See how pineapples are sustainably grown on São Miguel Island and how cosmetics are made in ways that don’t harm the environment. Because of climatic conditions in the Azores, pineapples can’t grow outdoors, so to meet the demand farmers grow them in greenhouses. While visiting an eco-friendly pineapple farm, you will learn about the innovative methods used to coax fruit from the tropical plants. Azorean pineapples are intensely flavorful and exotically aromatic. The islanders also sustainably and ethically produce cosmetics using natural ingredients rather than chemicals. The ingredients are locally sourced and may include natural extracts, aloe vera and oils derived from plants. While participating in a hands-on workshop in a cosmetics laboratory, you will learn how to produce items such as soaps, face masks and shower gels without negatively impacting the environment. At the end of the workshop, you will receive your creation as a memento.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a pineapple farm that sustainably grows this distinct Azorean fruit in greenhouses.
• Visit a cosmetics laboratory whose products are made without harming the environment.
• Join a workshop to create a cosmetic product that you will be given as a memento.

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

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 make a brief photo stop 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.

Experience the island's natural attractions by hiking through a picturesque valley, swimming in a volcanically formed lagoon, and gazing over the landscape from high atop a mountain.

Depart from the pier in Mindelo, the island's cultural capital, and follow a scenic route inland toward Mato Ingles, a charming village founded by English traders in the 19th century. Here, in the serenity of the beautifully stark countryside, you'll enjoy a hike along a flat path through a rather dry valley. The island's interior is noticeably barren, a characteristic that only adds to its drama and visual appeal. Still, there are some small farms scattered about the valleys, growing crops such as corn, potatoes and beans.

Driving on to the eastern shore, you'll visit Praia Grande, a large crescent-shaped beach. Be sure to note the wonderful contrast between its white sands and the backdrop of black lava mountains. While taking in the spectacle, enjoy a glass of "pontche," a traditional island cocktail made with sugar-cane molasses and "grogue," the national liqueur of Cape Verde. More stunning scenery awaits you at Baia das Gatas, which means Catfish Bay, where you may swim in the sheltered lagoon formed by volcanic eruption centuries ago. Then, linger over a hearty traditional lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Re-boarding your coach, you'll make your way up Monte Verde, a mountainous nature preserve that lies just a few miles east of Mindelo. During a photo stop here, you'll be treated to some amazing panoramic views. As you make your way back to the pier, you'll be able to view more beaches and villages.

This interesting tour allows you to appreciate the turbulent history of this amazing Fortress that is Gibraltar.

Meeting your guide at the pier, you will transfer directly to the Cable Car Base station where modern technology does all the hard work for you as you are transported to the Top Station, perched at the very summit of "The Rock". The magnificent panorama that will open out before you is sufficiently breathtaking to make you forget that you are suspended in mid-air.

In the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide, you will learn of the momentous events that took place over the centuries that have made this small outpost famous throughout the world.

The Top Station is located on the site of an old gun emplacement last used during the Second World War.

Here your guide will walk you around the terraces and introduce you to the geography of this British colony at the entrance to the Mediterranean. You may also take the opportunity to use the restrooms, look around the Souvenir shop and Restaurant or simply wander around the former anti-craft battery site. Your guide will now accompany you back to the Cable Car for a short ride to the Middle Station and the sanctuary of Gibraltar's oldest inhabitants, The Rock Apes. These tail-less monkeys (macaca sylvanus) are roaming free. Many legends surround these monkeys and your guide will brief you as to their origin. Keep your possessions close. Remember they are wild animals. Please do not touch or feed them.

After enjoying your encounter with the Apes and their enchanting antics you will again board you coach for a five minute drive north until we reach Princess Caroline's Battery and the entrance to the Upper Galleries, or the Great Siege Tunnels.These are a system of tunnels carved out of solid limestone. The works were commenced on the 25th of May 1782 by the forerunners of the Royal Engineers and today they stand as a monument to their ingenuity and engineering. We shall walk through Windsor Gallery, to St. George's Hall. This is a fascinating experience ignored by most visitors to the Rock. As you leave the Great Siege Tunnels you will see the runway built during the Second World War with rocks hewn out of these and other tunnels inside the Rock.

A short drive will then take you to see the first buildings ever constructed by the British in Gibraltar which now house the Gibraltar "A City Under Siege" exhibition. Here the visitor will see the hardship endured by the inhabitants of the Rock in times of great need when the relentless sieges failed to re-conquer Gibraltar - The Gateway to the Mediterranean. A short distance away you will pass by the Moorish Castle built in 1333 by the Moors, who spearheaded their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula from Gibraltar in 711 AD. This impressive Tower still bears the scars of Battle.

From here your tour proceeds to the Gibraltar Museum, entrance is included in your program. Opened on the site of the old Moorish Baths it will amaze you with the enormous amount of artefacts that are on display. Available to all, there is an optional 15-minute Film show depicting the evolution that has taken place in Gibraltar over the past 200 thousand years.

Your tour is now coming to its end and the choice of leaving you in the busy town center or returning back to the vessel is completely yours. Should you wish to remain in town you will be responsible in making your own way back to the ship.

Discover the charms of Granada, the architecturally stunning capital of the Andalusia region, by exploring a magnificent palace, the Royal Chapel and the city’s oldest quarter.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for scenic drive inland to Granada, a city likely named for the Spanish word for pomegranate, a fruit so abundant it is depicted on Granada’s coat of arms. Or Granada may have derived from its Moorish name, as the city was the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492.

Granada features a wealth of extraordinary architecture such as your first stop, the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957.

Walking a bit farther, you will soon arrive in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin quarter (down part of the quarter), the city’s oldest section. UNESCO has deemed it a World Heritage site for its harmonious blend of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Nearby, you will find the glorious Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Spanish monarchs such as Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand. Be sure to see the chapel’s mausoleum, spectacular altarpieces and ornate grilles before enjoying free time and perhaps lunch on your own in the surrounding historical area.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Malaga.

See the marquee attractions of Buzios in air-conditioned comfort on this enlightening driving tour through the downtown and along the most scenic beaches.

Depart from the pier and begin a leisurely drive through Buzios, an exuberant city beautifully situated on a beach-blessed peninsula. Once a small fishing village, Buzios gained instant international fame after Brigitte Bardot vacationed there in the 1960s. Her visit was so influential that the townspeople erected a statue of the French actress sitting on a suitcase gazing out to sea. Thanks to Bardot, Buzios soon became known as the St.-Tropez of Brazil, an appropriate nickname because of the wonderful beaches.

You will pause at several of the most picturesque beaches for photos, and depending on the conditions you may see windsurfers cutting across the waves. There is truly a beach to suit everyone, as there are several sheltered beaches to the north and livelier ones elsewhere.

Still, the most vibrant area of Buzios is its main thoroughfare, cobblestoned Rua das Pedras, which follows the shoreline. You will enjoy free time here for clothes shopping in the boutiques, browsing the art galleries, having your photo taken at the Bardot statue, or enjoying a snack in one of the seaside cafés. Of course, seafood is abundant, especially dishes featuring fresh-caught shrimp.

Following your free time, you will rejoin your minibus and return to the pier.

From Cannes, you’ll drive to Monaco, where after leaving your coach, you'll be carried to the top of the rock by escalators and elevators. On the upper level, enjoy a guided walking tour passing by the Oceanographic Museum, the cathedral, and view the exterior of the Prince's palace. After a short period of free time, you’ll re-board your coach and head to Monte Carlo to enjoy some additional leisure time near the Place du Casino. You may wish to stroll across the street to admire the Hotel de Paris, do a little window shopping, or even try your luck at the Casino de Monte Carlo or the Cafe de Paris Casino.

Board your motor coach and brace yourself as you set out on a South Shore Adventure of Nova Scotia! Visit Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay and discover their colourful houses, museums, art galleries, souvenir shops, cafe’s and restaurants. This tour will demonstrate the beautiful diversity of the South Shore and allows you free time to plot your journey at each location, whether you want to savor the local foods and atmosphere in one of the cafe’s/restaurants, buy souvenirs, or just mosey along viewing the impressive sites and taking pictures, the choice is yours!

At Peggy's Cove, discover why this picturesque seaside village with its stately lighthouse has been an inspiration to artists and writers for generations. It is here that the power and majesty of the Atlantic Ocean truly comes to life along the granite shores of the Cove - worn and shaped through the crashing surf.

Continuing on, you will arrive at another extraordinarily scenic area, Old Town Lunenburg. Established in 1753, it is North America’s best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement. The original layout and appearance has been retained so faithfully that UNESCO designated Lunenburg a World Heritage site. During free time, you can explore the brightly colored Old Town, which is easy to navigate because the streets follow a rectangular grid pattern designed in Britain. You can expect to see 18th-century wooden buildings and perhaps a replica of the Bluenose, Canada’s legendary racing ship that was launched here in 1921. Finally, we will visit Mahone Bay, considered to be one of the most attractive towns in Canada. This small and friendly community is renowned for the view across the Bay of three prominent churches. Take time to explore the many varied and local offerings along lovely Main Street before relaxing on the return drive to the Port of Halifax.

Enjoy a glass of sherry while learning to make authentic tapas at the Bodega Casa del Marques, a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant. The elegant residence is decorated with period furnishings that lend it an ambiance so authentic that it feels as if you were transported to another time. While there, you will learn to make tapas, some traditional and others topped with surprisingly inventive ingredients. These small-plate snacks reflect the local cuisine and are typically served with a glass of sherry, especially in Jerez, which has been producing the fortified wine for more than 175 years. The exact tapas that you will prepare will depend on which ingredients are freshest and most flavorful. They might include fried fish, meatballs or something a bit more unusual such as stewed ox tail. Be sure to add favorite ingredients, as you will dine on the tapas afterwards.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Participate in a hands-on culinary class at a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant.
• Learn to prepare authentic, small-plate tapas with traditional and unusual ingredients.
• Dine on the finished tapas and enjoy a glass of sherry as an accompaniment.

Explore two lively markets in downtown Cartagena; one for food and the second a favorite locale for handmade jewelry and crafts. While walking to the Santa Florentina covered market, you will pass landmarks such as Conception Castle and several leafy parks. Long a staple for shopping, the market offers every imaginable culinary ingredient, and you can expect the atmosphere to be extraordinary lively as the residents and vendors interact and socialize. The guide will lead you to stalls where you can taste tapas topped with favorite ingredients. You might try one of these small-plate appetizers with fried squid, anchovies, artisanal cheese or vegetables, as produce is a specialty. Continuing on to the nearby Artisan Center, which is housed inside an 18th-century palace, you will browse stalls full of locally made arts and crafts. The ceramics, jewelry and glassware are particularly noteworthy. Chances are, you will see artisans making their pieces by hand.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the stalls of the Santa Florentina market, which is revered for its fresh produce.
• Sample small-plate tapas at the market, topped with local specialties such as squid and cheese.
• Shop for hand-made jewelry and glassware at the Artisan Center, another favorite venue.

Wander through modern Le Havre with the confidence and familiarity of a local, the result of experiencing the city through the eyes of a resident. Although Le Havre was heavily bombed during World War II, it has been rebuilt with such architectural unity and integrity that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. You will enjoy a panoramic view of modern Le Havre while riding the funicular with the locals. As the residents go about their daily business, getting on and off the funicular, you will feel like an integral part of the city. In time, you will walk through Le Havre to one of the guide’s favorite bakeries. While lingering over a flaky croissant or a sweet Madeleine cake, you can watch the world unfold before you. To become further immersed in daily life, you will then browse a bustling market where the locals will be socializing as they select ingredients for their evening meals.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Follow a local guide around Le Havre, an architecturally rich World Heritage site.
• Ride the funicular through town with the locals to experience an authentic slice of life.
• Ride the funicular through town with the locals to experience an authentic slice of life.

Savor a variety of traditional Madeira beverages and dishes in the mountain village Serra D’Agua and in a private home in the suburbs of Funchal. As an introduction to the island’s gastronomy, you will be served a glass of poncho in the village. This traditional drink of Madeira may have originated in India with the British then introducing it to the island. Although poncho is sometimes made with the juice of passion fruit or tangerines, it typically contains lemon juice, honey and alcohol distilled from cane sugar. Continuing on to a private home in the Funchal suburb of Santo António, you will delve into the local cuisine with a tasting of various delicacies. Chances are, the menu will include Carne Vinho e Alhos, a traditional dish of pork marinated in wine and garlic. Side dishes may include favorites such as artisanal bread, sweet potatoes, fried corn and local cheeses.

• Gain a remarkably in-depth understanding of Madeira’s cuisine and drinks through tastings.
• Sample poncho, a traditional citrus drink that made have originated in India.
• Imbibe and dine in a mountain village and in a suburb of Funchal, two representative settings.