Holland America Line: Oosterdam

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summit has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.

Suggested Private Excursions

Piraeus: The Ancient City of Athens - 8 Hours

Piraeus: Cape Sounion - 5 hours

Argostoli is the capital of Cephalonia. The harbour front is worth a walk. There is an excellent market for buying fresh fruit and veg, and the traffic free shopping area running parallel to the harbor front is also well worth visiting. Spend a Saturday evening in the main square over an ouzo, watching the local populace taking their volta. The whole family comes out to play. There are balloon sellers and amateur entertainers. Children race around on tricycles and on foot while their older brothers and sisters play the age old game of eyeing each other from the safety of their own peer groups. All this while the parents look on indulgently.

Corfu's unique scenery, with gentle green hills and luxuriant southern flora, makes it one of the most beautiful of all Greek islands. Many beautiful buildings can be seen in Corfu Town. Corfu is a popular holiday destination for vacationers from all walks of life who come to enjoy mild climate, calm blue-green water, rugged mountains, hidden coves and miles of sandy beaches. A number of historical sights range from old fortresses and mansions to cathedrals and palaces. Corfu Town is surrounded by arcaded Venetian buildings. The Spianada is considered to be the largest square in Greece. Explore the narrow streets of Old Town. See Town Hall and the 300-year-old Church of Saint Spyrídon; a silver sarcophagus contains the remains of the town's patron saint. The Royal Palace - a neo-classical mansion - holds on its upper floor the Museum of Byzantine and East Asian Art. The Archaeological Museum has displays of artifacts discovered on Corfu. The Old Fortress, an impressive 14th-century Venetian structure, is now used as a popular venue for concerts.

Suggested Private Excursions

Corfu Town & Achilleion Palace - 4.5 hours

Classed as a world heritage treasure by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces, Venetian-style buildings and bell towers. The city is enclosed by stone walls, and the highlight is a leisurely walk atop these massive walls for a great view of the city and the sea. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the clock tower at the other end of town. The Orlando Tower here is a favorite meeting place. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Franciscan Monastery housing the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, operating since 1391. For a fantastic panorama of the city, take a cable car ride to the summit of the 1,340-foot Mount Srdj.

Suggested Private Excursions

Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic Walking Tour - 4 hours

Dubrovnik: Kayaking the Adriatic - 4 hours

Dubrovnik: Tastes of the Peljesac Peninsula - 6 hours

Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands by Private Motor Yacht - 8 hours

Dubrovnik pick up, bike tour, wine tasting and lunch in Konavle, 5 hours

Dubrovnik & Oysters Tasting, 4 hours, from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik sightseeing, 3 hours, from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik & Wine tasting, 3 hours, from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik & Game of thrones, full day, from Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik pick up, Peljesac wine & oyster story, 5 hours

Dubrovnik pick up, Kayak safari tour, 4 hours

Dubrovnik pick up, Dubrovnik and silk experience, 5 hours

Dubrovnik pick up, car&driver on disposal, 6 hours

Buggy safari tour with private sightseeing of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik tour and Coral factory

Dubrovnik tour with emphasis on Jewish Heritage

Dubrovnik Cooking class

Magic gastro and history experience in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik: Cooking Class in the Konavle Valley - 6 hours

Zadar's many promenadors on the shore have a feeling they are on board the starboards of which are being laved by the waves carried by the warm zephyrus. Zadar is a town on the seaside. It is floating on the reef and closing from times a gap between itself and land, a harbor which was a pulse of its history. All the maritime and land ways led to this harbour and on their crossings the ancient marketplace was made, which became the origin of the Town, the very springwell of its life.

Suggested Private Excursions

Zadar 2h + Croata workshop

NP Krka full day excursion from Zadar

Private Paklenica hiking tour

Zadar Market tour and cooking class

Pag excursion (Pag, Kolan, Gligora)

National Park Plitvice lakes

Speedboat excursion to Sakarun

Zadar 3h + tickets

Trieste is an interesting city and a flourishing center of trade and commerce. It was a literary and cultural center in the 20th century, and the town has Viennese influence and style - along with grand squares, palazzi and churches. The main square, Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia, has Viennese cafes, Palazzo del Governo, and Palazzo del Comune with its clock tower. All of these buildings were built in the 19th century. The promenade is a worth a stroll. Upper town, Colle di San Giusto - with its terrific views - has beautiful Castello di San Giusto and its musuem at the top of the hill, Piazza Cattedrale. Basilica di San Giusto is two churches in several styles, including Roman and Byzantine, with frescoes depicting San Giusto (the town's patron saint), mosaics, and the lovely rose window. The civic museum here has art, religious items and historical items inside. Orto Lapidario displays pottery and statues. Visit Civico Museo Revoltella. Stop at Castello di Miramare and her gardens. Villa Opicina has a wonderful belvedere and views, and Grotta Gigante is an amazing walkable cave museum.

As the Kvarner Riviera's biggest city, Rijeka has a vibrant nightlife and is a hub of industrial trade and more of a springboard from where to depart to other scenic towns along the coastline. Stroll the Korzo, a pedestrian street lined with restaurants and shops. View the City Tower, built between the 16th and 19th centuries and decorated by four clocks crafted in the 18th century. The Roman Arch, once part of a fortress and possibly connected to the rule of Emperor Claudius II, and the Church of St. Vitus (13th century) both give a look into Rijeka's past. Legend says  that the medieval cross found within St. Vitus once lead to a man being consumed by the earth, after he had thrown a rock at the crucifix. Rijeka's history is varied and stems from its ancient role as an Illyrian settlement in the 2nd century BCE, when it was part of the Roman Empire. It went through numerous rulers and kingdoms over the centuries, from the medieval Croatian Kingdom to the Hapsburg Empire, from the Austro-Hungarians to being annexed by Mussolini. Having not been a free city since the 17th century, in 1947 Rijeka was finally part of Croatia in Yugoslavia. Experience 19th century architecture at the Ivan Zajc National Theatre, where you can still enjoy performances. Museums, galleries, fine dining and more make exploring the city an interesting way to spend thet afternoon, or you can hop on a bus to go further down the coast to Bivio to enjoy the beach and seaside strolling.

Suggested Private Excursions

Rijeka and Opatija sightseeing

Rijeka and Krk sightseeing

Rijeka and Trsat sightseeing

Korçula is said to be one of the most beautiful as well as the largest of the Croatian islands. Seasoned travelers compare Korçula to a latter-day Eden. Korçula’s main town is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. Visit the birthplace of Marco Polo, and see Korçulan buildings featuring mainly Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and residual Romanesque style. View traditional knightly games like the chivalrous Moreska dance, a spectacular, dynamic war-dance with swords that has been in existence for seceral hundred years. Travelers flock to Korcula, appreciating its stunning location, natural beauty and impressive medieval look. If that’s not enough, there are numerous attractions, such as the City Museum, the Bishop’s Treasury, a collection of icons, art galleries and old churches with priceless paintings.

Suggested Private Excursions

The fairy-tale of hiking tour to “Fairies spring” & traditional lunch

Tour of town Korcula & tasting of indigenous wine Grk

Take a step back in time and visit the old town of Kotor, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. The asymmetric structure of the narrow streets and squares, combined with the awesome monuments of medieval architecture, contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO’s “World’s natural and cultural inheritance” list. From ancient fortification systems surrounding the city to 12th century cathedrals, Kotor is a dream come true for those who revel in history. Entrance to town from the Gurdic spring, consists of 3 separate gates, built from the 13th, 16th and 18th centuries. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is one of the most visited and impressive churches in the city. According to some texts, the original church was erected in the 8th century and rebuilt in 1166. Two earthquakes, one in 1667 and one in 1979 seriously damaged the cathedral and it continues to be restored to this day. The city is breathtaking in every respect and only a visit will truly reveal all it has to offer.

Suggested Private Excursions

Kotor: Walking Tour - 2 hours

Kotor: Highlights of Montenegro - 8 hours

Kotor sightseeing

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A former capital of Greece and a popular port on the eastern Peloponnese coast, Nafplion impresses visitors with grand, medieval architecture erected by Venetians during the 15th century. The most dominant structure is Palamidi Fortress towering high above town. The port is a lively town with a scenic harbor, a picturesque center to explore on foot and pebble beaches. Several monuments remain from its Turkish past, including mosques and parliament building. Handicrafts and local costumes are on display at the Folk Art Museum. Palamidi Castle has an incomparable view from the fortress’ lofty position. Spend time strolling along the waterfront, exploring around main square and narrow streets of Old Town. Platia Sintagmator, the city’s main square, is fronted by a former mosque, now the meeting place of Greek Parliament. Here is also the Archaeological Museum, which features an outstanding collection of Mycenaean finds. The entrance to Akronafplia Citadel has a gate built of Roman bricks, a Byzantine gatehouse with frescoes dating from 1291, and Venetian bastions.


From the port, don't pass up a tour to Mycenae. There is evidence that the site has been inhabited since 4000 BC, but reached its peak of civilization during 1500 - 1000 BC. It was here that the mighty Agamemnon ruled and the site still contains massive structures which give visitors a glimpse of what this magnificent city once was.

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summit has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.

Suggested Private Excursions

Piraeus: The Ancient City of Athens - 8 Hours

Piraeus: Cape Sounion - 5 hours

Katakolon is a port admired for beautiful beaches. Equally important, Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, the great Panhellenic sanctuary. The site of ancient Olympia is situated at the foot of wooded Mount Kronos in an area of gentle hills; excavations began in 1875 and are considered one of archaeology’s great achievements. A direct consequence was the revival of Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin; the first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Today, visitors to Olympia are overwhelmed by the impact of ancient remains and their significance. The site’s most important excavations include numerous monuments, such as Temple of Zeus in the Sacred Precinct, Treasuries, and Stadium. There is an excellent Archaeological Museum with a large collection of bronzes, pottery and sculptures unearthed during the excavations. The main reason for a visit to Katakolon is the trip to Olympia. Those guests who wish to remain in Katakolon will enjoy its unhurried atmosphere and the friendliness of the people.

Suggested Private Excursions

Katakolan - Olympia Tour, site of the Olympic Idea - 4 hours

Sarande is a port town located on the southern end of Albania surrounded by spectacularly crystal clear water beaches that are suprisingly uncrowded and perfect for a lazy day in the sun. While in port, enjoy a light lunch at one of many restaurants featuring locally caught seafood. Forty-five minutes outside the city is the archaeological city of Butrint. Some scholars think Butrint is one of the most important excavations in the region due to its lengthy history and varied inhabitants. The surrounding area to the ruins is almost as astonishing as the ancient city itself.

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Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

The east coast of Sicily is considered by many to be its most magnificent. Lovely Taormina was called "the greatest work of art and nature" by Goethe in his Italian Journey. Situated above the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna as a spectacular backdrop, this storybook town of sculpted gardens, stately palaces and ancient monuments is easily one of Sicily’s most striking sites. There is much to see and do here; the main attractions in Taormina are seen on foot. Incredible vistas are available from Taormina's Public Gardens which are filled with exotic flowers and plants. In Giardini-Naxos, close to the pier, the Bourbon fort contains a fine museum, Museo Archaeologico. The entrance is via a garden bisected by an ancient lava flow.

Channel in the Mediterranean Sea separating Sicily in the west and Italy in the east and linking the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The strait is 20 miles long, 2 miles wide in the north (between Faro Point and the Rock of Scylla), and 10 miles wide in the south (between capes Alì and Pellaro); it is 300 feet deep at the northern end.

Stromboli is a volcanic island located just north of Sicily in Italy. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with its continuous eruptions in the past 2000 years. The island itself is 2 miles in diameter and about 3000 feet above sea level.

From Naples visitors can explore the rugged Amalfi coast, Italy's most romantic stretch of coastline. Near Amalfi is the resort of Positano, where visitors enjoy strolling through streets and shopping in small boutiques. Take an excursion to legendary Pompeii, an ancient Roman city covered and preserved by the debris from the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The monuments of this city are considered to be among the finest of any ancient city in Europe, and visitors can spend a day here learning about life in a Roman town during the first century A.D. The Cathedral of San Gennaro, a fine medieval building, has one chapel containing the tomb of Charles of Anjou, while another houses the cathedral's gold and silver treasure. Among the Christian underground burial vaults discovered in an area of suburban heights, the Catacombs of San Gennaro can be visited. Capodimonte Park - a well-kept tropical park - has a royal palace built by Charles III in 1738 that now houses Naples' picture gallery, the National Museum of Capodimonte.

Suggested Private Excursions

Naples: Food Tour of Naples - 4 hours

Naples: The City of Naples - 8 hours

Naples: Historic Pompeii & Vesuvius - 9 hours

Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.

Suggested Private Excursions

Civitavecchia: Imperial Rome & The Vatican City - 8 hours

Civitavecchia: Rome for Repeat Visitors - 8 hours

Civitavecchia: Gastronomic Rome and Time at Leisure - 8 hours

Civitavecchia: Museums of Rome - Capitoline and Borghese - 8 hours

No information currently available.

On the French island of Corsica, Ajaccio is famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Visit the Bonaparte family home and the 16th century church where he was baptized. Or, take a tour into the wild and rugged outback countryside they call the maquis.

Set in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful bays, Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on the steps of a natural amphitheatre - the terraced hills of the Riviera - gazing out over the sea. The plentiful sunshine of the Côte d'Azur, reflected in the enclosed bay, has given Villefranche-sur-Mer a warmth and climate all of its own and its famous rich, exotic vegetation. Long a spectator to centuries of history, Villefranche-sur-Mer has welcomed civilzations and has a rich heritage to show for it: the old city with its picturesque narrow streets, the mysterious "Rue Obscure", the Chapel Saint-Pierre, decorated by Cocteau, the fortified Port, and, last but not least, the magnificent Citadel built in 1557 by the Duke of Savoy. Today, those massive and majestic walls harbour the Town Hall, an open air theatre surrounded by gardens, three museums and a Congress Centre. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a rich and growing city situated very closely to Nice and Monaco. It is a city with very special character, and the warmth and charm of a fishing village from a bygone age.

Suggested Private Excursions

VilleFranche- Shore Excursion - Discovery of Saint-Paul de Vence, Haut de Cagnes & Gourdon - 8 hours

VilleFranche - Shore Excursion - Discovery of Nice, Eze & Monaco - 8 hours

No information currently available.

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Suggested Private Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)