Duration: approx. 5 hours

Prepare to explore and be amazed by Iceland’s untamed volcanic landscape on this tour of hot springs, fumaroles and craters, which begins with a scenic drive from the capital to the Reykjanes Peninsula, an area of extreme geothermal activity. The powerful forces of nature are much in evidence on the peninsula, be it in the sheer rugged beauty of the North Atlantic coastline, the savage bleakness of the seemingly endless lunar-like landscape or in the hardiness of the region’s flora and fauna. The tour also includes a visit to the bird cliffs near the Reykjanes lighthouse, after which you will continue on to an impressive row of volcanic craters, complete with hissing thermal springs that give off a pungent “eggy” odour. Finally, you will move on to the nearby high-temperature thermal field to round off the volcanic leg of the tour. After returning to the port, a stop will be made at one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the remarkable “Perlan” building (The Pearl). Built in 1988, the building features a shiny cupola that sits atop a number of huge tanks containing natural hot water to heat Icelandic homes. The building also contains a man-made “geyser” that spouts a column of water through the inside of the building at regular intervals. As a final treat on the tour, you can enjoy wonderful views of the city’s colourful rooftops from the 1^st-floor viewing platform of the Perlan building. A scenic return drive to the port and your ship brings this tour of volcanic Iceland to an end.

Leave the porto for a 40-minute coach drive towards Pompeii, a once thriving town that was completely buried by lava, rubble and ash during the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79. It then lay hidden and perfectly preserved under tonnes of volcanic ash for almost 1,700 years before being accidentally rediscovered in the mid-18^th century and then subsequently being excavated. The many artefacts that were found, especially items of daily life such as bread and honey, give the visitor a glimpse of the lives these ancient Romans lived. A fascinating guided walking tour will provide insight into the history of this amazing and very large archaeological site.

Upon leaving the port of Salerno, you will be taken on a scenic sightseeing tour along the world-famous Amalfi Coast, which is renowned for its beauty and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape. The picturesque towns along this stretch of coastline in southern Italy are inextricably linked to the sea, both for tourism and trade, and their seaside settings have helped them to prosper. A stop will be made in the charming resort of Amalfi to visit the impressive Cathedral, which dominates the main square and combines Romanesque, Byzantine, Gothic and Baroque architectural elements, as well as the adjacent 13^th-century Cloister of Paradise, home to old mosaics, paintings and 120 columns. Time permitting, you will have some leisure time to amble through the narrow streets on your own before heading back to the port and your ship.