Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing to Hamburg - 9 nights, June 2013

Visit two of the most famous sites in New York – Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A relaxing, enjoyable and interesting tour starting with a brief stop at Central Park and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious museums.

You will head off to the ‘Upper West Side’, where you will see many homes of celebrities as well as the Lincoln Center featuring the Metropolitan Opera House. A brief stop will be made at the famous Dakota building, where John Lennon lived, followed by a short walk to Strawberry Fields, the area of Central Park devoted to him. Central Park is over 150 years old, has over 25 million visitors each year and more than 200 movies have been filmed within the Park. Continue by coach along the world famous Fifth Avenue, famous for all its designer shops and department stores.

Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most visited museums in the world featuring over two million works of art. The institution’s permanent collection spans history, from a transported Egyptian temple to a large collection of 19th and 20th century European paintings. There is also the chance to see many special and temporary exhibits while visiting the Museum. Enjoy 2½ hour’s free time with an audio guide to explore the exhibits. There are several cafés in the museum where you can purchase a coffee or snack.

Note: Guests are advised to wear comfortable, flat, walking shoes. Please be aware that there is approximately 2½ hours of walking and standing throughout the tour.

A unique tour that combines a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – two of the world’s most renowned landmarks.

On this tour you will stand at the base of ‘Lady Liberty’, delve into the history of this iconic statue and visit Ellis Island Museum to catch the spirit of the important role this island played in American history.

After a brief drive to Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, you will board the ferry and take in the sites of New York Harbour including beautiful views of the city including Brooklyn and its famous bridge, Staten Island, New Jersey and the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

Upon reaching Liberty Island, you will have time to walk around the base of this magnificent statue. There will also be a short time to visit the gift shop and enjoy some of the exterior exhibits. Your guide will provide detailed information about ‘Lady Liberty’, its completion in 1886 and her unique history.

Re-boarding the ferry, you will continue on to Ellis Island, another National Historic Landmark. Ellis Island was the main immigration centre for the United States from 1892 until World War II. More than 12 million immigrants were processed at the island, and today over 40% of Americans can trace some part of their ancestry back to Ellis Island. You will have approximately 1½ hour to explore the museum on your own.

Note: Comfortable, flat, walking shoes are recommended. Guests will be required to pass through an airline-style security check before boarding the ferry. Some queuing may be experienced due to the popularity of both attractions. Food and beverages are available for purchase at both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Explore the beautiful medieval town of Lübeck and spend some free time visiting the Christmas Market.

Once known as the ‘Queen of the Hanseatic League’, Lübeck is steeped in history and tradition and is, quite simply, beautiful. The old town on its oval island is one of the most impressive, intact examples of medieval Gothic architecture.

Your guide will host you on a walk, to soak up the medieval ambience as you stroll through the Altstadt (old city) with its well known landmark, the Holsten Gate. Pass by St Marien Church and the Gothic Rathaus, one of the oldest in Germany. You’ll continue past the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, as well as the Buddenbrooks House, home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, who were both born in Lübeck. Another fascinating attraction is the Fuechtingshof, one of the quaintest of the 82 Wohngaenge (alleyways).

Next, enjoy some free time to explore the Christmas Market around the Town Hall and visit the famous Kaffee Niederegger, the large selection of chocolate coated marzipan will make a great gift for Christmas. Whilst there, why not sample a slice of their popular marzipan gateau, truly delicious.

Note: Journey time to Lübeck is approximately, 1¼ hours each way. There is approximately two hours of walking included on this tour with some steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

Experience the highlights of Lower Manhattan and the 9/11 Memorial by land and sea.

Beginning in Midtown, you will be transferred by coach from Manhattan Cruise Terminal to Pier 84 to board a water taxi. Absorb the imposing views of Manhattan as you cruise along the Hudson River, New York Harbour and get an up close view of the Statue of Liberty.

Battery Park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan and is the starting point of your walking tour to the World Trade Center. Around every corner are famous sights and locations like Broadway, and the famous “Charging Bull” Statue which has become the unofficial symbol of Wall Street.

The newly completed 9/11 Memorial consists of two massive pools set within the original footprints of the Twin Towers with 30-foot waterfalls cascading down their sides. Take some time to reflect and pay your respects to those that lost their lives there. A short stop at the Visitors Centre will give you chance to purchase souvenirs and also view the on-going construction of the site which, when finished will be home to New York’s tallest building, One World Trade.

A final walk through the financial district will allow you to see many of the iconic places that New York is so famous for including Wall Street, The NY Stock Exchange and Trinity Church.

Note: All guests and baggage are subject to security screening and inspections at the Memorial. No large bags will be permitted onto the Memorial. This is mainly an outside tour so please dress appropriately. The itinerary may be adjusted to ensure that you arrive at the Memorial as scheduled.

Visit Berlin’s top ten city sights and spend some free time shopping at one of its Christmas Markets.

Travel to Berlin by coach, where your local guide will meet you. One of your first stops will be at the remnants of the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery. Today, approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open-air gallery in the world.

Some of the most famous highlights that you’ll see are; Bebel Platz where, below ground level, lies the Empty Library, the city’s most original memorial, created to commemorate ostracized authors whose books were burned. Check-Point Charlie, the legendary border crossing; the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989. Next you’ll travel to the famous Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s history and the Reichstag.

Drive through Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s ‘Champs Elysées’, passing the impressive Schloss Charlottenburg’, and the Gendarmenmarkt. Have your camera at the ready as you pass the main railway station, Hauptbahnhof, the building has been dubbed an architectural and logistical wonder. Next, it’s time for some retail therapy where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure to browse the colourful stalls at one of Berlin’s Christmas Markets.

A traditional German luncheon is included and will be served at a local pub-style restaurant.

Note: The coach journey to/from Berlin is approximately 3½-4 hours. This tour involves some walking at the photo stops. Guests will have approximately 45 minutes free time at the market. The time spent in Berlin will be subject to traffic conditions and may cause a variation in time given for exploration in Berlin.

This trip presents an ideal insight into Hamburg, the ‘Free and Hanseatic City’ and Germany’s second largest city after Berlin.

Hamburg is one of Europe’s biggest ports. Elegant and cosmopolitan it is a city of palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals and extravagant shopping malls as well as the famous Reeperbahn. Hamburg is also Germany’s greenest city with many spacious lawns and lovely parks.

Enjoy a panoramic tour showing you the highlights of this bustling city, such as the City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange; the Speicherstadt; as well as the Jungfernstieg, one of the elegant and luxury shopping areas. Travel around the Aussen-Alster, which is one of the top addresses in Hamburg.

Continue your journey along the world famous Reeperbahn, where at the beginning of the 17th century, the Reepers made rigs. Nowadays this street, together with the Grosse Freiheit and Herbert Strasse, are referred to as ‘the mile of sin’.

Visit St Michael’s Church, also known as the ‘Michel’ by the locals. This is the largest north German Baroque church and Hamburg’s main landmark. St Michael’s has four organs, one of which is said to be the largest in the world inside a church. During your visit, you will be treated to a wonderful organ recital to appreciate the excellent acoustics of the church.

Before returning to the ship you will take a leisurely stroll through the Kramer Amts Stuben, which was an earlier form of widow housing.

Note: This tour is mainly panoramic, with only an estimated 30 minutes of walking, including a few steps at the Church.

Visit two of the most famous sites in New York – Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A relaxing, enjoyable and interesting tour starting with a brief stop at Central Park and a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious museums.

You will head off to the ‘Upper West Side’, where you will see many homes of celebrities as well as the Lincoln Center featuring the Metropolitan Opera House. A brief stop will be made at the famous Dakota building, where John Lennon lived, followed by a short walk to Strawberry Fields, the area of Central Park devoted to him. Central Park is over 150 years old, has over 25 million visitors each year and more than 200 movies have been filmed within the Park. Continue by coach along the world famous Fifth Avenue, famous for all its designer shops and department stores.

Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most visited museums in the world featuring over two million works of art. The institution’s permanent collection spans history, from a transported Egyptian temple to a large collection of 19th and 20th century European paintings. There is also the chance to see many special and temporary exhibits while visiting the Museum. Enjoy 2½ hour’s free time with an audio guide to explore the exhibits. There are several cafés in the museum where you can purchase a coffee or snack..

Note: Guests are advised to wear comfortable, flat, walking shoes. Please be aware that there is approximately 2½ hours of walking and standing throughout the tour.

Visit Queen Victoria’s much loved home on the Isle of Wight, for an insight into the life she shared with Prince Albert.

Osborne House was the treasured summer home of Queen Victoria and her family; a secluded seaside retreat away from public life and the formalities of London.

Take the ferry to the Isle of Wight for the short drive to the impressive estate of Osborne House. Enjoy a tour of the main house and admire the beauty of the opulent interior with its architectural design and decoration. You will gain an insight into the private life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as you wander around the Royal bedrooms and see the many family photographs which adorn the desks and walls.

One of the most impressive rooms in the house is the richly decorated Durbar Room, with its intricate ceiling inspired by medieval temple structures, which celebrates Queen Victoria's role as Empress of India. The room itself contains art, furniture and many trinkets sent as gifts to Queen Victoria from India.

To the rear of the house are the beautiful Italian-style terraces and at the bottom of the estate stands the wooden chalet style, Swiss Cottage, which belonged to the children. The children each had a vegetable garden where they planted and grew produce which they sold to the main house, providing them with a valuable lesson in gardening and commerce.

Note: The main house and gardens are wheelchair accessible, however the nursery and Swiss Cottage are not. Photography is not permitted inside Osborne House. To derive full enjoyment of the estate will involve two hours of walking. Luncheon is not included to allow for maximum flexibility. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling).

Discover the World Heritage City of Bath with its beautiful Georgian architecture, Roman history and stunning scenery.

The Roman City of Bath and the beautiful countryside which surrounds it, has been described as one of England's most beautiful places to visit. Bath is situated within the south west of England and is a 2,000 year old fabulous spa town, built around Britain’s only hot mineral springs.

Bath offers a multitude of fantastic places to visit and is very easy to navigate on foot. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, the city has some of the finest architectural sites in Europe and boasts a unique and diverse range of historic features, which attract people the world over.

Your visit will begin with a panoramic tour of the city, with your guide bringing the city to life as you pass the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, the Circus and the city’s parks, including Royal Victoria Park. There will be free time to explore at your own leisure, enjoy the many street performers, visit the Roman Baths Museum, discover Jane Austen’s connection to the city at the Jane Austen Centre or wander around the fabulous shops.

Note: The transfer time to Bath is approximately 1¾ hours. Luncheon is not included to allow maximum flexibility. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling). Bath is relatively flat but some streets are cobbled.

Enjoy the scenic delights of Beaulieu Estate including the National Motor Museum and Palace House with its beautiful grounds.

Beaulieu is a top visitor attraction located in the heart of the beautiful New Forest. The estate features many highlights including the National Motor Museum, an Ancient Abbey, Palace House and a variety of gardens including a Victorian, kitchen and wilderness garden.

Within the fascinating National Motor Museum you can see some of the earliest examples of motoring from the 1890s through to legendary world-record breakers, such as Campbell’s jet powered Bluebird which broke the world land speed record in 1964.

New for 2012 is BOND IN MOTION, the world’s largest collection of original James Bond vehicles. Celebrating 50 years of Bond, with 50 vehicles from the films, this exhibition includes iconic on-screen favourites such as Goldfinger’s Rolls-Royce Phantom III, Zao’s Jaguar XKR loaded with weapons from Die Another Day and Bond’s Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace.

Take some time to admire the remains of the picturesque 13th century Abbey with its timeless beauty and tranquil atmosphere. One of the buildings now houses a monastic multimedia exhibition which illustrates the daily life of the Cistercian Monks.

Historic Palace House has been the stately home of the Montagu family since 1538. With its combination of 13th century Gothic and 19th century Scottish Baronial architecture, the House offers an insight into the past with many fascinating family treasures, portraits and photographs.

Note: The grounds are spread out over a vast area, however there is a monorail and Veteran Bus which connect the main attractions. There will be approximately three hours of free time to explore the Beaulieu attractions at your own leisure.

Visit the medieval town of Lüneburg, situated on the River Ilmenau and discover this treasure, located south of Hamburg.

Enjoy an orientation drive of Hamburg including many of the city sights before transferring to Lüneburg.

Lüneburg city is rich in tradition and historically connected with salt – the ‘white gold’ of the Middle Ages. The salt mines made Lüneburg a rich and powerful town and an important member of the Hanseatic League. To fully appreciate the beauty, take a tour of the Old Town on foot. The many important historical buildings testify to the prosperity of the city in the Middle Ages. Even today, salt plays an important role in Lüneburg’s status as a spa town; many illnesses are treated through salt and water therapies.

During your walk through the city and small cobbled alleyways, you will see buildings such as the historical town hall Rathaus, which was built around 1240.

Enjoy some free time, exploring the medieval, quaint town centre with its numerous shops.

Note: Journey time to Luneburg is estimated at 45 - 60 minutes each way. The orientation drive will be around 45 minutes. There is approximately two hours of walking included on this tour with steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common. Please be aware that there is usually a charge of approximately Euro 50 cents at public facilities.

Visit the medieval town of Lüneburg, situated on the River Ilmenau, a secret treasure south of Hamburg.

Sit back and relax as you drive south to the ‘hidden treasure’ of Lüneburg city.

Lüneburg is historically connected with salt – the ‘white gold’ of the Middle Ages. The salt mines made Lüneburg a rich and powerful town and an important member of the ‘Hanseatic League’. To appreciate the beauty of this medieval city, your guide will host you on a stroll through the ‘Old Town’. As you wander through the small cobbled alleyways, you’ll discover many medieval houses as well as the historic Rathaus Town Hall.

Enjoy some free time to explore the local Christmas Market, where the booths are decorated on the Brothers Grimm fairytale themes transform Lüneburg's pedestrian streets into a magical fairytale world. Stroll through this winter wonderland, which many Germans have not yet discovered.

Enjoy a hot Glühwein and some traditional Christmas snacks whilst being surrounded by festive merriment.

Note: Journey time to Lüneburg is estimated at 45 minutes each way. There is approximately two hours’ walking included on this tour with steps. Flat, comfortable, walking shoes are recommended. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

Combine a visit to Europe’s most intriguing prehistoric monument, with the enchanting medieval city of Salisbury.

Stonehenge is Britain’s most remarkable and intriguing prehistoric monument. It is as old as the great temples and pyramids of Egypt and remains as compelling today as it was to the people who built the first phase over 5,000 years ago. This mighty symbol is a wonder of the world drawing thousands of visitors each year to witness its awesome majesty and mystery.

The stone circle of shaped stones, lintels, unique jointing and absolutely perfect geometry make it the most sophisticated stone circle in the world. The stones are fenced off for their preservation and protection, however your guide will accompany you along the encircling pathway for close up views and will describe what has been concluded from observations and archaeological evidence.

After a short drive from Stonehenge, you’ll arrive at the magnificent medieval city of Salisbury, with its historic streets and alleyways, charming half-timbered buildings, traditional eating houses and medieval Cathedral. Salisbury Cathedral is a beautiful masterpiece of early English Gothic architecture which also boasts the tallest spire in Britain, Europe’s oldest working clock and the world's best-preserved original copy of the Magna Carta. Enjoy free time to explore this lovely city at your leisure.

Note: The transfer time to Stonehenge is approximately one hour. There will be approximately 2½ hours of free time in Salisbury. Luncheon and the Cathedral entrance fee are not included to allow maximum flexibility. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling).

Enjoy an evening in Hamburg, see the sights and sample the famous German hospitality at a traditional brewery.

Sit back and relax as your guide hosts you on a panoramic drive around Hamburg. Have your camera to hand, as you pass by many of the City’s highlights including the century old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, City Hall and the Aussen-Alster, the top address in Hamburg where numerous consulates are located.

Enjoy a guided stroll through the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile. Your next stop is at one of the many breweries, a traditional German pub, to sample a stein of the locally produced beer.

Note: This tour includes approximately 40 minutes of walking over flat ground, with several steps to negotiate at the brewery.

Enjoy a visit to the magnificent Royal residence of Windsor Castle followed by free time to explore the historic town of Windsor.

Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history and dates back to the time of William the Conqueror.

Enjoy an audio tour around the opulent rooms of the Castle including the splendid State Apartments and grand St Georges Hall where the Queen entertains visiting heads of states. The rooms are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Reubens and Gainsborough. You will be able to admire the world famous Queen Mary's Dolls' House, which took three years to complete and involved 1,500 craftsmen, artists and authors. The house has electric lighting, hot and cold running water and even flushing lavatories.

One of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England can be found in St George's Chapel. The chapel contains the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Charles I, Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour.

After visiting the Castle, there will be around one hour of free time to explore the town of Windsor with its Georgian shops, houses and inns.

Note: The transfer time to Windsor is 1½ hours. There is a ½ mile walk from the car park to the Castle entrance and two hours walking within the Castle. If the Royal Family is in residence some of the state rooms will be unavailable. St George’s Chapel is closed on Sundays. Queues may be experienced due to the strict security procedures. Luncheon is not included to allow maximum flexibility. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling).