gothenburg shore excursions

THE BEST Gothenburg Shore Excursions

Shore excursions in gothenburg.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Private Boat Ride in Gothenburg with pickup

2. Private Tour Discover Gothenburg

3. Full Day Private Shore Tour in Gothenburg from Gothenburg Port

4. Private Shopping Tour from Gothenburg city to Hede Fashion Outlet

• Private Boat Ride in Gothenburg with pickup
• Private Tour Discover Gothenburg
• Private Shopping Tour from Gothenburg city to Hede Fashion Outlet

Gothenburg, Sweden

ShoreExcursions.com offers an excellent variety of independent shore excursions in Gothenburg, Sweeden.

Explore the Beauty of Gothenburg

Uncover the hidden gems of Gothenburg with our exceptional shore excursions. Immerse yourself in the captivating charm of this picturesque Swedish city and create memories that will last a lifetime. From enchanting canals to vibrant marketplaces, Gothenburg offers a wealth of experiences for every traveler. Let us be your guide as we showcase the best this city has to offer.

Discover Gothenburg’s Rich Maritime History

Step aboard our immersive shore excursion and delve into Gothenburg’s fascinating maritime heritage. Uncover the stories of legendary explorers and merchants as you explore the historic harbor district. Admire the majestic ships and learn about Gothenburg’s rise as a prominent seafaring city. Our knowledgeable guides will regale you with captivating tales, bringing the past to life.

Indulge in Gothenburg’s Culinary Delights

Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing adventure through Gothenburg’s culinary scene. Join our gastronomic shore excursion and savor the flavors of Swedish cuisine. From fresh seafood delicacies to mouthwatering traditional dishes, you’ll be treated to a sensory feast. Traverse bustling food markets, interact with local vendors, and discover the secrets behind Sweden’s culinary traditions.

Unwind in Gothenburg’s Serene Natural Beauty

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embrace Gothenburg’s natural splendor on our serene shore excursion. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of lush parks and picturesque gardens. Breathe in the invigorating scent of blooming flowers and let your worries melt away. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along peaceful canals or relax by the tranquil lakeside, taking in the breathtaking scenery.

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Excursions & Tours

Welcome to Scandinavia's largest port, Gothenburg, which has an excellent geographical position for reaching all parts of Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. The 203-foot tower of Masthuggs Church pierces the skyline of Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden. Located about halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo this city is becoming a go-to destination on sailings in the Baltic Sea.

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Shore Excursions

Tjolohom Manor

Gothenburg, sweden.

West Coast Islands

City of Gothenburg

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Duration 3 1/2 hrs

Enjoy a taste of Sweden's beautiful and historic past during this visit to the glaciers near Lake Lygnem, and the manor house of Tjolöholm, one of the country's most renowned attractions.

Your tour begins with a drive to Fjärås Bräcka, a 25-mile long ridge near beautiful Lake Lygnern that formed when land receded inland between 12-13,000 years ago. It is one of the most remarkable and impressive glacial sea formations in the country, and home to spectacular panoramic views.

Continue on to a peninsula 25 miles south of Gothenburg for a visit to Tjolöholm, a beautiful Elizabethan-styled manor house and one of Sweden's greatest attractions. The house, erected from 1898-1904, fascinates thousands of visitors each year. The front is reminiscent of the 16th century and Tudor era, while the interior is a brilliant example of Art Nouveau and craftsmanship in the spirit of William Morris. The estate had its own electric generator, and the manor concealed many comforts far beyond the standards of the day. It was heated by a piped hot air system, in spite of its many fireplaces, and the three bathrooms were fitted with showers and sunken baths. In order to keep the wall-to-wall carpets clean, a horse-drawn vacuum cleaner was pulled around outside the house, and the thick hoses were pushed into the rooms through the windows.

After your tour, some free time will be allowed to enjoy the grounds of the Castle before rejoining your coach for the return drive to Gothenburg and the ship.

• Adult from: € 92,82 EUR
• Child from: € 83,44 EUR

Duration 4 hrs

Explore Sweden's picturesque fjords, islands, inlets and fishing villages via coach and on foot during this tour of the country's sunny west coast.

Depart the pier for the panoramic drive to Sweden's delightful west coast, which has become the country's most popular holiday region. The area is dotted with picturesque fishing villages, inlets and idyllic coastal resorts. Your drive will proceed north of Gothenburg to peaceful Kungälv, a historical town in the foreground of the ruins of the 14th-century Bohus Fortress. Further north, you will pass through the modern town of Stenungsund en route to the lovely islands of Tjörn and Orust, which are connected to the mainland by impressive bridges. The longest is the Tjörn Bridge, which passes over the Askerö Fjord and offers spectacular views of Southern Bohus County.

Next, you will drive through the island's rural landscape to the charming fishing village of Klädesholmen, where your tour will continue on foot. This brief walking tour will introduce you to Klädesholmen's history, which is linked to the herring fishing industry. You will then re-board your coach for the transfer to the main village of Skärhamn. Upon arrival, some time will be made available for you to explore the village at your leisure before commencing the return drive to Gothenburg.

• Adult from: € 83,44 EUR
• Child from: € 74,07 EUR

Get to know the charms of Gothenburg through its architectural landmarks as the guide elaborates on the history of the city that King Gustav II founded in 1621. Masthugg Church will offer one of the best overall views of Gothenburg, especially the area around the harbor. A leisurely walk through the 17th-century Haga district will really bring the history to life, as it is Gothenburg’s first suburb. Few places are better for people-watching than the public square Järntorget as you will discover while pausing for photos of this popular hub for shopping and dining. Similarly, Götaplatsen square is recognized as the cultural hub of Gothenburg because it is home to theaters, museums and the iconic Poseidon statue that has become a symbol of the city. The leafy main boulevard Avenyn stretches from Götaplatsen square to the oldest section of Gothenburg and provides various perspectives of daily life.

HIGHLIGHTS • Gain an overall understanding of Gothenburg on a panoramic drive through the city. • Enjoy a bit of free time to walk around the historical Haga district. • Pause in Götaplatsen square, Gothenburg’s city center and cultural hub. • Learn about Gothenburg’s founding in 1621 and the history of its Dutch-like canals.

*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions

NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.

Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.

Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.

Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen kann körperlich anstrengend sein und unter Umständen Risiken und Gefahren beinhalten. Jeder einzelne Gast trägt die Verantwortung dafür, einzuschätzen, ob er/sie in der Lage ist, an entsprechenden Aktivitäten teilzunehmen. Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr.

Die Fotos dienen ausschließlich zur Veranschaulichung der Exkursionserfahrung und bilden möglicherweise die entsprechende Exkursion, den Ort oder die Aktivität nicht akkurat ab.

A participação em atividades e excursões pode envolver esforço físico e pode ser perigosa. É sua responsabilidade determinar se você é capaz de participar das atividades. A participação em qualquer atividade ou excursão é por sua conta e risco.

As fotos são apenas para fins ilustrativos, usadas para representar a experiência da excursão e podem não retratar com precisão a localização ou atividade indicada.

アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーには激しい活動を行うものもあり、危険が伴う場合もあります。 内容がご自身に適したものかは各自でご判断ください。 アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーへは、あくまでもご自身の責任でご参加いただきますようお願いいたします。

写真は寄港地観光ツアーの体験を表現するためのもので、実際のツアーや場所、アクティビティとは異なる場合があります。

La partecipazione ad attività ed escursioni potrebbe prevedere sforzi fisici e potrebbe essere potenzialmente rischiosa o pericolosa. È responsabilità di ciascun individuo stabilire se si è in grado di partecipare a qualsiasi attività. La partecipazione a qualunque attività o escursione è a proprio rischio e pericolo.

Le fotografie utilizzate per raffigurare l'escursione sono unicamente a fini illustrativi e potrebbero non rappresentare accuratamente l'escursione, il luogo o l'attività indicata.

La participation aux activités et excursions peut demander un effort physique et peut parfois être potentiellement dangereuse. Il revient à toute personne de déterminer si elle est capable de participer à une activité ou non. La participation à toute activité ou excursion se fait à vos propres risques.

Les photos sont affichées à titre d'illustration uniquement et de représentation de l'expérience et peuvent ne pas représenter l'excursion, le lieu ou l'activité indiqués avec précision.

השתתפות בפעילויות ובסיורים עשויה לכלול מאמץ פיזי, ועלולה להיות מסוכנת. זוהי אחריותו של כל אדם לקבוע האם הוא מסוגל להשתתף בכל פעילות. השתתפות בכל פעילות או סיור היא על אחריותכם בלבד.

תמונות מוצגות לצורך הדגמה בלבד, הן משמשות כדי לייצג את חוויית הסיור ועלולות שלא לתאר במדויק את הסיור, המיקום או הפעילות.

Las fotografías son solo para fines ilustrativos y se utilizan para representar la experiencia de la excursión y es posible que no reflejen con precisión la excursión, el lugar o la actividad indicada.

Shore Excursions in Gothenburg

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Gothenburg city tour

Gothenburg, the second largest city. A friendly, cosmopolitan, relaxed city situated on the rugged west coast, offering cultural experiences, beautiful parks, cosy cafes, pubs and exquisite international seafood dining. Dine... read more

• Date: select
• Duration: 2 hours

Historical Gothenburg

We invite you to take a panoramic tour of the city to see the main street – Avenyn, and the cultural center Gotaplatsen Square, where you can also find... read more

• Duration: 3 hours

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Discover curated experiences designed to ensure each moment ashore is uniquely rewarding. No matter which you choose, each excursion has been created to provide an exceptional travel experience. For those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of independent travel, the Concierge Ashore can transform tours into a private experience or craft an entire bespoke event just for you.

The Shore Collection excursions are available for booking approximately 120 days prior to embarkation. The excursions listed below are intended as a guide for activities that may be available in each port, however, excursions are capacity controlled and may not be available on all voyages. Please check back regularly as new excursions will be added on an ongoing basis.

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Cruise Ship Shore Excursions in Gothenburg, Sweden

Cruise ship shore excursions in gothenburg.

Each year Gothenburg and its passenger port is visited by many cruise ships, and they all seek for good shore excursions in Gothenburg, Sweden . The time that is available during your visit in Gothenburg, is probably quite short. Meaning, it’s probably not more then 6-8 hours, in best cases 1 day or even if your stay is longer than 2 days, it’s likely that you will not be able to see everything and all attractions. But, with our help, we can take you to the most popular places and show you the “Highlights” of Gothenburg and Sweden.

Gothenburg City Tours

Guided City tours in Gothenburg, with certified tour guides. Standard and custom made tours in Gothenburg, to fit all your needs.

Day tours from Gothenburg. Depending from time that you will have, we can take you to some of the most popular places outside Gothenburg.

Transportation Services

As a passenger transportation company we offer all types of transport, from small sedan to large tour bus or Luxury minivan.

Private cruise ship tours in Gothenburg

If you decide to go with our Private shore excursion in Gothenburg , we will make sure that you won’t need to worry about missing the ship or even getting lost. Our tour guides will plan the time accordingly, and make the best out of it.

Our tour guide always meets our guests at the port, before the excursion and take them back to ship after the tour!

Since OsaBus is a tour operator, we have all necessary ingredients for that perfect cruise ship shore excursion . All you have to do, is get in touch with us, and we will find the right solution for you or your group. Travel with us and enjoy the excursion.

Probably, the best Gothenburg shore excursions in town – OsaBus .

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Gothenburg, Sweden

Description.

Sweden's second largest city - and the largest port in Scandinavia - was founded by King Gustavus Adolphus in 1621 at the mouth of the Göta River. Gustavus Adolphus hired Dutch architects and builders to lay out Gothenburg, so it should come as no surprise that the city is laced with a network of gracious canals lined with elegant buildings. Like all great seaports, Gothenburg is a cosmopolitan city with a wealth of cultural attractions, from its ancient University to its beloved pleasure garden at Liseberg Amusement Park. The city is also the gateway to the archipelagoes and picturesque fishing villages of Sweden's West Coast - the country's favorite vacation playground. Gothenburg's cultural hub is the Götaplatsen. Here Carl Milles' dramatic bronze figure of Poseidon stands watch over the central square, home to the city's Museum of fine Arts, Concert Hall, Municipal Theatre and City Library.

Points of Interest

• Botanical Garden
• Tjolöholm Castle
• City Shopping
• Masthuggs Church
• Poseidon Fountain
• Boat Tour on Canals and Harbour
• Klädesholmen

More about Gothenburg, Sweden Points of Interest

One of Europe's leading botanical gardens has earned two stars in the Michelin Green Guide for its 98 acres of sweeping lawns, verdant forests, shimmering glades, and 16,000 plants.

Perched on a peninsula with phenomenal ocean views, this unique castle was built between 1898 and 1904 in an architectual blend of 16th century Gothic and Arts and Craft styles.

Not only is Gothenburg home to Scandinavia's biggest shopping mall but a variety of small shops flourish in the city's center. Here, you'll find stores selling everything from vintage and couture to electronics and swedish designs.

This lovely 100-year-old landmark sits high on a hill overlooking the city. Its 203-foot tower dominates the skyline while the interior's pegged timber ceiling is reminiscent of ancient stave churches from the Viking Age.

On Avenyn boulevard in Götaplatsen Square sits the city's famous fountain. Designed in bronze by noted Swedish artist Carl Milles, the fountain features the sea god Poseidon rising from the center.

Witness the beauty of Gothenburg from a waterside perspective on a unique paddan boat. A Swedish word meaning "toad," paddans leisurely travel down quiet canals, under low bridges and along picturesque streets.

This small island's fame as a major herring producer dates back 600 years. Even today, salting houses and canneries dot the tiny harbor while the town welcomes visitors with charming restaurants and breathtaking scenery.

A seaside village on Tjörn Island boasts a pretty harbor that's full of yachts during the summer. In town, you'll find the Nordic Watercolor Museum.

8 Excursions

Gothenburg city & haga sightseeing.

Easy Activity

From $ 159.95

Archipelago Island Hopping

From $ 144.95

Easy Gothenburg & Canal Cruise

From $ 174.95

Easy Gothenburg

From $ 94.95

Easy Gothenburg by Accessible Vehicle

West coast islands & herring tasting.

Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From $ 149.95

Wildlife Safari by RIB

Strenuous Activity

From $ 209.95

Kayaking in the Savean Moat

Moderate Activity

From $ 369.95

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These amazing shore excursions will make you want to book a cruise

From a private concert in Venice to an Arctic hike with an adventure photographer, be inspired by these unique shore excursions

But more often than not, the real highlights of your cruise will be the shore excursions, when you dock in hard-to-reach parts of the coast or sail into historic port towns to discover the local culture and history.

But what are shore excursions and how can you make sure you're getting the most out of them on your cruise?

What is a shore excursion?

Put simply, shore excursions are the activities you enjoy in the ports you dock in during your cruise .

While there might be activities to get involved with on board, depending on your cruise line, the most memorable days will be those spent exploring the cities, towns, and natural landscapes you're sailing to.

The nature of these excursions will vary depending on your destination and the cruise line you're travelling with.

Some itineraries include plenty of free time to explore different ports at your own pace (like Good Housekeeping's 15-day Caribbean and Antilles cruise ), while others involve a full schedule of included activities with expert local hosts.

Are shore excursions worth it?

Whether it's worth booking a cruise with a lot of cruise excursions will depend on what you want from your holiday.

Shore excursions are best for those who want to learn about a destination's history, culture, architecture, and cuisine . If you're looking for pure and simple relaxation, a cruise with plenty of free time to sunbathe on rooftop decks and swim in clear ocean waters might be more your cup of tea.

For those who want to delve into the culture of the destinations they're visiting, shore excursions are a highlight.

They're never compulsory, so if you want to spend a day relaxing on board or exploring independently, that's always an option. But some shore excursions really are too good to miss.

One of the best things about these activities is that you don't have to spend too much time researching the best tour guides, navigating local transport, and buying tickets for local attractions.

The best shore excursions handle all this for you, so you just need to turn up on time and enjoy your day in the safe hands of expert guides.

Which cruise lines have the best shore excursions?

Most major cruise lines offer a good range of shore excursions, sometimes included in the cost of your cruise, and sometimes at a supplement.

Princess has won awards for their shore excursions and partners with local experts to create authentic experiences with first-hand insights. How about tasting local honey and cheeses with the owner of a countryside retreat in Auckland? Or taking in the local craft beer scene in Tallinn with a master brewer?

Silversea is another line with a great selection of activities to choose from. It offers a special Silver Shore Concierge, with personalised planning for independent on-shore experiences.

Uniworld is another line that has created some fabulous cruise excursions that you won't find anywhere else. Due to its small ship size , Uniworld is now the only luxury cruise line to sail through the heart of Venice .

Once there, you can enjoy special shore excursions like visiting the famous Rialto market and exploring St Mark's Basilica after hours to see an atmospheric lighting ceremony.

What are the best shore excursions?

Just as there are various types of cruise — from boutique river cruises to epic expedition voyages — there are also many different kinds of shore excursion, from authentic foodie experiences to archaeological tours.

The best ones are those that allow you to discover the true essence of a destination in a way that suits you. Our advice is to take your time to choose the right cruise line, do your research, and pick a sailing with activities that most appeal to you.

To help get your research kick-started, we've rounded up some of the best shore excursions available from Good Housekeeping Holidays' cruises, with wine tastings in sunny vineyards along the Douro and market visits with celebrity chefs part of our exclusive offering.

Visit Torcello's ancient basilica with an art historian

There's so much to discover on a cruise around the Venetian Lagoon, from St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, to hidden gems around Venice and the lagoon's islands.

One of our favourite shore excursions on our upcoming Venetian cruise is a visit to the island Torcello's famous basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. You'll have exclusive access before doors open to the public to see the stunning 11th-century mosaic of the Last Judgment without the crowds and with the company of an expert art historian. Situated in the north of the lagoon, Torcello is an excellent place to escape the city crowds and find peace from Venice.

And back on board the Uniworld ship, you can look forward to an exclusive event with top chef James Martin, who will host a talk, Q&A and book signing, as well as craft and cook a mouthwatering gala dinner one evening.

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Taste some of the Douro Valley's best wines at the Quinta da Roeda estate

A cruise along Portugal's Douro River Valley is all about the wine. This world-famous valley holds UNESCO status and is the world's very first demarcated wine region. It's famous for its full-bodied, sweet port wines, as well as several non-fortified varieties.

On Good Housekeeping's Douro cruise you'll have several chances to taste these mouthwatering wines. A highlight is a stop to taste some of the region’s famous ports at the Quinta da Roeda estate, near Pinhão. You'll take a guided tour of the estate and see its extensive terraced vineyard that sweeps the north bank of the Douro before tasting the excellent Croft Port, which is produced here.

See Russell Watson perform at an exclusive concert in Venice

While many shore excursions are about discovering a location's most intriguing landmarks and landscapes, some cruises offer exclusive, on-shore events to make your cruise that bit more special.

As part of Good Housekeeping's cruise of the Veneto lagoon, for example, you'll enjoy an exclusive evening with Russell Watson, one of the UK's best-loved classical artists.

For lovers of opera, shore excursions hardly get better than this. The virtuoso tenor will perform an intimate concert to an audience of around 125 guests at an amazing venue in the heart of Venice. He'll also give an exclusive talk, and you'll have the chance to get a complimentary CD signed by the man himself.

Hike to Norway's Briksdal Glacier with a local geologist

The best Norway cruises are all about nature, with shore excursions that allow you to get up close and personal with the stunning natural landscapes found along the country's coast and on the banks of its exquisite fjords.

Good Housekeeping's Norway cruise is packed with a whole host of wonderful shore excursions, but a real highlight will be the opportunity to hike up to the Briksdal Glacier with a local geologist.

Briksdal was formed thousands of years ago and an expert guide will tell you more about this glacier and others like it in the region. While still breathtaking, Briksdal has retreated around 859m in the last century, a stark reminder of the effects of climate change.

Take a walk along Norway's Arctic coast with an adventure photographer

Another brilliant chance to immerse yourself in Norway's nature comes on an exclusive cruise with a very special guest - research diver and cameraman scientist Doug Allan, who has worked on David Attenborough's Blue Planet. Doug has won seven Emmys and five BAFTAs, and has twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

There are lots of shore excursions to look forward to on this cruise, but a highlight for budding nature photographers will be an Arctic Coastal walk with Doug, who'll share his expertise and insights and help you capture these unique landscapes on camera.

The cruise departs at exactly the right time of year to spot the incredible Northern Lights , too, so you might get the chance to snap a showstopper pic of this otherworldly phenomenon.

See Vienna's famous Lipizzaner horses in training with Lucy Worsley

Vienna is packed to the brim with culture, from classical music venues where Mozart once played, to baroque palaces, beautifully-tended gardens and grand coffee houses. The city is also home to the Spanish Riding School, where beautiful Lipizzaner horses have been trained to perform a special equine dance for hundreds of years.

On Good Housekeeping's Danube cruise you'll make an exclusive visit to the Royal Lipizzaner Stables with historian Lucy Worsley, where you'll get a fascinating insight into the training work of the riders and their beautiful Lipizzaner stallions.

On arrival, you'll enjoy an aperitif and an introductory talk before seeing the training of the young stallions in the imperial atmosphere of the baroque winter riding school, accompanied by classical Viennese music.

Visit a food market in Kalna with Atul Kochhar on a cruise of India

Any India cruise is bound to include plenty of opportunities to savour the country's delicious cuisine. Good Housekeeping's cruise along the Ganges is no exception. You'll be joined by a special guest, top chef Atul Kochhar, who'll give a talk and Q&A about his illustrious career, from winning his first Michelin star at Tamarind in London to opening his own restaurant, Benares, which won him his second.

Look forward to a brilliant shore excursion with Atul; a visit to a colourful market in Kalna, where you can pick up some fragrant spices and wonderful souvenirs. Atul will give an insight into some of the ingredients available here and take some back to the ship for a cooking demonstration later in the day, where he'll share his passion for Indian cuisine.

See the fascinating temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia

The Mekong River has so many archeological gems, ancient religious sites, and vibrant cities along its banks that you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to shore excursions. But if we had to choose a favourite on our epic 17-day cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, it might be a visit to Cambodia's vast temple complex of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.

This is the world's largest religious building, and it's scale is simply jaw-dropping, covering an incredible 400 km2. The temples were originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, but over time has become used as a site of worship for Buddhist monks and nuns. Explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site with an English speaking guide on our bucket-list Mekong cruise.

Learn about traditional Ainu culture on Japan's Hokkaido island

One of the best things about shore excursions is that they can help you learn about the diverse indigenous cultures of the places you're visiting. For example, many Japan cruises will take you to Hokkaido, where you can get to know the ancient Ainu culture and explore the sprawling wilderness of the country's northernmost island.

Hokkaido is the only spot among Japan's main islands where a non-Japanese indigenous culture has survived as an important identity. On Good Housekeeping's Japan cruise, you'll enjoy a shore excursion to see the cornerstones of Ainu culture, like beautiful attush robes, traditional dances, and a distinct cuisine.

The Ainu are also famous for their crafts, which you'll see all over Hokkaido, from intricate wood carvings to colourful embroidery with symmetrical patterns.

See the prettiest Christmas markets along the Rhine

As far as festive cruise excursions go, you can hardly beat a trip to a traditional European Christmas market. On a cruise along the Rhine, you can tick several off your wish list in one go, perhaps picking up some unique Christmas gifts as you go.

That's exactly what you'll do on Good Housekeeping's cruise along the Rhine in early December. There are several market visits to look forward to, but one of the highlights is bound to be a visit to the enchanting Mainz Christmas Market.

This is one of the oldest cities in Germany, and its historic festive market is located on the Domplatz, with chalet stalls adorned with twinkling fairy lights set against a backdrop of the illuminated Mainz Cathedral.

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