Pn-pt 1000-1800 sob 1000

WARNEMUNDE (Germany)
WAR01 – A TASTE OF ROSTOCK

Duration: 4.5 hours

Leave the ship and meet your guide to start a short coach trip to Rostock whose centre is dominated by brick front and gabled houses dating from different times. Enjoy a walking tour that will introduce you to this lovely city and its monuments. You will admite St. Mary’s Church, the biggest and most important church in Rostock, and continue to the Kropeliner Gate, the 13^th century City Hall, the University and the Monastery of the Holy Cross. As sightseeing is thirsty work, our next stop will be for a beer tasting session at a typical German brewery to enjoy the taste of traditional Germany. A 30-minute coach drive will take you back to the port.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in German only.
WAR02 – BERLIN

Duration: 9.5 hours, lunch not included

Spend a day off the ship and take some time to discover Germany’s thrilling capital city, Berlin. After a 3-hour coach transfer from the pier through the attractive German landscape you will reach heart of Berlin, where you will be met by your guide. An enjoyable sightseeing tour then follows that will take you to Charlottenburg Palace, the only building in the city dating back to the time of the Hohenzollern family; a good chance to catch some pictures for your memory book. You will continue through the Western part of the city, driving along the Kurfürdtendamm, the famous shopping mile, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the KaDeWe, probably Germany’s most famous shopping centre. On the way to East Berlin, we will pass the Victory Column, Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate where you will have free time to stroll around. This area is known as the death-strip which divided West and East Berlin until 1989: on one side stands the governmental center with the German Reichstag, on the other side awits you the “Unter den Linden” Boulevard. You will meet your guide again at the Holocaust Memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Nazi regims and a sightseeing of east Berlin will follow. You will pass Bebelplatz, Gendarmen market and Checkpoint Charlie which is today an iconic marker of political division, and Alexanderplatz with the imposing TV tower. You will stop at the East Side Gallery, a 1.3-km long painted stretch of the former Berlin Wall where you will say goodbye to your guide and return to Warnemunde.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in German only.
WAR03 – THE FAIRYTALE CITY OF SCHWERIN

Duration: approx. 6 hours, lunch not included

Imagine going through a city and feeling like you were in a fairytale; this is what you will experience joining this tour and walking along the historic city of Schwerin and around its Castle garden. A 1-hour coach drive will take you to Schwerin, the second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Meet your guide and stroll along small historic strets until reaching the mighty Gothic minster and the heart of the town. The buildings, all arranged to one another around the market place, have their own story to tell. Look around and admire the old urban town hall with its beautiful Tudor style façade; get a glimpse of the white “new building” which was built 1717/1785 and is decorated by 14 pillars. Continue your walk and soon the gold turrets of the fairytale castle will appear before your eyes. The Castle of Schwerin was the grand residence of many dukes in former times and lies encircled by gardens on an island in the Schwerin lake. Pacing around the castle garden is like walking inside the fairytale of Cinderella; the garden is built on two levels, one directly at the water level and the upper one on a stone grotto with a beautiful orangery. Walking via the historic bridge you will reach the big castle garden in English style with typical access balconies. Enjoy some free time in town for exploring Schwering at your pace or to have a snack. Return to the port.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in German only.
WAR04 – THE HANSEATIC CITY OF LUBECK

Duration: approx. 7 hours, lunch not included

Get on your coach and enjoy a pleasant 2-hour scenic drive through beautiful German countryside to the Hanseatic city of Lubeck where you will meet your guide. Discover the charming old town which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on an enjoyable guided itinerary. You will discover the elegant XIX century alleyways and ground courtyards that pay testament to when the Hanseatic League was a booming trade centre. Admire the world-famous Holsten Gate, the seven spires of the cities five churches, the Hospital of the Holy Ghost which dates back to 1280 and St. Mary's Church – home to the world's largest mechanical organ. Pass the city hall which is today one of the nicest and oldest of Germany and learn more about the long tradition of the marzipan as your guide shows you the Niederegger House. Next you will have free time to explore this medieval city at your own pace or to have lunch in the many restaurants and cafés. Return to the port.

Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in German only.
YALTA (Crimea)
World War II history buffs will be eager to visit Yalta, a unique destination of historical importance located in southern Ukraine on the north coast of the Black Sea. Come ashore and visit Livadia Palace where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met in 1945 at the Yalta Conference to decide the future of Europe. If political affairs don’t float your boat, we have romance and art in store instead! A visit to the lovely ‘Swallow’s Nest’ turreted castle that hangs dramatically on a cliff top over the sea can still be enjoyed on the same tour.
YAL03 - THE ROYAL YALTA

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Located on the Crimea peninsula in Ukraine, the resort town of Yalta is home to Livadia Palace – the White Palace. Not only was it the last vacation residence of the tsar, it also played host to Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin during the momentous 1945 Yalta Conference that went on to decide the future fate of Europe. The building itself is about 100 years old and also includes the royal family’s beautiful former private chapel. Next up is a photo stop at the turreted castle known as the Swallow’s Nest, so named due to its precarious position on the very edge of a dramatic 40-metre precipice overlooking the Black Sea. Built between 1911 and 1912, this Neo-Gothic castle is a true châteaux fantastique in every sense of the term. An enjoyable return journey then takes you back to the port.

Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

YAL04 - THE HISTORIC YALTA

Duration: approx. 4 hours

A little inland from the port of Yalta on the Black Sea lies the town of Massandra, which was founded on the spot once occupied by an ancient Greek settlement. An interesting guided tour of the palace of Alexander III, the tsar of Russia in the late 19^th century, then follows. The elegant Baroque palace was historically used to welcome the Russian Romanoff family. During the visit you can admire sumptuous décor, furniture, documents and photographs. The beautiful palace grounds are also open to visitors and certainly worth a look. A stop to take photographs will then be made at the castle called the Swallow’s Nest. The eyrie-like position of this turreted Neo-Gothic castle, which is approx. 100 years old, on the edge of a high cliff gave rise to the name and affords wonderful views of the Black Sea below.

Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

YAL05 - THE ARISTOCRATIC YALTA

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Your tour begins with a coach drive from the port of Yalta to the famous Neo-Gothic Swallow’s Nest castle near the spa town of Gaspra for a photo stop. The whimsical turreted castle was finished in 1912 and is perched precariously at the edge of a 40-metre cliff. The next stop on your tour is Alupka Palace near the seaside town of Alupka in southern Ukraine. Formerly known as Vorontsov Palace, the magnificent complex was completed in the mid-19^th century. Designed by the same English architect involved in the design of Buckingham Palace, Alupka Palace features an English Tudor-style exterior and boasts a rich collection of paintings and sculptures. It was also the place that Winston Churchill and the British delegation stayed during the Yalta Conference in 1945. Your tour ends with your return to the port.

Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

YAL06 – ROMANOV’S & THE CRIMEA

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

Your half-day excursion begins with a coach drive from the port of Yalta to Massandra and the elegant, Baroque-style Palace of Alexander III, which was historically used to welcome the Russian Romanov dynasty. The Palace is particularly celebrated for its sumptuous décor and exquisite furniture, a fascinating collection of documents and photographs as well as beautiful gardens, which are open to visitors and well worth exploring. The second part of the tour will take you to Livadia Palace – which is also known as the “White Palace”. Once used as a summer retreat of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II, the Palace’s most recent claim to fame was as the location of the momentous 1945 Yalta Conference, which served to decide the future of Europe at the end of WWII. Your return to the port and your ship brings the excursion to a close.

Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

YAL07 – FABULOUS YALTA

Duration: approx. 4 hours

The beautiful city of Yalta, some wonderful sights and a few enjoyable hours off the ship await you on this tour, which will see you leave the port by coach for a scenic 30-minute ride to the nearby Nikitsky Botanical Gardens, your first stop. As one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Crimea, this recreational oasis was opened in 1812 and covers a huge area of 11 square kilometres. As you make your way around the lovely gardens, prepare to marvel at some of the 18,000 different species of plants and flowers found in the park. The tour then continues on to the resplendent Livadia Palace, which is also known as the “White Palace” for its dazzling façade and once was a summer retreat of the last Russian’s tsar, Nicholas II, and his family. The regal palace also played host to Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin during the momentous 1945 Yalta Conference. Leaving Livadia Palace behind, you will then move on to what is perhaps the quintessence of romantic architecture: the wonderful Swallow’s Nest castle, a turreted construction in pure white perched precariously on the very edge of a 40-metre cliff overlooking the Black Sea. The early 20^th-century building is of Neo-Gothic design. Do take some photos before you begin the return journey to Yalta port and your ship.

Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
ZEEBRUGGE (Belgium)
Zeebrugge is not only a major international port on the busy North Sea coast and a crossroads for traffic from all directions, but equally a seafront resort in its own right with hotels, cafés, an attractive marina and even a beach area. As Belgium’s principal fishing port, Zeebrugge is also home to one of the largest wholesale markets for fresh fish in the whole of Europe.
ZEE01 – MEDIEVAL GHENT

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

Ghent is home to one of the world’s greatest oil paintings, Van Eyck’s ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’. This dynamic modern city has a centre straight out of the Middle Ages; it was the weavers from Ghent, joined by others from Bruges, who took up arms to defeat the French in 1302. An hour coach drive will transfer you to Ghent where for a pleasant walking tour. Your exploration will begin at St. Michael’s Bridge with its view of Ghent’s three glorious medieval steeples, the closest one is that of the early Gothic St. Nicholas Church. Your guide will point out key monuments such as the Meat House and the City Hall. During your visit to St. Bavo’s Cathedral you will see the ornate wooden pulpit and the world famous oil painting of ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers. After the visit a little free time is scheduled to browse around the historic district or to look for souvenirs in the many lace and chocolate shops. Return to Zeebrugge.

Please note: this tour includes periods of walking on cobblestones and uneven ground; it is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. 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. Taking photos or shooting videos at the “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” inside St. Bavo’s Cathedral is prohibited. Conservative attire is recommended for visiting sites of religious importance.
ZEE02 – BRUGES & BELGIAN CHOCOLATE

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Combine a few hours out to marvel at the beauties of Bruges and to learn Belgium’s finest export product: chocolate. A 30-minute coach drive will take you to Bruges (Brugge in Flemish), an exquisitely preserved medieval town and a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13^th century. Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walking tour through the historic district will introduce you to this beautiful, romantic city. Your guide will point out the major sites such as the Market Square with its Guild houses, the Belfry Tower and Burg Square. This square is the focal point of ancient Bruges, on the lift is the Provost House built in 1655 and across the square is a row of magnificent buildings. The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dates back to the 14^th century and has a wonderfully ornate façade covered with statues and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder’s House from the 1530’s, is ornamented with impressive windows. Next stop will be at a Belgian chocolatier’s workshop to see how raw chocolate bars re made into the fine Belgian chocolates using only the freshest and best ingredients. At the end of the demonstration you will have time to purchase some Belgian chocolates and to pay a brief, independent visit to the Chocolate Museum. After some free time to search for the perfect souvenir in the many lace and chocolates shops, your guide will lead you past the romantic Lake of Love and back to your coach.

Please note: this tour includes periods of walking on cobblestones and uneven ground; it is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. 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.

ZEE03 – AN INTRODUCTION TO BRUGES AND ITS CANALS

Duration: 4.5 hours

Leave the port and enjoy a 30-minute drive to Bruges, an exquisitely preserved medieval town and a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13^th century. Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walking tour through the historic district will introduce you to this beautiful, romantic city. Your guide will point out the major sites such as the Market Square with its Guild houses, the Belfry Tower and Burg Square. This square is the focal point of ancient Bruges, on the lift is the Provost House built in 1655 and across the square is a row of magnificent buildings. The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dates back to the 14^th century and has a wonderfully ornate façade covered with statues and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder’s House from the 1530’s, is ornamented with impressive windows. Next you will enjoy a 30-minute guided canal boat cruise to see the beauty of medieval Bruges from a different perspective from the canals and the waterways of the city. Free time is scheduled around Walplein Square to search for the perfect souvenir in the many lace and chocolates shops. Return to the port.

Please note: this tour includes periods of walking on cobblestones and uneven ground; it is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. 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.
ZEE04 – BRUSSELS

Duration: full day, lunch not included

Enjoy a day out to discover the beauties of Brussels. An approximate 1,5 hours drive will take to Brussels where skyscrapers and hotels have modernized the skyline of this French and Flemish speaking city. Brussels is today an important banking and trade centre as well as the headquarters for NATO and the European Community. You will discover the city’s important monuments during an orientation coach tour that will lead you past the exhibition halls of the Centenaire, the Atomium – a gigantic representation of an iron molecule built for the 1958 World’s Fair – the Chinese Pavillion, Japanese Tower and the King’s Castle in Laeken. In the city centre you will view the Royal Palace before leaving the coach and begin a guided walking tour through St. Hubert Gallery to the ‘Rue des Bouchers’, which is the centre of the gastronomical district of the city. Your guide will lead you to the ‘Grand Place’, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. The extraordinary ensemble of baroque façades was built on the very spot where Brussels first inhabitants held their market in the 12^th century, the heart of the community in the Middle Ages. Admire the remarkable building overlooking the square such as the 15^th century Gothic City Hall and the Guild Houses. A short walk from the ‘Grand Place’ stands the 17^th century bronze statue by Jerome Duquesn, ‘Manneken Pis’, of a small boy that is the city’s official mascot. Enjoy free time to have lunch (not included) or to search for souvenirs in one of the many lace and chocolate shops. Return to the port.

Please note: this tour includes periods of walking on cobblestones and uneven ground; it is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. 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. This tour is not available for MSC Poesia.

ZEE07 – a journey back in time through fetching flanders

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Thanks to its bucolic landscape and immaculately preserved medieval towns, travelling through Flanders is a little like stepping back in time. The first call on your time-warping tour is Damme, a quaint little town of numerous book shops that you can spend some time exploring – and photographing – at your own pace. A stretch by coach will then take you through the outskirts of the historical town of Bruges for glorious views of windmills and the impressive medieval city walls. A stop at one of the largest chocolate shops in Bruges – another speciality for which the Belgians are known – will give you a chance to indulge your sweet tooth with some premium-quality treats, following which you will head south to the mid-19^th-century Loppem Castle. A more romantic spot you could not wish for: amid beautiful landscaped grounds with a lake, mature trees and a maze stands the remarkably well preserved castle in all its neo-Gothic splendour, complete with a richly decorated and exquisitely furnished interior. You will have some time to spend as you please before you begin your scenic journey back to the port and your ship.

Please note: the tour is considered to be unsuitable for guests using a wheelchair. The number of guides in languages other than English is limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only.
ZEE08 – become a connoisseur of beer – in bruges

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

Boasting a brewing tradition of almost 1,000 years and currently producing almost 450 distinct varieties, there can be no doubt that beer is writ large in Belgium’s culture and customs. A tipple that began life merely as a safer alternative to the pestilent water of the day has evolved into a sophisticated drink whose traditional brewing methods are now enhanced by modern technology to yield a range of beers that knows no equal in taste, variety and character. The setting for your venture into the world of beer is the medieval town of Bruges and its meticulously preserved 12^th- to 15^th-century buildings, only a 30-minute coach journey from the port. A guided walk will take you through cobbled lanes and tree-lined canals to reach the bustling marketplace, belfry tower, town hall and the 12^th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. The beer-appreciation session that then follows will inform and delight your palate – aided by your knowledgeable guide –with the delicious flavours of 4 different beers. Cheers, everyone! Time will also be set aside for you to delve into the many delights of Bruges on your own. The variety of shops selling fine Belgian beer, chocolate and lace make this picturesque town a joy to explore and a great place to pick up a truly original memento. The short return drive to your ship then brings your mellow Belgian experience to a close.

Please note: the tour is considered to be unsuitable for guests with mobility problems or using a wheelchair. The number of guides in languages other than English is limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only. Guests must be 18 years old to participate in the beer-appreciation session.