Pn-pt 1000-1800 sob 1000

HAV04 ― THE VILLAGES OF HONFLEUR & DEAUVILLE

Duration: approx. 7.5 hours, lunch not included

An enjoyable drive will take you to the tiny town of Honfleur, a sleepy settlement known for its picturesque harbour and beautifully preserved old buildings with slate-covered frontages. A favourite motif of many a painter, Honfleur is known to have particularly inspired Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin and Johan Jongkind, collectively referred to as the Honfleur school. You will have enough time to spend in this delightful village on your own. Enjoy the old-fashioned feel of the narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses and be sure to visit Sainte-Catherine Church, France’s largest church made entirely of wood. The church also features bell tower that is separate from the main building. Choose one of the many harbour-front restaurants for a delicious and scenic lunchtime experience. The afternoon leg of the tour will take you to the stylish resort of Deauville, which is famed as the venue of an annual international film festival to promote American cinematography and is generally regarded as the “queen of the Norman beaches”. It is certainly one of the most prestigious seaside destinations in the whole of France and you will have plenty of time to explore the old-fashioned streets of this lovely place and savour its special ambience at your leisure. Apart from a racecourse, harbour, marina and grand casino, Deauville also has sandy beaches for you to enjoy. The tour concludes with your return to the ship.

HAV05 ― PARIS SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Duration: full day, lunch not included

This all-day excursion will give you an opportunity to see some of the major sights of France’s magnificent capital city and find out why Paris is known worldwide for its elegance and grandeur. On leaving the port of Le Havre, a leisurely three-hour drive will take you to Paris for a chance to discover this eternally romantic city and its boundless culture. The special splendour of the Champs-Élysées – proudly referred to as “the most beautiful avenue in the world” by the French – awaits you just as the modernity of the Eiffel Tower, which was considered to be a marvel of modern engineering when it was built in 1889. At a height of 324 metres, it is the tallest building in Paris and the second-tallest in the whole of France. You will have approx. 2 hours free time to explore the area around Place de la Concorde or reach the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. No tour of Paris would be complete without a chance to view this famous Paris landmark; during your free time you will have the opportunity to have lunch on your own and/or visit this outstanding Gothic landmark on your own. With the cornerstone laid in 1163 and the building finally completed in 1345, the cathedral took a staggering 182 years to build. Before returning to Le Havre, your tour will take you through other lovely parts of Paris, with a short photo stop at the Eiffel Tower.

Please note: all the sites will be visited from outside. Guests will be met by guides in Paris. Transfers to and from the port will be unguided. This tour is not available on following MSC Magnifica dates : 26.04.2014 + 05.05.2014 + 30.08.2014 + 08.09.2014.
HAV06 – MONT SAINT MICHEL

Duration: full day, lunch not included

This tour will take you through on a 2.5-hour drive across the attractive Normandy countryside to the wonderful Mont Saint Michel, known as “the wonder of the west” due to its unique island setting, rich history and beautiful architecture. As the bay is partially silted up, the mount is usually viewed surrounded by huge sand banks which shift with the tides. The abbey’s origins date back to the early VIII century when Archangel Michael appeared to the bishop of Avranches and this vision led to the construction of a series of beautiful buildings dedicated to the archangel. After visiting the Abbey, the church and its cloister, you can walk along the ramparts which offer a fine view of the bay and the abbey gardens. Time allowed for exploring and purchasing souvenirs before returning to Le Havre.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties as it involves walking uphill and on uneven ground. Limited number of guides in languages other than French. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in French only. You may have to queue at the car park for the shuttle to reach the site. This tour is not available on following MSC Magnifica dates : 26.04.2014 + 05.05.2014 + 30.08.2014 + 08.09.2014.

HAV07 – COACH TRANSFER TO MONT SAINT MICHEL

Duration: full day, lunch not included

Leave the port of Le Havre for a 2.5-hour drive across the attractive Normandy countryside to the wonderful Mont Saint Michel, known as “the wonder of the west” due to its unique island setting, rich history and beautiful architecture. The abbey’s origins date back to the early VIII century when Archangel Michael appeared to the bishop of Avranches and this vision led to the construction of a series of beautiful buildings dedicated to the archangel. You will have time to explore the little village or to visit the Abbey on your own. A walk along the ramparts offers a fine view of the bay and the abbey gardens. Return to the port.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties as it involves walking uphill and on uneven ground. You may have to queue at the car park for the shuttle to reach the site. This tour is not available on following MSC Magnifica dates : 26.04.2014 + 05.05.2014 + 30.08.2014 + 08.09.2014.

HAV08 ― A TASTE OF NORMANDY

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

With its lovely countryside, wooded valleys, apple orchards, dairy farms and reputation for producing fabulous cheeses, some of the world’s best cider and the appellation contrôlée-protected Calvados, Normandy is just the sort of place of which you’ll want to get a taste. After boarding a modern coach at the pier and leaving the port in Le Havre via the super-modern, cable-stayed Normandy Bridge, you can first look forward to an approx. 1.5-hour drive through the lush landscape of the Auge region to reach Le Breuil-en-Auge. The tiny village is home to the gorgeous 16^th-/17^th-century Château du Breuil, the residence of several notable families over the years and now a Calvados distillery that forms your first stop. Your tour of the Château will provide a fascinating insight into the way in which the famous apple brandy ages in oak casks in the castle’s deep cellars. A chance to taste some of the excellent brandy distilled at the Château will round off your visit to this spirited place. More wonderful views then await you on the drive to Beuvron-en-Auge, a real jewel of a place with meticulously maintained historical buildings and pristine streets that has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in France by an independent association named “Les Plux Beaux Villages de France”. Don’t forget your camera to capture the beauty of this special spot for posterity as you spend some free time exploring the village and its wonderful timber-framed houses. A relaxing return drive to Le Havre and your ship then brings the tour to a close.

LEKNES (Norway)
LKN01 ― PANORAMIC OF LOFOTEN ISLANDS

Duration: approx. 7 hours, lunch included

Tradition says that at the end of creation of the earth God was left with only a small clod of substance creation which he tossed it across the ocean and then that is how Lofoten Islands were made. Joining this excursion you will be plunged into a kaleidoscope of natural scenery and ancient traditions. As you approach Lofoten Islands from the sea you will be seduced by the beauty of a breathless landscape: high, steep mountain falling into the sea and green vegetation. It’s no secret that, though lying within the Arctic Circle, the archipelago has one of the world’s largest elevated temperature anomalies. Driving along King Olav’s road, you will reach the small town of Å – also the town with the smallest name in Norway – specializing in stockfish. Your exploration will include a visit to some fishing barracks and to the stockfish museum, a good opportunity to learn the whole process of drying fish, a key resourse to the local economy. Enjoy a typical Norwegian lunch before driving back to the port. On the way back to Leknes you will have a short stop at Nusfjord, one of the nicest villages of Lofoten islands.

Please note : limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only.

LKN02 ― ENCHANTING VIEWS & “LOFOTR” VIKING MUSEUM

Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

As you leave the port and pass the little airport at Leknes, your first view will be of the so-called “Himmeltindan” mountains, the tallest mountains on the island, 914 metres above sea level. We will head for Borg, the site of the ancient Viking farm that was discovered by a farmer plowing his land in the early 1980’ies. Today it has been reconstructed and is called “Lofotr”. The main building has a length of 83 metres and all around there are various exhibitions and reconstructions. After the unique audio visual presentation visitors will be left with a very realistic impression of the living conditions in these bygone times. Outside you will see samples of the livestock they had in those days, boars, fjord horses, sheep etc. Afterwards we drive via Stamsund – a fishing village founded by Mr. Julius M. Johansen at the beginning of the 20th century. Up to date quays, modern fishing equipment, a cod-liver oil refinery, shops, fishermen’s' dwellings as well as a church were all built and provided by the self made man who became Norway's largest supplier of dried fish and guano. From Hagskaret viewpoint you have views both to the Norwegian Sea and towards the wide Vestfjord between the mainland and the islands and from Einangen viewpoint there is a superb possibility to photograph your ship down on the Buksnes fjord.

Please note : limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only.

LKN03 ― THE VILLAGES OF FLAKSTAD, SUND & UTAKLEIV

Duration: approx. 4 hours

As you approach the Lofoten Islands and see an approx. 190 km range of mountains with a sheer drop into the sea, you will be seduced by the breathtaking scenery but, at the same time, will be surprised to discover the rich green vefetation in the valleys and the small villages. Leaving the port you will head for the Flakstad Bay to visit the charming little, red painted Flakstad church, dating back to the 18th century. Next on the list is Sund with its interesting fishery museum. During the visit you will have a closer look at the works and collections of the local craftsman - the black smith. He has collected various objects, brought together with much thought and affection: boats of various kinds, utensils from fishermen's homes as well as boat engines (still in working order) from the beginning of this century. It is fascinating to see a blacksmith at work, perhaps creating a cormorant, the bird that made the former blacksmith Hans Gjertsen famous in Norway. This bird is a symbol to the fishermen in this region and therefore of great significance. Continue the tour by returning to Vestvågøy Island and Utakleiv. A small community facing the open sea which was elected by the Times as having the most romantic of Europe’s Best Beaches in 2005.

Please note : limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only.
LERWICK ( U.K )
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Scottish Shetland Islands, which are located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Britain. The area has strong ties with the Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, and this is reflected in Lerwick’s street names. Nature-lovers and art enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the special landscapes and unique light of the Shetland Isles, which have encouraged numerous painters and sculptors.
LER01 – ISLAND TOUR

Duration: approx. 2.5 hours

Your excursion will start with a bus transfer through Lerwick, the only town in Shetland that dates back to the 1600’s. We will arrive in Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland. Here you will visit Scalloway Castle, built in 1600 by the ‘tyrant’ Earl Patrick Stewart. Free time to walk along Main Street and admire the waterfront before leaving the town and journeying on through the Tingwall Valley and through peat and heather covered landscapes and Shetland’s largest plantation of trees. En route back to Lerwick, take the opportunity to capture some of the views of the many islands that make up the Shetland archipelago.

Please note : guides available only in English. This tour is not recommended for guests using a wheelchair.
LER02 – JARLSHOF & SOUTH COAST

Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

Leave Lerwick, a Shetland town that dates back to the 1700’s and travel to the south of the Shetland Mainland. You will see the limestone community of Fladdabister and have time to take pictures of the world’s best preserved Iron Age Broch, on the island of Mousa. We will continue with a visit to Hoswick where you can visit Laurence Odie Knitwear and the Hoswick Visitor Centre or enjoy free time along the unspoilt seafront. We will cross the 60° North line of latitude to the rugged Atlantic coast where we can admire the view of St. Ninian’s Isle and listen to tales of Pictish treasure as we look over the white sandy beaches. At Jarlshof, Europe’s most complex archaeological site, we will travel through 4,000 years of Shetland history ranging from the New Stone Age up to the 1600’s. Before returning to the port, hear legends about Shetland’s culture and heritage along the way.

Please note : guides available only in English. This tour is not recommended for guests using a wheelchair.
LER03 – WALKING TOUR

Duration: 1.5 hours

Start your excursion in the heart of Lerwick old town at Victoria pier where we will journey 200 years back in time. A leisurely stroll uncovers the delights of Lerwick including the Lodberries, a group of XVIII century buildings and warehouses, Market Cross, the imposing Tolbooth and the town’s intricate web of lanes. Your walk will continue to Lerwick’s elegant Town Hall and on to Fort Charlotte which has dominated Lerwick since the late XVI century and from where you can enjoy panoramic views across the harbour to the island of Bressay. Shop in Lerwick for quality crafts and knitwear before returning to the ship

Please note : guides available only in English. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
LER05 – ST. NINIAN’S ISLE

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Situated on the banks of Clickimin Loch in the town of Lerwick, the amazing Clickimin Broch – a Pictish fort built around 3,000 years ago – will be the first stop on this half-day tour. After viewing this important monument of historical Scotland, or perhaps simply watching the mallards, teal ducks and other waterfowl that call the loch home, Shetland’s sparse, craggy landscape then provides a stunning backdrop for the second leg, the coach ride to Bigton, a small village by the sea. Leaving your coach for a while, you can enjoy a short walk to the so-called St. Ninian’s Isle, which is actually tied to Mainland Shetland by a sliver of sediment called a tombolo. Once accessible only when the tide was out and populated until 1700, the island is now inhabited only by a thriving colony of rabbits, a flock of sheep and countless seabirds. A guided walking tour across the sands will take you to the remains of a church that is believed to be Norse. The views of sea stacks, the dramatic coastline as well as the isles of South Havra and Foula in the distance are truly spectacular. The tour then draws to a close with a scenic coach ride back your ship.

Please note : guides available only in English. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
LER06 – SPECTACULAR NORTHMAVINE, RUGGED LANDSCAPE & VOLCANIC CLIFFS

Duration: approx. 4 hours 15 minutes

Discover Mainland Shetland’s dramatic countryside, picturesque villages, rugged scenery and some of the most amazing coastline anywhere in the United Kingdom on this coach-based tour. First up is the Northmavine peninsula, the northernmost part of Mainland Shetland whose only land access is via the Mavis Grind isthmus. At its narrowest point, this is the only place in the UK where you can toss a stone from the North Sea into the Atlantic Ocean. Then it’s on to the Tangwick Haa Museum, a late 17^th-century house built for the first Cheyne of Tangwick, a local laird. The artefacts found in the museum will tell you a lot about the harsh realities of life on Shetland in the past. Next up is Braewick Café for refreshments and unique views of the famous sea stacks known as “The Drongs”, followed by Esha Ness Lighthouse, which was built by uncles of Robert Louis Stevenson in 1929. You can either stay at the lighthouse and enjoy the views from there or take part in a short walk along the cliffs to see some of Shetland’s most amazing scenery, various seabirds and geological forms, including sea stacks, natural arches and caves. Your return journey back to Lerwick then brings the tour to a close.

Please note : guides available only in English. This tour is not recommended for guests using a wheelchair.


LISBON (Portugal)
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the westernmost capital city in Europe. With its sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and over 20 centuries of history, there is no shortage of landmarks to visit in this beguiling holiday town. Despite being the birthplace of the melancholy folk music, Fado, Lisbon is a dynamic and friendly place!



LIS01 – CITY TOUR

Duration: 4 hours

Leave the port and drive to the Belém district where we will admire two masterpieces built in the decorative Portuguese style known as Manueline. These are Jeronimo’s Church and Belém Tower, both built in the beginning of the XVI century, just after Vasco da Gama’s exploratory voyage to India. We will visit the monastery church which holds the tomb of Vasco da Gama and have time to explore the cloisters. The excursion continues with a scenic tour through Lisbon’s “new” city centre built after the devastating earthquake of 1755 : we will pass the Parliament and Prime Minister’s House, the Marquis of “Pombal” Square, “Liberdade” Avenue and “Rossio” Square – the heart of Lisbon’s downtown. Free time before returning to the ship.

Please note: on Monday calls, the visit to the Monastery will be replaced with a visit to Ajuda Palace. Shooting videos or taking photos with flash inside Jeronimo’s Monastery is prohibited. Conservative attire is recommended for visiting places of religious importance.