam by foot to learn more about the heart of the city. The walking tour starts at the world famous flower market. This colorful market will fill your senses with thousands of smells and colors. Further, you'll admire the particular entrance of the famous Amsterdam Historic Museum before heading toward the Dam, the central square of the city. The impressive Royal Palace that dominates the square was originally used as the town hall. Enjoy some free time in the center, relax in one of the many cafes or stroll through the shopping area. Then, continue with a walk to the boat dock for your cruise of Amsterdam's canals and waterways. It was during the so called "Golden Age" (17th Century) that Amsterdam was planned and developed as we can admire it today. The canal cruise will take you through the three most important canals in Amsterdam, offering unique views only seen from this perspective. Your tour will end at the cruise terminal. Note: Wear comfortable shoes and bring rain protection gear.

Once a flourishing harbor and prosperous trading post, the city where the famous Rosetta Stone was found declined, but today, its grimy facade guards some of the most amazing architecture found in Egypt. Rural countryside unfolds in glorious patterns of richly cultivated fields, fruit orchards, exotic palm forests and lush green vegetation in all colors of green as you leave Alexandria behind and drive into the Nile Delta to ancient Rosetta. Founded in 853, Rosetta offered a strategic location between the Mediterranean and the western arm of the Nile, protecting Egypt from sea invasions. It was recognized as an extremely important trading post and military site by the Mameluks who flocked into town building beautiful houses, mosques, inns and public baths. Under the Ottomans it remained a prosperous trading post, turning into one of the most flourishing harbors in the Mediterranean where merchants from all over traded in silk, grain, and coffee. In July 1799, a dramatic discovery by some of Napoleons soldiers stationed at Rosetta brought to light a stone slab inscribed in three languages; hieroglyphics, Greek and demotic. Known worldwide as the Rosetta Stone, its text remained a mystery until many years later when a gifted French scholar succeeded to decipher the hieroglyphics enabling Egyptologists and the rest of the world's scholars to understand and read the Pharaonic symbols. Today, the town itself is an open air museum with 22 monumental residences, mills, castles, public baths and mosques dating back to the Ottoman era. Such architectural style is found nowhere else in Egypt. The houses reveal superb Islamic architecture, with geometrically shaped Mushrabiyyas (oriels), decorative inscriptions, ornate doors, inlaid seashell woodworks, domes and large reception rooms. Exquisite decorations and Kufic calligraphy adorned the interior of the houses which sometimes rose to two floors with a decorative skylight allowing natural light and air into the building. Well insulated fresh water tanks provided the house with fresh drinking water, and a drinking fountain offered a refreshing drink to thirsty passers by, free of charge. Most of these houses are currently under restoration and only two of them are open to visitors. Today, you'll visit the houses and the nearby mosque, all situated in the same street. Drive to the outskirts of the town to visit Abu Madour Tower from where the major historian of the French Expedition, Vivian Dinon, monitored the famous Abu Kir naval battle between the British and French fleets. An orientation drive of Rosetta will complete your visit to this very interesting, yet somehow overlooked destination. Before arriving at the pier in Alexandria, you'll have the opportunity to see some of the city's highlights. Note: Tour consists of approximately 1/4 mile of walking and 25 highly elevated steps.

Discover the Dutch countryside and explore the villages of Zaanse Shans and Edam. Heading north from Amsterdam, you'll enjoy a scenic drive marveling at landscapes dotted with farmhouses, windmills and grazing animals. Reaching Zaanse Schans, you will notice the typical windmills and particular architecture of the houses. This village is an old hamlet on the Zaan's river banks with characteristic green wooden houses, charming stylized gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and engaging little shops. With its traditional green painted houses, warehouses and windmills, the Zaanse Schans gives the feeling of having stepped back in time. Over the centuries, more than a thousand little windmill factories flourished along the river Zaan and in the surrounding countryside. You'll see a demonstration on the making of wooden shoes and there will be a unique visit of the interior of a windmill. The tour will then continue to the village of Edam. For most people, Edam is synonymous with cheese, as the popular round Edam cheeses have been for centuries exported to all corners of the world. But this town has more to offer than cheese alone! Edam is a city with a rich history, lovely facades, squares, bridges, cheese warehouses, attractive shopping streets and inviting outdoor cafes. Your guide will take you on a walking tour through this beautiful town, full of narrow canals, gabled canal houses and wooden lift bridges. Enjoy some free time to stroll on your own before returning to your coach to return to Amsterdam.

Take advantage of your time in Amsterdam through a panoramic bus tour and visit the famous Van Gogh Museum. Pass by the main monuments of the city, among them the Royal Palace, the neoclassical monumental building that dominates the Dam square and the New Church, where the members of the Royal Family are inaugurated. You'll also see the Portuguese synagogue built in 1675, the modern City Hall, the Waterloo square, and the Central Station, built on three man-made islands. You'll definitely notice the particular architecture of Amsterdam's houses due to lack of space. In the 17th Century, the houses were mostly built narrow, not more than 30 feet wide. They are characterized by big narrow windows, decorative gable tops, very narrow stairs inside and a pulley outside to transport larger objects to upper floors. Continue to Museum Square, the area that Amsterdam dedicated to its important museums. The Van Gogh Museum contains the world's largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh – more than 200 paintings, drawings and 700 letters, as well as the artist's own collection of Japanese prints. The main exhibition chronicles the phases of Van Gogh's life, from his childhood to his various emotional stages through his death. Highlights include "The Potato Eaters", "Bedroom in Arles" and one of the three "Sunflowers" paintings with a yellow background. In addition, to works by Van Gogh, the museum has a rich and varied collection of other 19th-century art. The artists represented include Impressionists, post-Impressionists and others such as contemporaries, those who inspired him, and those who drew inspiration from him. You'll have the chance to purchase souvenirs at the museum's shop before returning to the cruise terminal.

Experience a scenic drive passing through the lowland countryside dotted with canals, grazing animals, and marvel at beautiful fields filled with thousands of blooming tulips. The tulip has come to be a loved symbol of the Netherlands. The season begins in March with crocuses, followed by the daffodil and the yellow narcissi. In April the hyacinths and tulips blossom until some time in mid May, depending on the weather. At the Keukenhof you are invited to discover a spectacular park, which includes 32 hectares, brimming with flowering tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and many other spring bulbs. Your walk through the park will offer you an overwhelming display of colors, a feast for your eyes and a spectacle to photograph. The Keukenhof in is the middle of the most important bulb-growing area in the Netherlands, where an open air flower exhibition was organized for the first time in 1949. This expanded to an annually recurring event that has always drawn great numbers of visitors from all over the world. In the park you'll find many souvenir shops where you can buy postcards and typical Dutch handcraft souvenirs. After your relaxing stroll among thousands of blooming flowers, you will board the bus back to the pier.

Depart from the pier for a drive through the colorful streets of Alexandria viewing beautiful architecture and experiencing the charming aura and nostalgia of yesteryear. Discover the highlights of Alexandria; the statue of Mohamed Ali, the monument to the Unknown Soldier, the Mosque of Abu El Abbas, and stop for a picture of Qait Bey Fort, built on the site of the Pharaohs of Alexandria. Continue to visit the eerie and intriguing Catacombs of Shawqafa and the National Museum, where treated and restored objects from the sunken palace of Cleopatra are on display. Enjoy a scenic drive to Montaza Gardens to view the summer residence palace of the former King of Egypt, Farouk. Driving along the cornice will give you panoramic views of Alexandria from the water's edge. Note: Tour involves approximately 1/2 a mile of walking on relatively flat terrain.

Your tour takes you along the Egyptian coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful areas along the shores of the Mediterranean from Alexandria, and to the small village of El Alamein, set in a broad and barren desert plain somehow too distant from the seafront. It was here in November 1942 that the Allied forces, under the command of British General Montgomery, put a halt to the advance of Nazi Africa Corps who considered El Alamein the gateway to Alexandria and the key to the control of the African continent. Your first stop will be at the Military Museum containing displays of weapons, military garb and tanks. Descriptions of the actions of Montgomery, Rommel and the others participating in the battle are also on display. Continue your tour with a visit to the burial site. A short drive west of town, perched on a small peninsula overlooking the sea, the citadel-like cemeteries are the final resting place for Commonwealth, Italian and German soldiers. The neat rows of tombstones provide a poignant scene set against the seemingly interminable desert. Within a shaded alcove, the inscribed plaque explains the significance of the battle as well as the diverse origins of the victims interred here. Note: Tour involves approximately 1 mile of walking on relatively even and gravel terrain.

This touring option allows you complete freedom to maximize your time and explore the places that really interest you. Discover in comfort and at your own pace with the convenience of a private vehicle, driver and English speaking guide (other languages available on request) at your disposal. You set your pace and itinerary, just tell us where you want to go! Note: Entrance, parking fees and meals are not included, in order to allow you complete freedom of choice. Bring local currency, as credit cards may not be accepted everywhere. Extra hours available at an additional cost. Guests, who are planning to visit the religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed in churches. Prices are per vehicle and not per person, so only one person in the party needs to book this tour.

This touring option allows you complete freedom to maximize your time and explore the places that really interest you. Discover in comfort and at your own pace with the convenience of a private vehicle, driver and English speaking guide (other languages available on request) at your disposal. You set your pace and itinerary, just tell us where you want to go! Note: Entrance, parking fees and meals are not included, in order to allow you complete freedom of choice. Bring local currency, as credit cards may not be accepted everywhere. Extra hours available at an additional cost. Guests, who are planning to visit the religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed in churches. Prices are per vehicle and not per person, so only one person in the party needs to book this tour.

This touring option allows you complete freedom to maximize your time and explore the places that really interest you. Discover in comfort and at your own pace with the convenience of a private vehicle, driver and English speaking guide (other languages available on request) at your disposal. You set your pace and itinerary, just tell us where you want to go! Note: Entrance, parking fees and meals are not included, in order to allow you complete freedom of choice. Bring local currency, as credit cards may not be accepted everywhere. Extra hours available at an additional cost. Guests, who are planning to visit the religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed in churches. Prices are per vehicle and not per person, so only one person in the party needs to book this tour.