Romania’s Techirghiol Mud Baths.  Turkey’s Greco-Roman ghost town.  Greece’s underground Melissani Lake.  While veteran Mediterranean travelers know highlights like Pompeii, Gaudi, and the Blue Grotto, Crystal is mixing up its 2011 shore-side program to showcase less-expected Crystal Adventures. 

Classic and “off-the-beaten-path” destinations are among the 400+ shore excursions planned for Crystal Cruises’ southern European series from August through November.  The 11- and 12-day Crystal Serenity sailings stretch from the Canary Islands to Yalta, offering intimate and unique outings for rugged explorers and multi-generational families alike, such as visits to: 

Turkey:

Fethiye—Swim the turquoise Blue Lagoon, considered one of the top five beaches in the world.
Trabzon—Marvel at the stunning Sümela Monastery, carved into a sheer cliff in the sixth century.

Croatia:

Konavle—Free-climb this valley or bike forgotten dirt roads of local farmers and winemakers.
Dubrovnik—Ride the war-ravaged cable car closed from 1991-2010.

Romania:

Carpathian Mountains—Overnight in vampire land, touring Dracula’s Castle by day.

Greece:

Katakolon—Drink ouzo and dance Syrtaki at the Magna Grecia farm/mansion.

Ukraine:

Yalta—Ride horseback through the Crimean Forest, tour homes of Russian tsars and author Anton Chekhov.

Italy:

Taormina/Sicily—Tour The Godfather movie locations.
Venice—Access the Doge’s Palace “after-hours.”
Florence/Livorno—Help disabled locals garden or decorate for the holidays, as part of Crystal’s “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program.

Southern France and Monaco:

St. Tropez—Ride polo horses.
Cannes—Zip around the Côte d’ Azur by Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati.
Monaco—Appreciate hand-made pointe shoes and costumes by Henri Matisse and Karl Lagerfeld during a behind-the-scenes tour of the Monte Carlo Ballet.

Spain:

Valencia: Explore Bioparc and L’Oceanographic Aquarium, a sustainability and conservation-driven, cage-free zoological park.
Cadiz/Seville: Golf in the uber-natural settings of Montenmedio Golf Club.
Barcelona: Tour a rarely-visited private apartment inside Gaudi’s La Pedrera House, led by its resident.

Two-for-One Fall Sale fares start at $4,970/person, including $1,000 “All Inclusive—As You Wish” spending credits and complimentary air (or air credit) from 24 North American cities. 

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, earning the line top ratings for two decades.