James Mealey
Shore Excursions Media Co-Ordinator
Verona On Your Own (Venice)
If you’ve already been to Venice, consider visiting its near-neighbour Verona, the beautiful setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This picture-postcard city has a stunning Roman arena built in 30 BC, which once rivalled Rome’s Colloseum. But the highlight has to be a visit to Juliet’s balcony, where budding thespians won’t be able to resist recreating that immortal line, ‘Romeo Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.’
Ideal for: Romantics! What could be dreamier than strolling around the streets of Verona, before soaking up awe-inspiring views of Venice as you sail away at sunset.
Behind the Scenes at Loro Parque (Tenerife)
One of Tenerife’s top attractions, Loro Parque is home to all kinds of creatures, from killer whales and dolphins, to parrots and penguins. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a park like this?
This tour gives you the opportunity to discover the fascinating secrets of Loro Parque. You’ll get to see the Gorilla’s bedrooms and find out what they eat for dinner. Visit the dolphin’s training pools where they love to play, and discover the complex technology that keeps this popular park operating day in day out.
Ideal for: Animal lovers and families travelling with children should find this a fun and insightful experience.
The Tour with the Dragon Tattoo (Stockholm)
You’ve read the books. You’ve seen the films. Now you can bring Steig Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy to life, with a walking tour of Södermalm.
If you’re one of the 20 million people who have read ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’, ‘The Girl Who Played with Fire’ and ‘The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,’ this tour is an opportunity to visit the locations mentioned in the stories. Who knows… it may even inspire you to finally start writing that long awaited novel.
Ideal for: Book worms, movie buffs, and those with a Kindle packed full of best-selling novels that you just haven’t got round to reading yet.
Cartagena Tapas Trail (Spain)
Have you ever found yourself peering into one of those tiny tapas bars in Spain? Inside, old men are putting the world to rights over a table full of little terracotta dishes. Glasses chink while your taste buds tingle at the sizzling aromas wafting from inside. It all looks so tempting and atmospheric… exactly how the guidebook described it. But, belly rumbling, you continue walking past...
Let’s be honest, it can be a little daunting walking into a tiny tapas bar full of clued up locals and ordering something from a sprawling menu written entirely in Spanish. But tapas doesn’t have to be taxing. This guided walking tour gives the opportunity to visit five of Cartagena’s great tapas bars, trying a different dish in each. The perfect introduction to the delicious world of Tapas!
Ideal for: Foodies, and those who love experiencing some local culture ashore
Hidden Gems (St Petersburg)
St Petersburg is a city jam packed with must-see sights. But like all the world’s best cities, it also has its fair share of hidden gems that most tourists miss. This tour gives you the opportunity to discover some of St Petersburg’s best kept secrets, such as Yelagin Palace, and the Glass Museum (not that you’ve heard of them of course, being hidden gems).
Ideal for: Those looking for a more leisurely time in St Petersburg, away from the busier, bustling main sights.
Lower Manhattan and High Line (New York)
New York City’s newest attraction - the High Line - has instantly found its way into the hearts of New Yorkers, and tourists alike. Once an elevated railway 30 feet above the city, it’s recently been transformed into a wonderful public park, with flowers, street art and fantastic views down over the bustling streets of Chelsea. Ultimately though, it provides the perfect haven from the frantic pace of Manhattan, which you’ll witness for yourself during a sightseeing drive around the city.
Ideal for: Those who enjoy walking, fans of street art, and nature lovers. Photographers will also love shooting New York City from above.
Kayak the City Walls (Dubrovnik)
If you’re an active type, why not take to the irresistibly clear waters of the Adriatic for a paddle along Dubrovnik’s magnificent city walls. Along the way you’ll stop at the hidden cave beach of Betina, where you can take a well earned break, or cool off with a dip in the sea. A fun and alternative way of seeing this historic city.
Ideal for: Those who crave a little of activity and adventure.
Bird Watching at the Tagus Estuary (Lisbon)
Did you know Lisbon is the only European capital that has a bird and nature reserve on its doorstep? Probably not; it’s one of those out-of-town gems that goes largely unnoticed by visitors. But if you’re passionate about bird watching, or just love the natural world, then the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve is well worth a visit. More than 250 species of bird can be spotted here, and in the winter months it’s possible to see up to 12,000 waders at any one time. To give you a helping hand, there’ll be an experienced Ornithologist guide who’ll point out those hard to spot species.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, bird spotters… or those who’ve always wanted to give it a go.
Lohja Mine Discovery (Helsinki)
Here’s a unique opportunity that doesn’t come along every day – descend deep beneath the surface of the Earth to explore a Finnish limestone Mine. Donning a hard hat, you’ll follow a guide on a walk through the cool, damp tunnels of Tytyri Mine, hearing stories of the miner’s lives along the way. The climax of the tour is a stunning light show, at the edge of a 300 foot underground pit. It’s a fascinating insight into a hidden world you probably didn't know existed.
Ideal for: Those with a sense of adventure, and those who love finding out a little history.
Discover Las Palmas by E-Bike (Gran Canaria)
Electric bikes sound like the kind of wacky invention that might’ve featured on Tomorrow’s World back in the eighties (actually, they probably did) before disappearing without a trace. But on the island of Gran Canaria they’re proving to be pretty popular, with guided tours giving visitors a fresh and unique way of exploring.
This tour gives you the opportunity to explore the islands largest city, Las Palmas, on one of these electric powered bikes. Requiring much less effort than a normal pedal bike, this is a fun option if you’ve always wanted to combine cycling and sightseeing, but would rather the bike did all the hard work for you.
Ideal for: Active-types who enjoy a spot of sightseeing.
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