11-night Iceland & Ireland Cruise

Amsterdam: An Introduction to Amsterdam – 4 hours

Meet your driver at the Port in Amsterdam for a private transfer to the city centre where your guide is waiting to meet you for a walking tour of this beautiful city. Begin at Dam Square, bordered by the Royal Palace and enjoy wonderful views of the canals and gabled houses of the mercantile quarter before visiting the house in which Anne Frank wrote her celebrated diary during the last war*. After your tour, transfer in the comfort of your own private vehicle back to your ship.

*tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out very quickly and are subject to availability. Guides are not allowed to accompany you into the house itself, but will be waiting for you at the end of your visit (approx. 45-90 mins)

Highlights:

• Tour Anne Frank's house

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Amsterdam: Highlights of Amsterdam - 8 Hours

Spend the day exploring Amsterdam in the hands of your expert guide. You are met at the port and transferred to Dam Square where your morning’s walking tour includes the notable Royal Palace.  Admire the views of the canals and the gabled houses of the Canal Ring district, where you will visit the house in which Anne Frank wrote her celebrated diary during the last war*.

After lunch explore the beautifully-restored Rijksmuseum, to admire the stunning collection of masterpieces from the seventeenth-century Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing the delightful Van Gogh Museum, home to many of his famous works as well as those of other Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.

*tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out very quickly and are subject to availability. Guides are not allowed to accompany you into the house itself, but will be waiting for you at the end of your visit (approx. 45-90 mins)

Highlights:

• Visit Anne Frank's House
• Explore the Van Gogh Museum

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Amsterdam: The Three Sisters, Delft & Den Haag - 8 Hours

You are met at Amsterdam port for a full-day excursion outside of the city. Head south into the countryside for a photo opportunity at the impressive Three Sisters Windmills in Stompwijk. As over a third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, windmills were initially designed to pump vast amount of water out, thus protecting land from flooding. Today, these silent giants draw many visitors every year for their charming appearances.

From here, you travel on to Delft, world-renowned for its famous blue and white pottery and one of the most beautiful towns in the Netherlands. Take in the town’s architectural gems and charming ambience, which are best appreciated by walking along its small canals with their graceful humpbacked bridges.

Following this, enjoy a privately-guided tour at the Royal Delft Experience, where a painter shares the passion behind the production of this stunning 17th-century earthenware during a special demonstration.

After lunch at leisure, you continue to the Hague, the home of the Dutch Royal Family and the administrative capital of the Netherlands; walk the Inner court past the Government buildings and take the opportunity for a photo stop at the International Court of Justice. You may like to visit the Mauritshuis Museum, which holds one of the world's finest collections of paintings, including Rembrandt, Steen, Hals, Rubens and Van Dyck, or you may choose to visit the Panorama Mesdag, which hosts the Panorama, one of the largest canvas paintings in the world (subject to opening times).

On your return journey, stop at Scheveningen beach for some spectacular views before continuing back. (8 hours, driver and guide)


Highlights:

• Witness the majestic windmills known as the Three Sisters
• Delve into Delft's artistic heritage

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Akureyri - Lake Mývatn classic - Nature Baths- FD Tour

The tour starts by driving along the coast of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjordur, from where you will get an excellent view of Akureyri and its surrounding mountains. After crossing Víkurskard-pass, view the Fnjoskadalur valley, where clear geological remains from glacial and post glacial times can be seen. The first stop is by Godafoss falls - one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland; the water of the river Skjalfandafljot falls from a height of 12 m over a width of 30 m. In 1000 A.D., at the meeting of the Althing, the Icelanders voted to adopt Christianity. The wooden idols of the Norse mythology were thrown into the falls in a symbolic gesture that swept away the old religion. Thus the Godafoss literally means the "Waterfall of the Gods”. From there you will drive directly to the Lake Myvatn area, stopping by the unique craters at Skutustadir before having lunch. After lunch you will visit the Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth, a paradise of towering lava castles, natural arches and countless unexplored grottos.

Next is a visit to the Myvatn Nature Baths. The Nature Baths offer bathers a completely natural experience - a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam and a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2.500 meters. The baths contain a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm, soothing waters are beneficial to skin and spirit alike, creating a sense of wellbeing and creating a lasting memory of your visit. Facilities include a reception area and cafeteria, changing rooms and showers for up to 120 guests, three natural steam baths accommodating up to 50 bathers at a time, and a 5000m2 outdoor geothermal bathing pool maintained at a constant temperature of 38-40ºC.

Due to its chemical composition, undesired bacteria and vegetation do not thrive in the lagoon making chlorine or any other disinfectant redundant. Following a relaxing bathe, you will then continue to the gurgling purple and yellow sulphur cauldrons at the high temperature thermal field of Namaskard, which are so hot that they actually boil. Following a short walk at Namaskard, enjoy a relaxed return drive to Akureyri.

Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Included: Private car with driver-guide, entrance fee to Nature Baths. Pick up/drop off at the port. 

Not Included: Meals, swimsuit and towel (swimwear and towel can be rented at the Nature Baths)

Akureyri - Godafoss Waterfall & Laufas Turf Farm - HD Tour

Leaving Akureyri, cross the waters of the fjord and travel along the slopes of Vadlaheidi Mountain, via the Fnjoskadalur Valley to Vaglaskogur Forest - one of Iceland's rare woodlands which is part of an extensive soil and vegetation reclamation project. From Fnjoskadalur, you'll travel to historic Godafoss - waterfall of the heathen gods that figure prominently in Iceland's 12th century Book of Settlement. Legend has it that Thorgeir of Ljosavatn, a chieftain present at the Thingvellir in the year 1000, was given the authority to decide which religion was to be adopted by the Icelanders. He was a pagan himself, but after a period of profound thought, decided that Christianity was to be the religion of Iceland. Upon his return home, he took the statues of the pagan gods he used to worship and threw them unceremoniously into a waterfall near his homestead. From this time, the waterfall has been named Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods). After enjoying some time at the falls, the tour continues. The areas geological past is clearly visible on the surrounding hillsides and suggests that a once large periglacial lake filled the valley. Onwards to Laufas a 19th-century farmhouse built in the traditional Icelandic style of stone and turf – now one of the last turf farms in the country.  Originally it was a manor farm and vicarage, the farmhouse itself dates back to 1866 and contains many interesting household and agricultural implements used by the gentry at around that time. The nearby church was built in 1865. Following a pleasant scenic drive back to Akureyri, a stop is made at the towns Botanical Gardens famed for its 2,000 species of local and foreign flowers which, incidentally, bloom outside thanks to Akureyri’s warm microclimate.
 

Tour Duration: 3-4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Included: Private car with driver-guide from Akureyri,  entrance fee to Laufás turf farm (open 15 May - 15 September. Pick up/drop off at the port. 

Not Included: Meals

Reykjavik - The Golden Circle - FD Tour

Not Included: Meals
 

Reykjavik - Bathing in the Blue Lagoon - HD Tour

Here guests can enjoy a relaxing bathe in the surreal milky waters of Iceland’s most famous of geothermal Spas – The Blue Lagoon. So what exactly IS the Blue Lagoon? Well, it is Iceland's most unique and popular attraction. Guests will enjoy bathing and relaxing in Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater, known for its positive effects on the skin. A visit to the spa promotes harmony between body, mind and spirit, and enables one to soak away the stresses of modern life. The spa's guests rekindle their relationship with nature, soak up the scenic beauty and enjoy breathing the clean, fresh air. In addition to bathing in the lagoon guests have access to a sauna with a view of the lagoon, a sauna with white walls that resemble silica mud and a cozy steam bath carved into a lava cave. Of course, guests bathing in the milky waters of the lagoon have easy access to the famous white silica mud, an essential part of this ultimate in spa experiences.

Tour Duration: 3-4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Physical Activy Level: Easy

Included: Private car with driver-guide,  Blue Lagoon Comfort Experience (entrance fee, towel rental, Silica Mud Mask, choice of one drink at the Lagoon.) Pick up/drop off at the port. 

Not Included: Meals

Reykjavik - Langjökull Glacier & the Ice Tunnel

Not Included: Meals

Reykjavik Highlights - HD Tour

Reykjavík is the world's most northerly capital, with more than one third of Iceland’s population.  Today Reykjavík is a modern city with a variety of restaurants, museums, galleries and theatres.  Visit the most important sights of the city, including the  Old Town, the city cathedral, Hallgrimskirkja church and the “Pearl” (no entrance fees included in this tour).

Add ons:

• A visit to the open-air museum of Arbaer Travel back to Reykjavik’s past with a visit to a fascinating collection of town and farm buildings from the last few centuries.   
• A visit to the Pearl vantage point. The new Perlan is an exciting interactive exhibition about Iceland’s nature and geology.  Entrance includes the “Wonders of  Iceland Exhibit  (including Glaciers and Ice Cave) and the 360° Observation Deck.
• Hallgrimskirkja Church Climb the tower of this iconic church for a beautiful view over the city and sea.   (Tower access closed during church services and some events)
• A visit to the National museum The National Museum of Iceland’s permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland, provides insight into the history of the Icelandic nation from the Norse Settlement to the present day. The exhibition includes about 2.000 objects.

Tour Duration: 3-4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: No - Arbaer museum is not accessible

Physical Activity Level: Easy

Included: Private car with driver-guide,  Pick up/drop off at the port. 

Not Included: Meals and entrance fees (optional)

Reykjavik Blue Lagoon experience with transfers – 4 Hours

In the southwest corner of Iceland is the Reykjanes peninsula, less than 1-hour drive from the capital or 20-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport.
There the Mid-Atlantic Ridge comes ashore. The nature is magnificent. Various volcanic formations are found on Reykjanes Peninsula, such as mountains and hills chiefly made of volcanic tuff, large and small lava flows plus different types of volcanoes and volcanic edifices. The Reykjanes peninsula volcanic zone is a direct continuance of the North Atlantic Ridge that surfaces from the ocean at Reykjanes, and it is home to many important geological formations, some of which are utterly unique, including numerous types of volcanoes, naturally carved pools, craters, and geothermal pools.
Few things are cozier than relaxing in a hot pool in the middle of nature. Iceland has an abundance of easily accessible natural pools, but it is perhaps the Blue Lagoon the most spectacular of them all.
The Blue Lagoon was founded in 1992. Its specialty is the geothermal sea, which is two thirds of salt water and one third of fresh water. It is found at a depth of up to 2000 meters and is led by a pipe from the source to the lagoon where guests can enjoy it and relax. It is rich in minerals, silica, and algae, which is the basis of all skin products in the Blue Lagoon.
National Geographic has chosen the Blue Lagoon as one of the 25 wonders of the world. The Blue Lagoon has developed into an experience company based on spas, research and development, skin care, hotels, and restaurants
Treat yourself and experience it during your stay in Reykjavik. Alternatively, this is the ultimate way to unwind and chill after or prior a long-haul flight when you arrive of depart to / from Iceland.
What to expect: Landmarks of natural wonders of the country, insight into geology, relaxation.  
Basis: Private tour.
 
Start / End:   City center Hotel or address or Keflavik International Airport.
Duration:      4 hours.
Vehicle:        01^st Class.
Guide: English-speaking driver guide. Other languages on request.     
Entrances:     Comfort entrance to Blue Lagoon with use of the towel, mud mask and first drink at your choice.
Meals: None.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: NO
Tour operates: morning, afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Reykjavik Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes Peninsula – 8 Hours

In the southwest corner of Iceland is the Reykjanes peninsula, less than 1-hour drive from the capital or 20-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport.
Explore the Reykjanes peninsula and visit the Blue Lagoon. This geothermal area includes solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs and sulphur was mined there early in the 18th century and then again in the 19th century. Gunnuhver is the largest mud geyser in Iceland, about 20 metres wide. Grindavik, the small fishing village with about 3000 inhabitants, has a long history, including when pirates from Morocco and Algeria arrived in the 17th century and took fifteen residents to sell as slaves. Additionally, we will take in the magnificent coastline and dramatic breaking waves by the Reykjanes lighthouse and “The Bridge Between the Continents” which connects the American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Few things are cozier than relaxing in a hot pool in the middle of nature. Iceland has an abundance of easily accessible natural pools, but it is perhaps the Blue Lagoon the most spectacular of them all.
Treat yourself and experience it during your stay in Reykjavik. Alternatively, this is the ultimate way to unwind and chill after or prior a long-haul flight when you arrive of depart to / from Iceland.
,
What to expect: Landmarks of natural wonders of the country, insight into local history and geology, relaxation. Coastal villages.
 
Basis: Private tour.
Start / End:   City center Hotel or address or Keflavik International Airport.
Duration:      8 hours.
Vehicle:        01^st Class.
Guide: English-speaking driver guide. Other languages on request.     
Entrances:     Comfort entrance to Blue Lagoon with use of the towel, mud mask and first drink at your choice.
Meals: None.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: NO
Tour operates: morning, afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Reykjavik Golden Circle Classic – 8 Hours

Iceland’s main attraction is the Golden Circle, it combines most of what Iceland has to offer, beautiful landscape, powerful geysers and the most magnificent waterfall. The highlights of the tour are Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and the Gullfoss waterfall.
This tour is designed to let you explore the highlights of Golden Circle route. We will show you sights that are not marked on a map, and only the locals know about. We will start the tour by heading to Þingvellir, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thingvellir, 50 km (31 miles) to the east of Reykjavík, is the national shrine of Iceland and its most historic site, and one of its most beautiful places. The oldest existing parliament in the world first met here in AD930. It has always been the focal point for the country, and whenever a major event is to be celebrated, thousands of people come here.
We continue the Golden Circle by heading to the famous Geysir geothermal area which is home to The Great Geysir and its active sidekick Strokkur! Although the original Geysir is not predictably active, its neighbour, Strokkur, will erupt every 5-7 minutes - so have your camera ready.
We then drive a few minutes down the road to the most famous part of the Golden Circle: Gullfoss, or “Golden Falls “. To stand at Gullfoss and bask in the beauty and the wonder of nature is an uplifting experience. One certainly feels energized after this tour and contact with stunning nature.
During the tour, a delicious lunch will be offered at the local geothermal tomato farm, a unique venue for a special lunch.
,What to expect: Stunning scenery, landmarks of the natural wonders of the country, insight into local history.
Basis: Private tour.
Start / End:   City center Hotel or address.
Duration:      8 hours.
Vehicle:        01^st Class.
Guide: English-speaking driver guide. Other languages on request.     
Entrances:     Greenhouse visit.
Meals: Lunch at Geothermal farm.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: no
Tour can operate: morning and afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.
 

Reykjavik South Shore Adventure – 10 Hours

We take you along the south coast of Iceland, one of the country’s most scenic regions, as far as Vík, a charming village surrounded by high beautiful bird cliffs.
Among the stops on this tour are at the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the Reynisfjara black sand beach, Dyrhólaey and Vik..
Driving through Vatnajökull National Park, established in 2008 covers 14,1% of Iceland and ranks as Europe's second largest. The unique qualities of Vatnajökull National Park are primarily its great variety of landscape features, created by the combined forces of rivers, glacial ice, and volcanic and geothermal activity. Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier.
The south side of Vatnajökull is characterized by many high, majestic mountain ridges, with outlet glaciers descending between them onto the lowlands. Sheltered by the high ice, the vegetated oasis of Skaftafell overlooks the black sands deposited to its west by the river Skeiðará.
Dyrhólaey is a 120-metre high promontory, not far from Vík. The place got its name from the massive arch that the sea has eroded from the headland. (The name literally means "door-hole"). There are also amazing rock formations all along the Birdlife here is abundant, with puffins and eider ducks being the most common species in the area. The lighthouse on the top of the cliff stands impressive and stoic in this often very windy area.
What to expect: Stunning scenery, landmarks of the natural wonders of the country, insight into local history and geology. Coastal villages.
Basis: Private tour.
Start / End:   City center Hotel or address.
Duration:      10 hours.
Vehicle:        01^st Class.
Guide: English-speaking driver guide. Other languages on request.     
Entrances:     None.
Meals: None.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: no
Tour can operate: morning and afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Reykjavik Food tour – 3 hs

Experience the foodie side of the Icelandic capital!
On this food walking tour you will try the truly authentic food from Iceland and also get a nice orientation of Reykjavik city.
 
Some of the highlights of this tour are the visit of Reykjavik’s oldest restaurant, a stop at a gastropub, and of course, the possibility of trying a variety of local dishes. Among the specialties included in this tour, we can mention the special Lamb soup, the Unique Icelandic Lamb Hot dog, Lobster soup, and a Skyr Dessert.
You also get tips on what to eat, drink and where to have fun for the rest of your stay in Reykjavik.
 
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      3 hours walking tour.
Start / End:   Ingólfur Square/City Center.
Vehicle:        None.
Guide: English-speaking. Other languages on request.   
Entrances:     None.
Meals: Tastings. Icelandic Traditional food is based on meat, fish and dairy, but other options may be available.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: NO
Tour operates: morning, afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes. This tour is not offered on public holidays.
 

Reykjavik Walking tour – 3,5 hours

Reykjavík is a city of bold contrasts. The capital of Iceland is small but cosmopolitan and small-town; vibrant and sophisticated; young-at-heart and yet full of history. In this tour you will walk around the city and discover the main sights.
 
Together with your local guide, you will pass by the Hallgímskirkja church, the highest and probably most iconic building in town, as well as the Dome Church, which is Reykjavik’s Lutheran Cathedral and the bishop’s place in Iceland. The Dome Church is located downtown, next to the Alþingi, house of parliament.
 
You will see other emblematic sites like the “Sun Voyager” sculpture created by Icelandic sculptor Jon Gunnar Arnason. This gleaming steel sculpture is located on Reykjavik’s splendid waterfront and resembles a Viking long-ship, the ‘Solfar’ or ‘Sun Voyager.’ You will also see the modern building Harpa, a cultural and social centre in the heart of the city, and the Old Harbour.
 
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      3,5 hours walking tour.
Start / End:   City.
Vehicle:        None.
Guide: English-speaking. Other languages on request.   
Entrances:     None.
Meals: None.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: NO
Tour operates: morning, afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Cork's Fabulous Food Trail - Half Day Tour

Meet with your driver and enjoy the short scenic drive along the banks of the River Lee to the Food Capital of Ireland, Cork City where your Fabulous Food Trail begins.  

On arrival meet your local food guide and embark on a gentle 2.5 hour culinary walk of the best this city has to offer. During your tour you will enjoy frequent stops and lots of generous tastings of local cheeses, pastries and savoury delights.   In this particular corner of Ireland, no self-respecting foodie would begin a culinary trail without first visiting the iconic English Market in the heart of Cork city. This Victorian gem has been faithfully serving food to the people of Cork for more than a century.

A morning at the English Market immerses you in the unique cadence of life in Cork and caters for just about all culinary tastes and eating occasions. Amongst its many appetizing edible delights are chocolates and cakes, cheeses and pastas. There is time to  chat  with locals and food producers alike as  Cork people have a wonderful sense of humour and  simply love to chat!.

As you stroll through the city your guide will point out Cork’s more interesting architectural features and recount some of it’s history.  

After your walk there is some free time to explore this wonderful city on your own before meeting with your driver for transfer back to your ship.


Inclusions

• Private Driver Guide

Cork - Blarney & Kinsale - Full Day Tour

Today you will have the opportunity to visit the world famous Blarney Castle, Charles Fort, as well as Ireland’s Gourmet Restaurants Capital, the town of Kinsale.

After your whistle-stop tour of Cork City, visit Blarney Castle (situated just north of Cork City). This castle was completed in 1446 by Cormac Mc Carthy, and is famous the world over for the Blarney Stone, which upon kissing, bestows the eternal gift of eloquence on those lucky enough to do so.

About Kinsale:
Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland and famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, gourmet restaurants and golf.  Art galleries in Kinsale can easily claim its place amongst Ireland's most historic locations for this has been a centre of population, commerce, trade and fishing far beyond memory and record.
 
In its earliest days the estuary of the Bandon River gave Kinsale great importance as the river is tidal and water transport was dominant until the 18th Century. The estuary also provided excellent anchorage for ancient shipping which went in peril of the vagaries of the weather. The Town nestles between the hills and the shoreline, it is a maze of narrow streets and is never far from the water - little has changed in many hundreds of years. Amongst buildings of later periods are those of another age with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans.

Charles Fort, Kinsale
Perhaps the best-known historical attraction in Kinsale, Charles Fort, is on the road just beyond Summercove. It is open all year, and regular guided tours are available. Charles Fort is one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th Century star-shaped fort, and much of the construction begun in 1678 remains. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three facing inland. Within its walls were all the barracks and ancillary facilities to support the fort’s garrison. The fort continued in military use until 1922.


Lunch included at Blarney Woollen Mills or Kinsale


Inclusions

• Private Driver Guide
• Entrance to Blarney Castle
• Entrance to Charles Fort Kinsale
• Lunch

Cork - Guided Sightseeing Tour (4 hours) (Provided by Moloney & Kelly)

Guided Sightseeing Option: Please see below for details on this option.

Enjoy a private chauffeur driven luxury sedan for “Guided Sightseeing” touring.

Cork

Meet your expert local driver/guide for the drive to Cork.

Your first stop of the day is a visit to the Cobh Heritage Centre a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh. Known previously as Queenstown this was the main port for Irish emigrants to Canada and the United States. The famine resulted as a consequence of widespread potato crop failure. In 1846, the potato crop failed completely and in the years 1847-1849, escape was seen by many as the only chance for survival - between 1845 and 1851 over 1,500,000 people emigrated from Ireland.

On April 11, 1912, the newly built Titanic called to the port of Queenstown (now known as Cobh) on her maiden voyage. Titanic had set out from Southampton and called to Cherbourg before her final call to Queenstown (Cobh). The story of the Titanic and the White Star line is also told at the Cobh Heritage Centre.
 
Leaving Cobh behind drive to Midleton. Visit The Jameson Old Midleton Distillery which is a wonderful, worthwhile excursion. Tour the distillery and learn how the world famous Irish whiskey is made. Here you will have the opportunity to taste the sample some of Ireland’s finest whiskies.

Return to the ship.

Included:

• Private Luxury Sedan with English-Speaking driver/guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees for listed sights
• Bottled water in the vehicle
• Gratuities to driver/guide*

Excluded:

• Cost of meals and refreshments other than bottled water
• Items of personal nature

*Gratuities have been prepaid. Additional gratuities are at guest’s discretion.

Cork - Guided Sightseeing Tour - 4 Hours (Provided by Moloney & Kelly)

Guided Sightseeing Option: Please see below for details on this option.

Meet your expert local guide for the drive to Cork.

Your first stop of the day is a visit to the Cobh Heritage Centre, a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh. Known previously as Queenstown, this was the main port for Irish emigrants to Canada and the United States. In 1846, the potato crop failed completely and in the years 1847-1849, escape was seen by many as the only chance for survival - between 1845 and 1851 over 1,500,000 people emigrated from Ireland.

On the 11th April 1912, the newly built Titanic called to the port of Queenstown (now known as Cobh) on her maiden voyage. Titanic had set out from Southampton and called to Cherbourg before her final call to Queenstown (Cobh). The story of the Titanic and the White Star line is also told at the Cobh Heritage Centre.

Then, leaving Cobh behind, enjoy the drive to Midleton. Here, you will visit The Jameson Old Midleton Distillery. You will tour the distillery and learn how the world famous Irish whiskey is made. You will have the opportunity to sample some of Ireland’s finest whiskies.

Return to your ship.

Included:

• Private Luxury Sedan with English-Speaking driver-guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees for listed sights
• Gratuities to driver-guide*
• Bottled water in the vehicle

Excluded:

• Cost of meals and refreshments other than bottled water
• Items of personal nature

Cork - Guided Sightseeing Tour - 8 Hours (Provided by Moloney & Kelly)

Guided Sightseeing Option: Please see below for details on this option.

Meet your expert local guide for the drive to Cork.

Enjoy the drive through the attractive City of Cork which hosts some fine Georgian architecture, the imposing St Finbarr’s Cathedral, great shopping and many pubs.   You will continue your journey into the Irish countryside to the pretty town of Blarney.
In Blarney, you will visit the 15th Century Blarney Castle, famous for its stone, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all those who kiss it.  The stone itself is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. 

Then, enjoy some free time in the Blarney Woollen Mills store that sells Irish gifts including Waterford Crystal, Beleek China, Lladro, Aran Sweaters, Irish Crystal, Irish Linen, Irish Jewelry, and Celtic Gifts.

You will have time for lunch on your own.

Following lunch, you will visit the Cork City Gaol.  Here you can step back in time to see what 19th Century life was like in Cork – inside and outside prison walls. Amazingly life-like figures, furnished cells, sound effects, and fascinating exhibitions are to be seen.

Return to your ship.

Included:

• Private Luxury Sedan with English-Speaking driver-guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees for listed sights
• Gratuities to driver-guide*
• Bottled water in the vehicle

Excluded:

• Cost of meals and refreshments other than bottled water
• Items of personal nature

Cork’s Culture and Heritage – full day tour

This morning we visit to the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, one of the most historic buildings in Cork, parts of which date back to the early eighteenth century. The gallery has an interesting frontage of red brick dressed with limestone and was built in 1724 as the Custom House. The permanent collection comprises over 2500 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome. We also visit Cork Museum, which houses very fine collections of Cork silver and glass as well as Youghal Needlepoint Lace.  

Continuing on to Glanmire on the outskirts of Cork and visit Riverstown House, which was rebuilt in 1745 and is home to some fine plasterwork by the Francini brothers, of particular interest is the dining room ceiling which is adorned with allegorical figures and the Green Drawing Room which is notable for its exceptionally fine timber carved fireplace.

We conclude our Cork City tour with a visit to nearby Lakemount Gardens, a privately owned garden on acid soil overlooking Cork Harbour. It has many flourishing ericaceous plants, including the more tender rhododendrons. Retaining walls and raised beds built from local stone provide a home for rock plants, choice dwarf shrubs and a collection of primulas. Hydrangeas are particularly good in late summer, whilst the many Japanese acers throughout the garden produce brilliant autumn colour. Unusual climbers can be seen on the walls of the conservatory, which shelters exotic varieties.

Your driver with then transfer you back to your ship.
 

Waterford Shore Excursion- Waterford and Kilkenny Tour - Full Day Tour

Meet with your driver/guide and depart the pier in Waterford. Travel through Waterford City. The parameters of the 10th century settlement can be clearly identified in The Viking Triangle which has the most historic urban medieval monument in Ireland, called Reginald’s Tower.

Travel to Kilkenny. Kilkenny City, situated along the banks of the River Nore, is considered the medieval capital of Ireland because of its remarkable collection of well-preserved castles, churches, public buildings, streets, and lanes Enjoy tea, coffee, scones on arrival. Visit Kilkenny Castle which stands majestically beside the River Nore on the south side of the city.

Visit the Kilkenny Design Centre which is located directly across the road from the Castle and is the centre for many of Ireland’s most famous crafts people.Continue then on to the beautiful Mount Juliet Estate. Here you will enjoy wander around the Estate and lunch in golf club in Mount Juliet. Return to the pier in Waterford the afternoon.

Inclusions

• Private Driver Guide
• Tea, coffee, scones on arrival in Kilkenny
• Entrance to Kilkenny Castle
• Entrance to Kilkenny Design Centre
• Lunch in Mount Juliet Estate

Waterford’s Fine Houses – full day tour

Leaving Waterford this morning we travel through the rich pastures of County Waterford and head for Lismore to visit Lismore Castle Gardens. The castle, which was originally built in 1185 is now the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire. While Lismore Castle itself is not open to the public, the beautiful and lovingly maintained public gardens are, as is the west wing of the Castle which houses a wonderful contemporary art gallery. The gardens are said to be the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland and they offer spectacular views of both Lismore Castle and the surrounding countryside of the Blackwater valley.


Leaving Lismore we visit nearby Cappoquin House, which is an eighteenth century mansion built on the site of an old Fitzgerald Castle overlooking the River Blackwater. It was designed by the Cork architect, Abraham Hargreave. The Keane family have lived here for the last 300 years. It is little changed from the handsome building completed in 1779. In the house are many reminders of the Afghan war of 1839 in which General Sir John Keane later created Lord Keane of Ghuznee and Cappoquin played an important role. The garden is on a south facing slope crowned with two huge arboretum rhododendrons and planted with unusual trees and flowering shrubs. 


Returning to Waterford, we visit Curraghmore House, which is owned by the Marquis of Waterford and has been home to his ancestors since 1170. Some 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields make this the largest private demesne in Ireland and one of the finest places to visit in Ireland. The interior has exceptionally fine plasterwork and a guided tour of the main reception rooms of Curraghmore House can be arranged by prior appointment. This tour takes in some of the finest neo-classical rooms in Ireland which feature the magnificent plaster work of James Wyatt and grisaille panels by Peter de Gree. The superbly landscaped gardens beside Curraghmore House, incorporate a shell house, the interior of which was designed by Catherine, Countess of Tyrone, in 1754. May and June are the best months to appreciate azaleas, rhododendrons, through exceptionally fine trees may be enjoyed at any time.


Your driver with then transfer you back to your ship.
 

Amsterdam: An Introduction to Amsterdam – 4 hours

Meet your driver at the Port in Amsterdam for a private transfer to the city centre where your guide is waiting to meet you for a walking tour of this beautiful city. Begin at Dam Square, bordered by the Royal Palace and enjoy wonderful views of the canals and gabled houses of the mercantile quarter before visiting the house in which Anne Frank wrote her celebrated diary during the last war*. After your tour, transfer in the comfort of your own private vehicle back to your ship.

*tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out very quickly and are subject to availability. Guides are not allowed to accompany you into the house itself, but will be waiting for you at the end of your visit (approx. 45-90 mins)

Highlights:

• Tour Anne Frank's house

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Amsterdam: Highlights of Amsterdam - 8 Hours

Spend the day exploring Amsterdam in the hands of your expert guide. You are met at the port and transferred to Dam Square where your morning’s walking tour includes the notable Royal Palace.  Admire the views of the canals and the gabled houses of the Canal Ring district, where you will visit the house in which Anne Frank wrote her celebrated diary during the last war*.

After lunch explore the beautifully-restored Rijksmuseum, to admire the stunning collection of masterpieces from the seventeenth-century Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing the delightful Van Gogh Museum, home to many of his famous works as well as those of other Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.

*tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out very quickly and are subject to availability. Guides are not allowed to accompany you into the house itself, but will be waiting for you at the end of your visit (approx. 45-90 mins)

Highlights:

• Visit Anne Frank's House
• Explore the Van Gogh Museum

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Amsterdam: The Three Sisters, Delft & Den Haag - 8 Hours

You are met at Amsterdam port for a full-day excursion outside of the city. Head south into the countryside for a photo opportunity at the impressive Three Sisters Windmills in Stompwijk. As over a third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, windmills were initially designed to pump vast amount of water out, thus protecting land from flooding. Today, these silent giants draw many visitors every year for their charming appearances.

From here, you travel on to Delft, world-renowned for its famous blue and white pottery and one of the most beautiful towns in the Netherlands. Take in the town’s architectural gems and charming ambience, which are best appreciated by walking along its small canals with their graceful humpbacked bridges.

Following this, enjoy a privately-guided tour at the Royal Delft Experience, where a painter shares the passion behind the production of this stunning 17th-century earthenware during a special demonstration.

After lunch at leisure, you continue to the Hague, the home of the Dutch Royal Family and the administrative capital of the Netherlands; walk the Inner court past the Government buildings and take the opportunity for a photo stop at the International Court of Justice. You may like to visit the Mauritshuis Museum, which holds one of the world's finest collections of paintings, including Rembrandt, Steen, Hals, Rubens and Van Dyck, or you may choose to visit the Panorama Mesdag, which hosts the Panorama, one of the largest canvas paintings in the world (subject to opening times).

On your return journey, stop at Scheveningen beach for some spectacular views before continuing back. (8 hours, driver and guide)


Highlights:

• Witness the majestic windmills known as the Three Sisters
• Delve into Delft's artistic heritage

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities