A Taste of Civitavecchia

If your cruise has anchored in Civitavecchia and you're seeking an easy, fun excursion that doesn't require a trek to Rome, your search ends here! This captivating, 3-hour cultural walk and gastronomic experience in the heart of Civitavecchia is the perfect alternative and a must-do for foodies.

Cruisers often desire distinctive local experiences that don't involve long-distance travel, and our tour is crafted precisely for this. It is well suited for those who are keen to immerse themselves in the authentic essence of Civitavecchia. You get the benefit of bypassing the hassles of traveling to and from Rome while still experiencing the history, culture, and delectable foods of the region.

Throughout this 3-hour expedition, you will be showered with a fascinating blend of Civitavecchia's historical past as you indulge in authentic culinary delights. Forget the stress of queueing, crowded tourist buses, or the challenge of orienting yourself in a new city - we take care of all the details, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself.

This professional yet fun experience merges the finest aspects of Italian culture and cuisine. Wander the city's quaint alleyways, uncover local secrets, and taste exquisite flavors that will dazzle your palate while giving you a greater understanding of Civitavecchia. Our expert, local guides are dedicated to making sure your experience is both educational and immensely enjoyable.

This distinctive journey is designed to let you delve into the cultural and gastronomic heart of Civitavecchia, just a short, convenient stroll from your ship. Seize the chance to savor the best of Civitavecchia, right here at port. Don't let this opportunity to create beautiful memories in this charming Italian port city pass you by! Please note: The foods sampled may change based on availability and the season. Many products contain gluten; we regret that the shops we'll visit do not offer gluten-free options. Vegetarians will have lots of choices; vegans considerably fewer.

Exclusive Ancient Ephesus

Meet your professionally trained guide and drive to Ephesus, approximately 30 minutes from Kusadasi. Famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemus during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. You will start your 90 minute Ephesus tour at the upper Magnesia Gate, and work your way down through the city, ending near the ancient Harbor.

Along the way, you will see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, Temple of Artemis, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika, and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. With your skip-the-line access, you can fully enjoy these sites, which have played host to events as varied as Paul and his sermons to the Ephesians, to concerts by Sting, in part due to their remarkable acoustics.

You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. You will hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking. As you depart the Ephesus site, you will be able to view the hilltop ruins of the Basilica of St. John in the distance, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.

Returning to the town of Kusadasi, guests will have the option to end their Ephesus tour in the shopping area, where they can attend a Turkish carpet explanation and explore the shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leatherware, and copper goods, or both. Turkish salespeople expect you to haggle and quite often you can get 10-15% off the listed price. Treat it as an adventure. The cruise pier is a 5-10 minute walk from the main shopping area.

Guests not wishing to attend the optional carpet shopping should stay on the bus and they will be taken directly back to the pier.

Starting from the port of Mykonos, enjoy a tour around the island from a different point of view, full of traditional and authentic images and experiences. Your first stop will be at a popular site offering photographic panoramic views of Mykonos town, a must-see for all the island's visitors.

Following the picture taking, visit the picturesque small port of St. Ioannis, an area named after a small church of great historical significance dedicated to Saint John ("Ioannis" in Greek). You will visit the church, along with the Saint's cell, home of the annual fair. The small port is the launching point for local fishing boats, protected from the island's strong north winds.

You will then head towards the Mykonos airport offering another photographic panoramic opportunity, this time on the airport's runway. If you are lucky, you will catch a plane, taking off or landing. After a few shots of the runway, you will make your way toward Ano Mera Village driving through the island's agricultural and livestock-raising areas. Ano Mera is best known as being one of the oldest, most quaint, and quiet villages found on Mykonos.

While at Ano Mera Village your guide will lead you through the village's colorful square and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, built in 1542 and restored in 1767. You will have the opportunity to join a guide for a walk through the monastery chambers if you so choose. Entrance fees to the Monastery are 2 EUR per person.

After capturing the images of the Mykonian countryside and its lifestyle, you will visit the farm of the Mykonian Spiti, where an escort and the farm's superintendent will oversee your stay. Whoever wishes may also use the farm's tools and get involved with the farming work and tasks in cooperation with the superintendent. Take this opportunity to get closer to the domestic animals and the farm's traditional organic cultivation. A light snack will be offered to all visitors for 15 EUR, or you can choose the option of a light lunch for 20 EUR consisting of local products from the conventional farm itself.

Upon leaving the traditional farm, head over to Kalo Livadi, Kalafati, and Aghia Anna, the most distant and beautiful beaches in all of Mykonos for a few more photo opportunities.

To close out your tour, you will be driven back to your ship with lasting memories of the fantastic time spent on Mykonos.

Exclusive Santorini, Oia and Winery Tour

Departing from the tender pier at Fira port, you will be led to your transportation. From here, you will begin your exploration of this wonderful island.

Your Santorini Winery tour will take you to the major must see sites on the island. Depending on traffic the day of your tour, the order you see the sites may vary from the tour description order. One of your stops will be at the village of Oia, located at the northern tip of the island. As you travel along, you will see the different layers of lava the volcano had produced making a timeline of the island's history. Oia offers magnificent views of the caldera and the rest of the other islands. Depending on the time of day, the sun paints the cliffs with different shades of color and light like an ever-changing landscape painting. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Oia attracts so many artists. With its cobblestone streets, beautiful old mansions and houses perched on the cliffside, you can admire the traditional Cycladic architecture for which Santorini is so well known.

From Oia, you will travel across the terraced island, through Pyrgos village and make your way up to the highest peak of Santorini, Mt. Profitis Ilias.(883 feet) Here a monastery of the same name was built in 1712. Although you cannot enter the monastery, you can enjoy its magnificent view of the entire island from the south end of Perissa Beach to the north part of the island were Oia village is situated.

After the photo stop, you will drive to one of the local wineries on the island. Here you can learn about how wines were once produced on the island, as well as learning of the unique way in which grapes are grown and harvested on Santorini. You will be able to sample three of the most famous wines of Santorini.

From the winery, you will make your way back to the town of Fira, the picturesque capital town of the island built on the rim of the caldera wall. Your guide will lead you to the major pedestrian street where they will give you a brief orientation of how to navigate the town before you explore on your own. Wander the endless maze of whitewashed streets looking for jewelry, gifts, or the perfect view of the caldera while you enjoy a coffee or wine. The tour ends in Fira, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful place and return to your ship at your leisure.

Please Note: The tour duration does not include the time required to tender ashore from your ship. This tour ends in Fira Town.