Alexandria port cruise tours, Alexandria city from Alexandria port
- Pick up from your cruise Terminal at Alexandria Port
- Meet up with your professional English speaking tour guide
- Full day tour in Alexandria to visit the Catacomb ( Kom El Shoqafa ) Pompeys Pillar, Qait Bey Citadel, Alexandria Library, Montazah Palace
- Lunch will be at good quality restaurant in Alexandria
- Shopping tour in Alexandria famous bazaars
- Drive back to Alexandria Port
- Drop off at your Cruise Terminal at Alexandria port

Price info:-
Prices are quoted in USD currency per person based on double occupancy

Price includes:-
- Pick up services at your cruise Terminal in Alexandria port by our representatives
- All transfers by deluxe air-conditioning vehicles in Alexandria
- Sightseeing tours as stated in the Tour itinerary
- Egyptology expert English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to the sightseeing as per itinerary
- Lunch meal will be served during Alexandria tour at a local restaurant
- Free mineral water and soft drink during Alexandria tour

What to bring:-
- Passport valid for 6 months
- Comfortable shoes
- Cotton clothes in summer
- Warm clothes in winter
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Photo/Video Camera

Other Trips from Alexandria port:-

Day Tour to Egyptian Pyramids from Alexandria Port, Alexandria shore tours

Cairo day Tour from Alexandria Port, Alexandria port tours

Overnight Trip to Cairo from Alexandria Port, Alexandria shore excursions

Day tour to El Alamein from Alexandria port, Alexandria shore excursions

Look forward to hearing from you soon,
Best regards,

Contact Us:-

Website: – egyptonlinetours.com

E-mail:- magdy@egyptonlinetours.com
sara.talaat@egyptonlinetours.net

Address: – 124, Haram street, Giza, Egypt

Contact Person: – Sara Talaat

Cell Phone: – 0162922290

Tour to Montazah Alexandria from Alexandria port, cruise excursions

Day 2: Cairo – Port Said
- Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo
- Pick up from hotel by your tour guide to start the trip
- Full day tour in Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum of antiquities
- Saladdin Citadel and Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali (islamic cairo)
- Lunch will be served at a five star hotel restaurant
- Drive back to Port Said Port
- Drop off at your Cruise Ship Terminal at Port Said

 Price info:-
Prices are quoted in USD currency per person based on double occupancy

Price includes:-
- Pick up services from your cruise Terminal at Port Said by our representatives
- All transfers by deluxe air-conditioning vehicles in Port Said and Cairo
- Sightseeing tours as stated in the Tour itinerary
- Egyptology expert English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to the sights as per itinerary
- Five stars hotel accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
- Lunch meal will be served during Cairo tour at a local restaurant by the Pyramids
- Free mineral water and soft drink during Cairo tour

Other Trips from Port Said:-

Day trip to Egyptian Pyramids from Port Said, Port Said Shore excursions

Cairo tour from Port Said, Port Said Shore excursions

Contact Us:-

Website: – egyptonlinetours.com

E-mail:- magdy@egyptonlinetours.com
sara.talaat@egyptonlinetours.net

Address: – 124, Haram street, Giza, Egypt

Contact Person: – Sara Talaat

Cell Phone: – 0162922290

Cruise shore excursions from Port Said to Cairo pyramids, sphinx Cairo

Day 2: Cairo – Port Said
- Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo
- Pick up from hotel by your tour guide to start the trip
- Full day tour in Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum of antiquities
- Saladdin Citadel and Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali (islamic cairo)
- Lunch will be served at a five star hotel restaurant
- Drive back to Port Said Port
- Drop off at your Cruise Ship Terminal at Port Said

 Price excludes:-
Personal expenses and optional tours

What to bring:-
- Passport valid for 6 months
- Comfortable shoes
- Cotton clothes in summer
- Warm clothes in winter
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Photo/Video Camera

Price info:-
Prices are quoted in USD currency per person based on double occupancy

Price includes:-
- Pick up services from your cruise Terminal at Port Said by our representatives
- All transfers by deluxe air-conditioning vehicles in Port Said and Cairo
- Sightseeing tours as stated in the Tour itinerary
- Egyptology expert English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to the sights as per itinerary
- Five stars hotel accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
- Lunch meal will be served during Cairo tour at a local restaurant by the Pyramids
- Free mineral water and soft drink during Cairo tour

Tour guide:-
Egypt guided tours are highly recommended and our guides are knowledgeable Egyptologist guides who have academic qualifications to make your tour to Egypt extra special

Vehicles used:-
Vehicles are new branded air-conditioned with a professional driver, but drivers in Egypt do not speak English and they cannot act as tour guides for the Egyptian monumental sights

Other Trips from Port Said:-

Day trip to Egyptian Pyramids from Port Said, Port Said Shore excursions

Cairo tour from Port Said, Port Said Shore excursions

Look forward to hearing from you soon,
Best regards,

Contact Us:-

Website: – egyptonlinetours.com

E-mail:- magdy@egyptonlinetours.com
sara.talaat@egyptonlinetours.net

Address: – 124, Haram street, Giza, Egypt

Contact Person: – Sara Talaat

Cell Phone: – 0162922290

Visit Cairo Egypt Giza pyramids from Port Said, Port Said Cairo

tour from Alexandria port, Cairo sightseeing from Alexandria port, visit citadel Cairo from Alexandria port, Alexandria Cairo daily trips, Cairo Egyptian pyramids tour from Alexandria port.

Day 2: Cairo – Alexandria port 
- Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo
- Pick up from hotel by your tour guide
- Full day trip in Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum of antiquities
- Tour to Saladdin Citadel and Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali
- Lunch will be served during Cairo trip at a five star restaurant in Cairo
- Drive back to Alexandria port
- Drop off at your cruise terminal at Alexandria Port

Price includes:-
- Meet & greet services at your cruise terminal at Alexandria port
- All transfers by deluxe air-conditioning vehicles in Alexandria port and Cairo
- Sightseeing tours in Cairo as stated in the tour itinerary
- Egyptology expert English speaking tour guide in Cairo
- Entrance fees to the sightseeing in Cairo as per tour itinerary
- Five star hotel accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
- Lunch meal will be served during Cairo tour at a local restaurant by the Pyramids
- Free mineral water and soft drink during Cairo tour

Price info:-
Prices are quoted in USD currency per person based on double accupancy

Other Trips from Alexandria port:-

Day Tour to Egyptian Pyramids from Alexandria Port, Alexandria shore tours

Cairo day Tour from Alexandria Port, Alexandria port tours

Alexandria city tour from Alexandria Port, Alexandria port cruise tours

Day tour to El Alamein from Alexandria port, Alexandria shore excursions

Contact Us:-

Website: – egyptonlinetours.com

E-mail:- magdy@egyptonlinetours.com
sara.talaat@egyptonlinetours.net

Address: – 124, Haram street, Giza, Egypt

Contact Person: – Sara Talaat

Cell Phone: – 0162922290

Alexandria shore excursions to great Cairo pyramids, Cairo Museum

Itinerary:-
Alexandria Port tour to Cairo, Cairo sightseeing tour from Alexandria Port, Cairo tour from Alexandria Port.

Alexandria port shore excursion, Alexandria port tour to Cairo
- Pick up from your cruise ship terminal at Alexandria Port
- Meet up with your professional English speaking tour guide
- Full day tour in Cairo and Giza to visit Giza plateau, Great Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and Valley temple
- Lunch will be served during tour in Cairo at Hard Rock of Grand Hyatt
- Tour to the Egyptian Museum of antiquites
- Tour to Coptic Cairo to visit hanging church
- Shopping tour at the famous bazaars in Cairo
- Drive back to Alexandria Port
- Drop off at your cruise ship terminal in Alexandria Port

Price includes:-
- Meet & greet services at your cruise ship Terminal in Alexandria port by our representative
- All transfers by deluxe air-conditioning vehicles in Alexandria port and Cairo
- Sightseeing tours as stated in the Tour and trip itinerary
- Egyptology expert English speaking guide during Cairo tour
- Entrance fees to Cairo sightseeing as per itinerary
- Lunch meal will be served during Cairo tour at a local restaurant in Cairo by the Pyramids
- Free mineral water and soft drink during Cairo tour

What to bring:-
- Passport valid for 6 months
- Comfortable shoes
- Cotton clothes in summer
- Warm clothes in winter
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Photo/Video Camera

Tour guide:
Egypt guided tours are highly recommended and our guides are knowledgeable Egyptologist guides who have academic qualifications to make your tour to Egypt extra special

Vehicles used :
Vehicles are new branded air-conditioned with a professional driver, but drivers in Egypt do not speak English and they cannot act as tour guides for the Egyptian monumental sights

Other Trips from Alexandria Port:-

Day Tour to Egyptian Pyramids from Alexandria Port, Alexandria shore tours

Overnight Trip to Cairo from Alexandria Port, Alexandria shore excursions

Alexandria city tour from Alexandria Port, Alexandria port cruise tours

Day tour to El Alamein from Alexandria port, Alexandria shore excursions

Contact Us:-

Website: – egyptonlinetours.com

E-mail:- magdy@egyptonlinetours.com
sara.talaat@egyptonlinetours.net

Address: – 124, Haram street, Giza, Egypt

Contact Person: – Sara Talaat

Cell Phone: – 0162922290

Visit Sphinx Cairo from Alexandria Port, port Alexandria

For the senior citizens, senior cruise can be very much enjoyable. Taking a checklist with info such as what to carry, how to reserve a cruise will make the experience that much more pleasurable.

Enjoy relaxing days at sea. Travel the Caribbean, the Amazon or dig into the Alaskan coastline while enjoying excellent dining and entertaining shows. If you’ve never been on a cruise earlier, a world of relaxation, enjoyable and remarkable landscapes waits for you.

There are various luxury cruise lines that welcome seniors on board. So, you can choose just the one you want. However, its a good idea to book cruise tickets for your grandparents this season and give them a pleasant surprise to have some really good time away from the routine life.

Pick up place: Any ship in Port Said
Sightseeings: Giza Pyramids, Valley Temple, Sphinx, Egyptian museum, Old Cairo, Hanging Church, Sakkara, Memphis
Duration: 2 Days – 1 Night

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Port Said - Great pyramids, Memphis, Sakkara tours.
You will be picked up from you cruise in port Said port by your English speaking tour guide, then you will drive toCairo for two and a half hours safety driving, your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of the famous great Giza Pyramids one of the seven wonders in the ancient world, thepyramids are constructed from 5000 years by millions of limestone, continue the tour to visit the mysterical Sphinx, the half Lion and half Human statue stands guard over the tombs, proceed to visit the oldest capital of Egypt Memphis it lays 25 Km southwest Cairo and it was built by king Menes, after that you will visit the oldest Egyptian cemetery in ancient ages where you will see the first pyramids built by king Zoser, step pyramids, free time to explore the ancient Egyptian civilization then you will transfer to your hotel for overnight stay with optional tour to attend the sound and light show at pyramids area or amused with dinner cruise with belly dance show.

Day 2: Egyptian Museum -  Old Cairo tours - Port Said
Tasty breakfast at your hotel, then you will be accompanied by your tour guide for unforgettable tour to Egyptian Museum which renewed in 1900 to neo-classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon it was exhibited 12000 objects till now from the pre historical era to be Greco- Roman period, the most interesting in the Egyptian Museum is the golden treasure of Tutankhamen, continue tour to visit the oldest part of Cairo (Masr el Qadima) as Egyptian called it and it is stretches down to sub area often called Coptic Cairo it become Christian stronghold with many churches there are only five remaining, hanging church is the famous church as it become the centre of Christian church of Egypt, it was named for its location in the top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon, after that you will transfer you embark you cruise inPort Said port / or Alexandria Port

Tour Includes:

- Pick up and drop off services from your Cruise in Port Said
- Admission fees to the sights in Cairo as per itinerary
- Lunch during the tour in local restaurant in Cairo
- English speaking tour guide in Cairo
- All transfer by air-conditioned vehicle in Cairo and Port Said
- Hotel accommodation for 1 night at 5 star hotel in Cairo
- Travel REP assistance in pick up and drop off services.

Tour Excludes:

- Any item is not mentioned

Tour two days to Cairo from Port Said port
Pick up details from Port Said:
- Our REP will be waiting for you at your ship terminal at Port Said with a board reflecting your name
- Pick up time depends upon your ship arrival time at Port Said
- Port Said – Cairo 2 hours and a half driving

Discount for groups:
We offer a private tours for groups starting from 10 persons and more with discounted rates

Payment plan:
- 25% down payment required to secure the booking and can be done online by Credit card, Visa and Master or bank  transfer
- 75% balance will required in pick up from your ship in Port Said and can be paid by credit cards or cash

Email: info@albaraagroup.com

Website: www.albaraagroup.com

3. Ho Chi Minh City: formerly Saigon, is a beautiful and bustling Vietnamese city. A perk of cruise itineraries is that thy bring you to places like Ho Chi Minh City that may not have been to a regular tour of Asia. Royal Caribbean offers guided tours of th city´s  Tao Dan Cultural Park, Reunification Hall and Ben Thanh Market. These locations offer a mixture of Vietnamese history, culture and cuisine.

4. Bangkok, Thailand: Royal Caribbean organizes a very interesting excursion to Bangkok. It is an amazing city, full of life and culture. This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a rich country through one of the best cruise lines in the world.

The ship called Legend of the Seas from the Royal Caribbean cruise fleet is the one in charge to make all these dreams come true. All itineraries to Asia are covered by this fantastic ship.On top of all that you will enjoy a casinoon board, a day spa, a rock climbing wall, a solarium, bars, lounges, whirlpools, and much more. It is an experience you musnt miss, Asia, at the tip of your fingers.

4. Bird Watching at the Bering Sea: this excursion is unique to the Abercrombie and Kent´s The Clipper Odyssey. At Russia´s Itygran Island you can enjoy whale bones seemingly grow out of the ground in an Arctic organic Stonehenge, my friend says this experience is secondto none. On St. Mathews Island miles of Arctic tundra can be explored by foot and a multitude of wildflowers pop in the late spring and summer. There are also around 50,000 seabirds to be admired.

5. Surfing in Arica, Chile: when you are onboard the Siversea´s Silver Shadow you will visit Arica, Chile. This town enjoys of a very relaxing atmosphere and you will also be able to enjoy the best waves to practice surfing; the waves arent huge so they are perfect for beginners.

6. Stingray City, George Town, Grand Cayman: guests of the Royal Caribbean´s Navigator of th Seas will love being below sea level on guided tours and share sometime with Stngrays. This is an unforgettable experience that no one should miss.

This pocket-sized coupon book

I’m not the only one impressed with this coupon book. Seattle Magazine thinks so too. At Tripso, Anita Potter-Durham includes The Seattle TourSaver in her “Cruise-onomics: 12 money-saving tips,” for vacationers cruising into Seattle.

Would you like to win a copy of The Seattle TourSaver, 2009 edition? To celebrate My Itchy Travel Feet’s first birthday, the publishers have kindly given me a copy to give away.

So now it’s your turn. Post a comment on why you would like to win The Seattle TourSaver coupon book. Please include your email for contact purposes. You might be the lucky one saving hundreds of dollars on a visit to Seattle. Contest ends on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 11:00 p.m. Arizona Mountain Standard Time. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Please see general contest rules.

UPDATE: May 13, 2009. This contest has expired. As soon as the winner acknowledges receipt of my email, I’ll make the announcement.

When I visited Splendid Herdal Farm near Geiranger, Norway, this summer cottage stood out on a foggy day. I kept thinking that the roof needed a haircut.

Baby boomers, don’t you hate it when something goes wrong during your travels? When Alan and I signed up for a “ride the Flam Railway” excursion on our Regent cruise through Norway, we expected spectacular scenery filled with sunshine, wildflowers and waterfalls. What we got was clouds, rain and a never-ending excursion.

Since Regent doesn’t control the weather, we couldn’t hold the cruise line responsible for the misty clouds and rain that greeted us in Gudvangen. And, the ride was scenic enough as our bus drove the twisty “King’s Road” to Voss, stopping by the thunderous Tvindefossen water fall on the way. But, on our too-long visit to the Folkemuseum, passengers began to sense that something was wrong.

During lunch at the Park Hotel in Voss, we learned the bad news. Our train ride back to the ship was delayed by two-and-a-half hours. Why? The much larger Costa ship, in port with our ship at Flam, had taken all of the earlier train tickets. We had no choice but to walk the streets of Voss in the rain or wait it out in the Park Hotel lobby.

By the time we boarded the train to Myrdal, passengers were wet and grouchy. At Myrdal,we huddled under the station eaves as the rain poured before boarding the famous Flam Railway. Once on board, a narrative, announced over the loudspeaker, explained what we couldn’t see due to clouds and rain. At a scenic stop, we dutifully tromped off the car to a viewing platform for a waterfall photo opp that wasn’t. Arriving in Flam, passengers rushed back to the ship for a very late dinner. Our 6-hour jaunt had turned into a 10-hour ordeal.

The next morning, we received a substantial credit for the botched excursion. The moral of my story? A service-oriented cruise line takes responsibility when things go wrong. Regent did right by us.

Next time, we’ll stay on the ship for the cruise up the dramatic fjord from Gudvangen to Flam. Then, we’ll take one of the hiking excursions that ends with a ride back to the ship on the Flam Railway. This time, we’d like a little sunshine, please.

Have you experienced a cruise excursion gone wrong? Did your cruise line make it right? Post a comment to share your experience. And, if you’ve traveled on the Flam Railway during good weather, tell me about it. I need to know what I missed.

When a cruise concludes in Rio de Janeiro, passengers disembark around 9 a.m. but flights to the U.S. don’t leave until early in the evening or even later. What’s a baby boomer traveler to do? Hire a guide.

Alan and I were faced with this dilemma when we sailed from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro on a Regent Seven Seas cruise. We started the journey with no advance plans for our day in Rio. When we realized just how long that day would be, planning became ultra important. We weren’t comfortable choosing one of the guided services offered by the many Brazilian jewelry salesmen lurking on-board. And, the ship’s concierge desk offered the option of a private guide at an exorbitant price. So, teaming up with Cindy and David, another couple who were in the same situation, we began the search for a guide who would show us around Rio before transporting us to the airport.

Cindy found licensed private guide, Madson Arajúo, through a Google search. She liked the look of his website but even more impressive was his timely response to her email questions.

Madson usually drives guests in his GM Minivan Safira. But with four passengers loaded down by cruise luggage, he arranged for a larger van plus a driver. From the moment Madson arrived at the cruise terminal, his humor carried us through the day-long tour.

We began at the SambaDrome where, during Carnival, samba schools dance their way down the long, concrete avenue bordered by viewing stands. Then, it was time to visit Rio’s icons, Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado mountain, followed by a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf to determine which had the most impressive view. We traveled beside shanty town favelas before riding along the famous beaches of Copacabana, Impanema and Leblon. For lunch we sampled traditional Portuguese and Brazilian dishes at Fellini, a kilo restaurant where customers pay by the weight of their plate. Our last stop was at the National Cathedral. The modern cone-shaped structure surprised us with its soaring interior walls decorated with stained-glass panels.

We arrived at the airport on time and with a better understanding of Rio de Janeiro. For Madson not only entertained us with his sense of humor, he explained life in Rio as he saw it.

Have you toured Rio de Janeiro? Leave a comment to share your experience. We’ll be going back.

On a cold December Saturday, I’m thinking of this tropical scene that my camera captured while on a swimming with the stingrays excursion in Moorea.

Kota Kinabalu is a city in Sabah on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. Alan and I visited the area on a Regent cruise when we sailed from Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong.

In remote destinations, we opt for one of the ship’s excursions. “Borneo Extravaganza” provided a brief glimpse of Kota Kinabalu’s gleaming new buildings before concentrating on a day of exploration. We rode a bamboo raft through the mangroves, fished for crabs, practiced batik painting skills, dipped our toes in the South China Sea, then viewed Monosopiad’s (a famous headhunter) collection at House of Skulls. In the cultural village named after Monosopiad, performers entertained us with regional dances; and, later we sampled fermented rice wine. The very brave opted for the distilled version. Um, that would not be me. 

Want to visit Kota Kinabalu? In 2009, the Dawn Princess and Holland America’s Volendam will be paying a call. Or, for a truly luxurious adventure, book a cabin on Seabourn’s new ship, Odyssey, in 2010. And, what about Regent and Silversea? Kota Kinabalu is not listed on their 2009 itineraries but perhaps you’ll see it when they release their 2010 sailings.

For baby boomer travelers, visiting an out-of-the way destination doesn’t have to be intimidating or uncomfortable. Hop aboard a cruise ship for a journey to regions of the world that you might never discover on your own.

Have you been to Kota Kinabalu? Post a comment to tell me all about it.

Life on the goat farm

During our journey, we visited the cosmopolitan cities of Oslo and Tromso, hiked the mountain that overlooks historic Bergen, and watched with amazement as our ship negotiated the narrow fjords to Geiranger and Flam. As an added bonus, we sailed to the very end of Europe, the North Cape, and beyond to Longyearbyen.

Weather is always “iffy” in this part of the world, but we didn’t let the rainy June weather stop us from exploring. The ship offered active excursions that ranged from an “Overland tour to Geiranger” including a four-hour hike, a ride on the Flam Railway culminating with a 2.5-hour hike in the mountains of the Sognefjord to a bird safari by boat in Honningsvag. And, of course, I’ve already posted about our hike up Plateau Mountain at Longyearbyen.

Waterfall in Geiranger fjord

In Geiranger, Alan and I were pleasantly surprised with our excursion to Splendid Herdal Mountain Farm where we learned about goat farming. The drive to the farm was scenic beyond words as the road twisted between mountains and valleys. And, who knew that goat cheese could taste so good?

Of course other cruise lines sail in this part of the world. In 2009, Silversea offers an interesting itinerary that adds Iceland and Ireland to the Norwegian mix. The Yachts of Seabourn provides a sail and stay cruise that includes a 3-day stay in Copenhagen before sailing to Norway’s fjords. Or, try the Hurtigruten-Norwegian Coastal Voyage, if you’re a baby boomer looking for a more adventurous itinerary.

Standing on the cabin’s balcony as Voyager slipped up fjords decorated with thundering waterfalls fulfilled my Norwegian dream…until the next time.

Have you traveled to Norway’s fjords? Post a comment. I’d love to read about your journey.

Kerta Gosa complex in Bali

The experience reigns as my most vivid baby boomer travel memory. Alan and I toured the exotic Indonesian island for one day while on a Regent cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong. 

We chose an excursion, “Bali as you please,” offered by the ship’s travel desk. The blanket price included an air-conditioned van, driver and interpreter for about eight hours of touring. Teaming up with two couples we met onboard, our group purchased one tour package but the travel concierge advised us to buy two so that we would have a second van. Good advice. With Bali’s hot, sticky weather, six adults in a van would have been very uncomfortable.

Vicki, one of the women in the group, researches her trips thoroughly. So, after discussing what we wanted to see, she planned our day. The mix of historical sites, craft cooperatives, temples and nature viewing was the perfect combination to keep everyone happy. We even visited a local family in their home compound. To read about our Bali experience in more detail, visit Donna’s trip blog.

So, now it’s my turn to ask, “Where’s the most exotic place you’ve been?” Post a comment to tell me all about it.

Alan swims with a stingray (thanks for the photo, Valerie)

Alan and I like to swim with the stingrays. In fact, we enjoy it so much that we’ve been swimming with them once in Bora Bora and twice in Moorea.

All three of our experiences were based upon a cruise ship excursion. We rode the tender to the dock then boarded a smaller boat. Guides introduced us to the area as we motored in the lagoon to a spot where they feed the stingrays. Once you’re in the water, the guides hold the rays so that you can touch their soft, slimy backs. We followed one guide’s advice to, “Match your movements to the way the ray moves.”  It’s the most peaceful feeling to float along with them. And, it really is a connection with nature that you can’t make on land.

Most swimming with stingray excursions last about three to four hours and include snorkeling time. Equipment is provided or you can bring your own (especially important if your feet are extra large or very small.)

Whether you’re staying in one of those romantic over-the-water bungalows or visiting by sea, it’s easy to arrange your own excursion with the rays via tour providers over the Internet. Also, look for recommendations that fellow travelers have posted on the discussion boards at Cruise Critic or Luxury Cruise Talk.

Baby boomers, do you have a favorite travel activity? Post a comment to tell me about it.

Bergen's colorful wharf area

On last year’s 4th of July, Alan and I walked the streets of Bergen, Norway, then boarded a funicular to hike the trails of Mt. Floen. A port of call on our Regent Seven Seas cruise, Bergen proved to be scenic, historic and brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous baby boomer.

We booked our excursion, The Mt. Floen Hiking Tour, before we left home using Regent’s online service. In Bergen, a guide met our group near the gangway of the ship. From there, she led us through the colorful streets of Bryggen, an historic wharf area, as she described the city’s involvement with the Hanseatic League.

After a funicular ride, we reached the beginning of our hike on Mt. Floen. A wide trail wound gently up the mountain. Although the misty day hampered what would have been a spectacular view, the opportunity to experience Norwegian nature was worth it. Again, our guide kept us entertained with talks on Bergen’s culture and history, pointing out WWII bunkers that are now used as huts for sporting clubs. Many of the paths were lit for nighttime walks and cross-country skiing.

Misty view of Bergen

Have you been to Bergen? Post a comment. Tell me about your experience.

No, I’m not a backcountry-hardened expeditioner on a frozen adventure. I’m just a baby boomer experiencing as much out of life as I can. That’s why Alan and I found ourselves stepping carefully across rocky tundra on a hike up Plateau Mountain in Longyearbyen located on the island of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard archipelago.

What were we doing halfway between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland? Were we members of a frozen expedition involving backpacks, tents and freeze-dried food? No. Our trip above the Arctic Circle included fine wines and gourmet dinners on Voyager, one of Regent Seven Sea Cruise’s luxury cruise ships.

The hike was one of the ship’s excursions. At the gangway, we loaded onto a bus for the short ride to the starting point. Guides divided us into four groups, allowing the experienced hikers to move at a quicker pace. Because I have a problem with heights (and didn’t bring any walking sticks), Alan and I chose the third group. The steep path leveled out in several places, giving us time to catch our breath. The guides carried rifles in their backpacks in case a polar bear approached.

Although our group didn’t reach the top, the hike climbed high enough to provide vistas of a beautiful, but stark, landscape. At a rock cairn, we signed a notebook proving that we did, indeed, climb part of Plateau Mountain. Later, we watched a reindeer move across a distant hill.

During the hike, Ellyn, our guide, talked about her life as a summer guide and also her studies back on the Norwegian mainland. What some visitors see as a tree-less wasteland, became beautiful and exciting when this nature-loving girl described her adventures.

Would this excursion satisfy an experienced hiker looking for adventure? Probably not. It’s too short and a bit pricey for what’s involved. But, it offered us a chance to experience a tiny slice of life in a harsh climate. Learning about distant places that you may never visit again, isn’t that what travel is all about?

Do you have a favorite cruise ship adventure? Please post a comment. Tell me about it. I’m always adding to my list of “next” trips.

To read more about our cruise to Longyerbyen, visit Donna’s trip blog.