Grand Voyages - 2009 - (Page 38) Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage 2 3 - TO 5 0-DAY EUROPEAN IMMERSION No matter how many times you have been to Europe, you have never seen it quite like this, where classic capitals alternate with out-of-the-way discoveries, leisurely days at sea give way to extra-long days ashore, and time itself seems to expand with the region’s golden light. e n r i c h i n g YO U r e Xpe r i e n c e Tropical crossing gibraltar, the strategic link beween the A long voyage such as this affords you the time to discover new interests and nourish lifelong passions. For those who love to cook, our onboard Culinary Arts Center is a wonderful resource, offering hands-on cooking demonstrations, insights and tips from Holland America Line’s master chefs, regional recipes and tastings. For cultural enrichment, head to the Exploratons Cafe´on board, with its rich collection of books and maps. And to enhance your appreciation of the ports you’ll visit, attend our Explorations Speaker Series, featuring experts on topics such as history, culture, architecture, nature and cuisine. If you are continuing on with us from the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, you are by now well-acquainted with the elegant way of life aboard the ms Prinsendam. If you are joining us from Ft. Lauderdale, welcome aboard. We look forward to sharing days of incomparable world discovery with you. Our voyage begins with several unique ports of call in the sunny Caribbean, where the weather is ideal in mid-March. The ms Prinsendam’s smaller size allows us to call on st. Barts, and so to discover the chic beaches, elite villas and tucked-away bistros seen so often in luxe magazines. St. Lucia follows — a natural paradise crowned by the Pitons, dramatic twin peaks. A good choice for your day in castries is our Medallion Collection catamaran tour to Fond Doux Estate, sailing, sunning and swimming in secluded bays along the island’s west coast to soufrière, where the ms Prinsendam will pick guests up. After leisurely days at sea, the lush Canary Islands appear on the horizon, and we put in at santa cruz de Tenerife, where you may tour through fields, picturesque villages and valleys en route to Mt. Tiede, the highest point in Spain. Or opt to sun on the golden sands of Las Teresitas Beach, created by importing 216,000 tons of sand from the Spanish Sahara. UNESCO has declared Lanzarote, with its lunar-like expanses of lava, a World Biosphere Reserve. An unusual option in Arrecife: Journey to the Fire Mountains for a camel ride around a volcanic crater. Atlantic and the Mediterranean, is dominated by the “Rock” Cable car to the top for . dramatic views of Africa. romantic rivieras Spain. Centuries of rich cultural influences come alive in cartagena, which has been dominated variously through the centuries by Roman, Muslim and Arabic rule. Then it’s on to spend two blissful days in one of Europe’s most exciting cities, Barcelona. Here, you’ll be able to shop for leather and fine Spanish handicrafts, take in the genius of Antoni Gaudí’s Modernista architecture or explore rooms of cubist Picassos and stroll Las Ramblas, the city’s main walking thoroughfare where chalk artists, street performers and fashionable Catalunyans mix. marseille is your gateway to France’s stunning Provence region, where lovely little towns, famed vineyards and the countryside immortalized by Cézanne and Van Gogh await. The height of Riviera glamour is Monaco, home to the royal Grimaldi family, and our late-night departure here enables you to experience monte carlo’s Grand Casino at night, when Ferraris pull up around the splashing fountain and action at the roulette tables heats up. On to Italy and the heart of Tuscany. From the port of livorno tour to Pisa to marvel at the tipsy tower and nearby Baptistry. Or head into Florence to view Renaissance masterworks such as Michelangelo’s David and shop for exquisite leather and gold. 38 e-brochures available online
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