2021 EUROPE LAND TOUR SCENIC FREECHOICE
Whether your interests lie in seeing great works of art and architecture, tasting regional specialties, visiting historic sites or learning about local culture and traditions, you’ll always find a Scenic Freechoice activity to enjoy. And of course, they’re all included.
Each guest is different, so we appreciate that you may want to move at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll want to follow a busy day with one at a more relaxed tempo or simply relax throughout. We’ve divided our extensive list of Scenic Freechoice activities into active, moderate and relaxed pace so you can choose those which best suit your requirements and interests. Active For those keen to explore further afield or take part in more energetic excursions.
Moderate A comfortable walking pace at which you can easily discover a beautiful city or marketplace.
CROATIA
CZECH REPUBLIC
DUBROVNIK
PRAGUE
TOUR OF DUBROVNIK’S OLD TOWN WALLS
Relaxed A slower pace allowing you to enjoy a show or perhaps take part in a class.
2.5 hours
See the amazing sights from the walled city of Dubrovnik; here you can view the city famous for its red brick roofs, from the medieval wall built over hundreds of years at the end of the middle ages. The wall measures just less than 2km in length and stands between 5 and 24m high.
WALKING TOUR OF THE COMMUNIST ERA INCLUDING BEER TASTING
EXCURSION TO THE KONAVALE VILLAGES AND CAVTAT
3.5 hours
Drive outside of the city to the quaint villages of the Konavle region. Enjoy these typical Croatian villages with your local guide and discover village life. Then continue your trip with a visit to Cavtat, a sea front town dating back to the 6th Century.
2 hours
Our experienced local guide will walk with you through the years of communism (1945-1989) and answer all the questions you have about this time. You will go to Wenceslas Square by subway, built during communist time and based on the Russian subway in Moscow, where you will see the relatively new symbolic grave of Mr. Jan Palach who set himself on fire in 1969 in a protest against the remaining Soviet troops after the invasion of the Warsaw Pact united troops to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in August 1968. STRAHOV MONASTERY
2 hours
Learn about the 900-year-old history of Strahov Monastery and delight in its many wonders such as the Treasury and art gallery, showcasing a vast array of important works from both Czech and international artists.
ESTONIA
GERMANY
TALLINN
BERLIN
KUMU ART MUSEUM
3 hours
Visit the KUMU Art Museum with its wide range of classic and contemporary art. The museum opened in 2006 and has since been dedicated to gathering, preserving and exhibiting contemporary art. SEAPLANE HARBOUR MUSEUM
3 hours
Join your local guide on a tour of one of Europe’s grandest maritime museums. The museum is home to authentic Submarine Lembit from the 1930’s, the century-old steampowered icebreaker Suur Tõll, a Short 184 seaplane, mines, cannons and many other life-sized exhibits.
THE BERLIN WALL MEMORIAL AND HACKESCHE HÖFE
2.5 hours
This guided tour is a combination of walking and using the train/subway. The tour will use 3 different historic train lines, including the North/South line that was built in the 1930’s. You will visit the new memorial on Bernauer Strasse and the long stretch of the Berlin wall – the only part where the second wall still exists. Discover the history and relive some of the stories from this time of Germany’s history. Continue by subway to Hackesche Hoefe where you will have free time to explore this famous area of Berlin.
FRANCE PARIS
POTSDAM
4 hours
Journey to Potsdam where a local historian will share their insights on the town and its history, and visit Cecilienhof Palace where the Potsdam treaty was signed in 1945. GUIDED TOUR OF PARIS
4 hours
Join your local guide as you coach through the city seeing many of its most famous sights. Marvel at Paris’ most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, drive the famous Champs-Élysées as well as see the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and Concorde Square. GUIDED TOUR OF THE LOUVRE
3 hours
With a trained art expert, visit the world’s largest museum, the Louvre, and see some of its most famous paintings that are on display such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Louvre is one of the most popular art museums in the world with approx. 8.5 million visitors per year. Please note this is set at a moderate pace. Guests must be able to stay on their feet for the duration of the tour as there are very limited opportunities to sit. DINNER AND SHOW AT THE LIDO
4.5 hours
GREECE ATHENS ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
3 hours
Visit the Acropolis Museum situated overlooking the city, take the opportunity to breathe in the 360 degree views of Athens before you discover the countless ancient artifacts on display in the Museum. WALKING TOUR OF PLAKA
2 hours
The Plaka district has a notable village feel with beautiful laneways graced by charming colourful buildings. Explore this lively district during a walking tour, while learning about and viewing many handcrafts of the region.
GREECE KALAMBAKA
Transfer to the famous Lido, located in Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Élysées. Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner before being dazzled by the incredible show that features 23 different sets, over 600 costumes and 150,000 sequins. DINNER AT THE EIFFEL TOWER
4.5 hours
Transfer from your hotel to the Iconic Eiffel Tower where you will take the lift to the 1st level and witness breathtaking views of the city. Dine in the popular 1st level restaurant where you will dine amongst the lights of this magical city. After dinner continue your wonderful evening in Paris on a cruise along the Seine River. DINNER CRUISE ON SEINE RIVER
3 hours
Take in the breathtaking Parisian skyline as you glide gently down the romantic Seine River. Sail past the illuminated Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and many other iconic monuments as you enjoy a delicious dinner.
METEORA MONASTERY HIKE
2 hours
Hike amoung the dramatic rock formations of Meteora, along footpaths carved out by monks that have lived in this region for centuries.
METEORA MONASTERY VISIT
3 hours
Travel via coach past the dramatic rock pillars of Meteora. Formed over 60 million years ago you will have the opportunity to visit several of the Monasteries that have called this place home for centuries.
IRELAND
NORTH MACEDONIA OHRID LAKE CRUISE ON OHRID LAKE
3 hours
Take in the lush green scenery during a relaxing boat ride on stunning Ohrid Lake. KAYAKING TOUR OF OHRID LAKE
BELFAST
2 hours
Feel at one with nature as you join a local guide for an exploration of Ohrid Lake via kayak. COOKING CLASS
4 hours
Travel to the local village and enjoy a cooking class; you will visit a traditional household where you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to make Macedonian specialties with the housewives.
NORWAY BERGEN TITANIC TOUR
1.5 hours
Discover the story of Titanic, from its design and build to its fateful ending. You will have the opportunity to hear some fascinating facts about the great ship and learn about the architectural design from the spot where the ship was launched. PAST & PRESENT (BLACK CAB TOUR)
1.5 hours
Take a ride in one of Belfast’s historic black cabs and learn further about the city’s past and present. With the city’s history full of conflicts and violence, local guides will bring you right into the heart of it all and share moving experiences and facts about the past and more recently, the present.
IRELAND
FUNICULAR RAIL JOURNEY TO MT FLØYEN
2 hours
Take the funicular train to Mt. Fløyen, 320m above Bergen. The funicular takes between 10 to 15 mins to get to the top. From the top you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city, the harbour and its beautiful surroundings. On the top there is a beautiful park and numerous paths offering easy walks through beautiful woodland terrain. At the top there is a restaurant and a cafe. This is arguably where you can see the most panoramic views of the harbour area and the city in Western Norway. VISIT TO FANTOFTE STAVE CHURCH
3 hours
Join a guided tour of the church which was originally built in Fotun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883. The church was totally destroyed by fire in 1992; however, it was rebuilt to exactly as it was previously.
DUBLIN TRINITY COLLEGE AND BOOK OF KELLS
1.5 hours
Your guide will take you on an introduction tour of the college, founded in the reign of Elizabeth the first (over 400 years ago) and in constant use ever since. It has been attended by Ireland’s elite, including some of the great writers Dublin has produced. See some of the oldest residential parts of the college and the scene for the shooting of “Educating Rita” before being taken to the library to see the “Book of Kells”. One of Ireland’s national treasures, it is an eighth century manuscript written on calfskin or “vellum” and is famous for its Celtic artwork.
POLAND WARSAW
TOUR OF THE ROYAL CASTLE
2 hours
Join your local guide on a tour of Warsaw’s Royal Castle. The Royal Castle is a castle residency and was the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It is located in Castle Square, at the entrance to the Warsaw Old Town. The personal offices of the king and the administrative offices of the Royal Court of Poland were located there from the 16th century until the Partitions of Poland. GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
2 hours
With your local guide, visit the Guinness Storehouse and factory to discover how this famous brew is made. After your guided tour, learn how to pull the perfect pint and enjoy a tasting from the 7th floor vantage point overlooking the city of Dublin.
MUSEUM OF HISTORY OF POLISH JEWS
2 hours
Learn about the plight of the Jewish community during a visit to the Museum of History of Polish Jews. This museum is a modern cultural institution showcasing the 1000 years of Polish Jews’ history.
PORTUGAL
SPAIN
LISBON
SEVILLE HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE
1 hour
See the city’s highlights from a different angle during a horsedrawn carriage tour. Your guide will provide an insight of the main attractions in a fun and authentic way. FLAMENCO SHOW
2 hours
Experience the heart and soul of Spain at an expressive Flamenco show. You will be mesmerised by the spirit of the performance and the passion displayed by the dancers. EXCURSION TO SINTRA
4 hours
Board your coach for the climb to the hilltop town of Sintra and visit the impressive Sintra National Palace. MARITIME MUSEUM
3.5 hours
With your local guide, explore the Maritime history of the Portuguese and learn about some of the discoveries that changed the world.
ISTANBUL CALLIGRAPHY COURSE
2.5 hours
Join a local artist and learn the origins of calligraphy in your hands on class. AYASOFYA HURREM SULTAN HAMANI BATHS
2.5 hours
Soak up the local ambience at the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamani Baths and partake in a traditional Turkish bath.
ROMANIA TRANSYLVANIA WALKING TOUR OF SIGHISOARA
2.5 hours
Enjoy a walking tour in the colourful Sighisoara with your local guide today and learn about its medieval architecture and history. GUIDED HIKING IN SIGHISOARA
3 hours
During 3 hours today we will visit the fortified medieval citadel as well as hike up to the Church on the Hill where you will have the most beautiful vistas of Sighisoara.
SPAIN
TRADITIONAL TURKISH COOKING CLASS
FLAMENCO DANCE WORKSHOP
2 hours
Put on your dancing shoes and join a workshop on Flamenco dance. Discover the passion and skill involved in creating this breathtaking dance. GUIDED TOUR OF PRADO MUSEUM
2 hours
Visit the delightful Prado Museum where your guide will escort you through the collections. The museum opened in 1819 and has since successfully fulfilled its mission of preserving, exhibiting and enriching its collections of art, which are linked closely to the history of Spain.
2.5 hours
Visit the marvellous 18th century Royal Palace of Madrid and see the former residence of the Spanish Kings. Admire the many reception rooms, the Throne Room as well as the Museum area whilst your guide imparts their impressive knowledge of Spanish history and society.
2.5 hours
Following the departure from the hotel, you will be taken to the Spice Bazaar to pick some materials for Turkish style cooking. Once you have all the ingredients, you will proceed to a private venue for a crash course in Turkish cuisine with an experience local cook. At the end of the lesson you will get to taste the delicious specialties that have been made.
TURKEY PAMUKKALE ANCIENT SPA CITY OF HIERAPOLIS
MADRID
ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID
TURKEY
2 hours
The ancient city of Hierapolis was founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of the trading route between East and West. However in the Roman times the city became a centre of worship for Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal centre where Roman baths were built to serve the Romans who visited the region. View the spectacular calcium pools that have been in place for thousands of years, wander the giant tomb chambers of Necropolis and gain an understanding of the wealth of this society and visit one of the best preserved Roman theatres in the world that was built in the 2nd Century. ANTIQUE POOL OF CLEOPATRA
2 hours
Swim in the same waters as Cleopatra once did. Once housed by a Roman temple to Apollo these historical healing waters are today a fascinating Roman ruin and you will have the opportunity to wade through history, amoung fallen columns and Roman artifacts.
Please refer to specific itinerary pages for included Scenic Freechoice activities. Certain Scenic Freechoice options may require pre selection prior to travel. Certain Scenic Freechoice activities may have minimum and maximum numbers. Applicable to 2021 Europe Land Tour itineraries and subject to change.