Gain an understanding of how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island’s natural beauty. Pyrgos is known for its 13th-century Venetian castle, the classic Cycladic design of its homes and the panoramic views from its hilltop location. It will be an ideal setting to pause for a cup of coffee and a Greek sweet. Megalochori is equally picturesque, as you will discover while meandering the village’s atmospheric cobbled streets lined with neoclassical houses. The intriguing Museum of Musical Instruments honors the history of the instruments that make Greek music so recognizable. You will learn how classic instruments such as the bouzouki and laouto are handmade and have the chance to play some of them. Afterwards, you will visit the family-owned Gavalas Winery, which has been producing traditional wines such as Katsano and Nykteri since the 19th century. There you will sample wines indicative of Santorini’s terroir and snacks that pair perfectly with them.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Pause for a snack and to revel in the village of Pyrgos’ classic Cycladic setting.
• Discover how some of the most recognizable Greek musical instruments are hand-crafted.
• Sample a selection of traditional wines and local delicacies at a family-owned winery.

Visit a rural farm and tour the fields with the owners, who will be quite willing to discuss how farming and life has changed since Latvia’s independence from the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, collective farming was practiced, in which government-owned farms banded together to grow crops. When Latvia gained its independence in 1991, farms could be privately owned again. The farm that you will visit grows an abundance of raspberries and strawberries, as the conditions in this part of Latvia are quite favorable for both crops. Growing berries became even more widespread following the Soviet era because the farmers could directly reap the benefits. You may have the opportunity to pick some berries (if available) in the fields and enjoy homemade seasonal pie while lingering over a cup of tea with the owners of the farm. Feel free to ask them about their lives before and after Soviet rule. It is sure to be an eye-opening experience. Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991. Tour a berry farm with the owners and learn more about its challenges and development. Enjoy some berries (if available) and homemade seasonal pie and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991.
• our a berry farm with the owners and pick your own raspberries and strawberries.
• Enjoy the berries and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of intriguing Portimão with an enlightening visit to a museum and a guided walk through its quaint Old Town, where you’ll discover intriguing landmarks that survived the ravages of the 1755 earthquake that leveled Lisbon. Meander through narrow streets and find the stalwart Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which still retains its original 15th-century Gothic doorway, buttresses and gargoyles. Note the equally magnificent later additions, including signature 17th-century azulejo tiles and a regal statue of Saint Peter the Apostle that is lavishly adorned with ivory and wood crucifixes.

You’ll explore the Convento do Colégio dos Jesuítas and the mausoleum of Diogo Gonçalves, a nobleman who funded the church’s construction a century before the quake, and revel in some free time to shop or further examine the city’s churches. Delve into a wealth of exhibits at the Museu de Portimão, housed in a former fish-canning factory on the picturesque Arade River, and learn how early settlements in the area were altered by Roman and Islamic occupations. You’ll long remember the treasures to be found in Portimão’s endlessly captivating Old Town.

Enjoy a brief look at the fabled city of Granada and visit two notable landmarks, Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada.

It's a 45-minute drive inland to the Moorish city of Granada, nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As you travel down a modern highway that was once ancient Arab pathways, you will enjoy wonderful views of both the Alpujarras Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, as well as groves of olive and fruit trees. Upon arrival, your first stop will be in the Albaicin quarter. This is the old Arab quarter and was the residential region of the Moors, even after the city was reclaimed by Spain. This narrow labyrinth of crooked streets escaped the fate of much of Granada, which was torn down in the name of progress. Fortunately it has been preserved, as have its cisterns, fountains, plazas, whitewashed houses, villas, and the decaying remnants of the old city gate. From a viewpoint here, you'll be able to capture photos of the renowned Alhambra Palace.

Continuing on, you will drive to Capilla Real and the Cathedral of Granada which is located next door. The close relationship between both gives rise to a curious formal detail seen in the ambulatory that surrounds the circular gallery. The Capilla Real's gothic gateway becomes just another part of the Cathedral's walls, as if it were in reality one of the other many chapels when, in fact it represents the entrance to another building. In the Royal Chapel here, the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand are kept. It was their wish to be buried in recaptured Granada, not Castile or Aragón. The coffins are remarkably tiny-a reminder of how short they must have been. In the sacristy you can view Isabella's personal art collection, including works by Rogier Van der Weyden and various Spanish and Italian masters, such as Botticelli.

Next, you will make the short walk to the richly ornate Renaissance Cathedral. With its spectacular altar, it is considered one of Spain's architectural highlights and is renowned for its beautiful facade and gold-and-white interior. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1521 in a gothic style, and came to completion in 1714 as an example of Baroque architecture. Another outstanding feature is the facade by Alonso Cano, a truly marvelous example of Baroque interiors, culminating in the bell tower which holds more than a secret within. The ground plan incorporated a five-nave basilica and another in the center to be surrounded by an enormous aisle, in which a high altar would be inserted. This design led Rosenthal to believe that the model was based on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Following your Cathedral visit, you'll walk back to your awaiting coach and make the drive back to the pier in Motril where your tour concludes.

You’ll journey to the ancient place of Mayan pilgrimage known today as Chacchoben, also known as "The Place of Red Corn". At the pier, you’ll be greeted by a bilingual guide who will direct you to an air-conditioned bus. Onboard the bus your guide will brief you on the interesting history and unique attributes of this sacred Mayan site. Upon arrival at Chacchoben you’ll be surrounded by jungle. Your guide will escort you through the ruins, giving you a complete explanation of the sacred temples and other structures seen there. See original red paint on the stucco walls of one of the pyramids and the temple where a mural was found showing the astronomical positions of the planet Venus. You’ll have time to climb the Gran Basamento taking you above tree level. Here archaeologists found ceremonial offerings dating to around 1000 B.C. Your guide will also explain about the wildlife and medicinal plants that are used by the modern-day descendants of the ancient Mayan people. During the tour, you will reach a structure known as the Gran Basamento, which is not a pyramid, but an elevated platform.

Meet a Nordic assistant designer and discover how she upcycles discarded waste materials to create green fashions. The venue for this enlightening experience will be the Telliskivi Creative City, a former industrial complex that has been converted into the largest creative center in Estonia, which is also a member of the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Of all the studios and galleries, the one that Reet Aus owns may be the most inspiring. She is committed to ending the fashion industry’s throwaway culture by creating clothing with excess textiles that would otherwise end up in a landfill. By upcycling or turning old garments into higher-quality sustainable ones, she helps to reduce Estonia’s carbon footprint. You will find a similar environmentally conscious atmosphere at the photography museum Fotografiska. After browsing the exhibits, you will enjoy lunch at a zero-waste restaurant, where the dishes are as creative as the photography. Views of Tallinn’s World Heritage site, Old Town, will enhance the dining experience.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Meet an assistant designer that upcycles discarded textiles to create sustainable fashions.
• See stylish high-quality clothing made with materials once earmarked for the landfill.
• Browse a photography museum and dine in its zero-waste restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Delight in the medieval character of Taormina while strolling its atmospheric streets and admiring landmarks such the Greek theater from the 2nd century. After departing from the pier, you will have a short panoramic tour of Messina. Continuing along the coast to the south, you will approach Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you will discover while navigating its narrow, cobbled streets. As French author Guy de Maupassant wrote of his stay in 1883, “Were a man to pass a single day in Sicily and ask, ‘What must one see?’ I would answer him without hesitation, Taormina.” Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there in the summer. After visiting, you will enjoy free time to wander about the areas that interest you the most. You might take in the views from the fragrant public garden or shop along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of hospitality.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample a local glass of wine at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Take a scenic drive through the countryside to the magnificent city of Florence. Pause in the Piazza del Duomo to admire the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade is covered in a mix of pink and green marble.

View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and after the meal you’ll have free time to explore on your own or to shop, before your tour continues to the historic town of Pisa. Here, you’ll have free time in Miracle Square for a look at the exterior of that famous Leaning Tower. Built in the 12th century, it began to lean soon afterwards, but has now been stabilized.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty west of Lisbon where you will find two landmarks with intriguing royal connections. You will first encounter the National Palace of Queluz, which was built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for the future King Pedro III. Often referred to as the “Portuguese Versailles” for its opulent Rococo style, Queluz has been restored to its original grandeur after a devastating fire in 1934. Highlights include the gilded Throne Room where state banquets were held and the tiled canal in the gardens, which could be filled with water so the royal court could ride gondolas. Continuing on, you will soon arrive in historical Sintra, a town that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage site for its cultural landscape. During free time, you might browse the Palace of Sintra – considered Portugal’s best-preserved royal residence – or simply meander about this idyllic town that poet Lord Byron described as a “glorious Eden.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the lavish National Palace of Queluz, an 18th-century Rococo treasure.
• Learn the disturbing history of the palace, where a mentally ill queen was confined.
• Spend free time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site city of Sintra.
• Visit the Palace of Sintra or simply meander about, shopping and dining if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel a coral reef off Mystery Island, an ecologically protected area that is teeming with marine life. Chances are, you will have the reef pretty much to yourself as the island is uninhabited. In other words, it’s a tropical paradise where the natural world reigns supreme. While snorkeling the reef that lies just offshore, you can expect to see all sorts of brightly colored tropical fish, bizarrely shaped coral and perhaps a sea turtle or two.

A guide will snorkel along with you to point out the more interesting marine species such as parrotfish. These neon-colored fish usually swim in schools and have the unique ability to change their color and even gender over their lifetime. You may also spot teeny, orange-and-white striped clown fish taking refuge in the tentacles of sea anemones. The gentle current around the reef will eventually nudge you toward the shore, allowing you to drift snorkel without expending much energy.

Admire some of the most hallowed sites in the ancient world, including a residence believed to be the Virgin Mary’s, the ruins of Ephesus and St. John’s Basilica.

After departing from the pier, you will drive through the countryside to the House of the Virgin. Believed to be the last residence of the Virgin Mary, the small stone building contains a bedroom, kitchen and an altar adorned with images of Mary. A sacred spring known as the Fountain of Our Lady runs under the house, and you will be welcome to drink from it.

Then, it’s on to revered Ephesus, a World Heritage site that may well be the best-preserved ancient city in the region. After passing the Magnesia Gate, you will behold one excavated building after another. There is the Great Theater where St. Paul preached the Gospel, the Fountain of Trajan with its regal statue of the emperor and the Library of Celsus, a monument constructed as a mausoleum with a separate library for scrolls and codexes.

Continuing on, you will stop at the ruins of St. John’s Basilica. Built in the 6th century, the church stood over the spot where St. John is supposedly buried. Although a Mongol army destroyed the building and pillaged much of it, part of the basilica has been restored to show its scope.

A buffet lunch at a hotel in Kusadasi follows, after which you may return to the pier or stay in town for an enlightening carpet lecture or shopping.