SHORE EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME FOR THE UNDER-MENTIONED CRUISES NORTH EUROPE SUMMER SEASON 2013

Transcription

1 SHORE EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME FOR THE UNDER-MENTIONED CRUISES NORTH EUROPE SUMMER SEASON 2013 MSC MAGNIFICA: from MA27 (15 April 2013) to MA43 (14 September 2013) AKUREYRI (Iceland) AKUBKT SIGHTSEEING & CYCLING: AKUREYRI BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 15 km Fondly dubbed the second capital of Iceland, the city of Akureyri is not only a major centre of commerce, culture and education in the north of the country, but also popular for the recreational and leisure opportunities it provides. The city is blessed with a network of well-maintained cycle paths that will make this bike-based tour of its numerous attractive sights and suburbs a real delight, with your guide providing information on many points of interest as you pedal your way along. ÅLESUND (Norway) ASDBKT GET A PEDAL ON BIKE TO HESSA ISLAND (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx.15 km Get some fresh air, enjoy a spot of exercise and explore the sights of Ålesund, Norway s Art Nouveau central, all at the same time. AMSTERDAM (The Netherlands) AMSBKT SPIN THE SPOKES & GO NATIVE IN AMSTERDAM (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 18 km Duration: approx. 2.5 hours Go native in Amsterdam and hop on a bike. After all, the Dutch know there is no better place to spin the spokes than Holland. But why take their word for it when you can find out for yourself on this enjoyable cycling tour through the Dutch capital? Have fun in the fresh air while you explore parts of the city you would otherwise never see and enjoy the special vibe that goes with exploring foreign climes. ÅNDALSNES (Norway) ANDBKT SADDLE UP & PEDAL TO TROLL WALL (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 25 km Duration: approx. 3.5 hours Beautifully situated on the Romsdalfjord and surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, the Norwegian town of Åndalsnes makes an ideal spot to engage in some outdoor exercise and go biking.3

2 BELFAST (Northern Ireland, United Kingdom) BELBKT THE PEDAL-PUSHING TOUR OF BELFAST LOUGH (BIKE TOUR) Duration: approx. 2.5 hours The intertidal inlet of the Irish Sea known as Belfast Lough is one of the prettiest spots in Northern Ireland and simply ideal for cycling thanks to a flat coastal path that leads from the heart of Northern Ireland s capital city to the seaside village of Whiteabbey, the route of this easy-going biking tour. BERGEN (Norway) BERBKT THE BORN TO RIDE IN BERGEN TOUR (BIKE TOUR) Founded in 1070, once Norway s capital and now the country s second-largest city, Bergen is well worth a visit. COPENHAGEN (Denmark) COPBKT THE GREENEST WAY TO SEE COPENHAGEN BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 6 km Some gentle exercise and the sights of Copenhagen await you on this enjoyable al-fresco cycling tour. After some help adjusting your bike, you will set off from the pier and cycle down the streets of the Danish capital en route to sights that would remain inaccessible from a coach. CORK (Republic of Ireland) ORKBKT SCENIC CYCLING IN THE EMERALD ISLE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 25 km Duration: approx. 2.5 hours The coastal landscape surrounding Cork and the seaport of Cobh does Ireland s moniker as the Emerald Isle every justice: green, lush and great for biking. DOVER (England, United Kingdom) DOVBKT BIKING OVER THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER TO WALMER CASTLE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 12 km

3 At the start of this enjoyable cycling tour, you take a minibus up to Langdon Cliffs and Dover Castle. The cliff-top meeting point provides superb views of the Strait of Dover, one of the world s busiest shipping lanes. From the Gateway to the White Cliffs visitors centre, you will cycle along a scenic coastal stretch to the village of St. Margaret-at-Cliffe. Find a tea room or pub for a break or make a detour to the Dover Patrol Memorial, erected in memory of lives lost during WWI. At the old coastguard lookout, enjoy more stunning views of the English Channel in The Bluebird Café or in the bay-side pub. An off-road stretch then follows across the downs with lovely vistas of Kingsdown on the coast and the shingle beach. After another pub stop, you will cycle to Walmer and time permitting Walmer Castle, a 16 th -century fortification built at the order of Henry VIII, before heading back to the ship. Please note: Refreshments purchased along the way are not included in the price of the tour. DUBLIN (Republic of Ireland) DBLBKT CYCLE TO THE SIGHTS OF DUBLIN S FAIR CITY (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 12 km Duration: approx. 2 hours This biking tour of the Irish capital begins by heading for the River Liffey and the East-Link Bridge, from where a riverside bike lane provides easy access to the city. GREENOCK (Scotland, United Kingdom) GRKBKT GOUROCK, THE GANTOCKS AND GLORIOUS GREENERY: A CYCLING TOUR IN THE KEY OF G (BIKE TOUR) Duration: approx. 1.5 hours Enjoy Scotland s crisp fresh air and stunning scenery on this leisurely cycling tour that begins on a coastal stretch to Gourock, which was founded in 1494 and was once a major centre of rope-making, copper mining, kipper production, quarrying and yacht-building. HAMBURG (Germany) HAMBKT HAMBURG: REMARKABLE, LIKEABLE & EMINENTLY BIKEABLE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: Route 1: approx. 14 km / Route 2: approx. 12 km Designed to give you an al-fresco look at Hamburg, this biking tour starts in the old fish market quarter, then heads through parks and along the River Elbe, past Hamburg harbour and the old Elbe tunnel. After crossing the river, the Portuguese quarter is next en route to Hamburg s main landmark, the 17th-century St. Michaelis Church. Then it s on to the exclusive Jungfernstieg shopping area before you ride around the Innenalster lake, passing the 5-star Vier Jahreszeiten hotel on the way. After a stop at the impressive town hall, historical Hamburg is next. First passing the St. Nicholas Church war memorial, you will reach the Speicherstadt, Hamburg s 19th-century warehouse district and the starkly modern adjacent HafenCity

4 development. As you make your way back along the river Elbe, you can watch the ships in the harbour and catch views of the city s notorious St. Pauli and Reeperbahn adult entertainment areas. Please note: The mainly flat cycle route predominantly follows side roads with cycle paths, but also includes some stretches without cycle paths or with cobblestones (approx. 300 m) as well as a few slight inclines (approx. 200 m). The cycle route will vary depending on the docking pier. This tour is available only on board MSC Magnifica and it is not bookable online. Please ask to the Excursions Office on board MSC Magnifica for more info. INVERGORDON (Scotland, United Kingdom) IVGBKT MORE POWER TO THE PEDAL THE CROMARTY FIRTH CYCLING TOUR (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 28 km Duration: approx. 4 hours Clean, fresh air, the wonderful Scottish landscape, panoramic views and mostly paved roads make the perfect ingredients for this half-day cycling tour around the Cromarty Firth. ÍSAFJÖRÐUR (Iceland) IFJBKT NATURE AT ITS WILDEST LAVA LANDSCAPES & FJORDS BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) When it comes to exploring the great outdoors by bike, there could hardly be a better place than the craggy, untamed, volcanic landscape of Iceland. The area around Ísafjörður, situated at the end of a fjord flanked by mountains, promises breathtaking views of the coastline and nearby valleys. KIRKWALL (Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom) KWLBKT SCENERY, SIGHTSEEING AND CYCLING ON MAINLAND ORKNEY (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 18 km Situated just a short distance off the northern coast of Scotland, the beautiful Orkney Islands are known for their varied landscape, incredible coastline and historic importance during WWI and WWII. A leisurely cycling tour awaits you that will give you a chance to enjoy some outdoor fun as you visit Orkney s main sights. MOLDE (Norway) MLDBKT MOUNTAINSCAPES AND THE FJORD: FROM MOLDE TO JULNESET BY PUSHBIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 19 km

5 Enjoy a gentle workout while exploring the majestic Norwegian landscape on a family-friendly biking route that begins at Molde pier and will first take you west through various residential areas and past Haukabøen farm, with spectacular views of the sea, various islands and the Romsdal alps to enjoy on the way. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE (England, United Kingdom) NCLBKT THE TYNEMOUTH & WHITLEY BAY CYCLE TOUR TO THE SPANISH CITY (BIKE TOUR) Duration: approx hours Spend some time off the ship biking through northern England on a tour that begins at the pier and takes you down a scenic coastal route with glorious views of the sea, sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs. REYKJAVÍK (Iceland) KEFBKT HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS, FEET ON THE PEDALS BIKE YOUR WAY AROUND REYKJAVÍK (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 30 km Compact, colourful and charming, the city of Reykjavík awaits you on this enjoyable bike-based discovery tour. ST. PETER PORT (Bailiwick of Guernsey, British Crown Dependency) SPPBKT GORGEOUS GUERNSEY BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 15 km Guernsey s glorious green landscape is yours to explore on a pedal-pushing tour along the scenic Ruettes Tranquilles, an island-wide network of speed-restricted lanes. STOCKHOLM (Sweden) STKBKT THE SCENIC STOCKHOLM CYCLING TOUR (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx km Sitting pretty right in the middle of Stockholm is an idyllic island park featuring extensive woodlands and meadows, various marinas and the all-year Gröna Lund amusement park as well as several historical buildings, monuments, galleries and the Skansen open-air museum: welcome to the wonderful Djurgården. Now open to the general public and hugely popular as a recreational area, the former game park of the Swedish royal family is situated in one of Stockholm s most exclusive residential areas. The park is yours to enjoy on this pleasant cycling tour, which will give you a chance to bike through bucolic surroundings and

6 along scenic waterways with boats and waterfowl to add further interest. Following one of two possible routes in the park, this tour is a great opportunity to team some gentle exercise in the fresh air with a visit to one of Stockholm s most iconic locations. Please note: The cycle route mainly follows regular roads and cycle paths, but also includes stretches on uneven ground, cobblestones (approx. 15 min.) and dirt tracks (approx. 15 min.). The distance covered on uneven ground will vary depending on the docking pier, the traffic situation and guide s decision during the tour. This tour is available only on board MSC Magnifica and it is not bookable online. Please ask to the Excursions Office on board MSC Magnifica for more info. TALLINN (Estonia) TALBKT THE BEST OF TALLINN BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 12 km Situated on the beautiful Gulf of Finland, Tallinn is a winning blend of old and new, with contrasting cityscapes that all add up to a wealth of experience. TROMSØ (Norway) TSOBKT ARCHITECTURE & CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS TROMSØ TOWN BY BIKE (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: approx. 25 km Mainly located on the island of Tromsøya, the city of Tromsø is the largest in northern Norway and ideal for exploring by bike. ZEEBRUGGE (Belgium) ZEEBKT CYCLE TO THE SAINT-TROPEZ OF FLANDERS (BIKE TOUR) Biking distance: 27 km Duration: approx. 4 hours Step off the ship, stretch your legs and get cycling along a scenic route to the seaside resort of Knokke- Heist, Belgium s swankiest, most sophisticated coastal town. Often referred to as the Saint-Tropez of the Flanders shoreline, Knokke-Heist is blessed with a beautiful stretch of golden-sand beach and an attractive town centre.