Holland America Line seeks out unique cruise tour experiences in Europe from an Evening of Chopin in Gdansk, new for 2006 and 2007, to a private visit to the Vatican in Rome. Whether guests want to sightsee via camel, kayak, canal boat or gondola, the company offers more than 500 excursions in 138 ports of call in 2006 on cruises to the Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Africa, Scandinavia, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles; and 2007 will offer all of that plus the Holy Land.

"Our shore excursions lead the way in the cruise industry providing options that deliver the unforgettable experiences seasoned travelers expect of Holland America Line," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "We offer traditional tours spotlighting noted attractions rich with history, art, culture and lifestyle as well as traveling off the beaten track on action and adventure tours."

Something for everyone is the hallmark of Holland America’s 2006 and 2007 slate of European excursions. Amsterdam’s "Canals on a Summer Evening" is perfect for romantics. Murder on the Moika River in St. Petersburg and "Angels and Demons" Rome Adventure by Train has mystery buffs in mind. Nature lovers can go on a bird safari, attend a horse show, watch for whales and dolphins or visit the Polar Zoo. Thrill-seekers can opt for a Polar Flight, an extraordinary adventure from Akureyri, Iceland that provides entrée to the Artic Circle Club—with a membership certificate to prove it.

Exciting & New

Alexandria is the place to marvel at the Pyramids, glide down the Nile, ponder the riddle of the Sphinx, and, new this year, travel across the sands of time in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Holland America has also added the Rembrandt Narrator exhibition in Leiden, the catacombs and cathedrals of Savoca and Forza D’Agro, Abisko National Park north of the Arctic Circle, the Hidden Villages of Santorini, and the Treasures of Sinop, the most beautiful natural harbor of the Black Sea, to its already extensive list of excursions.

Medallion Collection Excursions Feature Exclusivity

This elite tour category features unique adventures and special events for a limited number of privileged guests. Topping the list of one-of-a-kind experiences are Formula One racecar driving in Barcelona, kayaking the Geirangerfjord in Norway, sipping vodka from a frozen glass in Stockholm’s chic Ice Bar, flying over Berlin in a Raisin Bomber and a Gala Performance of live opera at St. Petersburg’s famed Yusupov Palace.

Tours add flavor. Shore excursions offer a wonderful way to explore intriguing destinations. Organized tours ranging from a few hours to a full day in length, many including meals, spotlight traditional icons like the Pyramids, the Parthenon, the Colosseum and Pompeii while delving into each port’s cultural scene and lifestyle. Tasting Devonshire Cream in the British Isles, sampling Cider and Cheese in Normandy, or savoring authentic pizza in Naples add zest to the European travel experience.

Excursions have wide appeal. Select tours designated as "off the beaten track" are ideal for those who "collect" new places. A high-speed boat trip through the Finnish Archipelago, a Neretva River Delta Photo Safari encompassing two countries—Croatia and Boznia Herzogovinia, or "The Zozimus Experience" which revisits the scenes of great escapes, murders and mythical happenings within the medieval city of Dublin inject a fresh look at familiar places.

Offerings provide flexibility. Numerous interests and all activity levels are accommodated within Holland America’s extensive tour lineup. The company even offers a Signature Collection of excursions for guests who seek a more personalized tour customized to their wants and needs with their own private luxury vehicle, professional driver and English-speaking guide.

Tailored Excursions Perfect For Groups

Holland America also offers customized group shore excursions customized to the ports and activities a group wants to experience.  They also include language-specific guides, private transportation, and  added features, such as a lunch or a show.