Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing to Hamburg - 10 nights, October 2013

Wall Street to Harlem, Hudson to the East River and all in between. This tour offers a great insight into New York.

John D Rockefeller first opened the open-air observation deck in 1933 to the amazement of New Yorkers. Designed in homage to ocean liners of the day, it quickly became ‘the’ place to view the city. After renovation caused the observation deck to close in 1986, ‘Top of the Rock’ re-opened in 2005 to a huge fanfare and has reclaimed its status as one of the best places to see some fantastic views of the city.

After you come back down to Earth, continue your tour with a drive through the financial district to visit St Paul’s Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site. St. Paul’s Chapel is currently the home to exhibits and memorabilia relating to the 9/11 attacks. A short stroll from the Chapel will lead to the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, here you can learn about the National September 11 Memorial & Museum through models, renderings, films and genuine artefacts.

The tour then takes in such highlights as Harlem, Central Park, Greenwich Village and Soho. A wonderful day out to see what this amazing city has to offer.

Note: Please note the order of the tour may vary due to traffic in the city. We recommend you take US$ for luncheon at Seaport. There is approximately 2½ hours of walking on this tour.

Discover the mystery surrounding Stonehenge, Europe’s most remarkable and intriguing prehistoric monument.

Stonehenge is probably the most important prehistoric monument in the
whole of Britain. It stands as a timeless tribute to the people who built it and is now a richly deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The natural and historical stone circle was erected between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC (earlier than the Egyptian pyramids) by no less than three different cultures. Its extraordinary features include its orientation on the rising and setting sun, incredible geometry, unique jointing and the fact that some stones were dragged over 100 miles to the site.

As your guide accompanies you around the encircling pathway an insight will be given into the huge significance of Stonehenge. This stone circle also provides many photographic opportunities and with so many theories about its usage and uniqueness, Stonehenge is one of today’s wonders of the world and an absolute must to visit. There will be an opportunity to purchase souvenirs in the gift shop before leaving the site.

Note: The transfer time to Stonehenge is approximately one hour. Audio guides are available at the entrance if you wish to explore Stonehenge independently. The site is wheelchair accessible and the terrain is mainly grass and tarmac pathways with one short but steep incline. The area immediately around the stones is cordoned off to protect them. There is a refreshment area on site for those guests who do not wish to walk around the stones. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling).

Hamburg by night, with a glass of fresh draft beer and a visit to the famous Christmas Market is something not to be missed.

With your local guide, embark on a panoramic drive by night to discover the sparkling decorations of this celebrated city, including the bright lights of the famous Reeperbahn.

Hamburg has a long brewing pedigree with many of its products widely available abroad. The most distinctive beers of this region are Jever, Becks and Holsten. Sample some freshly drafted German beer during a stop at a typical brewery pub, before working up an appetite at the spectacular Roncalli Christmas Market.

Soak up the festive atmosphere in Hamburg’s Town Hall Square. The grand setting plays host to numerous quaint cottage style stalls, which are brightly decorated like gingerbread houses. Here you’ll find handcrafted Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirge region, woodcarvers from Tyrol, bakers form Aachen, gingerbread makers from Nurnberg and pottery from the Lausitz.

Note: 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 50 cents at public facilities. Guests who wish to remain in Hamburg at the end of the tour will be responsible for their own return to the ship.

Cruise the Hudson River and take in the famous New York skyline. See many of the city’s famous sites on this land and sea tour.

On land, make your way to Lower Manhattan by coach, stopping at the historic 18th century South Street Seaport, complete with historic tall ships, museums, exhibits, shops and restaurants.

Board the Zephyr, a custom-built, luxury catamaran for a sixty minute tour of New York’s waterways. You will experience unparalleled views of the skyline and the port as your tour guide provides an informative narration whilst you cruise by the amazing spectacle of New York.

Sail by Brooklyn Bridge, see the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, World Financial Centre and the famous boroughs of Brooklyn, Staten Island and Ellis Island, the immigrant gateway to America. Have your camera ready for the highlight of the trip as your captain briefly lingers directly in front of the Statue of Liberty for a fantastic photograph opportunity.

After your harbour cruise, you will re-board your coach and take a scenic drive back to the ship which will include passing the 9/11 Memorial & One World Trade.

Note: Guests are advised that this itinerary may operate in reverse order and that it is not possible to disembark at the Statue of Liberty. The Zephyr has two enclosed climate-controlled decks and an open top deck. Guests should note that the tour duration is heavily dependent on local traffic conditions and may vary.

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.

Cruise the Hudson River and take in the famous New York skyline. See many of the city’s famous sites on this land and sea tour.

On land, make your way to Lower Manhattan by coach, stopping at the historic 18th century South Street Seaport, complete with historic tall ships, museums, exhibits, shops and restaurants.

Board the Zephyr, a custom-built, luxury catamaran for a sixty minute tour of New York’s waterways. You will experience unparalleled views of the skyline and the port as your tour guide provides an informative narration whilst you cruise by the amazing spectacle of New York.

Sail by Brooklyn Bridge, see the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, World Financial Centre and the famous boroughs of Brooklyn, Staten Island and Ellis Island, the immigrant gateway to America. Have your camera ready for the highlight of the trip as your captain briefly lingers directly in front of the Statue of Liberty for a fantastic photograph opportunity.

After your harbour cruise, you will re-board your coach and take a scenic drive back to the ship which will include passing the 9/11 Memorial & One World Trade.

Note: Guests are advised that this itinerary may operate in reverse order and that it is not possible to disembark at the Statue of Liberty. The Zephyr has two enclosed climate-controlled decks and an open top deck. Guests should note that the tour duration is heavily dependent on local traffic conditions and may vary.

Experience the pulse of New York City after dark, including a bird’s eye view from the observatory in the Empire State Building.

Travel across the East River to Brooklyn to view the illuminated New York City Skyline from beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, at the historical Fulton Landing. The dazzling lights of Broadway, the illuminated icons of the City, the string of pearls that suspend the humming road of the Brooklyn Bridge and the spectacular Art Deco capped Chrysler Building will all be sparkling as you pass by.

Retuning to midtown, ascend the iconic Empire State Building for the breathtaking panoramic views of the city at night from the observation deck, on the 86th floor of the tallest building in the city.

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Times Square with some free time to stroll, shop or enjoy a drink in a bar.

Note: Due to the popularity of the Empire State Building there may be up to an hour’s wait to access the 86th Floor Observatory. This tour will operate in all weather conditions and visibility cannot be guaranteed.

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).

Discover the history and natural beauty of the New Forest with its famous ponies, quaint villages and picturesque landscapes.

A short drive out of Southampton will bring you to the New Forest. The New Forest, originally created by William the Conqueror for deer hunting, is a mixture of open grazing, woodland and heath. The Forest has remained almost untouched for 1,000 years and is famous for its tiny villages with traditional thatched cottages and wild ponies which roam free on the land. Today it is managed by the Forestry Commission and in 2004 was designated a National Park.

Your scenic drive will take you through the heart of the New Forest, with its famous New Forest ponies, past a variety of beautiful landscapes to three of its prettiest villages; Hythe, Beaulieu and Lyndhurst.

The historic marina village of Hythe is located alongside Southampton Water and on a clear day you can see across to where your cruise ship is berthed. The village also boasts the world’s oldest operating pier train.

The picturesque village of Beaulieu dates back to the 13th century and is renowned for its Abbey, Motor Museum and Palace Manor House. Admire the lovely views across Beaulieu River as you pass through this quaint village.

The New Forest capital, Lyndhurst is a bustling village containing tea rooms, pubs, souvenir shops, local stores and ice cream vendors. You will have the chance to visit the New Forest Visitor Centre to view its exhibits, browse the local shops or relax in one of the tea rooms.

Note: The sightseeing is conducted from the comfort of your coach with a photograph stop at Hythe. There will be approximately 45 minutes free time in Lyndhurst. There is a small charge to visit the exhibits in the New Forest Visitor Centre.

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.

Get a taste of the ‘Big Apple’ on this leisurely sightseeing adventure and discover New York’s most celebrated landmarks.

Begin your sightseeing drive of Manhattan and view the Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Theatre District, the Empire State Building and St Patrick’s Cathedral from the comfort of your air-conditioned coach. You will travel through quintessential New York neighbourhoods such as trendy Greenwich Village, Little Italy, the Financial District and Fifth Avenue with its designer stores and boutiques. You will also see glimpses of Central Park, which covers some 843 acres at the core of this bustling metropolis, and provides the people of the city with a green oasis.

The highlight of your New York exploration will be a visit to St Paul’s Chapel, where President George Washington paused to pray after his inauguration. St Paul’s Chapel is currently the home to exhibits and memorabilia relating to the 9/11 attacks. A short stroll from St Paul’s Chapel will lead you to the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, where you can learn about the National September 11 Memorial & Museum through models, renderings, films and genuine artefacts.

Following your stop at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, you’ll resume your travels on the pulsing streets of the city. With your hunger to discover the ‘Big Apple’ satisfied, you’ll return to your ship.

Note: There will be approximately 30 - 45 minutes of walking during the stop at St Paul’s Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial. Guests should note that the tour duration is heavily dependent on local traffic conditions and may vary. The majority of this tour is spent on the coach. Tour sequence may vary. Depending on traffic or street closures, some sights may not be accessible.

Celebrate Christmas with a stop at Hamburg’s largest Baroque church, and a visit to the Christmas Market.

Visit St Michael’s Church, the largest north German Baroque church and Hamburg’s main landmark. During a brief public sermon (in German), you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a short organ recital. It is not surprising to find that this church has 3 organs, one of which contains no less than 6,665 pipes, 85 stops and 5 keyboards. The church’s high nave and resonant acoustics afford an ideal environment for the organ.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of elegant and cosmopolitan Hamburg. See the palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades and extravagant shopping malls, plus the famous Reeperbahn in St Pauli. Pass the City Hall, Germany’s oldest Stock Exchange, the Speicherstadt and the Aussen-Alster.

With your guide, you’ll explore Roncalli Christmas Market located at the Town Hall, which provides a grand setting for the city’s most charming market.

Note: This tour involves up to 1 hour of walking. Comfortable, non-slip walking shoes are recommended. The organ recital is approximately 15 minutes in duration. Guests who wish to remain in Hamburg at the end of the tour will be responsible for their own return to the ship. Whilst comfort stops at restaurants are usually free of charge, a donation is common.

‘Come Together’ and follow in the famous footsteps of The Beatles and discover where the band first found fame in the early 1960’s.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your ‘Ticket to Ride’ as you follow on the trail of the ‘Fab Four’ in Hamburg. Have your camera at the ready 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. You’ll also see the infamous Reeperbahn, also known as St Pauli, Hamburg’s ‘red-light district’ as well as the theatre and nightlife mile.

Your guide will host you on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ to discover where the band first found fame and enjoy some tales about their early experiences. On the 18th August 1960, the band played their first concert as ‘The Beatles’ at the Indra Club. Enjoy a glass of beer at the club, as you soak up the atmosphere.

As it’s been a ‘Hard Day’s Night’, you’ll enjoy a brief stop at a typical German Imbiss, where you’ll sample a tasty traditional bratwurst, before you have to ‘Get Back’ to your ship.

Note: This tour includes approximately 1½ hours of walking and standing, with three steps to negotiate at the Indra Club.

Enjoy Hamburg at night during a leisurely cruise by barge on Alster Lake, with a traditional punch and Glühwein.

A short drive will take you through the centre of Hamburg and some of the finest streets, lined with sparkling Christmas decorations.

Once you arrive at the jetty, board a barge for an evening cruise around Alster Lake. On board enjoy a traditional Christmas drink and snack - a punch or Glühwein, whilst taking in the night time scenery. Pass by some of Hamburg’s 2,302 bridges - more than all of the bridges in Venice and Amsterdam combined.

Return to the ship by coach, including a short drive past Hamburg’s famous red-light district, the Reeperbahn.

Note: There are a few steps at the jetty to board the barge.

Explore the beautiful medieval town of Lübeck and enjoy a taste of Germany’s finest marzipan.

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.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk of the Altstadt (old city) with the Holsten Gate. Pass by St Marien Church and the Gothic Rathaus, one of the oldest in Germany. Continue past the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, as well as the Buddenbrooks House, home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann, both born in Lübeck. Another fascinating attraction is the Fuechtingshof one of the quaintest of the 82 Wohngaenge (alleyways).

Visit the famous Café Niederegger, where you may enjoy refreshments and Niederegger’s popular marzipan gateau. There will also be time for you to stock up on Niederegger’s large selection of chocolate-coated marzipan.

Note: Journey time to Lübeck is estimated at 75 to90 minutes each way. 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.