Unusual ways to explore on shore

By Lesley Bellew

When it comes to excursions it’s not just the destination, it’s the getting there that you remember. Tuk tuk anyone?

It is always exciting to sail into a cruise port with the promise of magical moments ashore to see a country close-up. It’s not just a case of discovering the charms of a town or city that await but the chance to join adventures in beautiful landscapes, often away from the crowds.

You can ‘get under the skin’ of a destination from all sorts of transport – whether it’s racing through crisp snow on a dogsled or zipping over a rainforest tree canopy in a gondola, and your cruise destination experience team will have devised some exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Often, you’ll be in a small group, or pair up for rides, so it’s fun to bond with other guests when going off the beaten track to experience your chosen tours, from leisurely tram rides to super-fast RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) or fun-filled sidecars and tuk tuks, to feel the wind in your hair and a satisfying sense of adventure.

Have a tuk tuk adventure

Tuk tuks are a great way to drive through city streets to witness everyday life. In Portugal’s hilly capital Lisbon, electric-powered tuk tuks easily navigate the steep streets, weaving through old quarters into areas that cars and buses can’t reach.

Pass through Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon and stop at the Nossa Senhora do Monte for sweeping views of the city before tucking into a traditional snack of marmalade and cheese paired with a glass of port.

As well as Lisbon, onshore excursions include tuk tuk tours in many cities and these fun rides can be booked in Porto in Portugal, Helsinki in Finland; Reykjavik in Iceland; Valencia in Spain and Split in Croatia.

How can I experience this?

• Coastal Delights of France and Green Spain
• Charms of Croatia and the Mediterranean
• Scandinavian Capitals
• Iceland Explorer

Rainforest aerial tram in St Lucia

It’s a wonderful feeling to get out of the heat and soar over a rainforest tree canopy. On St Lucia’s aerial tram you can listen to the unique sounds of the rainforest and learn about flora and fauna as your guide points out plant and tree species.

Look out for birds such as yellow-bellied bananaquits and the brightly coloured Saint Lucia parrot, the country's national bird. There are sweeping green vistas of the northern part of the island on the return ride and you can then stretch your legs on a giant fern trail, or watch hummingbirds flit from flower to flower in the botanical gardens.

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• A Caribbean Christmas

Dashing through the snow with huskies

When you arrive at a husky farm in Alta, Norway, you’ll hear the dogs start to bark with excitement because when visitors arrive they know it’s time to go out for a run!

These working dogs love to race through the snow-covered countryside and you’ll be pulled along on a wooden sledge with the musher giving instructions to the dogs and explaining their personalities.

After an exhilarating ride you'll stop for hot drinks in a traditional Sami tent known as a lavvu, and the musher will share more stories of how the dogs are raised and trained through to the challenges of racing in gruelling long-distance races.

There is a further dogsledding tour in Tromsø, where a team of 12 dogs pull a sled for up to four people.

How can I experience this?

• The Northern Lights and Arctic Circle

Get ready for reindeer sledding

For a more genteel ride, reindeer sledding is a relaxing way to travel through Norway’s pristine winter wonderland. Reindeers have been an integral part of the Sami people’s culture for centuries so it is a real privilege to meet them when visiting the Tromsø Arctic Reindeer Centre.

Here you enter a traditional lavvu tent to learn about the reindeer and the Sami people’s traditions. To warm up there’s plenty of coffee and bidos, a traditional Sami stew made of vegetables and reindeer meat.

There’s another option to go reindeer sledding in Maze Sami Village, in Alta, where Sami hosts wear traditional costume and their reindeer wait to take you on an old-fashioned sled ride.

How can I experience this?

• The Northern Lights and Arctic Circle

See Madeira from a sidecar

It’s so much fun sightseeing in a stylish motorcycle sidecar with a driver/guide pointing out highlights along the way.

In sub-tropical Madeira, choose from two tours: Go south-east to Funchal city centre, the Old Town and up to Pináculo and Garajau for spectacular views over the Atlantic or travel south-west to the pretty waterside town of Câmara de Lobos and the Cabo Girão viewpoint.

Along the way, your driver/guide also shares the fascinating history and culture of the ‘Flower Island’ and there is plenty of time for photo stops to capture the island’s charms.

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• Celestial Canary Islands

Kayaking in Geirangerfjord

To be at water-level, kayaking along the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountains is a surreal experience

You’ll head out into one of the world’s most beautiful fjords in a two-person kayak to feel dwarfed by the mountains as you look up to farms perched high on the rocky ledges and get up close to waterfalls cascading down. There is plenty of time for pauses and your guide will tell you stories about the history of Geiranger and its people.

How can I experience this?

• Voyage to the Fjords

Vintage Tram Tour and Haga

Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s trendiest cities but historic trams have been part of everyday life for more than a century.

Taking a tram tour is great way of sightseeing before the second part of the tour, a coach to the Haga quarter, which passes Götaplatsen, with the famous Poseidon Fountain by sculptor Carl Milles. There’s also time for a guided walk or stop at one of the picturesque cafes for a Fika, the Swedish term for coffee and cake.

How can I experience this?

• Scandinavian Tales

Ride high over Dubrovnik in a cable car

Dubrovnik can get busy so beat the crowds on a cable car ride for panoramic views over the Old Town and sparkling blue Adriatic Sea. You’ll reach the upper station at 1,500 feet where you can linger in the café.

After heading down, a coach takes you to Cavtat, the most southerly Croatian resort which is considered one of the most beautiful waterfront villages in the region.

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• Captain Franko's Homecoming Cruise

Glide along Narøyfjord on RIB ride

Look for eagles, seals and porpoises while gliding across UNESCO-listed Narøyfjord in 12-seater RIB (rigid inflatable boat). Most cruise ships can’t access the 11-mile fjord so marvel at the pristine waters edged by mountains and waterfalls as your driver/guide takes you close to small villages, mountain-side farms and dramatic waterfalls while sharing local history stories.

How can I experience this?

• Vistas of Norway: July

Ride a vintage tram in Lisbon

Lisbon’s wooden vintage trams snake through the heart of the city to the old districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto, with winding alleyways and whitewashed houses adorned with flowers on their balconies.

Stop for a glass of white port accompanied by white chocolate and a glass of ten-year-old Tawny port with a miniature pastel de nata, Portugal’s famous custard tart, during the tour which ends with a coach ride to see city landmarks.

How can I experience this?

• Coastal Delights of France and Green Spain

Discover more of the amazing experiences available on our ocean cruises.