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Voyage of the Vikings Exclusive Shore Excursions ms | July 20 - August 24, 2016

Godafoss Falls, Iceland Exclusive Shore Excursions

We are excited to present our collection of shore opportunities for the 2016 Holland America Voyage of the Vikings. All tours will be escorted by a Cruise Specialists representative and operate in private motorcoaches arranged for our groups. We hope that you take advantage of these preferred tours and pricing and join your Voyage Hosts, Henk & Lucia Barnhoorn, and your fellow Cruise Specialists cruisers on these fun excursions.

TOUR ACTIVITY LEVELS:

These guidelines are meant to help you select the tours that are best suited to your physical abilities and level of comfort. If you use a wheelchair, or have any mobility challenges, please contact us to discuss your tour options. All tours, regardless of level of activity, involve stepping in and out of vehicles or motorcoaches. All clients signing up for tours should be able to embark or disembark vehicles/ motorcoaches with minimal assistance. Strenuous tours are not suitable for anyone who has difficulty walking or who has serious back or knee problems.

Easy Activity Very light activity. May include short distances to walk and some stairs.

Moderate Activity Requires some effort, including walking medium distances over uneven surfaces and/or stairs.

Strenuous Activity Requires active participation, walking long distances over uneven and steep terrain and/or stairs.

1 Thingvellir National Park, Iceland 2 3 | VIP Cruise Collection Experience Iceland’s Famous “Golden Circle” with Lunch

July 30 – 8 ½ hours – Lunch Included Reykjavik, Iceland

This popular Reykjavik excursion encompasses the “Big Three”: Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs area and Thingvellir National Park. They are collectively known as the “Golden Circle” and provide a look at some of the Iceland’s most scenic wonders. Begin your day venturing into the beautiful Thingvellir National Park–a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 30 miles from Reykjavik. Thingvellir ranks as one of Iceland’s top attractions. The area is surrounded by mountains and encompasses a vast lava plain of green moss and wild flowers. It is regarded by the Icelanders as a sacred place, for the world’s oldest legislative parliament was founded here in 930. Leaving Thingvellir, continue to Gullfoss Waterfall, also known as the “Golden Waterfall.” Gullfoss is the most famous of Iceland’s many waterfalls. The river Hvita, “The White River”, drops 96 feet in two falls, creating an awesome spectacle. Stopping at the Geysir area, you will be able to see hissing springs and other geothermal phenomena. After lunch at the Hotel Geysir, start the return journey to Reykjavik. Once back in the capital, make a short stop at the Pearl vantage point, for another photo opportunity, before arriving back at the pier.

Moderate Activity

3 Gullfoss Waterfalls, Iceland 4 5 | VIP Cruise Collection Gullfoss Waterfalls, Iceland Puffin Paradise Express

July 31 – 2 hours Reykjavik, Iceland

This tour offers the opportunity to observe these magnificent birds up close and get a glimpse of their particular paradise. A transfer by motorcoach takes you to the dock, where you will board your small, charming motorized wooden vessel for your short cruise to Lundey and Akurey Islands, located in the Reykjavík bay area. The boat is specially designed to get you close to the islands to allow for better views of the puffins resting on the islands, sitting on the ocean’s surface or flying in the sky. The puffin is the most common bird in Iceland, with the country being home to about 10 million of these charming animals. The Puffins are colonial nesters and inhabit Akurey and Lundey while raising their offspring. Fifteen thousand pairs are believed to nest on Akurey, while approximately ten thousand pairs nest on Lundey. The islands are nature reserves and no one is allowed to land there during the nesting season.

Upon arrival to the islands, the boat’s engine will be turned off so that guests can enjoy the birds and beautiful surroundings in silence. Your local guide will share a wealth of knowledge of the ornithology of the area, providing fascinating insights into the birds and their habitat. In addition to viewing puffins, you may also see Northern Fulmars, Cormorants, Eider Ducks, Gulls, Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots. At the conclusion of your wildlife viewing, return to shore for your motorcoach transfer to the ship. Guests wishing to explore Reykjavik City Center on their own after the tour will be offered an optional drop off in downtown. Guests taking advantage of this option will be responsible for making their own way back to the ship.

Please note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or physical limitations. It is recommended that guests dress in warm, layered clothing and wear flat, comfortable shoes. Guests should also bring raingear in case of inclement weather. Time spent viewing the Puffins from the boat is approximately 30 minutes. Wildlife sightings are likely but not guaranteed. Binoculars are provided on board. Depending upon the size of our group, Cruise Specialists may share the boat with other non-Cruise Specialists guests.

Easy Activity

5 Nesting puffins near Reykjavik, Iceland 6 7 | VIP Cruise Collection Historic Delft & The Hague with Lunch

August 6 – 9 hours – Lunch Included Rotterdam, The

Begin your exciting day in the Netherlands with an approximately thirty minute drive by comfortable coach to medieval Delft. Once in Delft, you will visit one of the two original remaining Delftware manufacturers in the world, “The Delftse Pauw”. Enjoy a guided tour of this small and interesting place, with an opportunity to purchase some original Delftware. Following your visit to the Delftware manufacturer, a short drive will take you to the medieval city center. Stroll along the canals and discover the most beautiful spots of historic Delft. The city is also known as “Miniature Amsterdam” because of its canals and the grand monumental merchant’s mansions in the old town center. The town center is one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval Dutch town. It is a town with rich historic and cultural heritage. Delft is also the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer. There will be a guided walking tour through the small historical city center including visits to the Old and New Church, which are both of great importance for the city of Delft. All of the Royal family members are buried in the New Church. Here you will also find the well- decorated tomb of Willem of Orange. In the Old Church rest the well-known painter Johannes Vermeer and great ocean commanders such as Piet Hein and Maarten Tromp. There are also some spectacular stained glass windows in the Old Church, done by the famous artist Joep Nicolas. We will also pass by the street where Vermeer painted his famous painting “The Little Street”.

After a few minutes of leisure time, continue to historic The Hague for a typical Dutch lunch on the main square. The Hague is the home of King Willem Alexander, the Dutch parliament and well-known museums. After lunch, we will take you for a short walk through the parliament buildings “Inner Court” with the “Knights Hall”, the oldest part of The Hague from the 13th century. Next, one of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the Mauritshuis Museum for a guided tour. The museum building is from 1637 and was once the home of Johan Maurits, former governor of Brazil. In 2014, the museum had an extensive renovation and it is now one of the oldest and most important museums in the Netherlands. The museum contains notable works from Johannes Vermeer including his famous “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” and the “View of Delft”. In addition, you will also find a large collection of Rembrandts, “The Goldfinch” by Fabritius and other 17th century painters, such as Hals, Rubens, Steen and Avercamp. It is an amazing collection! Next, continue with a scenic drive through the historical city center including a photo stop at Palace Noordeinde, the working Palace of the King. Finally, enjoy a backstage tour at the spectacular Panorama Mesdag Museum. The Panorama is a cylindrical painting, more than 45-feet high and 390-feet in circumference. It is the oldest 19th century panorama in the world in its original site. Afterwards, return to Rotterdam to rejoin your ship.

Please note: This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs. Several venues visited include some stairs.

7 The Hague, The Netherlands Moderate-Strenuous Activity 8 9 | VIP Cruise Collection Best of Rotterdam with Snack

August 7 – 5 ¾ hours Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Begin your day with a short drive to the steam ship ss Rotterdam, the former flagship of . The fifth ss Rotterdam, also known as “The Grande Dame”, is a former and has been a hotel ship in Rotterdam since 2010. She was launched by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands in a gala ceremony on September 13, 1958, and was completed the following summer. The ss Rotterdam was the last great Dutch “ship of state”, employing the finest artisans from the Netherlands in her construction psrocess. Her career spanned forty-one years. She sailed from 1959 until her final retirement in September 2000. Upon arrival, there will be a guided tour through the ship including visits to the bridge, engine room and the beautifully decorated lounge areas. After this exciting visit, there will be a short drive to the famous Hotel New York, where coffee or tea with a Dutch pastry will be served. The Hotel New York is situated in the beautiful former head office of Holland America Line. This hotel has a cosmopolitan feel and is located at an exceptional spot with views of the skyline, port and the river. From here, thousands of emigrants left for North America, hoping for a better life. Today people come here to sleep, celebrate, eat, drink and conduct business in a special atmosphere. As soon as you enter the building, you can feel it: this is where it all happened. The sense of nostalgia is everywhere – from the cast-iron hotel staircase and the numerous trunks and pictures of emigrants, to the former offices of its past directors.

Next, embark on a driving tour highlighting Rotterdam’s remarkable architecture. The drive will pass by such iconic building such as the Van Nelle Factory and House Solleveld, both examples of the renewed architecture in the period after World War II. Enjoy a brief walk in the historical Delfshaven district. Pass the Cube Homes of Piet Blom, the Art Hall Museum (Kunsthal) by Rem Koolhaas and the Netherlands Architecture Institute, which all became prominent buildings in the 80s and 90s. View the Erasmus Bridge, built in 1996, which connects the north and south parts of Rotterdam. Heading south, it’s time to view samples of Rotterdam’s newer architecture including the De Rotterdam building (the largest structure in the Netherlands), designed by Rem Koolhaas, and the iconic Red Apple skyscraper, designed by the famous Dutch interior designer Jan des Bouvrie. Then, it is on to the spectacular Market Hall opened in October, 2014. After a brief introduction, enjoy some leisure time (approximately 45 minutes) to explore this award-winning Market Hall on your own. The Market Hall is an iconic statement of Rotterdam design and includes all sorts of souvenirs, food and restaurant options to explore. Afterwards, return to the ship.

Please note: This tour is not accessible for wheelchairs.

Moderate Activity 9 Rotterdam, The Netherlands 10 11 | VIP Cruise Collection Beautiful Dublin City Drive and St. Patrick’s Cathedral

August 9 – 4 hours Dublin, Ireland

Explore the vibrant city of Dublin on this tour that includes visits to two of its most iconic attractions: Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a narrated drive through Dublin to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. En route, you’ll witness the city’s major sights, such as St. Stephen’s Green, O’Connell Street, and the city’s Georgian District, including Merrion Square and the River Liffey, the main river in Dublin. You’ll also pass the Custom House and view its elegant 18th century Georgian architecture. Often considered architecturally the most important building in Dublin, the Custom House is the first major public building constructed in Dublin as an isolated structure with four monumental façades. Enjoy a visit to Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, and the alma mater of distinguished alumni, Jonathan Swift of “Gulliver” fame, Oscar Wilde and Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett. Next, you’ll travel to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint in 1190, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland and said to be the earliest Christian site in Ireland where St. Patrick baptized converts. The cathedral was damaged during Cromwell’s invasion of Ireland in the 17th century and was restored in the 19th century by the Guinness family. Buried inside is Jonathan Swift, author and dean of the cathedral. Today, St. Patrick’s is the National Cathedral for the Church of Ireland (Anglican).

Please note: There are some cobblestones to negotiate at Trinity College. This tour is not recommended for guests in wheelchairs or with significant walking difficulties.

Moderate Activity

11 Dublin, Ireland 12 13 | VIP Cruise Collection Nature, Folk & Flora

August 14 – 4 hours Akureyri, Iceland

Depart from Akureyri, the cultural and commercial center of northern Iceland, towards Godafoss, “waterfall of the gods”. Legend has it that in the year 1000, when Icelanders adopted the Christian faith, several statues of pagan gods were thrown into the waterfall. The spectacular Godafoss is said to derive its name from this event. After admiring the falls, drive through beautiful valleys and view formations on the hillsides which suggest that a once large pro-glacial lake occupied the valley. Next, visit the Laufas Folk Museum, which originally served as a manor farm and vicarage. The turf farmhouse, built in the traditional style, dates back to 1866 and contains household and agricultural implements used by the gentry during that period and earlier. Stop to see the beautiful country church, built in 1865. Enjoy a pleasant drive along the fjord back to Akureyri and end your tour with a visit to one of the world’s most northerly botanical gardens. These colorful gardens display examples of every species indigenous to Iceland and an extensive collection of high-latitude and high-altitude plants from around the world.

Easy Activity

13 Akureyri, Iceland 14 15 | VIP Cruise Collection